Meeting to tackle 'boat people' crisis

Thailand will host a regional meeting today seeking solutions to address South-east Asia's "boat people" crisis. A crackdown by Thai police on human trafficking gangs brought the crisis to light earlier this year, with hundreds of migrants abandoned at sea or dying in jungle camps. The International Organisation for Migration has called on countries in the region to treat migrants landing on their shores humanely and avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

Charity concert ChildAid opens tonight

ChildAid, one of Singapore's biggest annual children's charity concerts, opens at Marina Bay Sands tonight. The 90-minute concert, now in its 11th run, features young talent from Singapore and the region performing in support of two charities - The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. The event will be attended by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

US to release non-farm payroll data

The United States Bureau of Labour Statistics will release non-farm payroll employment data for November today - the last major data before the Federal Reserve holds its two-day policy meeting from Dec 15. The data heavily affects the dollar, bond market and stock market. Analysts are expecting robust figures for the month, which would support the expected increase in interest rates by the Fed - its first in nearly a decade.