>> good evening everyone. welcome to al jazeera america. i'm here in new york. we are focused on three major stories, the u.n. security council getting ready to vote on a resolution to rid syria of chemical weapons. president oba president obama surprises iran's president with a phone call - another historic step towards the iranian nuclear program. >> my message to government is this - do not shut down the government or the economy. pass the bill and pay our bills. >> lawmakers told to stop the grandstanding and get down to business.

>> it started with an agreement between the u.s. and russia. now the u.n. security council is ready to vote tonight. you're looking at live pictures from inside the un. the members are considering a resolution taking away syria's chemical weapons. the story has been followed from the u.n. what do we expect? >> we expect the vote to go through. all the hard work has been done in the build-up to the general assembly and in the middle. i don't think there's an issue. i think the security council will pass this vote that will rid syria of its chemical weapons. let's take our viewers back a step and remind them of how we got there. remember that issue we had back on 14 september in geneva, when the russians and the americans met, and they came to an agreement on ridding syria of its chemical weapons, but that

was only a framework document. in order for it to become a legal device in the world, it has to come here, to the shots you are looking at now. this is the chamber of the security council at the united nations here on the east side of manhattan. it's only the security council that can turn it into an internationally legitimate document. the security council is the body charged with peace and security in the world, and so an un resolution on getting rid of syria's weapons is the only way to go. now, while you are looking at pictures of members of the various delegations here at the united nations chatting before they sit down to vote, we are going to take you to the white house , where earlier this afternoon president obama came to the briefing room and gave his reaction on the impending vote in the security council. take a listen. >> this binding resolution will ensure that the assad regime must keep commitments or face

consequences. it will have to be vigilant about following through. this could be a victory for the international community and demonstrate how strong diplomacy can allow us to secure our country and secure a better world. >> president obama conceded that things are not going to be easy from here on in once the vote is passed because it's going to be difficult for the inspectors who will go in in november to actually take out and kta log the -- catalogue the chemical weapons that syria has. it admits that it's not clear that bashar al-assad, the president of syria, will do what he's promised to do. there's a few question marks hanging over this. one bit of good news, al jazeera spoke this evening to a former w wepons inspector who is of the view that most of the syria's chemical weapons is in binry form - basically they haven't

been mixed. it may not be too difficult to get hold of them and move them away from syria. the difficulty is identifying how much of a stockpile bashar al-assad has and make sure nothing is hidden somewhere that has not been revealed. that'll be the question mark. >> talking about what we're hearing from the syrians - what is that? >> the syrian foreign minister - al jazeera's diplomatic correspondent james bayes bumped into him before the light failed here at the un, down on the east river. he had come out for a cigarette or something. he was enjoying the sunshine in the late afternoon. the place where this interview took place is near where these pictures are coming in from. james ran the cameraman and ran to ask him a number of key questions. take a look at this. >> foreign minister, are you confident of the prospects of

peace right now? >> it's premature to speak about that. as long as fighting is going on on the ground. >> do you think there could be a deal that will bring everyone to geneva? >> i hope so. >> what about the chemical weapons resolution? >> we will comment. we are determined to go forward in the respect of destroying the chemical weapon. >> in terms of geneva, are you prepared to concede on the role of president bashar al-assad, that he may step down. >> nobody can. nobody can speak about the role of president bashar al-assad, because it is mentioned in the constitution. so we will not vialate our constitution. his role is for the syrian people, it is very important and

crucial. >> thank you, foreign minister, thank you. >> diplomatic editor james bayes. what the foreign minister of syria had to say was interesting because he said that the country will comply with the security council resolution, which is about to be voted on. you can see the ambassadors gathering in the chamber. the last question is the key one that james asked. he asked whether or not the foreign minister thought that sacrificing bashar al-assad as leader of syria was something that may be possible in geneva ii, which is the peace conference coming up in geneva on syria in a couple of weeks time. you heard his answer there, that it's part of the syrian constitution - it's not possible to remove bashar al-assad from power in syria. that could be a problem down the road. for tonight. here we are at the un security council with the ambassadors, preparing to sit at the table. it's an historic event because

