Leap Second

A "leap second" will be added to this year's New Year's countdown to compensate for a slowdown in the Earth's rotation.

The extra second will occur as clocks strike midnight and a time of 23:59:60 will be recorded, delaying 2017 momentarily.

Alma Deutscher

An audience in Vienna has given a standing ovation to 11-year-old British composer Alma Deutscher at the premiere of her opera Cinderella.

No Tit-For-Tat From Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ruled out a tit-for-tat response after the US expelled 35 Russian diplomats amid a row over hacking.

Prank Calls

01Jan - 4:33pm 261610157 
01Jan - 4:40pm 261610157
01Jan - 5:01pm 81583068
07Jan - 9:38pm 86511174
07Jan - 9:43pm 86511174
08Jan - 12:10pm 91304587
13Jan - 8:28pm 8613119878750 
13Jan - 8:29pm 92455162
13Jan - 9:37pm 90512233
13Jan - 9:38pm 90512233
21Jan - 7:40pm 96900319
21Jan - 7:41pm 96900319
21Jan - 7:43pm 96900319
27Jan - 5:40pm 8523027119
05Feb - 4:49pm 261610157
11Feb - 12:19pm 90749045
03Mar - 8:39am 63658490
03Mar - 2:37pm 62528754
07Mar - 12:41pm 66342812
24Apr - 10:49pm 23190503953
26Apr - 11:37pm 919500009499
01May - 5:07pm 63401879
07May - 5:45pm 63401879
09May - 2:25pm 82522033923
12May - 10:48am 8615619634813
21May - 11:05am 63401879
21May - 3:10pm 63401879
24May - 8:35am 87109920
30May - 1:02pm 66342812
31May - 5:28pm 919087994971
02Jun - 3:15pm 261610157

02Jun - 3:31pm 261610157
03Jun - 2:01pm 65112872
06Jun - 3:30pm 64404393
11Jun - 2:19pm 61406272
15Jun - 2:19pm 66342812
28Jun - 10:49am 82995471
28Jun - 3:47pm 65824587
08Jul - 10:05pm 98162353
29Jul - 5:01am 65778888
01Aug - 8:53am 15290149555
16Aug - 6:52pm 64627248
16Aug - 6:57pm 64627248
26Aug - 3:41pm 64404393
26Aug - 3:57pm 919500009499
17Sep - 1:37am 968125 
19Sep - 1:59am 98127813
03Oct - 7:39am 66216999 
01Nov - 4:24pm 92972383
01Nov - 4:25pm 92972383
05Nov - 11:07am 91174461
05Nov - 15:09pm 84289911
26Nov - 1:37pm 62528754
26Nov - 1:39pm 62528754
01Dec - 12:49pm 64626895

Festive Tax Returns

Thousands of people filed their tax returns over the festive season - a month before the deadline, the UK's tax authority has said.

Phil Scraton

Hillsborough campaigner Prof Phil Scraton has turned down an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The author, who led the Hillsborough Independent Panel's research team, said he could not receive an honour in protest "at those who remained unresponsive" to help families and survivors affected by the disaster.

Jari Aarnio

A Finnish court has sentenced the former head of Helsinki's anti-drugs police to 10 years in prison for drug-smuggling and other offences.

Jari Aarnio was found to have helped a gang to import nearly 800kg (1,764lb) of hashish from the Netherlands and sell it in Finland in 2011-2012.

Migrants Leaving Germany

A record 55,000 migrants left Germany voluntarily this year - more than twice the number deported.

Russia and Sanctions

Three prominent US senators have warned that Russia and its president may face sanctions over the country's alleged interference in last month's presidential election.

They said the move had cross-party support in the senate.

President-elect Donald Trump has rejected claims of Russian interference.

Outgoing President Barack Obama is expected to announce retaliatory measures as early as Thursday.

Bradley Wiggins

Five-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced his retirement from cycling aged 36.

Rue du Brexit

A little corner of France is set to pay tribute to Britain's decision to leave the EU after a town's mayor created a "Rue du Brexit".

Julien Sanchez, a member of France's far right National Front (FN), suggested the name in order "to pay homage to the choice of the British people" following the referendum.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner

Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been charged over corruption allegations.

Bob Bradley

Swansea City have sacked Bob Bradley after only 85 days in charge of the Premier League club.

Vanuatu

A new web tool is allowing Pacific Islanders on Vanuatu to see how rising sea levels could affect their homes and businesses over the coming years.

Storm Conor

Parts of Scotland have been hit by heavy snow showers and strong winds as Storm Conor swept across the north of the country.

