All eyes on Kim Jong Un's address

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is expected to deliver a keynote address at the opening of today's party congress, which will be minutely scrutinised for suggestions of a significant policy shift or personnel changes. While the agenda - and even the duration - of the event is still unknown, the congress is expected to confirm Mr Kim's "byungjin" policy of pursuing nuclear weapons in tandem with economic development.

SCDF to unveil plans for year

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will announce its plans for this work year today. In line with the SCDF's 2025 vision of "A nation of lifesavers" and in support of the SG Secure national movement, the SCDF has adopted a shift in its community engagement framework where it leverages on the community's emergency preparedness and focuses on enhancing their competencies as Community First Responders.

Dip in US non-farm payrolls expected

The United States will release its unemployment report for April today, amid a sluggish economy as a strong dollar and tepid global demand cast their shadow on exports. Economists expect non-farm payrolls data to be slightly down from March, while the unemployment rate is forecast to hold steady. A private report released on Wednesday showed employers hiring the lowest number of workers in three years last month.