mostly when the votes take place, the various countries, particularly britain, france, united states, russia and china, the permanent five are represented by the ambassadors. because it is the end of the leaders week at the general assembly the foreign ministers are in town. i'm certain most of the key seats will be occupied by foreign ministers. certainly we know sergei lavrov, the russian foreign minister, who has been in the post for about 10 years, and before that was at the un as russia's ambassador for the u.n., he is here. secretary of state john kerry will occupy the united states care. william hague, the british foreign secretary will be in the british chair. i don't know about the french and the chinese - we'll find out as time goes on. i think there'll be a display of the great and good of the global political scene. they want to be here to be part of this. >> stand by, we'll continue to watch this. we'll get back to you in a moment. there's a new report saying syria has 1,000 tonnes of

chemical weapons, according to the international institute for counterterrorism and could be used in aerial bombs, artillery shells and rockets and ballistic missiles and artillery rounds. the weapons are stored in some 50 cities, in the northern part of the country predominantly in production, research and develop, plants used for peaceful purposes and storage. we are joined from the syria boarder with ria. i know you have talked to people's syria. what are they saying tonight, rawya rx ageh. >> at a time when we see the chemical weapons deal celebrated and hailed in new york and the hallways of the united nations, there are concerns among the citizens of syria. they are primarily concerneded

whether their government will comply or not. there's a lot of concern about the fact that this is a specific deal. it's something very specific about the chemical weapons, about ridding the country of chemical weapons some time, presumably in june of next year, a long and arduous process in a time of peace, let alone in a country that has a raging civil war like syria, which brings me, john, to my following point, the concern that people have that this is not a ceasefire agreement. this is not a peace agreement, it is about chemical weapons. well, what about conventional weapons. people have been telling me the primary tool that has been used to kill the more than 100,000 syrians who have lost their lives over the 2.5 years. people have been telling me that unless they see a ceasefire, unless they see an end to the fighting inside syria, there's little for them to celebrate. >> among other things, you have covered the refugee crisis on

the border. there's a humanitarian problem within syria. talk about the hunger problem there. >> indeed, john. over the past few weeks we talked extensively about the plight of those displaced as a result of the conflict within the borders of syria or outside syria. damming reports showed heart-breaking statistics. even if you are a syrian living inside your house, who didn't have to leave as a result of the conflict, you are still suffering to make ends meet, and you are suffering to put food on your table. the specific concern is about the issue of hunger. figures released by relief agencies indicate that 4 million children, half children - that's under a quarter of the population - are struggling to have access to food. it's not just about buying food,

because, of course, prices of food have skyrocketed. it's the infrastructure of getting access to food - agriculture, the industry of food has been in tatters. these are very damning and concerning reports that showed syria could be on the brink of mass starvation, and what relief agencies are saying is that there should be a renewed push for humanitarian assistance - not just a push to rid the country of chemical weapons, but to ride the positive wave, perhaps, to allow for humanitarian access and what relief agencies want is not just to dump more money - we saw the u.k. and u.s. pledge humanitarian assistance over the past couple of days, but they need access to enter the country and deliver the humanitarian assistance to people who have been living under siege. >> rawya has been providing us with the information inside syria.

thank you very much. we'll follow this story at the un as it continues to develop. we'll bring you more information. >> it may be the biggest sign of improving relations between the u.s. and iran. president obama called iranian president hassan rouhani. sources close to hassan rouhani said the telephone call was unexpected, the first time since 1979 that the two leaders sat and had direct contact over the telephone. we have more on that. >> in an address from the white house, an expression of respect for the iranian people from president obama. >> i believe we have a responsibility to pursue diplomacy and we have a unieke opportunity to make progress with the leadership in tehran. >> a sign from iran's president that things are changing. >> translation: in speaking with european officials and hearing barack obama, they sounded different, compared to the past. i view that as a positive step in the settlement of differences between iran and the west.

