This is a daily collection of links, some with commentary, to news stories and interesting blog posts. It will be updated throughout the day with a new timestamp for the updates.

• HK reports a record 268 HIV infections in 2004, while infection rates from AIDS are rising in South Africa. A CUHK team has found a potential treatment for hepatitis B. And a quarter of all HK mobiles are owned by kids under 13.
• James Bond was half-Swiss.
• The Indian Ocean briefing is up at Winds of Change, with plenty on Nepal and much more.
• Rusty has some interesting questions for the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
• Top Shelf blogger Jeff from Protein Wisdom is raising money for a new PC. If you ever gave to Andrew Sullivan, you've got no excuse. For the cost of a couple of movie tickets you get daily entertainment. It's a bargain.
• Australian police are getting closer to their Chinese counterparts.
• Interesting new book from noted Korea watcher Andrei Lankov.
• A list of Malay words borrowed by English, including Manadarin. Check the comments too (via Mr. Brown).
• The gender imbalance in China is titled in favour of men. Maybe the women of Busan could help?
• (14:22) Jason Kotke is also staging a fund raising drive...to become a full-time blogger.
• (18:49) Can we panic yet?