What's Next: July 4, 2017

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (left) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hug each other after reading their joint statement at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Nov 15, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

Modi first Indian PM to visit Israel

Mr Narendra Modi becomes the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel when he arrives today, the result of growing ties that have led to billions of dollars in defence deals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the visit, which marks 25 years since the two countries established diplomatic relations, "a very significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries".


Joint patrols of Celebes Sea launched

The Philippines and Indonesia will today formally launch joint patrols of the Celebes Sea to stop Islamist militants reaching the Philippines' restive southern island of Mindanao. Officials have expressed fears that fighters sympathetic to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria group will cross maritime borders from Malaysia and Indonesia to join rebels who seized Marawi City, in the southern Philippines, five weeks ago.


Bank of England panel's minutes

The Bank of England's Financial Policy Committee will release the minutes from its last meeting later today. The central bank has so far stayed pat on interest rates, but there have been growing calls from members of the committee for an immediate interest rate increase to tackle inflation. Governor Mark Carney said yesterday that policymakers may need to begin raising interest rates, and will debate it in the coming months.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 04, 2017, with the headline What's Next: July 4, 2017. Subscribe