Duterte begins China trip

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte begins his first state visit to China today, as he seeks closer ties with Beijing and to distance his nation from Washington.

Mr Duterte is accompanied by hundreds of businessmen on the four-day visit, and Philippine media has said deals worth billions of dollars are expected to be announced during the trip.

Awards to honour scientists, engineers

Exceptional research scientists and engineers in Singapore will be honoured at the President's Science and Technology Awards 2016 ceremony at the Istana today. Given annually, the awards are the nation's highest honour for such professionals, and recognise the outstanding contributions by individuals or teams to the research-and-development landscape here.

US to release September inflation data

The United States will release the inflation figures for September today.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, jumped 0.3 per cent in August from the previous month - its fastest pace in six months. Inflation has been broadly subdued and below the central bank's 2 per cent target, and the September figures would determine whether policymakers need to raise interest rates in December.