The European Union proposed doubling the size of its Mediterranean search and rescue operations on Monday, as the first bodies were brought ashore of some 900 people feared killed in the deadliest shipwreck while trying to reach Europe.
EU regulators has cleared telecom group Altice's (ATCE.AS) planned 7.4 billion euro ($7.9 billion) purchase of the Portuguese assets of Brazil's Grupo Oi (OIBR3.SA) subject to the condition that Altice sells its current Portuguese businesses.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday he was ready to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at an Asian-African summit in Jakarta this week if the chance arises, the latest sign of hope for a further thaw in Tokyo's troubled ties with Beijing.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino will ask Southeast Asian leaders to issue a collective statement denouncing China's reclamation in disputed waters, an official said on Monday, as the army expressed concern over expanding building works.
