Good morning! Morning Minutes is a round-up of stories that will break on Monday, Oct 19, which we think you'd be interested in.
It appears on weekdays, available by 7am.
Companies to be awarded for contribution to healthcare sector
Eleven companies will be honoured on Monday for their contributions to the healthcare sector. The Healthcare Supplier Awards, organised by National Healthcare Group, National University Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and the Agency for Integrated Care, recognises companies which have helped to improve the healthcare supply chain. Among the winners is RAS Pharma and Biochem, who introduced a new system for urine tests, allowing patients the option to offer a smaller 100ml vial for testing rather than a 3- litre container. - JASMINE OSADA
Xi Jinping on state visit to Britain
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in London on Monday for the first state visit to Britain by a Chinese president since 2005. Mr Xi's four-day trip is expected to further boost warm bilateral ties which Prime Minister David Cameron has described as being in a "golden era". The two sides will discuss business deals including a £25 billion (S$53.42 billion) nuclear reactor in England, financial cooperation, and engage in football diplomacy. During his visit, Mr Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will stay at Buckingham Palace as guests of Queen Elizabeth II.
China to release Q3 growth figures
China will release its third-quarter gross domestic product figures on Monday. Markets will likely be jittery as growth is expected to fall below 7 per cent for the first time since the global financial crisis. The world's second-largest economy was likely hit by a slowdown in its financial services sector, triggered by a massive stock market rout in the quarter.
NATO holds biggest drill in more than a decade
NATO and its allies will kick off on Monday their biggest military drill in more than a decade involving 36,000 troops, 160 aircraft and more than 60 ships. The exercise, Trident Juncture, comes as Russia flexes its muscles in Syria. A key part of the drill is to test Nato's newly established "spearhead" force that has air, maritime and special operations components. The 5,000-strong force can deploy in less than a week in response to an eastern threat.