MUSIC-USA: Cassandra Wilson Explores Many Moods of Miles

When trumpeter Miles Davis died in 1991, arguably the most controversial figure in jazz, he was under fire from traditionalists for what they deemed his 'sell-out' collaborations with soul and pop music. But even even his worst critics honoured his pioneering work in bebop, 'cool' and modal jazz.

POLITICS-UN: Much Ado About Nothing

The debate during 1997 on expanding membership of the U.N. Security Council has been predictable in one respect: for the fourth straight year, no action has been taken by the 185-nation General Assembly to change the Council.

LABOUR: U.S. Firms Cited for Violating Workers Rights Overseas

Nine U.S. clothing companies, including such giants as Nike and Disney, are guilty of allowing low wages and poor working conditions in their foreign operations, says the U.S. labour rights group, the National Labour Committee (NLC).

UN-POLITICS: Food Situation in Iraq “Terrible.”

U.N. officials, concerned over the worsening situation of Iraq's economy and social infrastructure, are calling for an increase in Baghdad's allowance to sell oil for food.

ENVIRONMENT-UNITED NATIONS: Groups Push for Ratification of Fish Treaty

The majority of the world's major fishing nations have not signed a U.N. treaty that would regulate world fish stocks - two years after the agreement was presented for signature.

RIGHTS: U.N. Tries to Aid Return of Political Exiles to Cambodia

U.N. officials believe that the de facto government in Cambodia intends to allow the safe return of some 20 politicians who have been out of the country since the Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh was ousted in July.

MUSIC-USA: Bad Boy Hits the Big Time

One of the great paradoxes of rap music today is that the biggest success story of 1997 is certain to be the music empire built on the stardom of a burly rapper who died nine months ago.

ENVIRONMENT: Groups Push for Ratification of Fish Treaty

The majority of the world's major fishing nations have not signed a U.N. treaty that would regulate world fish stocks - two years after the agreement was presented for signature.

RIGHTS: Massacre Underlines Problems for Taliban in Afghanistan

The Taliban Islamic movement is seeking greater action against its opponents in Afghanistan after an alleged massacre in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, and U.N. officials are concerned that any blockade will result in mass starvation in the north.

POLITICS: U.N. Seeks Diversity for Weapons Monitors in Iraq

The U.N. Special Commission (UNSCOM), giving signs of a possible deal with Iraq, is considering using a more internationally diverse team to monitor Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction.

RIGHTS: Freed Dissident Seeks Increased Pressure on China

Chinese dissident Wei Jingsheng, one week after his release from detention, is urging governments and rights groups everwhere to keep the pressure on Beijing until all political prisoners are freed in China.

UNITED NATIONS: Plans Dim for Security Council Expansion

The chances of expanding the 15- nation Security Council by adding Germany, Japan and three developing countries as new permanent members have decreased in recent weeks, amid procedural wrangling and regional division.

IRAQ-UN: Iraqi Climbdown Poses Questions for U.S.

Iraq's agreement Thursday to allow the return of U.N. weapons monitors - including U.S. nationals - offerered a way out of the tense military standoff with the United States but could push Washington into a compromise on sanctions, U.N. observers said.

LABOUR-US: Setback for Unions as Teamsters Boss Toppled

Just three months ago, Ron Carey was riding high as the most successful union leader in recent U.S. history after his International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) won a two-week strike against the giant United Parcel Service (UPS).

ARTS-ENTERTAINMENT – 2.

If the casual movie-goer checked out the most popular trends in U.S. cinema today, the list would include violent, cynical crime movies; romantic comedies; and mawkish films about angels who help out humans.

IRAQ: UN Withdraws Inspectors After Iraq Orders US Expulsions

The United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) will pull out all but a small 'skeleton crew' of weapons monitors from Iraq on Friday in the growing crisis over the participation of U.S. inspectors.

UNITED NATIONS: General Assembly Gives Nod to Reform Plan

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's wide-ranging plans to reform the United Nations cleared its first hurdle Wednesday when General Assembly endorsed his his reform proposals.

POLITICS: U.N Approves Travel Ban on Iraq

The U.N. Security Council Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution punishing Iraq for blocking U.N. weapons inspectors and imposed an immediate travel ban on Iraqi leaders responsible for obstructing the monitors.

IRAQ-UN: Security Council to Move on Travel Ban

The U.N. Security Council, reacting to Iraq's prolonged standoff with U.N. weapons inspectors, is ready to approve a ban on travel by Iraqi officials deemed to have thwarted monitoring efforts.

IRAQ-UN: Annan Admits Deadlock Over Weapons Monitors

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan conceded Monday that diplomatic efforts to end a standoff between U.N. weapons monitors and Iraq have failed so far - even as Iraq's deputy prime minister arrived here to argue Baghdad's case.

IRAQ-UN: Tension Climbs as Iraq Rebuffs Envoys

Iraq's hardline stance with the United States brought a sharp rebuke from President Bill Clinton Friday and a warning from the United Nations that its diplomatic intervention may soon end.