UN: THE WEST DICTATES SECURITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Analysis by Thalif Deen
NEW YORK (IPS) - The continued political deadlock over a rash of ongoing crises -- including Iran, Myanmar (Burma), Palestine, Kosovo, Zimbabwe and Sudan -- is threatening to paralyse one of the world's most powerful political bodies, harking back to the days of the Cold War when it was turned into a battleground for U.S.-Soviet confrontation.

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DEATH PENALTY: FINAL QUARTER YET TO BE CONVINCED
Petar Hadji-Ristic
ROME (IPS) - Nine countries have taken major steps towards jettisoning the death penalty over the past 18 months, leaving just a quarter of nations left to abolish the practice, according to the 2008 report from the group Hands off Cain.

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LEBANON: BODIES SWAP BRINGS UNEASY TRIUMPH
Mona Alami
BEIRUT (IPS) - The image of 199 coffins covered with Lebanese, Palestinian and Hezbollah flags neatly aligned in a southern Beirut compound was broadcast last week on all national Lebanese TV stations. On Tuesday this week, 144 of these remains were transferred to Syria, their final place of rest. Such images have stirred varying emotions among the Lebanese population.

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AFRICA: CROP FAILURE INTERTWINED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
Miriam Mannak
CAPE TOWN (IPS) - Climate change has a profound effect on food security in Africa, as increasing temperatures and shifting rain patterns reduce access to food across the continent. This transpired at a conference on global warming and climate change July 21-July 24 in Cape Town, South Africa.

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HEALTH-SWAZILAND: AIDS CREATING A SOCIETY IN DISTRESS
James Hall
MANZINI (IPS) - In a narrow and still winter-brown valley, little more than a crevice between rocky mountains, Gogo Ndlovu looks after her five young orphaned grandchildren. The slight, stooped grandmother leans over her stick at the edge of a field planted, with the help of neighbours, with maize. The stalks are brittle and withered and the maize cobs are stunted.

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