TODAY’s brief, Fri, Dec 12

Ukraine president speaks about Russia, eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is to address Australia’s preeminent think-tank, the Lowy Institute, on Russia, the conflict in eastern Ukraine and European integration for his country. Mr Poroshenko is in Australia for a two-day visit, with discussions about downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 – where 38 Australian citizens and residents were among the dead — set to be on top of his agenda.

Italy strikes

Two of Italy’s three main labour confederations are set to stage a general strike to protest the government’s efforts to make it easier to fire workers. Factories, hospitals, mass transit and other services could be hampered by walkouts.

Hong Kong protests

TODAY will monitor Hong Kong a day after authorities cleared the main protest camp in the city. Yesterday, dozens of the most prominent members of the pro-democracy movement gave themselves up for arrest in a show of defiance.

China releases industrial output data

China, the world’s factory hub, will release industrial output data for November after the production slowdown in Asia’s largest economy deepened in the previous month to the second weakest pace since 2009.

A better world

First year students from Singapore University of Technology and Design will be showcasing their creative innovations to tackle 21st century living problems such as overcrowding, waste management, health and urban innovation, at the SUTD A Better World Exhibition. This is the culmination of students’ projects from the university’s freshmore course, which introduces them to concepts of design at a variety of scales and uniquely combines both engineering and architectural disciplines. The exhibition starts at 4pm.

spexCareer Scheme: Appreciation and induction

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong will be hosting an appreciation event today for corporate partners in the spexBusiness Network for Athletes and to celebrate a successful first year of the spexCareer Scheme. The spexBusiness Network for Athletes was set up as a key driver behind the spexCareer Scheme – the comprehensive athlete support system launched in November last year to help Team Singapore athletes achieve their career aspirations without compromising their pursuit of sporting excellence. At the event, new corporate partners will be officially inducted into the spexBusiness Network for Athletes to join the existing 13 companies.

Netball: Singapore face Malaysia

Hosts Singapore face Malaysia in their final round-robin match of the Nations Cup netball championship at the OCBC Arena needing a win to guarantee a place in Saturday’s final, possibly against top-ranked side Samoa. The Republic’s loss to the Samoans on Wednesday had dented their chances of securing a top-two finish in the six nation meet, which means tonight’s clash with neighbours and old rivals Malaysia will take on greater significance. Singapore have not won the Nations Cup since back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007. The match is at 7pm.

Shooting: New electronic targeting system

Singapore Shooting Association (SSA) president Michael Vaz will host a tour of the SSA’s National Shooting Centre facility at Choa Chu Kang, where new electronic targeting system has been installed, replacing the previous paper ones. The move is long overdue, given that Singapore’s national air and pistol shooters must go overseas to train with electronic targets. It is also a boost to the SSA’s efforts of helping the shooters become more competitive internationally, and is timely with about six months to the South-east Asian (SEA) Games on home soil.

The visit takes places on the sidelines of the ongoing 38th South-east Asia Shooting Championships (SEASA) and Singapore Invitation Shooting Championship. Yesterday, national shooter Ong Junhong won a silver in the men’s 50m rifle prone at the SEASA.

The party starts at ZoukOut 2014

ZoukOut kicks off its 14th edition at Siloso beach tonight with international superstar DJs like Above & Beyond and Richie Hawtin on day one, and Martin Garrix, Steve Angello and Skrillex taking the stage on day two.

Weather: Thundery showers

Take an umbrella out as thundery showers are expected mainly over southern, western and central Singapore in the afternoon. Temperatures expected to be between 24°C and 33°C.