News stories by IPS Correspondents, page 39

BONN, Dic 18 (IPS) - The German government's plans for a bigger hike in defence spending than in bilateral aid next year has sparked protests from the opposition and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

KUALA LUMPUR, Dic 18 (IPS) - Malaysia's economy continues to speed along the development track, but warning lights are signalling problems that could choke its growth engine in the years ahead.

KHARTOUM, Dic 18 (IPS) - THE U.N. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (UNDP) RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE HERE DISCLOSED THIS WEEK THE UNITED NATIONS'S PLAN TO APPEAL TO DONORS TO SUPPORT SUDAN'S DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.

LONDON, Dic 18 (IPS) - All outstanding details of a Bolivia-Brazil gas supply project will be settled "within the next two to three months", says Dr Luiz Costamilan, until recently the project manager for the Brazilian section of the pipeline.

DOMBOSHAWA, ZIMBABWE, Dic 18 (IPS) - EVERYDAY NEMESAI MUNETSI SITS BY HER LITTLE VEGETABLE STALL IN RURAL ZIMBABWE WAITING FOR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS TO PROVIDE THE PALTRY INCOME THAT KEEPS HER THREE CHILDREN ALIVE.

ABU DHABI, Dic 18 (IPS) - WOMEN IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARE SLOWLY CASTING ASIDE TRADITIONAL ROLES TO MAKE INROADS INTO THE COUNTRY'S WORKFORCE AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, ACCORDING TO A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY.

ABU DHABI, Dic 18 (IPS) - GULF ARAB STATES ARE LOOKING TOWARDS RUSSIA AND OTHER FORMER COMMUNIST NATIONS AS POSSIBLE INVESTMENT MARKETS AS PART OF THEIR DIVERSIFICATION PLANS AIMED AT OFFSETTING LOSSES FROM UNSTABLE MARKETS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

BONN, Dic 18 (IPS) - Development experts lashed European Union (EU) leaders this week for adopting a Euro-centrist stance and ignoring the issues of particular relevance to the South at their bi-annual weekend summit in the German city of Essen.

DAR ES SALAAM, Dic 18 (IPS) - THE NETHERLANDS FRIDAY SUSPENDED 17.64 MILLION DOLLARS IN DEVELOPMENT AID TO TANZANIA IN PROTEST AGAINST ALLEGATIONS OF RAMPANT TAX EVASION IN THE EAST AFRICAN COUNTRY.

DHAKA, Dic 18 (IPS) - A BULLOCK CART AND TIRED RICKSHAW PULLER AMBLE DOWN A DUSTY ROAD IN THE RURAL STRETCH SURROUNDING THIS CITY TILL THEY ARE STARTLED BY THA LOUD BLOWING OF A HORN.