New advanced diploma in accountancy

Ngee Ann Polytechnic will offer a new advanced diploma in accountancy from August next year. This diploma means an accounting degree is no longer a prerequisite to becoming a chartered accountant in Singapore. The diploma is part of the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn programme and will be announced by Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung today.

Mass cycling event to honour Thai king

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will today lead about 100,000 cyclists through Bangkok in honour of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who turned 88 last Saturday amid low-key celebrations. The 29km route will take cyclists past key landmarks in the capital like Chulalongkorn University, Ratchaprasong Intersection and Chinatown. A similar mass cycling event was held in August to celebrate Queen Sirikit's 83rd birthday.

Release of US economic data

The United States government will release a range of economic data today, ahead of an expected interest rate hike by the US Federal Reserve next week.

In focus will be the US consumer, with the release of retail sales data for last month.

Investors will closely watch the data for the Black Friday sales, which fell on Nov 30, to gauge consumer sentiment in the world's biggest economy.