<p>JAKARTA - INDONESIA'S police chief said on Friday he could not rule out a potential security risk for US President Barack Obama's planned visit this month, as more suspected militant violence hit the province of Aceh.<p>Police killed two suspected militants and detained eight others in a shootout in Aceh on Sumatra island, just three days after police shot dead Dulmatin, a top fugitive militant wanted over the 2002 Bali bombings, near Jakarta. </p>

Security risks over Obama visit

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<p>ERRANT agencies recruiting foreign workers, be forewarned.<p>The Manpower Ministry is looking to take tougher measures to weed out those engaged in malpractices, such as conspiring with firms to make false declarations so they can hire 'phantom workers'.</p>

Clam down on errant agents

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<p>BONN (Germany) - NEW European Union rules to regulate hedge funds should include Britain, the head of the Eurogroup of euro zone finance ministers said on Friday.'We need in Europe a self-contained, regulated space for hedge funds, preferably including Britain,' Jean-Claude Juncker told journalists.

Fund rules should include UK

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<p>BEIJING Guoan picked up their first win of the S-League season, beating Geylang United 3-1 on Friday night.<p>A brace from new signing Tan Tiancheng (28th and 52nd minute) and an injury time strike by substitute Zhang Xizhe gave the Chinese side the victory.</p>

Beijing clip eagles' wing

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<p>THE inter-ministerial committee that formulates Singapore's position at global climate change negotiations now has an additional role of overseeing policies to be taken at home, Senior Minister S. Jayakumar said on Friday.<p>It will drive domestic measures to mitigate against climate change, now that the focus of international talks has shifted to what countries must do at home to meet obligations such as emissions reduction.</p>

Climate panel's role upped

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<p>GENEVA - EMBATTLED UBS AG has warned that Switzerland's financial industry is at risk unless lawmakers approve a tax treaty with the United States, and that other Swiss banks may be next to face pressure from US regulators.

IRS has 20 Swiss banks in sight

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<p>NEW YORK - US STOCKS climbed on Friday on higher retail sales that fueled expectations that consumer sentiment was improving amid fragile economic recovery.

US stocks open higher

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<p>SAKHIR (Bahrain) - NICO Rosberg was fastest in practice at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, with teammate Michael Schumacher finishing third to put Mercedes at the front of the Formula One grid.

Rosberg leads Bahrain practice

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<p>MILAN - FORMER Renault principal Flavio Briatore says he has left Formula One for good, despite having a lifetime ban from the series overturned.

Briatore rules out F1 return

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<p>THIS year's Budget 2010 focused on the issue of raising productivity.<p>Students taking part at the Ministry of Finance Budget Quiz finals recently certainly took the message to heart.</p>

NUS, RI win MOF budget quiz

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_501400.html

<p>PASSPORT application over the counters at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Building will be suspended for a week from Saturday due to high demand for such services.<p>Singaporeans are advised to make use of alternative modes of application for passport, such as online, the drop box located outside the ICA Building, or by post.</p>

Passport application suspended

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<p>OSLO - A NORWEGIAN driver lost control of his Toyota Prius car which tore off at speeds of up to 176 kilometers (109 miles) an hour, police and the Japanese auto firm said on Friday.<p>The driver said the accelerator pedal stuck and he had to hit a roadside safety rail to stop the car in the latest embarrassing incident for Toyota which has recalled nine million Prius and other vehicles over faults.</p>

Another out-of-control Prius

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<P>NEW DELHI- INDIA'S central bank announced Friday it would invest US$10 billion (S$13.9 billion) in notes issued by the International Monetary Fund as part of efforts to strengthen the Washington-based lender.

India invests $14b in IMF notes

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<p>ATHENS - THE economy of crisis-hit Greece shrank by 2.5 per cent in the last three months of 2009 compared to output in the fourth quarter of 2008, official data showed on Friday, a slight improvement on a previous estimate.

Greek Q4 GDP shrinks 2.5%

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<p>GOOD news for pay-TV viewers.<p>Whoever wins the rights to the 2014 English Premier League (EPL), they will be able to watch it on their current set-top box. </p><p>The Government on Friday announced that pay-TV providers like SingTel and StarHub will have to carry exclusive content purchased by another player, a move expected to make such content more accessible and cheaper for consumers. his is unlike the situation today where EPL matches - exclusive to SingTel - are only available on its mio TV service. </p>

Telcos must share content

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<p>MUMBAI - INDIA'S industrial output rose 16.7 per cent in January, official data showed on Friday, raising the chances of a hike in interest rates next month as Asia's third-largest economy surges ahead.

India's industrial output up

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<p>YALA - A SENIOR police commander was killed on Friday when militants in Thailand's troubled south ambushed his pick-up truck with a roadside bomb and gunfire, police said.

Thai south bomb kills police

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<p>BANDUNG (Indonesia) - AN INDONESIAN court jailed six people under the country's anti-pornography law for performing an erotic dance at a bar in the early hours of New Year's Day, a prosecutor said on Friday.

6 jailed for 'erotic dance'

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<p>LONDON - SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce has been told his job is safe even if the Black Cats are relegated from the Premier League this season.</p> <p>Bruce's future at the Stadium of Light has looked uncertain in recent weeks after his team's dismal run of 14 matches without a win.</p>

Job safe even if relegated

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<p>CHITTAGONG (Bangladesh) - ALASTAIR Cook celebrated his first day as Test captain with a superb 158 not out to put England in a commanding position in the opening Test against Bangladesh on Friday.</p> <p>Kevin Pietersen was also in the limelight, regaining form with a robust 99 as the tourists posted 374-3 in their first innings at stumps on the first day. Paul Collingwood was unbeaten on 32.</p>

Cook, Pietersen feast on attack

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