NTU to offer new degree programme in public policy & global affairs

SINGAPORE: Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will offer a first-of-its-kind degree programme in Public Policy & Global Affairs in Singapore. The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) programme offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum that combines politics and international relations, public policy and public administration. The programme, which will enrol its pioneer class of 55 students...

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Bomb kills two, wounds 12 in Thai south

BANGKOK: Two security officials died and 12 people were wounded in a blast in Thailand's restive south on Saturday, an army spokesman said, as unrest continued despite plans for talks with a key rebel group.The bomb hidden in a motorcycle in Yala provincial town was aimed at paramilitaries who had been manning a nearby checkpoint, said southern army spokesman Colonel Pramote Promin. Six...

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"Don't Stop Believin'" tops 2012 most-watched dramas list

SINGAPORE: Singapore broadcaster MediaCorp on Friday unveiled the list of most-watched television programmes over its main free-to-air channels.School drama "Don't Stop Believin'", which features stars like Felicia Chin, Romeo Tan, Elvin Ng and Ian Fang, topped the list of popular Mandarin dramas on Channel 8, with an average viewership of 918,000.Heartland drama "It Takes Two" trailed...

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Retired Taiwan general charged with spying for China: media

TAIPEI: A retired Taiwanese lieutenant general has been charged with spying for China in the latest of a string of espionage cases to shock the island, according to media reports on Thursday.Chen Chu-fan, a former vice chief at the Military Police Command allegedly collected intelligence on Taiwan's military and political situation and handed his findings to Beijing, according to the country's...

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More job opportunities for Singaporeans in aerospace industry

SINGAPORE: Singapore's aerospace industry produced a total output of S$8.7 billion last year - more than double the output a decade ago.The industry accounts for nearly 20,000 jobs and a majority of them are skilled workers in areas like aerospace manufacturing, repair and overhaul, testing, as well as training, research and development.It will also require over 6,300 new direct employees...

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India pledges more comfort on creaking rail network

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday pledged better catering, comfort and cleanliness as part a $11.7-billion budget for Asia's oldest rail network along with steps to help stop trains from mowing down people and elephants.Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal hiked freight rates by five per cent in his budget for the sprawling state-run network, India's main form of long-distance transport despite...

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Asia to get almost 10,000 planes over 20 years: Airbus

SINGAPORE: Asia-Pacific carriers will take delivery of 9,870 new passenger and cargo aircraft valued at US$1.6 trillion over the next 20 years, European plane manufacturer Airbus said Monday.The region will account for 35 percent of aircraft deliveries worldwide and 40 percent of the market in terms of value during the period, putting it ahead of Europe and North America, Airbus said in...

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Chavez "working" from hospital, aide says

CARACAS: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is able to work on government issues and is "very energetic" despite being hospitalised and breathing through a tube, a top aide said Saturday.The 58-year-old president has not been seen or heard from since Monday, when he returned to Caracas from cancer surgery in Cuba."The president continues to breathe through a tracheal tube, but he is able...

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Uncertainty as Italian election campaign wraps up

ROME: Italy held its final day of campaigning on Friday ahead of crucial elections, as international investors warned an unclear outcome could shake the economy and set off shockwaves through the Eurozone.Italians will cast their ballots on Sunday and Monday as they grapple with the longest recession in two decades and austerity cuts that have caused deep resentment in the euro area's...

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India strike paralyses banks, offices for second day

NEW DELHI: India's public-sector banks and many government offices were shut Thursday on the second day of a general strike called to protest against the government's planned pro-market reforms.Eleven unions called the strike in protest against the measures which they condemn as "anti-poor" and likely to cost jobs and raise prices.While the impact of the stoppage was patchy and felt mainly...

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Embattled Sony announces another asset sale

TOKYO: Sony said Wednesday it would book a US$1.2 billion gain from selling part of an online medical services unit, the Japanese electronics giant's latest asset sale as it eyes a full-year profit.The firm has announced a massive corporate overhaul that includes thousands of job cuts and the sale of a chemical division and its US headquarters in Manhattan.It is also investing in Olympus...

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Asian markets fall, Japan weighed by strong yen

HONG KONG: Asian markets were mostly lower on Tuesday as Tokyo slipped following an uptick in the yen while Chinese shares fell on fears Beijing may act to rein in soaring property prices.With US markets closed for the Presidents' Day public holiday, there were no drivers from New York.Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 slipped 0.31 percent to end at 11,372.34 on profit-taking and as the yen...

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Sony slashes price on PlayStation Vita in Japan

TOKYO: Sony said on Monday it was slashing the price on its hand-held PlayStation Vita console in Japan by as much as one-third as the electronics giant and its rivals face stiff competition from online games.The company said its 3G/Wi-Fi model would sell for 19,980 yen ($210) from later this month, down from the current 29,980 yen, with the price of the Wi-Fi model also reduced to 19,980...

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Australia-bound Myanmar boat rescued: Sri Lanka police

COLOMBO: A boatload of Myanmar nationals rescued from a sinking wooden craft off Sri Lanka's east coast after two months at sea had been trying to reach Australia, local police said on Sunday.The boatpeople, plucked to safety by Sri Lanka's navy on Saturday, were taken Sunday to the southern port of Galle where they were rushed to hospital to be treated for dehydration and starvation,...

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Former MM Lee Kuan Yew hospitalised

SINGAPORE: Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Saturday after experiencing a suspected transient ischaemic attack associated with a prolonged episode of atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat. A statement from the Prime Minister's office said Mr Lee has recovered but will remain warded for a few days for the doctors to adjust his medication...

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Singapore stocks close mixed

SINGAPORE : Stocks in Singapore ended mixed on Friday amid concerns over the eurozone economy.The Straits Times Index declined 7.40 points to 0.22 per cent to close at 3,283.07. Volume was 6.98 billion shares.In the broader market, gainers led losers 272 to 209.Among banks, OCBC fell 0.4 per cent to S$9.99, UOB was down 0.26 per cent at S$19.32, while DBS lost 0.1 per cent to end at S$15.00.Olam...

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Eurozone recession deepens in Q4

BRUSSELS: The recession in the 17-nation eurozone recession deepened sharply in the fourth quarter of 2012, with the economy shrinking by 0.6 percent from the previous quarter when it dropped 0.1 percent, official data showed on Thursday.In the second quarter of 2012, the eurozone economy had contracted 0.2 percent on a sequential basis, meaning the recession has now lasted three quarters...

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UK police arrest six in new phone hacking probe

LONDON: British police arrested six current or former journalists on Wednesday in a new probe into alleged phone hacking at Rupert Murdoch's now-closed News of the World tabloid, Scotland Yard said.Investigators had identified a "further suspected conspiracy" by staff at the paper in 2005 and 2006 which was separate to the alleged hacking under which a number of people have been charged,...

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Catholic world in shock after pope resigns

VATICAN CITY: The Catholic Church faced a tricky transition on Tuesday as it prepared to elect a new pope, with many faithful still reeling from the shock resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.The 85-year-old Benedict told a group of cardinals in a speech in Latin on Monday that he will step down on February 28 because he could no longer fulfil his duties in a fast-changing world -- the first...

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Aero India Show attracts over 700 exhibitors from 27 countries

NEW DELHI : Global armament companies were in for a bit of disappointment at the Aero India Show, with India's defence minister warning of budget cuts this year.Military spending will reportedly go down by about US$2 billion.Many firms had been hoping to secure multi-billion dollar deals at the Aero India Show, which ended on Sunday.One of Asia's biggest air shows, the Aero India Show...

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