Shanghai Disney Resort opens

Disney will officially unveil its first theme park in mainland China today, betting that the growing middle-class segment will spend big on leisure despite a slowing economy.

The US$5.5 billion (S$7.5 billion) resort features the world's biggest Disney castle, its blue-topped spires rising above land once occupied by farms and small factories on the outskirts of commercial hub Shanghai.

Book launch by ST editor-at-large

A new book by Mr Han Fook Kwang, editor-at-large of The Straits Times, will be launched today at the National Library. Singapore In Transition: Hope, Anxiety And Question Marks is a 200-page collection of 40 commentaries by Mr Han, who analyses the nation's politics, economy and society. The pieces include his take on new challenges facing the economy, as well as the general elections in 2011 and 2015.

Bank Indonesia likely to hold rates

Most analysts expect Indonesia's central bank to keep all rates unchanged today, as Bank Indonesia (BI) ends its two-day policy meeting. The benchmark rate is currently at 6.75 per cent. However, some economists see a chance of easing following slow growth and low inflation in the first quarter as gross domestic product was a disappointing 4.9 per cent.

BI has cut its outlook for the full year to 5 to 5.4 per cent from 5.4 to 5.6 per cent.