Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Monday, Dec 7, and which we think you'd be interested in.
It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.
Book launched to commemorate Malay/Muslim contributions
The achievements of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore and their contributions to the nation have been documented in a book that will be launched on Monday (Dec 7). Titled 50 Defining Moments For The Malay/Muslim Community (1965 -2015), the book highlights how the community produced Singapore's first Attorney-General, Professor Ahmad Ibrahim. The book also spotlights the appointment of Madam Halimah Yacob as the first-ever female Speaker of Parliament in 2013. - CHONG ZI LIANG
Obama to address security concerns in wake of California shooting
US President Barack Obama will make a rare prime-time address to the nation at 8pm on Sunday (9am Singapore time on Dec 7) laying out how he will keep Americans safe and defeat the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), days after 14 people were shot dead in California by an apparently radicalised couple. The attack, if proven to be terror-related, would be the deadliest such assault on American soil since Sept 11, 2001.
In his address, Mr Obama "will reiterate his firm conviction that ISIL (ISIS) will be destroyed and that the United States must draw upon our values - our unwavering commitment to justice, equality and freedom - to prevail over terrorist groups", a White House statement said.
US November consumer spending data to be released
Gallup will release figures on United States consumer spending in November tonight, but the numbers are unlikely to reflect much festive joy. Despite the traditional shopping season, American consumers have been very cautious in recent months. A separate study found that in October, Americans stashed much of their income from rising wages, pushing the personal saving rate to its highest level in nearly three years.