Top 10 Straits Times video stories of 2014

2014 has been an eventful year for Singapore. Here's a look back at the video stories that caught your attention this year.

Naval diving unit: Surviving Hell Week, Naval Diving Unit: Sun, sand and sea

Only the fittest will become navy combat divers​. ​To earn their place in this elite Naval Diving Unit, trainees have to make it through the toughest five days of their life, known as Hell Week​. ​Straits Times photojournalists Alphonsus Chern and Caroline Chia followed a batch of trainees through their five-month journey to become frogmen​. ​Get a ringside view of the rigorous training regime that pushes their physical and mental endurance to the limit.

Man arrested for Ang Mo Kio murder

Some heard yelling, sounds of dishes smashing and then a woman's frightened cries​. ​This was hours before a 30-year-old woman was found dead in a ninth-floor unit at Block 406, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10​. ​A 40-year-old Singaporean man has been charged with her murder.

Colleen Turzynski reunites with foster family

For 25 years, Colleen Turzynski had wanted to know more about her Singaporean family.​ ​Her Singaporean mother, Polish father and grandfather were brutally killed in a triple murder when she was an infant.​ ​Having lived in Poland since her parents' death, she had lost all contact with her mother's family.​ ​The wait was finally over when Colleen had an emotional virtual reunion with her Singapore relatives via skype chat, arranged by The Straits Times. Get her story here http://sph.straitstimes.com/STI/STIMEDIA/2014/colleen/index.html

Mother and daughter found dead at Ang Mo Kio

A gruesome double-tragedy took place at an Ang Mo Kio flat.​ ​51-year-old sales promoter Andrea Tay Su Lin killed her 75-year-old mother and then took her own life by leaping from her sixth-floor kitchen window.​ ​Tay attacked Madam Rosaline Lim, a cleaner, with a knife and chopper in the living room of their flat at Block 105 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4.​

New strategies for a "new way forward"

What's next for Singapore in the next 50 years?​ ​President Tony Tan Keng Yam highlights the Government's plan to adopt new strategies and a "new way forward" for the nation in his parliament reopening speech.​ ​As Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence, Dr Tan pledged to build a better and brighter Singapore, and called on Singaporeans to do the same.

First look: Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge

Take a closer look at two of Samsung's latest offerings.​ ​Digital Life's Deputy Editor Sherwin Loh previews the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and dual display Samsung Galaxy Note Edge at IFA 2014 in Berlin, Germany.

Sim Lim Square retailers speak up against bad reputation

Sim Lim Square came under the spotlight after reports of errant retailers cheating and overcharging customers surfaced online.​ ​A tourist was refunded a bag full of coins for an overpriced iPhone 6, while another tearfully begged for his money back at a mobile shop.​ ​Despite its bad reputation, retailers at Sim Lim Square said not all sellers are out to scam.

From gang fights to animal rights

Pierced, heavily tattooed and with his hair bleached blond, 33-year-old Derrick Tan is often mistaken for a ruffian.​ ​He flunked his studies, joined various gangs, sniffed glue, did drugs and was arrested for rioting but his life took a turn when he joined the Singapore Police Force as a dog trainer.​ ​Today, Mr Tan is the founder of Voices For Animals, a welfare group that rescues and rehabilitates former breeding dogs and cats.

Rolling to better health?

Forget taiji or qigong, some elderly folk are rolling down a hill for better health.​ ​Every weekday morning, a group of 20 to 50 seniors head to Bedok Reservoir and take turns rolling down a slope.​ ​Retiree Lew Keh Lam, who started the activity seven years ago, claims the exercise can cure ailments, including cancer, Parkinson's Disease and stroke.

Night Safari's new residents

Meet the newest residents of the Night Safari - a pair of South African white lions, three Asiatic Black Bears and a Malayan Tiger.​ ​The animals were introduced as part of the attraction's 20th anniversary celebrations​.​

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