Putting tactical ops skills to the test

The Asian Prisons Lockdown Challenge will take place today at the Changi Prison Complex. The biennial event brings together highly trained special units of officers from organiser Singapore Prison Service and their regional counterparts to share best practices in tactical operations, among other things. Previous editions had seen participants tested on the ability to perform under pressure in obstacles and precision shooting challenges.

Obama heads to Britain

US President Barack Obama will be thrust into the eye of a boisterous British debate over European Union membership when he touches down in London today for a royal-filled visit.

His trip comes ahead of a June 23 referendum when Britons will be asked if they want to remain in the 28-member EU. Mr Obama is sure to be asked to weigh in on the issue at a press conference tomorrow or at a town hall-style meeting with British youngsters on Saturday.

ECB interest rate policy decision

Economists are virtually certain European Central Bank (ECB) chief Mario Draghi will not touch interest rates when it announces its policy decision today.

The ECB eased monetary policy last month by cutting the benchmark rate to zero per cent and deposit rate to minus 0.4 per cent, and adding corporate bonds to an asset-purchase programme. Investors will seek reassurances that it has more tools left to support growth.