Syrian opposition chief on China visit

The head of the Western-backed opposition Syrian National Coalition (SNC) will visit China from today to Friday for talks on a ceasefire and a political settlement to the Syrian conflict.

SNC president Khaled Khoja will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as Beijing seeks to deepen ties with all sides in the conflict. Mr Khoja's visit comes two weeks after Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem visited China.

Nawaz Sharif visits Sri Lanka

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in Sri Lanka on a three-day visit during which an agreement on countering money laundering and terrorism financing is expected to be signed. Mr Sharif was welcomed yesterday by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Mr Sharif, who is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, will hold bilateral discussions with President Maithripala Sirisena and other officials today.

Launch of DBS-Manulife partnership

DBS Bank and Manulife will officially launch today their 15-year regional life bancassurance partnership, as well as reveal the findings of a retirement wellness study which covered the retirement attitudes, expectations and preparedness among 6,000 baby boomers in Asia.