SHANGHAI: Mickey Mouse and friends are on their way to Shanghai after long-awaited plans for a Disney theme park near China's financial hub got the thumbs-up from central authorities.

HONG KONG: Competition from Shanghai will not hurt Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL), according to its largest stakeholder, the special administrative region's government.

The World Bank yesterday revised upwards its forecast for China's growth this year - from 7.2 percent to 8.4 percent - and projected a slightly faster pace of expansion in the coming year.

GUANGZHOU: The half brother of US President Barack Obama, who has kept out of the limelight until now, launched a semi-autobiographical book yesterday and announced plans for a full autobiography.

Africa, the continent hardest hit by global warming, ended its boycott of the United Nations climate-change talks in Barcelona after developed nations promised to reduce more greenhouse gas emissions.

Beijing's presence in Southeast Asia is insulated from the United States' apparent renewal of interest in the region, experts said.