Modi to meet Obama, address Congress

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a five-nation trip that includes the United States, where he will be hosted by President Barack Obama for a final summit before the presidential election in November. Mr Modi is also scheduled to address a joint session of the US Congress. He is in Kabul today and will be in Qatar and Switzerland before arriving in Washington on Monday night.

New offerings at Singapore Book Fair

The annual Singapore Book Fair has returned with new content and activities. This year's edition integrates topics on literature, creativity, family, food and travel, and features established writers and speakers from around the region. Held at Suntec Convention & Exhibition Centre till next Thursday, the book fair will be officially launched today by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills).

Watching for clues on Fed direction

Investors will be keenly watching two events involving US Fed officials today, a day after US jobs data showed a sharp slowdown in hiring.

Fed officials had indicated that the central bank is willing to raise rates, depending on economic performance. Fed Governor Lael Brainard is set to comment on the economic outlook, while Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland president Loretta Mester is on the panel at the Sveriges Riksbank Conference.