MORNING MINUTES: What will make headlines, Oct 15, 2015

Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Amy Khor will launch a counselling ethics manual today. ST PHOTO: LIM YONG TECK

Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Thursday, Oct 15, which we think you'd be interested in.

It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.

Amy Khor to launch counselling ethics manual

Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Amy Khor will launch a counselling ethics manual today at a two-day symposium by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). The SAC is the registering body for counsellors and psychotherapists here, and its ethics manual will lay out ethical standards and conduct for its members. Some 450 local and international participants will share best practices in counselling at the symposium. - PRISCILLA GOY

Private home sales data out today

Sales of private homes in September are expected to hover at around August's level. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Data on new private home sales for last month will be released today. Analysts noted that the Sept 11 General Election and bad haze kept buyers away from show-flats. As a result, sales are expected to hover at August's level. Developers moved 495 private homes in August, 69.3 per cent below the 1,611 sold in July. - RENNIE WHANG

Myanmar's government to ink ceasefire pact today

Karen National Union (KNU) chairman Mutu Say Poe speaking at a meeting betwen Myanmar President Thein Sein and ethnic rebel groups to discuss a nationwide ceasefire agreement in Naypyitaw on Sept 9, 2015. PHOTO: REUTERS

Myanmar's government is set to ink a historic ceasefire pact on Thursday (Oct 15) with eight ethnic rebel groups who have been fighting for independence for more than 50 years. The pact is a watershed in efforts to end the decades-long fight, with political dialogue due to start within 90 days of the signing. And while more than half of the rebels involved in three-year-long talks leading to the pact have opted out, the door remains open for them to join at a later stage, analysts say.

Indonesia's central bank to keep benchmark interest rate unchanged

Bank Indonesia has held its key rate since making a 25 basis-point cut in February, despite the worst economic slowdown since 2009. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Indonesia's central bank is expected to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 7.50 per cent today, when it announces policy rate among a slew of other data including import and export figures. Bank Indonesia has held its key rate since making a 25 basis-point cut in February, despite the worst economic slowdown since 2009. At the last two monthly meeting, it has cited the rupiah as its main focus. Senior BI official, Juda Agung, said last week there is no room yet for it to cut rates.

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