Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Wednesday, Oct 12, and which we think you'd be interested in.

It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.

SIM University students to graduate

Amid a slowing economy and a stagnating jobs market, some 2,400 students from SIM University will be receiving their degree scrolls on Wednesday (Oct 12).

They include the pioneer batch of graduating students from programmes such as facilities and events management and aviation business administration.

New HK lawmakers take oath

Newly elected Hong Kong lawmakers, some of whom advocate more autonomy for the city, will take their oath on Wednesday (Oct 12) during the first session of the new legislative term.

The secretariat of the legislature has already warned incoming lawmakers to read the oath without change in order to be sworn in, as some have said they planned to read their own versions to state their political views.

Australia's consumer confidence index

Australia will on Wednesday (Oct 12) announce its consumer confidence index, a survey of over 1,200 households, evaluating consumers' take on their financial situation and the economic conditions for the coming year.

The announcement comes a day after the business confidence index by National Australia Bank showed that sales and profits both rebounded last month, reflecting good business conditions.