years ago this week our next guest spoke before the united nations, becoming the first journalist invited to speak inside the united nations general assemblyl for the international remembered the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade. >> tonight i stand before you as the proud great great great granddaughter of an african who was enslaved in the united states of america until he summoned the courage to fight for his freedom. , hisandfather, sandy wills story was lost from our family for 150 years until i logged on to the family research sites ancestry.com and uncovered records which revealed a story of bravery and dignity. sandy was purchased on a slave auction block when he was a mere 10 years old, snatched from his mother, his father, and all the people he held dear, and transported to the wills plantation in henwood county, tennessee. during his stay, he bonded with five enslaved the waste. 13 years later, they all escaped together to go fight for their freedom as members of the united based outored troops of columbus, ky. they fought and sought freedom at last in 1865. but the story did not end there. , itsugh slavery ha

there's no support in the international community for one state if you go look at the united nations general assembly is there any debate and a discussion on one state is there any legal basis in the international community for one state has no so no public support whatsoever it's simply a fantasy it's a fantasy both of the international level of fantasy on the ground the palestinians have been able to wrest. the west bank and gaza from israeli control and israel's rule is. israel is resisting tooth and nail withdrawing from approximately twenty two percent of historic palestine what's the basis for the assumption that israel will relinquish relinquish complete control over the eighty percent of palestine it's had sovereigns sovereign sovereign control over since one thousand nine hundred forty nine that's just sheer silliness the only reason these. speculations now rise of one state it's because nothing is happening if nothing is happening on the ground and of course people will speculate about all sorts of things that are totally disconnected from politics if you take for example the first intifada

the latest draft will now instead be put to vote at the united nations general assembly possibly as early as next week, where it is expected to pass with a broad majority. >> in egypt, hundreds of protesters have gathered outside cairo's high court, demanding the resignation of their country's top prosecutor. >> he sealed off his office and held signs calling for the prosecutor to be sacked. opponents of the president are accusing him of attacking democracy. they issued arrest warrants for five of egypt's most prominent pro-democracy activists last week. on wednesday, an egyptian court ruled that the appointment by morsi was illegal. >> europe's second-biggest economy, france, is having problems sticking to its budget targets. new figures showed the deficit last year was 4.8% of gross domestic product, missing the government's goal of 4.5%. the finance ministry blames the need to recapitalize the failed bank as well as sluggish economic growth. the ceo of u.s. plane maker boeing says his company is very close to getting its troubled dream minor -- dreamliner back in the air. he says expec

the latest draft will now instead be put to vote at the united nations general assembly possibly as early as next week, where it is expected to pass with a broad majority. >> in egypt, hundreds of protesters have gathered outside cairo's high court, demanding the resignation of their country's top prosecutor. >> he sealed off his office and held signs calling for the prosecutor to be sacked. opponents of the president are accusing him of attacking democracy. they issued arrest warrants for five of egypt's most prominent pro-democracy activists last week. on wednesday, an egyptian court ruled that the appointment by morsi was illegal. >> europe's second-biggest economy, france, is having problems sticking to its budget targets. new figures showed the deficit last year was 4.8% of gross domestic product, missing the government's goal of 4.5%. the finance ministry blames the need to recapitalize the failed bank as well as sluggish economic growth. the ceo of u.s. plane maker boeing says his company is very close to getting its troubled dream minor -- dreamliner back in the air. he says expec

world of geopolitics i can tell you when he was visiting new york city for the annual united nations general assembly devika debate everybody anticipated that his speech the international body would be one that made headlines because he never held back he never minces words he always took on a challenge and he clearly was not intimidated to take on the united states and its western allies of course that as well in the united states didn't have good diplomatic relations there's been comments coming from washington with officials expressing that maybe in the future now the u.s. and this well might have better diplomatic relations but google chavez whether you love him or hate him he leaves norma's big shoes to fill but an investigative journalist for the asia times covering live in america thinks the demonization of chavez in the u.s. may continue after his death. in fact obama's message was a bit ridiculous you know he said that we're going to stand united with different as well and people what kind of people does he mean does he mean that the people who elected and reelected chavez in that search sce