>> after this historic meeting, including iran's foreign minister and the u.s. secretary of state, the two leaders spoke on the phone. the first presidential contact between iran and the u.s. in more than 30 years. they pledged to keep working towards an agreement on iran's nuclear program. with the international community abuzz with news of warming relations between iran and united states. there's talk of a spil over effect as diplomatic overs at the united nations turn towards convening a peace conference for syria. the syrian national coalition refuses to deal with iran, which backed syrian president bashar al-assad. >> they are not noout ral at this point and have never been neutral. that's why we believe they are responsible for the blood of the syrians, over 120,000 syrians who have been killed in damascus, rainians are equally responsible for that blood, because they have been able to

kill, the ones who have been killing our people. >> tunisian president thinks iran's participation in negotiations is crucial. >> i can't imagine a solution without iran, i think. they are part of the problem and part of the solution. >> the syrian opposition lost the city of kisar after iranian-backed hezbollah fighters helped to turn the battle in favour of the syrian government. as iran turns a page in its relations with the united states, iran could be considered a force for peace, some say. let's go back to the united nations where the security council is now sitting to take this vote on the resolution regarding syria's chemical weapons. let's risen in for a moment. >> other distinguished representatives present in the security council chamber tonight. the security council will now

begin its consideration of item ii of the agenda. members have before them document s/2013/575 - the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the council's prior consultations. i note that this document contains an annex 1, which is the text of a decision by the executive council of the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons on 27 september. it is entitled, "destruction of syrian chemical weapons." it's my understanding that the council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. i'd like to thank all council members for correspond soring

the draft -- co-spoon orring the draft resolution, which is now a draft text. i'll put the draft resolution to the vote now. for those in favour of the document or resolution contained in document s/2013/575 please raise their hand. >> the result of the voting is as follows. the draft resolution received 15 votes in favour, so the draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2118 of 2013. i now give the floor to the secretary-general, his excellency mr ban ki-moon, the

secretary-general. >> mr president, honourable minister, distinguished members of the council, excellencies - today's historic resolution is the first hopeful news on syria in a long time. for many months i have said that confirming the use of chemical weapons in syria would require a firm united response. tonight the international community has delivered. i commend the members of the council. i'm especially grateful for the efforts of russian federation foreign minister sergei lavrov and u.s. secretary of state john kerry. mr president, those that sent to investigate confirmed chemical weapons were used in syria. the perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice.

permission to return to syria to complete the investigation, including of the incident in question. i expect the team to complete the fact-finding activities by next week. >> the secretary-general of the united nations, ban ki-moon announcing the unanimous vote, an historic resolution by the u.n. security council, which requires the government of syria to name all of its chemical weapons and the specific type of munitions used to deliver those weapons. the location of all the chemical weapons and the complete elimination of the chemical weapons as well as, including full communication of theiations of the united nations. >> the one thing this resolution doesn't have it teeth, is that correct. >> that is true.

i want to remind the viewers of why this is so historic. it's historic because of the topic, because it's taken so long to get to this point. it's historic because there was a famous deal between russia and the united states on 14 september. you witnessed it here on al jazeera being turned into a fully legal document. it's important to understand this is the legal bit. they had to do this, otherwise it could be challenged at all sorts of levels. this document provides for syria to be ridded - to have syria's chemical weapons removed by the international community. it was historic also because sitting around that table, that famous oval table at the security council are not tonight ambassadors, but foreign ministers who have been in town for the general assembly. they have stayed on for those. sitting there now, ban ki-moon, the secretary-general is talking. gary quinlan is about the only

ambassador, for australia. they have a chair for the security council for september. john kerry, secretary of state is sitting there, sergei lavrov, russian foreign minister, william hague, the british frectry. it's historic -- foreign secretary. it's historic for all those reasons. the answer is it doesn't have teeth, you are right. it's relying on the bashar al-assad regime to do what they have said they would do, which is reveal the location of all their chemical weapons stockpiles, and allow inspectors in, and work with them and make sure that they remove safely and scurlly to a safe destination -- securely to a safe destinition in another country. this resolution was wrangled over for two weeks. the original one drafted by the french and british was more hard-hitting. in the original one, they referred to whoever was found

gulty of carrying out the chemical weapons attack to the international criminal court. that was taken out. condemnation of the bashar al-assad was taken out. the original resolution at chapter vii resolution is what it is called. it is complicated, but the chapter vii resolution is a device the un uses when it draws up a resolution for action against a member country. this is not a chapter vii resolution, it's a security council resolution, and the only teeth that it has is a reference towards the end when they say if bashar al-assad and the syrian regime do not do what they promised to do, we'll threaten you with another resolution - not a military strike. that remains on the table in the eyes of the president. but the legal body, the security council threatens syria only with another resolution. >> while the leaders may later on be patting themselves on the back, we heard from rawya near

