The Malaysian Airline Tycoon, Tony Fernandes, launched a discount airline, called Air-Asia X, on Friday

If you are located in Asia, you might not be able to be reading these lines, at least not when they were written

Clocking in with an excellent result, China?s running marvel, Zhou Chunxiu, was clearly a class above the rest when she won the Asian Games women?s marathon in Doha, Qatar

At least it is according to the RiskMap 2007, a guide for the quality of business environments published on Thursday by the international business risk consultancy Control Risks.

In this modern era, where time is a precious commodity and many people don?t have time to increase their social circles by taking part in hobbies or singles activities, more and more are turning to the internet to find friends and partners.

One of the most famous businesses in America is continuing to expand. Wal-Mart Store Inc. has set it sights on the Asian market and expects to conquer it very soon.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it will provide an estimated $96.1 million to Bangladesh to help expand economic opportunities for the rural poor in that country. It is estimated that as many as 6 million people stand to benefit in Bangladesh from easier access to markets and other services.

An estimated $108 million worth of fresh investments flowed into Asian equity funds in the last week, signaling that foreign investors are finding Asia funds attractive again. Citigroup said China, India and Thailand attracted most of the fresh capital infusion.

The Association of Southeast Asia Nations, or ASEAN, Secretary-General Ong Keng Yong said this week that a free trade agreement between the 10-nation ASEAN and the East Asia Summit might be ready for drafting and signing within the next 10 years. If signed, the free trade pact will affect at least half of the world`s population.

The International Data Corporation, or IDC, has announced a new trend in call centers and business process outsourcing providers in Asia Pacific countries is rising. A recent IDC report, "First There was Offshoring, Now There is Homeshoring", points to several advantages of "homeshoring".

American Internet firm Yahoo increased its hold over the Asian online market by buying a 10 percent stake in Gmarket, South Korea`s second largest online retailer.

The stockpiled anti-viral drug known as Tamiflu will be shipped to Asia from the United States in an attempt to lessen chances of a pandemic.

Graeme Le Saux, the ex Chelsea football player, said that there is a need for more Asian football role models to attract young Asians to football. Le Saux addressed an entrepreneurial TiE Manchester event in Manchester.

The United States government is the key player pushing new plans for the construction of a regional pipeline and utility grid linking Central Asia and India. As per news reports, the American plan envisions a system from Almaty, Kazakhstan, south to Afghanistan, then Pakistan and on to New Delhi.

Poet and writer, Anastasia Clark, will be one of four featured writers at an exclusive author`s event in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The event will be hosted by Alvin Sherman Library, on Saturday April 22, 2006, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Readers and aspiring writers are invited to attend.

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show will be hosting an amazing collection of Asian art and artifacts, during Presidents` Day weekend, February 17th-21st in West Palm Beach, Florida.

International aid has already been committed to help with rescue efforts, including $50 million dollars pledged by the United States.

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook parts of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Saturday. Part of a 19-story building has caved in Islamabad.

The rapid economic ascent of China and India is fuelling Asia?s growth, but Islamic terrorism remains a threat to stability in the region warned Singapore`s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Blue turbans. Dark suits. Cropped beards. Each is designed to send important signals.