Senol Buran

The boss of a cafeteria at a Turkish opposition newspaper has been detained after saying he would refuse to serve tea to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Senol Buran, cafeteria head at Cumhuriyet, was remanded accused of insulting the president. He denies the refusal was an insult, his lawyer said.

Turkey has cracked down on dissent since a failed coup in July.

Queen Misses Christmas Service

The Queen has not attended church on Christmas Day because she is still suffering from a heavy cold.

Buckingham Palace said she was staying indoors to help her recover but added that she would still participate in the family's Christmas Day celebrations.

Evacuation at Augsburg

More than 50,000 residents from the German city of Augsburg were evacuated from their homes so that a huge World War Two bomb could be defused.

It was the country's biggest evacuation for an unexploded bomb since the end of the war.

The 1.8-tonne British explosive is thought to have come from a 1944 air raid, which destroyed the old town.

Lego Technic Porsche

Lego's new Porsche 911 GT3 RS set is gorgeous, desirable and not a little bit scary — which sums up actual car quite well. Three years in the making, the intimidating set joins the Danish toymaker's Technic line, highly complex model kits whose parts number in the thousands.

Record Defence Budget For Japan

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has signed off a record defence budget in the face of territorial disputes with China and North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.

Arctic Heatwave

Temperatures at the North Pole could be up to 20 degrees higher than average this Christmas Eve, in what scientists say is a record-breaking heatwave.

Climate scientists say these unseasonably warm weather patterns in the Arctic region are directly linked to man-made climate change.

Temperatures throughout November and December were 5C higher than average.

Santa Protest

Tens of thousands of South Koreans have marched through the streets of Seoul - many dressed as Santa Claus - calling for the immediate removal of their president.

The festive protest marks the ninth week of rallies against Park Geun-hye.

Israeli Settlements

The United Nations Security Council has passed a resolution urging an end to illegal Israeli settlements after the US refused to veto it.

The Egyptian-drafted resolution had been withdrawn after Israel asked Donald Trump to intervene but it was proposed again by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela.

David Friedman

US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen right-winger David Friedman as America's next ambassador to Israel.

The 57-year-old lawyer is strongly critical of the long-held US goal of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He also supports Jewish settlement building in the occupied West Bank and moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

Letter from Putin to Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump's transition team have released a letter that they say was sent to him by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ivanka and Passenger

An airline has thrown a passenger off a flight after he accosted Ivanka Trump, the eldest daughter of President-elect Donald Trump, on a plane from New York.

Prince Charles and Religion

Prince Charles has spoken out about the danger of religious persecution, warning against a repeat of "the horrors of the past".

Trump and Nuclear

Donald Trump has called for the US to "greatly strengthen and expand" its nuclear arsenal.

The president-elect, who takes office next month, said the US must take such action "until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes".

Sleepovers in Ikea

Ikea is urging teenagers to stop creeping into its stores and having illegal sleepovers.

About 10 "non-sponsored sleepovers" have been logged across the world by the Swedish furniture giant this year.

In the past, people have hidden themselves in stores in the US, Canada, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, Japan, Australia and Poland.

Adam Saleh

A YouTube star's video about his removal from a Delta Airlines flight has gone viral across social media.

Adam Saleh told the BBC he was asked to get off the London-New York flight on Wednesday after speaking to his mother in Arabic on the phone.

Plastic Rice

Nigeria has confiscated 2.5 tonnes of "plastic rice" smuggled into the country by unscrupulous businessmen, the customs service says.

Strike By UK Airport Staff

A strike by airport baggage handlers and check-in staff planned for Friday and Christmas Eve has been called off.

More than 1,500 members of the Unite union employed by Swissport had been due to walk out for 48 hours in a row over pay and conditions.

5000 Rupee

Pakistan's Senate has recommended scrapping the country's 5,000 rupee ($48; £38.50) banknote, despite government opposition.

A resolution, which is not binding, has called for the government to remove the notes to "reduce illicit money flow".

Ivanka Trump

She is a successful businesswoman, author and celebrity in her own right, with a reported net worth of $150m (£120m). But what new role might the president-elect be contemplating for his daughter, Ivanka?

Thirty-five-year-old Ivanka Trump is used to a life in the spotlight.

As a teenager, she worked as a model. As an adult, she has a wide-ranging empire that touches fashion, business, media and self-help.

But she faces an entirely new level of scrutiny as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to move to the White House - and to take Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, with him.

Electoral College

The US electoral college is expected to certify Donald Trump as president on Monday, despite a last-minute effort to thwart the Republican.

Christine Lagarde

A French court has found International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde guilty of negligence but did not hand down any punishment.