the syrian border who hears inside syria that many are concerned not just about chemical weapons, but conventional weapons, hunger, and how this will take place, how chemical weapons will be eliminated in syria which is in the middle of a civil war. >> the president touched on that in his briefing at the white house. he admitted it will be difficult because syria is in the middle of a vicious civil war. how easily it will be for the inspectors to get hold of stuff, catalogue it and get it out. the president alluded to the fact that we don't know if bashar al-assad will live up to his promises. it remains to be seen. the wider picture is that although the chemical attack on 21 august was horrific, who will forget seeing the two children in the arms of their dad, and they looked alive when you first saw the pictures, and mobilize it was clear that they were dead - that was such an

extraordinary television image to come out of syria. nobody who saw that will ever forget it. the problem is that although it was awful, it was one piece of awfulness in the 2-year conflict. >> exactly. >> 100,000 people have been killed in syria in the past few years. millions have been displaced to other countries, it's affecting the whole region now. it could be argued that this is a world body getting excited about one specific event, a terrible event, yes, but one specific terrible event. the council has been unable to come up with resolutions on syria until this point. i would remind you that they came up with this resolution after two weeks of top-level wrangling between each other, following an international agreement with two of the key players, russia and the united states. it took them two weeks after a

major agreement was signed, and they have no record of any other resolutions on syria in the past two years. >> given this resolution tonight, clearly there may be a bit of hope. we'll watch as this continues and i know john terry will have more reaction from the leaders. >> in less than four days the u.s. government could shut down. it will happen if congress can't agree on a bill to fund the government. tomorrow at noon the house will look at the spending bill sent over by the senate, stripping the gop plan to cut funding for the president's health care. we go to washington d.c. >> there is a growing sense of bes miss m here an -- pessimism here on capitol hill. >> with no breakthrough in sight president obama had a direct message for republicans.

>> do not shut down the government or the economy. pass a budget on time, pay our bills on time. >> the president repeated his vow. he will not give in to conservative demands to role back the health care law. >> the house republicans are concerned with apeacing the tea party that they threatened a government shutdown or worse unless i gut or repeal the affordable care act. >> the ayes are 54, nays are 44. the amendment is agreed to. >> after restoring money for the new law the senate sent the bill funding the government to the house. watching from inside the senate chamber, house tea party members who must decide whether to give in or maintain the fight. >> what do you think will happen? >> there's a lot of talking to do. >> almost all oppose obamacare accusing republican senator ted cruz of showboating. >> the disunity among

republicans - does that argue against what you are fighting for? >> it's unfortunate that senate republicans were not united this time around. i am hopeful when the house sends the bill back that it will be an opportunity for every senate republican to come home, standing for the principles we share. >> with the gop fractured democrats are waiting with everyone else to see what house republicans will do next. >> it's impossible for democrats to negotiate with house republicans when they can't negotiate with themselves. >> john, there is word late tonight that house republicans are not ready to give in yet. they are thinking about sending a bill to the senate this weekend to delay implement eights of the individual mandate that requires everyone to get insurance, delay it for a year. >> thank you, mike. >> the threat to the economy still ahead. real money's ali velshi explains the impact it could have on wall street if a budget is not passed or the nation's debt ceiling is

not raised. >> new help for america's biggest bankrupt city. it won't help detroit pay off its $18 million debt.

welcome back to al jazeera america. i'm john. here are the top stories - the ayes are 54, nays are 44. the bill as amended is passed. >> the senate approved a bill that will keep the government funded through mid november. it does not include a provision from the house of representatives version that would stop funding for the president's heath care law. facing a tuesday deadline the house will meet tomorrow to consider the senate's bill. history made over the phone, president obama and iranian president hassan rouhani talked today. the phone call represents the first time leaders from the two countries have spoken directly since 1979. president obama says he believes the comprehensive solution can be reached on iran's nuclear

