Morning Minutes: What will make headlines, Oct 18, 2016

The President's Science and Technology Awards 2016 ceremony will be held at the Istana today (Oct 18). ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Tuesday (Oct 18) and which we think you'd be interested in.

It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.

President's Science and Technology Awards 2016 at the Istana

Exceptional research scientists and engineers in Singapore will be honoured at the President's Science and Technology Awards 2016 ceremony at the Istana today (Oct 18). 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. - SAMANTHA BOH

Philippine President Duterte to visit China

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte begins his first state visit to China today (Oct 18). PHOTO: REUTERS

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte begins his first state visit to China today (Oct 18) accompanied by a large business delegation as he seeks to build closer ties with Beijing and secure Chinese investments. The four-day visit - taking place amid recent tensions between Manila and the US - will see deals worth billions of dollars set to be announced between the Philippines and China. Mr Duterte has also said he will also discuss the arbitral ruling on the South China Sea with China's leaders during the trip.

US inflation figures out today

Customers shop at the Staples store in Manhattan, New York. PHOTO: REUTERS

The United States will release the inflation figures for September today (Oct 18). 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 policy makers need to raise interest rates in December.

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