A group of prominent American scientists was to arrive in Pyongyang on Thursday for discussions with North Korean officials and scientists on ways to foster bilateral cooperation in various research fields, a U.S. science association said.

NASA is keen on expanding cooperation in space science and technology with non-traditional partners including countries in the Arab region, said an agency official on the sidelines of the Global Space Technology Forum.

U.S. President Barack Obama has won over the scientific community. Now, he should adopt their resources and influence for a novel use: bolstering America's foreign policy.

U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar proposed the creation of a Science Envoy program in April 2009. His legislation was soon passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. On November 3rd, Secretary Clinton announced the creation of a U.S. Science Envoy Program.

China is continuing to show interest in developing African research capacity with the announcement of a cooperation program in S&T. According to China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, the priorities will be livelihoods and economic development.

Having long pioneered and dominated futuristic technology, Japan proudly leads the global robot march; it already boasts numerous automated assistants playing various everyday roles – with plenty more on the way. The metallic models that paraded at the exchange event, hosted by the Japanese embassy and its Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Centre in late November, were the mechanised brainchildren of Tmsuk. This unpronounceable company somewhat ominously claims on its Web site to want to "create a safe and comfortable society in which people and robots can coexist".

The next head of the US development agency USAID may bring a stronger science and technology flavor to developing country assistance because of his background in agriculture, say commentators.

On 30 November, the European Community signed technology cooperation agreements with Japan and Jordan that will help identify common research priorities and areas of common interest, such as energy, sustainable development and environment.