program. >> moments ago the security council voted unanimously to pass the chemical weapons resolution. let's check in with john ter et at the united nations with more on the decision. >> let me take you back into the claimer ber. this is the security council chamber at the united nations. you are looking at live pictures. this is the secretary of state john kerry who is about to begin speaking. let's listen to a little of what john kerry has to say. >>... of murdered children laying on a hospital floor alone, or besides slain parents, wrapped in unbloodied burial shrouds. the world's conscience was shocked. our collective resolve hardened. tonight, with a strong enforceable precedent setting resolution requiring syria to give up chemical weapons, the united nations security council has demonstrated that diplomacy can be so powerful it can

peacefully diffuse the worst weapons of war. so tonight we are declaring together for the first time that the use of chemical weapons which the world long ago determined to be beyond the bounds of acceptable human behaviour are also a threat to international peace and security - anywhere they might be used, any time they might be used, under any circumstances. as a community of nations, we reaffirm our responsibility to defend the defenseless - those whose lives remain at risk every day that anyone believes they can use weapons of mass destruction with impugnity. together the world, with a single voice, for the first time, is imposing binding obligations on the assad regime, requiring it to get rid of weapons that have the you -- that have been used to devastating effect as tools of

terror. this important resolution reflects what president obama and president pooutin and colleagues around the world set out to do. i want to thank foreign minister sergei lavrov for his personal efforts and cooperation beginning before geneva and continuing this week so we could find common ground. i want to thank good friends and counterparts, foreign secretary hague and foreign minister fabius who have been partners every step of the way. our original objective was to degrade and deter syria's chemical weapons capability. the option of military force that president obama has kept on the table could have achieved that. but tonight's resolution, in fact, aecom plishes even more. through peaceful means it will, for the first time seek to eliminate entirely the nation's

chemical weapons capability, and in this case specifically syria's. on-site inspections of the places that the weapons are stored will begin by november, and under the terms of this agreement those weapons will be removed and destroyed by the middle of next year. our aim was also to hold the assad regime publicly accountable for its horrific use of chemical weapons against its own people on 21 august. this resolution makes clear that those responsible for this heinous act must be held accountable. in this resolution the council importantly endorsed the geneva communique calling for a transfer of power to a transitional gomping body paving the way for democratic elections and a government -- governing body, paving the way for democratic elections and a government chosen by the people of syria to represent the people

of syria. we sought a legally binding resolution, which is what the security council adopted. for the first time since syria's civil war began the security council is spelling out in detail what syria must do to comply with its legal obligations. syria cannot reject the inspectors. they must give the inspectors unfettered access to any and all sights and to any and all people. we also wanted a resolution that could be enforced and again that is what the security council has adopted. we are here because actions have consequences and now, should the regime fail to act there will be consequences. progress will be reported back to the security council frequently, and in the event of noncompliance the council will impose measures under chapter vii of the u.n. charter. just two weeks ago when the

syrian regime would not acknowledge the vast supply of chemical weapons and say that they existed, this outcome, frankly, would have been utterly unimaginable. thanks to the cooperation within the p 5 of the united nations and friends and partners around the world - many of whom who are in this room - the security council showed when we put aside politics for the common good we are capable of doing big things. provided the resolution is adhered to be would have eliminated a kepon program on earth from a volatile place on earth. the assad regime carries the burden of meeting the terms of this agreement. when it comes to those who murder their own citizens, the world's patience need to be short.

make no mistake - the rest of the world carries the burden of doing what we must do to end mass killing by other means. we must work together with the same determination and cooperation that brings us here tonight in order to end the conflict that continues to tear syria apart even this very day. we must continue to provide straightly needed humanitarian aid and neither assad nor anyone else should stand between that aid and the people who need it. only when we do these things will we have fulfilled our responsibility to the syrian people, and to ourselves. only mobilize will we have advanced our own interests and security and that of our allies in the region. only mobilize will we show that the security council is meeting its responsibility to enforce international and security. we are here united tonight in

support of our belief that international institutions do matter, that international norms matter. we say with one voice that atrocities carried out with the world's most heinous weapons will not be tolerated. when institutions like the security council stand up to defend the principles and values that we all share. when we put violent regimes on notice that the worlds will unite against them, it will lead not only to a safer syria, but it will lead to a safer world. thank you. >> i thank his excellency mr kerry for his statement and give the author to his excellency william hague... >> secretary of state john kerry once again really going over what has happened tonight, and let's explain. the u.n. security council has just voted to - on the resolution that would help eliminate chemical weapons from syria. the most interesting we heard from john kerry mobilize was he

