ASIA

Listen, follow along, and to learn to say Asia in standard Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua, Guoyu, Hanyu, Huayu).

Citigroup (C) shares are higher, and Bloomberg reports that the bank said emerging markets have a better outlook than markets in the developed world. The bank said it remains focused on growing operations in Asia and Latin America, where it plans to invest $3 billion to $4 billion over the next few years. Citi shares are up 0.45%, or $0.02, to $4.42.

Asia celebrates the start of the 'year of the rabbit,' a year which is expected to bring happiness and romance. Deborah Gembara reports.

For the first time in history, Asia has three great powers simultaneously, all of which are treating the continent as a single economic, strategic and diplomatic space.Such integration raises the prospect that Asian growth could help support the world economy. Bill Emmott explains why this will happen eventually.

ABI Research expects Asia to be a key market as annual mobile application downloads continues to increase, peaking in 2013, according to a Fresh News report.Emerging countries in the Asian market are expected to take the spotlight as North America and Europe reach maturity following a period of high growth.Fei Feng Seet, research associate with ABI research says, "We are getting more announcements of 3G networks about to launch commercially in Asian countries such as India, and more smartphones being shipped to Asia; this will prime these large untapped markets for mobile application downloads. However, revenues generated from sales of mobile applications are expected to decline, due to high competition driving down average selling price of applications."

Anthony Michael, head of fixed income in Asia for Aberdeen Funds, talks with MarketWatch's Andria Cheng about the outlook for Asian markets next year.

Investor reactions to Dubai's debt issues will remain in focus. Australia's central bank also is expected to raise interest rates, with a top economist projecting brisk growth. Other rate decisions are expected elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Then there's the E.U.-China summit. Andria Cheng reports.

Chinese economic data will be front and center in Asia. Beijing will report inflation and trade data, among other indicators. The Bank of Korea will hold a meeting on interest rates and is expected to hold rates unchanged. (Nov. 6)

Learn about Asia in this educational video from dizzo95.

Learn about World War Two : Asia and the Pacific 1941 - 1945 in this educational video from dizzo95.

Learn about The History of World War Two in Asia in this educational video from dizzo95.

03/16/09 Economic growth in Asia is expected to slow drastically, especially in countries with close ties to Russia says David Owen, Deputy Director of the IMF.

Growing worries over the extent depth of the U.S. recession and fears it may nationalise banks caused financial stocks to slump, but ANZ said it was bargain hunting in Asia. * RBS to sell Asia and US operations * Hyundai to expand incentive plan * Japan's monopoly watchdog investigation Seven-Eleven * India to impose safeguard duty on Chinese aluminium * Rio postpones price negotiations with Chinese steel mills

Breaking with tradition, Hillary Clinton heads to Asia on her maiden voyage as Secretary of State, rather than America's historic allies in Europe

Recruiting and retaining employees is critical to business success in Asia. Genevieve Heng, Principal Derwent Executive provides excellent advice on the Asia job market and how to effectively recruit and retain a strong workforce. This is the 4th in a 7 part thought leader series sponsored by ServCorp Smart Offices http://blog.servcorp.com.hk

Recruiting and retaining employees is critical to business success in Asia. Expert Genevieve Heng tells how to effectively recruit and retain a strong workforce. http://blog.servcorp.com.hk

10/27/08 The International Monetary Fund predicts South East Asia and the Middle East will continue to see economic growth despite slowdowns in Europe and the US.

Cheering baseball fans in Japan and South Korea watch a thrilling World Baseball Classic final despite its midday tv broadcast in Asia. Millions of Japanese and Koreans were expected to have watched the title game in venues ranging from pubs to prisons and on big and small screens.

Defending champ Japan kicks off the second World Baseball Classic, finding itself in the rare position of Asian underdog.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are confined to an area of 58 sqaure km (22 sq miles). The Sri Lankan army said they are battling the Tigers house to house in the north-eastern part of the country. Military commanders expect the final battle to take place on a narrow strip of coconut groves. Aid agencies estimate that around 200,000 people are caught up in the conflict zone. The government aims to end a conflict that goes back to 1983, and is considered as Asia's longest-running civil war.

Japan's Nikkei tumbled to near a 26-year closing low and its government said it was studying stock market support after worries about financial system stability prevail * Nomura plunges after $3.3 billion share offer * Hong Kong shrinks, first annual decline since SARS * China looks to consolidate, stimulate auto industry

A German firm puts its multi-purpose Micro Air Vehicle through its paces at what is billed as Asia's largest air show Microdrones GmbH says the electronically stabilised unmanned aircraft has a range of uses from aerial shots for estate agents to anti-terrorism operations.

A German firm puts its multi-purpose Micro Air Vehicle through its paces at what is billed as Asia's largest air show Microdrones GmbH says the electronically stabilised unmanned aircraft has a range of uses from aerial shots for estate agents to anti-terrorism operations.

Julia Duin talks about the dropping of a controversial law proposed in Kazakhstan that, according to many human rights groups, would have discriminated against religious groups in that country.

Asian share markets edged up as Investors awaited a vote on a $920 billion U.S. stimulus package Australia's central bank predicted the economy would barely grow this year.

Australia will spend billions on infrastructure and jobs while its central bank cuts rates to a record low to stimulate the flagging economy. * BoJ to buy 11 billion dollars of bank shares * Citigroup to auction off Japanese brokerage * IMF casts doubt on China's 8 percent GDP target

01/20/09 With the Royal Bank of Scotland forecasting its biggest ever loss in UK corporate history, domestic banks in Asia followed suite and led the way for the local markets to post three-digit losses at their close.

China warns of further possible cases of human bird flu infection ahead of the Lunar New Year after it confirms two new cases. Until this month China had not seen a single human infection in almost a year, but has now confirmed three cases of the H5N1 virus in less than two weeks. Since the H5N1 virus resurfaced in Asia in 2003, it has infected 391 people, killing 247 of them, according to WHO figures released in mid-December.

Calculating career risk and reward is another important skill of senior executives. Mark Powell shares insights from the latest senior executive Asia survey in this informative video. Watch the whole series for more insights.

Weaker domestic currencies and hopes of an aggressive U.S. recovery plan lifted markets across Asia * Nikkei up on Canon, Sony * Korean bailout of Ssangyong Motors raises Kospi * China c.bank sees 8 percent GDP growth