Tokyo / Bloomberg Sharp Corp.’s shares rose after President Kozo Takahashi and Foxconn Technology Group’s Chairman Terry Gou formally signed a rescue deal over the weekend that gives the electronics maker a chance to recover from a long slump. The stock climbed 4 percent to close at 130 yen in Tokyo on Monday, while the Nikkei 225 Index was mostly …

Sydney / Bloomberg Optus, Australia’s second-biggest mobile-phone carrier, plans to cut as many as 480 jobs as it revamps its consumer and enterprise divisions and seeks sustainable growth. The unit of Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. notified affected employees today, with some likely to be offered alternative positions within the company, said a Singtel official who asked not to be identified per …

Baku / Bloomberg Deadly clashes between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces over the NagornyKarabakh region continued for a third day on Monday despite international pressure to halt the worst fighting in decades over the disputed territory. Azerbaijan said three of its troops were killed overnight when Armenian forces shelled its positions using mortars and grenade launchers, taking the overall death toll …

Myanmar / AFP Myanmar’s Aung San SuuKyidropped plans to run two major ministries but will act as spokeswoman for the country’s new president, a ruling party official said on Monday. Banned from becoming president by a junta-era constitution, SuuKyi has cemented control over the country’s first civilian-led government in decades by taking on a string of senior roles in the …

Maldives / AFP Maldives police have released 16 journalists arrested during a protest against a perceived government crackdown on press freedom on the politically troubled holiday islands, officials said on Monday. The journalists, which the government said were released late Sunday, have been ordered to report to police for questioning over the demonstration held outside President Abdulla Yameen’s office in …

Brussels / AFP Brussels airport scheduled nearly 40 flights on Monday, officials said, as Belgium struggles to get back to normal after two suicide bombers blew themselves up in the departure hall nearly two weeks ago. The number was a sharp rise over the three flights at Belgium’s main air hub on Sunday, but a far cry from the 600 …

Brazil / Bloomberg Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff’s top lawyer will present final arguments before an impeachment committee on Monday at the start of a crucial two weeks in the embattled leader’s bid to stay in power. Solicitor General Jose Eduardo Cardozo was due to face the cross-party committee for the last time before it votes on whether to recommend Rousseff …

Djibouti / AFP A French warship ploughs through the sparkling waters between Africa and Arabia on a joint training drill with the US that highlights Djibouti’s growing strategic role for the world’s militaries. On the sun-blasted rocky shores of the tiny Horn of Africa nation, some 500 French troops march alongside 50 US Marines near the town of Arta, wearing …

ABU DHABI / Emirates Business FGB, one of the leading banks in the UAE, has received the BS OHSAS 18001 Health & Safety Certification by BSI Middle East and Africa. This makes FGB the first bank in the MENA region to have this title, which recognises its ongoing efforts to ensure occupational health and safety in its business environment. The …

SHARJAH / WAM HH Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the Kalba public park project at Al Ghail district in Sharjah. The project will include shaded rest houses, BBQ areas, sports facilities and public services utilities. Ali bin Shaeen, Chairman of Sharjah Public Works Department, told the Sharjah Radio that …