said diplomacy is so powerful it can peacefully diffuse the weapons of war. let's look at the vote that happened a few minutes ago. ed. >> will those in favour contained the document or resolution contained in document s/2013/575 please raise their hand? the result of the voting is as follows - the draft resolution received 15 votes in favour, so the draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 2118 of 2013. >> the historic decision by the u.n. security council moments ago - we are getting word that russia's foreign minister sergei lavrov says that the un security

council will be ready to take punitive action if syria's resolution is violated. we heard from john kerry essentially the same thing, he said there will be consequences if syria does not comply. so there seems, john terrett some disagreement between russia and the united states on putting teeth into the resolution. >> that is the first time we heard comment in sergei lavrov, the russian foreign minister. it's interesting indeed because part of the problem with this resolution is that he doesn't really have very many teeth. john kerry referred to there being consequences if bashar al-assad and his regime don't live up to the promise they have made to get rid of their chemical weapons stockpiles. there is no threat of force in this legal document. the document that has been unanimously adopted by the security council. the only threat in this document is that they will threaten the syrian regime with another resolution, a chapter vii

resolution. you heard john kerry refer to that. chapter vii is a device used by the un, when they draw up resolutions against countries were there might be an attack. it was thought until this evening that in the event there was another resolution under chapter vii, that would offer an opportunity for china to do what they have done regarding syria, on the previous three, which is to block and use veto. all five permanent members have a veto and russia and china have used their's. we have to take sergei lavrov at face value. it's an interesting development. it seems the world may be more on the same page than we thought at first. >> also we are hearing from the russian foreign minister that russia would like to participate in the syrian chemical weapons clean up. we heard bits and pieces of that before. the russians want to be involved on the ground in the clean up

that will take place. stand by, let's play some of the sound by secretary-general ban ki-moon after the vote. >> it's the first hopeful news on syria in a long time. for many months i have said that the confirmed use of chemical weapons in syria would require a firm united response. tonight the international community has delivered. >> we heard this from ban ki-moon, and from secretary of state john kerry. this was almost a reaffirmation of the united nations itself. >> it was. it is. that's really what the security council boils down to. it's everything that happens in the general assembly and in the secretariat building behind me and multiple offices all around the world, boiled down to 15 seats. the security council is the one body in the world charged with peace and security for all the countries in the world.

>> it was interesting that ban ki-moon made the point that this resolution is not the licence for use of conventional weapons in syria and went on to say the united nations is looking for a syrian-led solution. he also said that the government forces and the opposition need to be involved in bringing whatever is the solution required in syria to stop the 2-year civil war. >> if i may, we have a note of what william hague said, the british foreign secretary. he has been speaking and he said that they are aiming for a mid november start date for what is called geneva ii, the peace conference which is planned over the last couple of days in geneva to try to bring a peaceful resolution to syria beyond the chemical weapons issue. as we said earlier on, there's a 2-year civil war raging, hundreds of thousands have died, millions displaced and the security council and the un

doesn't want to stop here, they want to build on the momentum if they can. >> it strikes me that all this started from an offhand comment from the secretary of state who said, "maybe there's a possibility of dip loam assy if syria was willing to identify chemical weapons and turn them over", from that comment how many weeks ago we have a resolution from the united nations security council. >> but you are forgetting the other compensate. and this is what the president -- other component. this is what the president said, they went as far as threatening force, and without that, which didn't come been, it was thought we wouldn't be in this position that we are in today. >> john terrett at the un. >> there are four days left to go before a possible shutdown, congress can't agree on a short-term spending bill. in weeks the country will hit the ceiling and not be able to

borrow more money. president obama warned that the u.s. and economy is at risk. >> we sit down with ali velshi to get wall street's take. >> what will be the effects on markets and america if a budget is not passed and after that, that we don't up our debt ceiling much. >> the budget we become used to, most americans almost don't care, but for the pact that if there's a shutdown people will notice some government services are missing. most don't care. they stopped thinking about what washington does, and have taken the view try not to interfere with my life, i don't care what you get down. debt ceiling is a different animal. this is where you say your bills, if you call your credit card and say, "i ran up $5,000 and i'm not paying it", you'll get in trouble. you'll never get a loan, they'll mark down that you haven't paid