this is mahmoud abbas his first visit to moscow since last november the united nations general assembly voted to operate the fingers of palestine to that of a non member of the over state of the movie essential to recognize palestine is right for statehood and has widely been considered as part of the basis for a permanent peace settlement and of course this is going to be one of the major issues to be discussed between the palestinian and russian leader this is coming ahead of the forthcoming visit by president obama to palestine and there's also house sitting on the backdrop of a notable coolness inhalations between washington and tel aviv of course president obama has brought you from new fresh faces into his new administration during his second term and some of these faces have been notably if not at this guy anti israel than definitely not quite as friendly as the previous administrations have been for example john kerry on his first trip abroad in his capacity as secretary of state has not paid a visit to israel that was noted by many and of course there's also chuck hagel who has

the palestinian territories mr everson is scheduled to present his final report to the united nations general assemblyin october so this is just one of many statements that he. expected to be making as his investigation into drone strikes continues throughout the year and this is the strongest statement from an international group yet in opposition opposition to the u. the u.s. drone drone program what is the significance of this well i mean it's profoundly significant because first and foremost we've been hearing consistent criticism about america's drone campaign that's gone global and the statements coming from operator emerson's were quite profound in addition to whatever any mentioned the independent u.n. expert said that if drone strikes continue into the next pakistani government the u.s. could further destabilize pakistan which is a nuclear power and it undermines a key u.s. strategic goal at the allegedly at the heart of america's drone program but we should mention that special rapper tours like mr emerson are appointed by the u.n. human rights council to examine and report back on situation

first visit by mahmoud abbas to moscow in his fresh new capacity last november the united united nations general assembly has voted to upgrade the status of palestine to that of a nonmember observer state this move was essentially a part was this move was essentially an indication palestine could be recognized as a as this movie socially indicated that palestine could is well it's way to be recognized as a state and it was also regarded as part of the basis for a peaceful solution and of course this is going to be one of the major issues to be discussed between the leaders between between the palestinian and russian leader but it's curious to know that this is coming ahead of the forthcoming visit by president obama to palestine and there's also happening on the bag drop of a notable coolness inhalations between washington and tel aviv of course president obama has brought new from new fresh faces into his new administration during his second term and some of these faces have been notably if not empty israel then definitely not quite as friendly as the previous administrations have been for example john

the nra domestically is replicated internationally once the treaty has passed by the united nations general assembly hopefully, lastly, and the and treats the nra has been peddling for years now about this treaty are finally put to rest. >> andrew feinstein, thank you for being with us, author of, "the shadow world: inside the global arms trade." he is working on a film version of the book. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman. ofbecome to the last date women's history month, we will be joined by a woman who certainly made history in the last century. stay with us. ♪ [music break] >> this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm amy goodman with juan gonzalez. >> earlier this year, the nation marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of rosa parks who refuse to give up her seat and a city bus in alabama to a white man in december, 1955. her act of resistance led to a the mcgovernott of buses led by a young minister named martin luther king. in washington, d.c., president of their presided over a ceremony last month unveilin

administration, you will remember the famous infamous speech in which hugo chavez at the united nations general assemblyling george w. bush the devil and was saying that he spoke after george w. bush and he could still smell the sulfur in the room. that kind of anti-american rhetoric is what made him a thorn in the sides of administrations on both sides. then you will remember that sort of staged photo op. where hugo chavez sort of ambushed president obama early in his presidency, during a summit in latin america handing him a copy of a being boot. getting a lot of headlines out of that meeting. right up until the moments that he passed he was trying to to be a thorn in america's side. his vice president accusing the u.s. government of giving him cancer, something so ridiculous the state department saw fit to put out a statement ar suring the venezuelan people that not happen, shep. >> shepard: he was quite an ora tore. once he said what hurts me most is poverty. that is what has led me to become a rebel. the words of hugo chavez during a 2007 interview with the associated press. before taking office as

he was standing up in front of the united nations general assembly last year. you remember that day. he took a big pen. there was a cartoonish looking bomb, but he talked about where he thought iran was and how close they may be to obtaining a nuclear weapon. and he said in the spring or the summer. now, his timetable differs from the obama administration's timetable. they believe that if iran does decide it wants to make a nuclear weapon, then it's a year out. so they differ in that. but there is certainly agreement on what to do about iran. and both of them have said that the red line is, iran must not obtain nuclear weapons, and for iran's part, iran has always said that it is not trying to do that, but only using it for civilian purposes. ashleigh? >> i want to also, sara, thank you, bring in jessica yellin, our white house correspondent, our chief white house correspondent. jessica, it is no secret that americans do believe that israel is a, either a great allay or a friend, to the tune of about 80% of them. but when it comes to just what we should be doin