As French finance minister in 2008, she approved an award of €404m ($429m; £340m) to businessman Bernard Tapie for the disputed sale of a firm.

Word Of The Year

Dictionary Merriam-Webster has named "surreal" as its word of the year.

The lexicographer selected surreal - which means "unbelievable, fantastic" - after spikes in searches following terrorist attacks and the US election.

Oath and Radicalisation

Making civil servants and other holders of public office swear an oath to British values would not help combat radicalisation, the shadow home secretary has said.

Diane Abbott told Sky News it would not make "any verifiable difference".

Post-Brexit and EU Free Trade Deals

Post-Brexit trade deals should not "come at a price" to existing agreements with other EU nations, ex-chancellor George Osborne says.

But he told the BBC's Andrew Marr the UK needed a "hard-headed assessment" of issues such as the EU customs union.

Abu Dhabi and BP

Abu Dhabi has become one of BP's biggest shareholders under a deal which gives the oil company a much bigger stake in the emirate's oil output.

Security Fence Around Parliament

Hundreds of Australians have gathered to roll on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, in protest against plans to build a security fence there.

Press Freedom in Poland

Demonstrators in the Polish capital Warsaw have renewed their protest against government plans to restrict journalists' access to parliament.

Seized Drone in South China Sea

The Pentagon says it has "secured an understanding" with China that it will return an underwater drone seized in the South China Sea.

China captured the US vessel in international waters on Thursday. It has not explained why and accused the US of "hyping-up" the incident.

US President-elect Donald Trump accused the Chinese of "stealing".

The incident is among the most serious military confrontations between the two powers for decades.

Swiss Immigration Bill

Swiss MPs have backed a bill giving jobseekers already in the country priority over applicants from EU member states in times of high unemployment.

Michelle Obama and Hope

Her husband repeatedly used messages of hope in his presidential campaigns and during his time in office.

But US First Lady Michelle Obama has struck a much less upbeat tone in her last TV interview before the family leaves the White House.

Speaking to talk show host Oprah Winfrey, Mrs Obama said America's outlook had changed since Donald Trump won November's election.

China and US Drone

The US has issued a formal request to China to deliver an unmanned underwater drone that was seized in international waters, US officials say.

The Chinese navy seized the US underwater research vessel in the South China Sea on Thursday, the US alleges.

Fake News and Facebook

Facebook has announced new features to help combat fabricated news stories on the world's largest social network.

Sky and 21st Century Fox

Broadcaster Sky and 21st Century Fox have reached agreement on the terms of a takeover deal.

Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox will pay £11.7bn for the 61% stake it does not already own.

$85 Stones

When a US department store decided to start selling a stone for $85 (£65), people were - somewhat understandably - shocked.

To be fair to Nordstrom, the stone came in a fetching leather pouch and was undeniably popular with its clientele, selling out in both large (and small) within days.

Alexis Tsipras

The Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has refused to back down over his plans to give poor Greek pensioners a pre-Christmas bonus.

A government official said Mr Tsipras would ask parliament on Thursday to approve the payment, worth €617m (£517m) in total.

Weapons On Islands

New photographic evidence has emerged of "significant" Chinese military defences on artificial islands in the South China Sea, a think tank reports.

Interest Rate

The US Federal Reserve has raised its key interest rate by 0.25%, only the second increase in a decade.

Taiwan As A Pawn

For President-elect Donald Trump, the biggest issue in the US relationship with China is trade. But for Beijing, it's Taiwan.

Mr Trump and his team know this and it's becoming increasingly clear that they hope to use Taiwan as a bargaining chip to get what they want from China.

Rex Tillerson

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, Rex Tillerson, as his choice for US secretary of state.

iPhone Passcode

A court in Florida has said a suspected voyeur can be made to reveal his iPhone passcode to investigators.

Lockheed Martin

Shares in Lockheed Martin have fallen after President-elect Donald Trump said he would cut the cost of its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter after taking office.

La La Land

Musical film La La Land leads the pack in this year's Golden Globe nominations, with seven nods in total.

Trousergate

It's just over a fortnight since Theresa May gave an "at home" interview to the Sunday Times, telling the paper about her childhood and explaining how Brexit keeps her awake at night. But it was her choice of trousers - which cost a reported £995 - that provoked most discussion.

Paolo Gentiloni

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has been asked to form a government by the country's president.

President Sergio Mattarella has been looking for a replacement for centre-left PM Matteo Renzi, who resigned after losing a referendum on constitutional reform last week.

Trump and One China

President-elect Donald Trump has questioned whether the US should continue its "One China" policy.

