New Philippine President takes office

New Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte takes office today for a six-year term. He becomes the first occupant of Malacanang Palace from the vast southern region of Mindanao, which is one of the nation's poorest areas and home to decades-old communist and Muslim insurgencies that have claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Gold awards for ITE youth leaders

More than 60 youth leaders from the Institute of Technical Education will receive the gold awards of the National Youth Achievement Award this year, after successfully completing the youth development programme. Participants of the programme are given opportunities to help the needy, the elderly, the sick as well as young children. Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will present the awards today.

UK economic data to be released

A host of economic data is due out today but particular attention will be given to figures from Britain. The country's growth figures for the first quarter will be finalised today, while a survey indicating consumer confidence will be scrutinised for signs of potential weakness in domestic spending.