BEIJING, Nov 21 (IPS) - The spectre of a prolonged global recession has dampened China’s wish for a world financial order less dominated by the United States and its dollar, giving way to more urgent dealings with recession worries at home.

HAVANA, Nov 20 (IPS) - In Cuba, international aid is promoting the advancement of cultural projects, adopting an approach that enriches the traditional perspective on development with a dimension closer to the needs of the human spirit.

HAVANA, Nov 19 (IPS) - Cuba and China strengthened their political and economic alliance this week, at a time when the EU and Cuba have formally restored relations and the government of Raúl Castro is forging closer ties with the rest of Latin America and with Moscow.

TOKYO, Nov 17 (IPS) - While Barack Obama’s election as president of the United States is expected to shake up international relations it may not bring any change in Washington’s special ties with this country.

MELBOURNE, Nov 10 (IPS) - While change may have come to the United States -- as professed by president-elect Barack Obama following his election victory, a result largely welcomed here -- Australia’s alliance with the superpower is likely to remain strong.

SUVA, Nov 7 (IPS) - Washington’s policy in the South Pacific is unlikely to change much with Barack Obama’s win in the U.S. presidential elections, but the historic victory should serve as an inspiration for the region, say commentators.

BANGKOK, Nov 7 (IPS) - In Indonesia, many know him as ‘’Barry’’. To others U.S. president-elect Barack Obama is the ‘’Menteng Kid’’ for the primary school he attended while living in South-east Asia’s largest country.

LA PAZ, Nov 5 (IPS) - Relations between Bolivia and the United States have reached a new low over La Paz's recent decision to expel the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The fight against drug trafficking and resources to rehabilitate addicts are also in jeopardy, experts warn.

HANOI, Nov 4 (IPS) - While the US Presidential election has gripped the world, there is little interest in this city where Republican candidate John McCain spent over five years as a prisoner of war.

MANILA, Oct 30 (IPS) - Government officials and civil society members from 163 countries, gathered here for a meeting on migration, agreed Thursday that it was time to look beyond economic benefits and give the phenomenon ‘human face’.

BANGKOK, Oct 28 (IPS) - The decision by Thai government to shift the venue of a regional summit from Bangkok to the northern city of Chiang Mai points to an administration unsure of its place in the country’s capital.

BEIJING, Oct 27 (IPS) - A two-day meeting of European and Asian leaders in Beijing has produced a joint statement pledging a coordinated response to the global financial crisis, but concrete action is seen dependant on the entry of Asia’s emerging economies into global policy-setting institutions.

HAVANA, Oct 24 (IPS) - Cuba and the European Union have agreed to reestablish development cooperation, interrupted five years ago, in another step towards overcoming differences, following the resumption of political dialogue in Paris last week.

BANGKOK, Oct 23 (IPS) - Burma’s military regime is struggling to attract international aid nearly six months after the powerful Cyclone Nargis tore through the country’s Irrawaddy Delta. The financial shortfall has more to do with distrust of the junta than donor fatigue.

SRIHARIKOTA, Oct 23 (IPS) - With the successful launch of its maiden, unmanned mission to the moon, India has signalled growing confidence as an emerging Asian space power, ready to rub shoulders with Japan and China.