Equipment failure could have caused incident that left serviceman critically injured

SINGAPORE: Preliminary findings indicate equipment malfunction could have led to the incident that left a navy serviceman critically injured.The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in an update late Tuesday night said Weapon Systems Supervisor Jason Chee Weng Fai remains in critical condition.He's warded at the Changi General Hospital.Channel NewsAsia understands that Mr Chee is expected to be...

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Two victims, gunman dead after shooting at Oregon mall

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Mall's Santa says he heard gunshots and "hit the floor"NEW: Mall spokesman: "Our hearts and prayers are with everyone who was in the mall"Three people are killed in the mall shooting, including the gunmanOne witness in Macy's says she saw a man wearing a hockey mask, wielding an assault rifle(CNN) -- Panicked customers rushed to the exits when a gunman opened fire Tuesday at a...

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At least 1 dead after gunman fires in suburban Ore. mall

The scene outside the Clackamas Town Center in suburban Portland, Ore., on Dec. 11, 2012. / KOIN-TV Updated 8:04 p.m. ET PORTLAND, Ore. Emergency dispatchers in Portland, Ore., are receiving reports that a man with a rifle reportedly fired as many as 20 shots inside a shopping mall, killing at least one person. The shooter has now been "neutralized," according to reports. The Oregonian reported...

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Obama Recognizes Syrian Opposition Group

In a diplomatic shift, President Obama said today his administration now formally recognizes the newly-formed, leading coalition of Syrian rebels who are fighting to topple Syria's embattled President Bashar Assad."We've made a decision that the Syrian Opposition Coalition is now inclusive enough, is reflective and representative enough of the Syrian population that we consider...

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Doha summit launches climate damage aid

The latest summit to stop climate change, held in Doha, Qatar, over the past two weeks has been roundly slammed. Little was agreed to curb greenhouse gas emissions and the latest modelling, carried out by the Climate Action Tracker consortium shows global averages temperatures are still set to rise by at least...

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KTPH tops service levels, SGH shows largest improvement: survey

SINGAPORE: Service satisfaction levels at the majority of public hospitals and polyclinics have gone up compared to two years ago.The Ministry of Health (MOH) said among the hospitals, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital achieved the best results at 83 per cent, followed by Alexandra Hospital at 79 per cent and Tan Tock Seng Hospital at 77 per cent.Singapore General Hospital made the largest improvement...

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SEAL killed in Afghan rescue identified

STORY HIGHLIGHTSThe Defense Department identifies the SEAL slain in the rescue effortDr. Dilip Joseph was among three abducted while returning from a rural clinic, officials sayTwo local Afghan leaders say smugglers were responsible; ISAF blames the TalibanRead a version of this story in Arabic.Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The U.S. Defense Department on Monday identified the SEAL killed during a successful...

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Chicago gang violence shows no signs of stopping

(CBS News) CHICAGO - There is a war going on -- not overseas, but right here on the streets of America. A gang war has taken over parts of Chicago. Over the weekend, 14 people were shot. Two were killed. So far this year, there have been more than 2,364 shootings and 487 homicides. CBS News National Correspondent Dean Reynolds rode along with Commander Leo Schmitz of Chicago Police Department's...

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Syrian Ex-General: Assad Will Use Chemical Weapons

A former top general in Syria's chemical weapons program says he doesn't doubt for a moment that President Bashar al-Assad will deploy his chemical weapons arsenal as he tries to hold onto power and crush the uprising that started almost two years ago."The regime started to fall and deteriorate. It's coming to its end," said retired Major General Adnan Sillou in an interview in...

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Female lemurs avoid the wrong love in the dark

IT IS the ultimate voice-recognition system. Without ever meeting him, a female lemur still knows the call of her father. The ability to identify family members is important to avoid inbreeding. For large-brained mammals like apes that engage in complex...

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