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Tuesday #sgroundup: SMRT slammed for trying to downplay Monday’s peak hour train delay

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SMRT slammed for trying to downplay Monday's peak hour train delay

The scene at Khatib MRT station during a train disruption on the North-South Line earlier in 2014. (Yahoo file photo)
The scene at Khatib MRT station during a train disruption on the North-South Line earlier in 2014. (Yahoo file photo)

Beleaguered transport operator SMRT came under fire after attempting to downplay its 90-minute rail service failure during Monday morning's rush hour, insisting that train services were not disrupted and that trains "ran at a slower speed".

This even as commuters reported that their trains were stalled, in particular between Yew Tee and Kranji stations, for more than an hour, with others saying they did not care what the incidents were called.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/smrt-slammed-for-trying-to-downplay-monday-s-peak-hour-train-delay-084557197.html

What's that smell in the air, Singapore?

A view of Upper Seletar Reservoir in Singapore. Reservoirs here are partially drying up after Singapore's longest-ever dry spell, which is expected to last through the first half of March. (Getty Images file photo)
A view of Upper Seletar Reservoir in Singapore. Reservoirs here are partially drying up after Singapore's longest-ever dry spell, which is expected to last through the first half of March. (Getty Images file photo)

Singapore's dry weather has persisted to create the longest dry spell the nation-state has ever seen, with 27 days sans rain from 13 January to 8 February, and it's caused minor vegetation fires that have resulted in a slight "burning" smell in the air over the past couple of days.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/what-s-that-smell-in-the-air--singapore--035732524.html

Samsung officially unveils Galaxy S5 and new wearables at Unpacked 5

Samsung's latest devices -- the Gear Fit, the Gear 2 Neo, the Gear 2 and the Galaxy S5 -- all of which were launched together at its "Unpacked 5" event overnight. (HardwareZone photo)
Samsung's latest devices -- the Gear Fit, the Gear 2 Neo, the Gear 2 and the Galaxy S5 -- all of which were launched together at its "Unpacked 5" event overnight. (HardwareZone photo)

Samsung unveiled a suite of new devices at its latest launch event earlier Tuesday, calling its Galaxy S5 its "back to basics" phone, focusing on delivering capabilities that matter the most to consumers.

Among the range are three wearables -- the Gear Fit fitness band, as well as the two smart watches that were announced a day earlier -- the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/samsung-officially-unveils-galaxy-s5-wearables-unpacked-5-195031804.html

Philippines protests at South China Sea water cannon incident

Philippine Foreign Affairs Department spokesman Raul Hernandez answers questions from reporters during a press conference at Foreign Affairs headquarters in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014. The Philippines has called in a Chinese envoy to protest what it says was the firing of a water cannon by a Chinese government vessel on Filipino fishermen in a disputed shoal in the South China Sea. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The Philippines has protested strongly against China's use of a water cannon on Filipino fishermen in the disputed waters of the Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for the Philippine locals, warning that the incident will escalate tensions.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/philippines-protests-south-china-sea-water-cannon-incident-072940222.html

Ukraine to unveil new premier, government

Maidan (Independence Square) self-defence protesters arrive on Independence Square in Kiev in an armoured vehicle on February 24, 2014. (AFP photo)
Maidan (Independence Square) self-defence protesters arrive on Independence Square in Kiev in an armoured vehicle on February 24, 2014. (AFP photo)

Ukraine is set to unveil a new Prime Minister and cabinet as top Western envoys rushed to Kiev in a bid to find a lasting solution to its ongoing fiscal crisis.

After days of carnage in its capital that led to nearly 100 people dead, protesters successfully ousted the country's pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych, after he spurned a historic pact with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Russia in November last year.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ukraine-ushers-era-president-39-whereabouts-unknown-111638128.html