Social sciences and humanities - Asia and the Pacific

The PAX results reflect the BBC’s ongoing commitment to and investment in Asia, a region that has long been a key market for the channel and one where we are proud to be enjoying such success. BBC World News has revamped its output in Asia, including the successful launch of weekday programme Newsday, presented live from London and Singapore, and introduced specially commissioned series, such as Mishal Husain Meets and Thailand Direct. And as viewers across Asia demonstrate a growing appetite for global news, they’re increasingly turning to BBC World News and BBC.com/news for trusted and impartial coverage of global and local events. Viewers have plenty to look forward to in the coming months as BBC World News moves to its new base in Central London. New HD studios, dynamic presentation and state-of-the-art graphics will enhance the viewing experience and showcase the BBC’s established journalistic credentials in an engaging and compelling way. --Jim Egan, COO of BBC Global News.

It is a situation whereby U.S. markets have rallied to record highs, the S&P that is, just a couple of days ago, then of course investors will get a little bit nervous at high levels. I think they'd really like to see the earnings come out just to back up the theory that the U.S. markets are on the mend and is in a much better place now. --Stan Shamu, market strategist at IG in Melbourne, Australia, said the negative sentiment in Asia is a follow-through from the pullback in the U.S. markets.

The question of where Europe ends and Asia begins has troubled many people over the years, but here's a rule of thumb: if someone can pose as an expert on the country in question without knowledge of the relevant language, it's part of Asia.