SINGAPORE – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has expressed surprise at Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) secretary-general Mark Chay’s comments on the Young Lions’ attitude at the SEA Games.During a post-Games review on Dec 20, he said that after the opening 3-1 defeat by Timor-Leste on Dec 6 in Bangkok, the players “just walked off the field, didn’t even acknowledge the crowd”.Chay added: “I understand disappointment, but they need to really look at sportsmanship, really look at attitude and respect of the sport, as well as the people who went there to support them.”At the FAS’ own Games review at its Jalan Besar Stadium headquarters on Dec 26, general secretary Badri Ghent said officials’ reaction was one of “shock and surprise” after coming across Chay’s comments.Emphasising that sportsmanship is a non-negotiable trait at FAS, Badri said he had a “constructive meeting” with Chay to address some of the points he brought up.“I was especially surprised because I was there at the game, and myself and some of the supporters can vouch for the fact that the players did so (acknowledge fans),” said Badri.

A Singaporean man was jailed for 12 weeks on Friday (Dec 26) after pleading guilty to one count of dishonest misappropriation. Mohamed Basheer Hanif Mohamed, 27, refused to return more than $9,000 that the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) had mistakenly transferred to him on Nov 10, 2023.He spent the funds on daily expenses and a hotel staycation instead.According to court records obtained by CNA, on the same day, Basheer had noticed a transfer of $9,087.04 to his POSB account, which previously contained no money. He started to withdraw the funds for personal use.A finance officer from NTU and POSB attempted to contact Basheer several times in vain. The former emailed him on Nov 21, but he responded, saying that he did not know about the erroneous transfer as he had stopped using the bank account.Basheer also refused to provide an updated phone number and address to the university and told the finance officer to stop contacting him.The man also did not make any restitution.For dishonest misappropriation, Basheer could have been jailed for up to two years, fined, or both. 

A man has taken to social media to argue his case that $750 a month for full-time national servicemen (NSF) is not enough in today’s economy.In a TikTok video on Wednesday (Dec 24), the man named Sheldon said that he decided to speak up after seeing social media comments where people complained that they were paid up to $400 while serving national service.The latest adjustment in July 2025 saw an increase of between $35 and $75 in the NS monthly allowance. Recruits in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), as well as trainee special constables in the Singapore Police Force saw their allowance rise from $755 to $790.But Sheldon argued that even with the latest revision, the allowance did not account for inflation.He cited an example, saying that the price of a McSpicy — an NSF favourite book out meal — was previously $4.50 and is now about $9.50.This means that NSFs today can buy fewer burgers, he said, adding that his commander could have bought 106 burgers.«With $750, you can get a whopping 77 McSpicies,» he said. «Yes, while we are making more money, we have less buying power.»

The National University of Vanuatu (NUV) has extended its pre-enrolment deadline for the 2026 academic year to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 7 January 2026. The extension aims to provide access to prospective students in remote areas and those still awaiting…

The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) has launched a national public awareness campaign aimed at ensuring a safe Christmas and New Year for all.

A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to more than two years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to unlawful entry and theft arising from a night-time burglary at Freshwota, Port Vila.

Tasiriki Village in southwest Santo has secured more than VT3.8 million in Australian government funding to rebuild its long-defunct community cooperative, a project expected to boost local livelihoods, food security, and economic cooperation.

A veteran watermelon farmer has raised alarm after discovering beetles inside harvested watermelons, warning fellow farmers and authorities of a potential new agricultural risk.

Switzerland's Le Rosey is aptly nicknamed the 'School of Kings', with King Juan Carlos of Spain , King Fuad II of Egypt and King Albert II of Belgium all among its alumni.

 A Russian diplomat has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was caught selling secrets to US intelligence. 

Extreme weather events in 2025 inflicted over $122 billion in global damages, with India and Pakistan's devastating monsoon floods alone costing $5.6 billion and claiming 1,860 lives. While the US faced the highest financial toll from wildfires, poorer nations bore a disproportionate human cost. Experts warn continued fossil fuel use fuels this escalating crisis.

Madhya Pradesh High Court denied a 16-year-old rape survivor permission to terminate her 29-week pregnancy, as she wishes to continue and has married the accused. The court directed the Child Welfare Committee to care for her and the child until she turns 18. A medical board had advised against termination due to advanced stage risks.

A valuable M.F. Husain mural at LIC's Mumbai headquarters is deteriorating due to neglect and ongoing renovation work. Painted in 1963, the artwork shows signs of damage and lacks proper identification, highlighting the undervaluation of wall art in India. LIC has pledged to investigate protection measures.

India has expressed concerns to the US regarding the expansion of H-1B visa program reviews, citing hardship for Indian families. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted delays in visa appointments, impacting family life and children's education. India is actively engaged with the US to minimize disruptions for affected professionals.

Over the span of 41 days, the high school student was abducted by four teenage boys aged between 16 to 18, subjected to unimaginable abuse, repeatedly raped and ultimately murdered.

Sir Keir Starmer said he is 'delighted' by the safe return of a British democracy activist who was held in an Egyptian prison for six years.

She was dubbed 'Britain's loneliest sheep' after falling over a coastal cliff before spending two years on a Highland beach cut off from her flock.

Un conteneur est tombé d’un semi-remorque au rond-point de Taaone, jeudi 26 décembre, en début d’après-midi. L’incident, survenu au niveau de la place Aorai Tini Hau, n’a heureusement pas fait de victime, mais a causé des dégâts sur les aménagements communaux.

Un joueur chanceux de l'Arkansas a remporté le jackpot à la loterie américaine Powerball en empochant la somme de 1,81 milliard de dollars (soit plus de 180 milliards de francs Pacifique) au tirage de la veille de Noël.

Un conteneur est tombé d'un semi-remorque au rond-point de Taaone, jeudi 26 décembre. L'incident n'a heureusement pas fait de victime mais a causé des dégâts sur les aménagements communaux.

«Somaliland welcomes and appreciates Israel’s historic and principled decision to recognize its sovereignty and independence,» the self-proclaimed republic said in a statement

The visits are being timed to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence and come as negotiations continue between the two countries over a trade deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to bring an end to the war between his country and Russia with the help of President Donald Trump.

The use of drones has soared in recent years with Strangeways recording at least 220 drop-offs in just 12 months, the highest figure across prisons in England and Wales.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) identified a number of themes and scenes which it considers triggering for younger viewers, and raised the age rating.

Investigator Alex Baber says the man responsible for all six deaths - and possibly many more - was a former US Navy corpsman called Marvin Skipton Margolis.

The musician «passed away after a short illness at home over Christmas,» the British band said

«At this point, only the information on uranium and uranium ore reserves remains classified,» the head of Ukraine’s National Extractive Industries Association of Ukraine, Ksenia Orinchak, said

«The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the African Union’s unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia,» Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said