Swarm-mongering: Brainless blobs flock together

Birds of a feather flock together and now so do brainless, inanimate blobs. Made of microscopic particles, the artificial swarms could shed light on the mysterious mechanisms behind the natural swarming seen in fish and birds. They might also lead to materials with novel properties like self-healing. ...

Read More..

Chua Chu Kang TC new managing agent's plans to improve services

SINGAPORE: Feedback from residents of estates managed by Chua Chu Kang Town Council will be tracked more efficiently, while officers can directly record defects into the estate maintenance system using their smartphones.These are some of the changes planned by the town council's new managing agent, CPG Facilities Management (CPGFM).It was appointed following an open tender and took over...

Read More..

Tough questioning from conservatives for Hagel

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Hagel says he regrets some past comments; struggles at times under conservative poundingNEW: Obama administration official says Hagel had some difficulty, but "we think he's on his way"Republicans hone in on Iran, Israel, troop surge in sharp questioning of HagelHagel is a decorated Vietnam veteran; says experience influenced life, but does not consume himWashington (CNN) -- Former...

Read More..

Investigators eye slain prosecutor's cases after his murder outside courthouse

(CBS) KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas -- Authorities in Kaufman County, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, are looking into past criminal cases and those that were on the calendar of Chief Prosecutor Mark Hasse, who was shot dead Thursday morning in a parking lot across from the county courthouse, CBS DFW reported.Kaufman Police Chief Chris Aulbaugh told the station that Hasse's shooting appears to have been...

Read More..

Arias' Lawyer Shows Ex-Boyfriend's Lewd Photos

Accused murderer Jodi Arias was kept away from the Mormon friends of her lover Travis Alexander and their torrid sex affair was kept secret by Alexander, even as he sent lewd photos of himself to her online, according to court testimony today.The testimony in Arias' trial for killing Alexander in 2008 was intended to bolster the defense's argument that she killed him in self...

Read More..

Today on New Scientist: 30 January 2013

Timbuktu's precious scientific texts must be saved Islamist militants in Mali have burned documents that attest to science in Africa before European colonisation - what remains must be protectedThink that massage feels good? Try adding drugs Nerve bundles that respond to stroking have been identified and chemically activated in miceHow Obama will deliver his climate promise The US is set to...

Read More..

2 new commercial belts to bring jobs closer to homes

SINGAPORE: Jobs will be brought nearer to the homes to help ease the congestion in the city centre, with two new commercial belts.The government, which outlined these developments in its Land Use Plan, will also make it easier for people to use public transport. And, it hopes to see 75 per cent of all journeys made by public transport by 2030, compared with the current 60 per cent.The...

Read More..

Teen who performed at inaugural events shot dead

STORY HIGHLIGHTSNEW: Chicago mayor: "We have a responsibility to see a stop to this"Hadiya Pendleton, 15, was shot dead in Chicago on TuesdayLast week she performed in events surrounding President Obama's inauguration"Just a matter of days after the happiest day of her life, she's gone," Sen. Dick Durbin saysChicago (CNN) -- A teen who performed at events around President Barack Obama's inauguration...

Read More..

Obama: "No doubt" Congress will pass immigration, gun bills

Play VideoObama: "No doubt" gun, immigration bills will pass in coming monthsThere's more bipartisan support in Congress for comprehensive immigration reform than gun control legislation, President Obama said tonight during an interview with Univision, but qualified that even under his proposal, illegal immigrants shouldn't be harboring expectations that they'll be granted citizenship "manana." ...

Read More..

Former Police Captain Cleared of Ex-Wife's Murder

A former Ohio police captain has been cleared in the murder of his ex-wife and released from prison, where he had been for 15 years -- but prosecutors say they plan to appeal the ruling."I'm just a jumble of emotions and I just can't wait to hug all of my family," Douglas Prade told reporters outside the prison when he was released Tuesday afternoon, according to ABC News' Cleveland...

Read More..