More Votes For Clinton

As mail-in and absentee voter ballots continue to trickle in and the country braces for President-elect Donald Trump to step into power, Hillary Clinton quietly marked a milestone.

The latest election totals showed that Mrs Clinton, who lost to outsider Mr Trump last month, has received more votes than Mr Obama did in his 2012 victory, according to data from the National Archives and a running total by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

She has overtaken Mr Trump by more than 2.5 million votes (48% to Mr Trump's 46%).

Mrs Clinton's lead is the largest of the five times when a US presidential candidate won the popular vote but failed to win the election.

Christmas Toys in Venezuela

Venezuelan authorities have arrested two toy company executives and seized almost four million toys, which they say they will distribute to the poor.

Officials accused the company of hoarding toys and hiking prices in the run-up to Christmas.

Last week, the government issued an order to retailers to reduce prices on a range of goods by 30%.

Seventh Weekend In A Row In Seoul

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have marched in the South Korean capital, Seoul, to celebrate the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Rex Tillerson

Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson has met President-elect Donald Trump amid growing speculation that he is being considered for US secretary of state.

World Needs Canada

US Vice-President Joe Biden told an audience in Ottawa that the world needs "genuine leaders" such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

A Puppy and A President

The political scandal engulfing South Korea has culminated in Park Geun-hye's impeachment but according to one account, it all started with an argument over a puppy.

Yuliya Stepanova

The elite Russian athlete Yuliya Stepanova has won worldwide fame - not so much for what she has achieved on the track but what she dared to do off it.

For the past two years she, her husband Vitaly and their three year old son, Robert have been on the run. They live in secret, fearing for their lives, after the couple exposed one of the greatest sporting scandals of all time - Russia's state sponsored doping programme.

Marine Le Pen and Free Education

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has called for an end to free education for the children of illegal immigrants.

President Faces Impeachment Vote

South Korea's embattled president Park Geun-hye is facing impeachment, with lawmakers due to vote on Friday on dismissing her from office.

Ms Park is embroiled in a political scandal that has sparked massive protests and calls for her resignation.

A close confidante, Choi Soon-sil, is accused of using her connections to Ms Park to gain influence and money.

Boris Johnson

Downing Street has said Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's comments on Saudi Arabia do not represent "the government's position".

Footage has emerged from an event last week at which Mr Johnson said UK ally Saudi Arabia was engaging in "proxy wars" in the Middle East.

Matteo Renzi

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has handed in his resignation to Italy's president, three days after losing a referendum he had staked his career on.

Terry Branstad

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will be nominated by Donald Trump to be US ambassador to China, US media say.

Time's Person of the Year 2016

US President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine's Person of the Year for 2016.

Singapore Michelin Guide 2016

The full list of the 34 eateries awarded a Bib Gourmand:

Hawker Stalls
1. Claypot Laksa – Alexandra Village Food Centre
2. A Noodle Story – Amoy Street Food Centre
3. Famous Crispy Curry Puff – Amoy Street Food Centre
4. Hong Kee Beef Noodle – Amoy Street Food Centre
5. Hoo Kee Rice Dumpling – Amoy Street Food Centre
6. The Fishball Story – Golden Mile Food Centre
7. Wedang (Indonesian food and satay) – Golden Mile Food Centre
8. Famous Sungei Road Trishaw (laksa) – Hong Lim Market & Food Centre
9. Na Na Curry – 115 Bukit Merah View Market & Food Centre
10. Chey Sua Carrot Cake – 127 Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre
11. Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice – Maxwell Food Centre
12. Shi Hui Yuan (noodle with chicken and duck) – Mei Ling Market & Food Centre
13. Alliance Seafood – Newton Food Centre
14. Tiong Bahru Hainanese Boneless Chicken Rice – Tiong Bahru Market
15. Hong Heng Fried Sotong Prawn Mee – Tiong Bahru Market
16. Balestier Road Hoover Rojak – Whampoa Market Place
17. Liang Zhao Ji (soy duck) – Whampoa Market Place

Restaurants
1. Alaturka (Turkish) – Bussorah Street
2. Hjh Maimunah (Malay) – Jalan Pisang 11-15
3. Ka Soh (Singaporean) – College Road
4. Kok Sen (tze char) – Keong Saik Road
5. Lagnaa (Indian) – Little India
6. New Ubin Seafood – Sin Ming Road
7. Peony Jade at Keppel Club (Cantonese) – Bukit Chermin Rd
8. Shish Mahal (Indian) – Albert Street
9. Song Fa Bak Kut Teh – New Bridge Rd
10. 328 Katong Laksa – East Coast Road
11. True Blue Cuisine (Peranakan) – Armenian Street
12. Whole Earth (vegetarian) – Peck Seah Street
13. Yhingthai Palace (Thai) – Purvis Street
14. Zaffron Kitchen (Indian) – East Coast Road

Other Street Food Establishments
1. Bismillah Biryani – Dunlop Road
2. JB Ah Meng Kitchen (Cantonese) – Geylang Road
3. Sin Huat Eating House (crab rice noodle) – Geylang Road

Angela Merkel and Burka

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the wearing of full-faced veils should be prohibited in the country "wherever it is legally possible".