it. when we did this two years ago, america was the most creditworthy place on earth, europe was in olympic games, in big trouble. europe is starting to -- trouble. it was in big trouble. >> if you feel the u.s. is an unreliable investment you have places you can go with the money, making the cost of borrowing here increase. that will effect everybody looking to borrow money. it's not a certaintiy, but there's a risk that it will. you know what happens when you increase the cost of borrowing, it slows the economy down. >> we have an economy on the uptick, but we are on a seesaw based on what might happen. is it possible that another recession could occur based on washington's inactivity. >> anything is possible. things were looking bright in the months before the last recession set upon us. i'd say the analogy i used is america and its economy is like

a runner, it's picking up speed. we have an increase of almost 13% compared to last year in housing. we have major markets up almost 20", so far this year. we have job creation for more than three years every month. the unemployment rate is coming down. it's not gangbusters, we are picking up pace. this would be akin to sticking your foot out and tripping the runner that is the american economy. why take the chance with something you don't have to take the chance with. this is not a natural disaster, not a global recession that is engulfing the united states, this is all of washington's making. it's like a clear sky out there, and washington is planting a rain cloud right above them. >> how can americans let them get away with this truly. we go through this every couple of years. it's constant bickering. what are we doing, how are we allowing this to happen? >> i think it's hard to understand the process. the budgetary process is complicated. leaders have oversimplified the

debt ceiling description, so it sounds like not allowing the debt ceiling to go up is akin to controlling your spending, it's not, it's akin to rung up spending and not paying the bill. that's the difference. we oversimplified things. we are so polarised. if this is a republican position, it must be right, if it's a democratic position, it must be right. we need to get educated. a lot of people don't care. they are disgusted by the way congress operates that they disassociate themselves and have taken on a caveman mentality, i'll look after my life and budget and pay my bills, i don't know what you guys are doing with your bnt and finances snoox that's ali velshi. dedroit will get $20 million in financial help. it will go towards helping the city improve transit systems and hire police and firefighters.

dedroit is about $18 billion in debt and declared bankruptcy. >> let's see what is coming up on america tonight. hi joie chen. >> good evening, on america tonight we grab the controller of an out of control video game. grand theft auto v's popularity is on the fast-track, the fastest on record, grossing more than a billion in just three days. that game plays out in a virtual city riddled with violent nights. some of its most engaged consumers do not fall in the intended mature category. tonight we'll play the game and understand the impact it has on its players. . >> i think a bigger question too is of all the things we can put in front of our children, why would we want to put this kind of image, video game in front of them when there's other things that they could engage in. >> america tonight's reporter will take on the question.

her story and more at the top of the hour on america tonight. >> now for sport. an update on the aaron hernandez case. >> he's in gaol awaiting trial for the murder of his friend. there are interesting developments the the fiancea of hernandez indieted on purgy charges. her cousin was indieted on a charge of accessory after the fact. hernandez is due in court in early october. the average nfl career is around four years. most players have a tough time making the transition into the next chapter of their life. we found a player who found a new career, following his first

passion - singing. >> he is blessed with a set of pipes that makes him one of the top tenors in the world. before hitting the high note, he would hit quarterbacks as an nfl lion backer. >> papua was selected in the cleveland browns in a 1995 draft after a career in utah. unfortunately a foot injury ended his career two years after beaming drafted. >> when it first -- being drafted. >> when it first happened i thought my world came to an end. pupua barely could watch the games on television. he turned to his first passion, singing. >> the tongan native decided it

was time to pursue his career and moved from utah to new york city. >> i was asked - probably takes a lot of courage to do the move. i said, "no, i had no courage, it was fate. courage came later", >> he's persevered and got a job at a spot near the lincoln center, o'neil's. >> i wanted to work across the street from the metropolitan op ra. i knew we'd have opera singers coming in, having dinner. i would star at them and wonder what makes them tick. i'd watch what they drink, eat, and how they carried themselves. >> he got his big break after meeting kir. >>, an international sop ranno icon. >> i met her at a book signing at the metropolitan opera. she discovered me and thought i

had something special. she brought me to july yard where i sang and they agreed i had something special. >> he received a rare scholarship and became the first pol nearbyian student and graduate. he made a debut at the opera house. >> he is 30 pounds lighter than his playing weight in football. at 6 foot 5 he's a presence on stage. this big man is big time - make no mistake. [ singing ]

