Morning Minutes: What will make headlines, Dec 11, 2015

Ngee Ann Polytechnic will be launching a new advanced accountancy diploma from August next year, part of the SkillsFuture earn-and-learn programme. PHOTO: ST FILE

Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Friday, Dec 11, and which we think you'd be interested in.

It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.

New accounting diploma to launch under SkillsFuture programme

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 on Friday (Dec 11). - AW CHENG WEI

Mass cycling event to honour Thai king

Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn greeting participants and well-wishers during the "Bike for Mom" ride in celebration of Queen Sirikit's birthday, in Bangkok on Aug 16, 2015. PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Thailand's Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will on Friday (Dec 11) lead about 100,000 cyclists through Bangkok in honour of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who turned 88 last Saturday (Dec 5) amid low-key celebrations. The 29-km route will take cyclists past key landmarks in the capital, including Chulalongkorn University, Ratchaprasong Intersection as well as Bangkok's Chinatown.

A similar mass cycling event was held in August to celebrate Queen Sirikit's 83rd birthday. - TAN HUI YEE

Release of US economic data

Shoppers leaving a Best Buy store with a television during a Black Friday sale in Los Angeles, California, on Nov 27, 2015. PHOTO: AFP

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.

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.