At a meeting of her CDU party, she backed a burka ban in schools, courts and other state buildings.

Samsung and Gift

Electronics company Samsung has admitted it gave a horse to the daughter of a woman who is at the centre of a corruption scandal embroiling the South Korean president.

Trump and Air Force One

US President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to cut government costs by cancelling the order for new planes to carry the American president.

Al Gore and Trump

Former Vice President Al Gore has met President-elect Donald Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump to discuss climate policy.

Shinzo Abe and Pearl Harbor

Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe is to visit Pearl Harbor, becoming the first leader of his country to go to the US naval base in Hawaii.

Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the base in 1941, killing 2,300 US servicemen and propelling the US into World War Two.

Mr Abe will visit on 27 December with US President Barack Obama.

Matteo Renzi

Outgoing Italian PM Matteo Renzi has agreed to stay in power until the Senate passes its 2017 budget in the coming days, the president says.

Mr Renzi formally resigned on Monday after his defeat in a constitutional referendum a day earlier, but the president requested the delay.

President Sergio Mattarella will later have to either choose a new prime minister or call early elections.

Matteo Renzi

Italians are voting in a referendum which is being closely watched for further signs of anti-establishment sentiment in Europe.

The vote, called by centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, is formally on plans to streamline parliament but is expected to be used by many as a chance to register discontent.

Snow in Hawaii

Parts of the US state of Hawaii have received a winter weather warning, with up to three feet (90cm) of snow over the past few days.

Norbert Hofer

Far-right candidate Norbert Hofer has lost Austria's presidential election.

On Facebook, he described himself as "infinitely sad" and congratulated Alexander Van der Bellen, former head of the Greens, on his victory.

Bak Kut Teh Pasir Ris

WhiteSands
Level Two

Possible Solutions SingTel Fibre Broadband Disruption

1) Turn off your modem for at least 2 mins for it to do a hard reset (Make sure all cables,power source are unplugged)

2) If step 1 did not work,press the reset button on your modem for 5 seconds and it'll reset manually

3)If both step didn't work,turn off your router too and also wait for 2 mins

4)If all these steps above did not work at all,go to your router webpage (e.g 192.168.5.5) and reconfigure settings.

5)Still not work then call singtel.

Trump and International Students

American universities have long been recognised as top institutions to prepare for a career, attracting bright people from all over the world. But the dreams of many young people looking for the chance to study abroad could be dashed if Donald Trump follows through on his America First ant-immigration campaign promises. 

SingTel

SingTel users islandwide experienced an hours-long disruption to their broadband services yesterday. 

In a Facebook post at around 9.45am, the local telco acknowledged that customers may be experiencing difficulties in accessing their fibre broadband services. 

Trump-Taiwan Call

China's foreign ministry says it has lodged a complaint with the US after President-elect Donald Trump spoke to Taiwan's leader in a phone call.

US Interest Rates

The US unemployment rate fell to a nine-year low in November, adding to expectations that US interest rates will rise later this month.

Election Recount in USA

US President-elect Donald Trump's lawyers and supporters are moving to block election recount efforts in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Adama Barrow

Yahya Jammeh, The Gambia's authoritarian president of 22 years, has suffered a surprise defeat in the country's presidential elections.

He will be replaced by property developer Adama Barrow, who won more than 45% of the vote. After his win, Mr Barrow hailed a "new Gambia".

America's Richest Cabinet

US President-elect Donald Trump took a populist tone on the campaign trail, pledging to stand for a beleaguered working class abandoned by the elite.

Yet, as he selects his cabinet, observers are already pointing out that he is putting together the richest administration in US history.

Thailand's New King

Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, has become the country's new king, succeeding his much-revered late father King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Francois Hollande

In a surprise move Francois Hollande has announced he will not seek a second term as president of France.

OPEC

The oil cartel Opec has agreed its first supply cut in eight years in order to boost the price of oil.

Seal

A seal has been returned to the ocean after being found in a cow paddock in rural Australia.

Coal Exports

The UN Security Council has slapped new sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear programme, this time targeting its valuable coal exports to China.

Coal exports will be slashed by about 60% under a strict new sales cap.