>> wow is right. he's blessed with a set of pipes. he will perform tonight at a special ceremony for the king and queen of tonga in new york. his family flew to town for the big event. >> alabama is on upset alert. 2-time defending champs looked shaky. according to college insider gary watson, bama will lose to old ness. >> absolutely, alabama hasn't looked sharp on defense. old misses is talking track about how their offence is better than texas a&m, how their receivers are better. if that is true, and we have seen them play well this season, if that is true, they'll light alabama up, especially in the secondary. i don't know what alabama will show up. it's showed up against a&m. other games it's been nonexistent.

if they don't show up old miss will have their way with them. >> you heard it, alabama is going down. >> tiger woods wins five times this season and as a result through the pga tour he was named player of the year. this award is voted on by the players. he receives his 11th player of the fear, first since 2009 when his personal life gets complicated. >> pupuo - unbelievable sites. >> talent. >> thank you, ross. >> from collectors to the curious hundreds flock to pearce nevada to place a bid on classic cars. 500 left over vehicles from a local dealership are hitting the auctions block. despite the look the cars have less than 20 miles on their odom terse. gases prices are on the decline, heading lower.

industry researcher gas buddy.com says the nation-wide average for unleaded regular is 3.42, 17 less than it was at the beginning of september. the group anticipates prices will fall until at least the colombus day weekend. >> a check of your whether with dave is coming up after the break. warndave warren

dave warren - we are getting a lot of weather with the big storm out west. it brought cold air in with the snow and we are getting severe weather in the texas pan handle. these are severe storms, gusty winds and some hail as the storms move through. they will continue to move from west to east. it's a severe thunder storm watch. there are warnings. this is high wind watches and warnings too. it's windy and stormy. this is in the southern plains tonight. back behind the storm on the western side you get the cold air and snow - you see how it's

moving done, light know in wyoming, cold temperatures, freeze watches and warnings, winds across idaho, western montana - a stormy day out west. looking at the snow in wyoming, didn't cover the road ways, but grassy surfaces with a coat of snow and slippery maybe on the road. there is the cold air. 42 in rapid city. 82 in omaha. the storm brings up the warm air to the east and cold air to the west. where is it headed? it will move across the midwest over the next 24 hours, bringing the warm air with it and the rain, and stormy weather as the storm moves across the midwest over the next 24 to 48 hours. it will impact the eastern united states. the radar showing it all over wyoming and here is the storms developing in texas and oklahoma. future weather shows the line of

showers by 10 o'clock tomorrow going from iowa through kansas, into oklahoma. it's stormy weather in the morning. warm ahead of it, cold behind it. in the next few hours it will move through the midwest. by 6 o'clock tomorrow moving through minnesota, and illinois and through chicago saturday night and sunday. warm in chicago during the day and stormy at night. the day looks okay, but the rain comes through at night. minnesota temperatures dropped to 68 degrees tomorrow, 75 dry on sunday. storms on monday - pop up showers and storms. chicago warm tomorrow. it's a storm at night. the rain coming in at night, clearing sunday. into the weekend monday and tuesday, upper 70s. it will get warmer, staying dry in the north-east. temperatures in the mid-70s. a look at the headlines is coming up.

>> welcome to al jazeera america, i'm john siegenthaler. here are the top stories. earlier this hour in new york an historic vote by the u.n. security council. the council voted unanimously on a resolution calling for the destruction of syria's chemical weapons. it calls for consequences to be determined later if syria fails to comply. secretary of state john kerry says the vote sends a strong message. >> as a community of nations we reaffirm our responsibility to defend the defenseless, those whose lives remain at risk every day that anyone believes they can use weapons of mass destruction with impugnity. >> iranian president hassan rouhani received a