Clocks gain leap second

CLOCKS and watches will need to be adjusted today - by one second. The so-called 'leap second' is needed so the international time scale - Co-ordinated Universal Time - better matches astronomical time. It has been internationally agreed a leap second should be applied so universal time will not differ from astronomical time by more than nine-tenths of a second. The last adjustment was made on July 1, 1994. The Royal Observatory will make the adjustment at 8 am, with the usual six-pip time signals not being broadcast by RTHK until 8.30 am or 9 am.