. >> richard roth was there that day back in 2006 when hugo chavez was addressing the united nations general assemblywhen he referred to the president of the united states as the devil. what was it like? >> that was an incredible day in u.n. history and depending on your political view point, if he were on the west side along with the united states, it was disgusting, according to diplomats and if you were among the dozens of countries here who believe that the big powers run rough shot over them, you second kretly supported what hugo chavez was saying about the president. i'm not sure if he returned. maybe once since then. if chavez wasn't attending the general assembly sessions, he was a wild card, unpredictable. he also blasted the rest of the countries saying it was worthless. i asked just minutes ago about the passing of hugo chavez. >> venezuelan president hugo chavez has passed away. i wonder if you could talk about the man, his legacy, his appearance here at the u.n. did you speak with him often? >> this is the first time that i hear from you that he has passed away. as a president of venezue

ambassador to the united nations to the general assembly budget committee.mittee is normally a heated debate lasting hours, diplomats who have been in the room say no surprise when delegates in the meeting are visibly drunk. beer and sales up, craft and imported beers helped boost revenues. don't forget this is an all time record high on the dow jones industrial average. that is a rally. ur imptant legas in just minutes. protect youramily... and launch your dreams. at legalzoom.com we put the law on your side. and launch your dreams. ♪ (tin horn) vo: wherever our trains go, the economy comes to life. norfolk southern. one line, infinite possibilities. [ male announcer ] how could switchgrass in argentina, change engineering in dubai, aluminum production south africa, and the aerospace industry in the u.s.? at t. rowe price, we understand the connections of a complex, global economy. it's just one reason over 75% of our mutual funds beat their 10-year lipper average. t. rowe price. invest with confidence. request a prospectus osummary prospectus with investme

looks like the president of this conference is going to send his draft treaty to the general assembly of the united nations where it will be subject to -- subject to a majority vote. campaigners here hoping that could happen in just a matter of days. in fact, most of them staying in new york, hoping that they will see this treaty they've worked for so long for within the week. >> still life in it. thank you very much. doctors in south africa say nelson mandela is responding positively to treatments. the 90-year-old was taken to a hospital on wednesday. it is the third time the former south african president has been hospitalized. in four months. for a recurring lung infection. >> the doctors are attending to him and ensuring that the best -- he receives the best possible expert medical treatment and is kept comfortable. the president has wished him a speedy recovery and appeals to the people of south africa and the world to pray for our beloved and his family and to keep them in their thoughtless. >> let's hear from our correspondent there. >> the presidency saying that nelson mandela is responding well to

can the united nations if not the general assembly, secretary-general's office make a difference? with each one of those we can say here is big money, and the rescued environment of the world in which there is no equality. you can say that or you can ask compared to what? which one makes the bigger difference? which one allows us to impact skewed power, in a legitimate power? those of the questions we need to be asking. the last questions, the smaller cities, second-tier cities, very good question. cities of 50 to 500,000 tried to deal with cities from ten million to twenty-five million, in the center of the global economy. that is not a fair competition. they troy and new york are two different questions but interestingly, middle size cities have also used creativity, innovation, their position change and detroit is beginning to look at the digital age and beginning to find that they too can get innovative companies taking over with the auto industry, midsized cities have their own attractions, many of the most attractive cities to live in, one reason cities are powerful as peopl

. >> despite the move, there's hope that vote in the general assembly could take place within a week. james, al jazeera at the united nations. >> mohammed mirror randy is a professor at the university of teheran. he joins us live now from teheran. thank you for speaking with us. iran claims the treaty is unfair. why is that? >> obviously international law itself is very eurocentric. it is colonial in both language and history and how it's .pplied and the iranians are very we'rey of the lop holes that would benefit countries like the united states and western powers and in fact it benefits exporters of weapons and out of the top 5 countries 11 are european or north american. >> let me just cut in and what you're saying is fair enough, but how much is iran's subjegs to the treaty have anything to do with the fact that iran and syria are iran partners and that iran arms hezbollah. >> in fact the point you made is very interesting. because iran -- believes in the sovereignty of syria, while the united states and european countries along with some of their regional allies or clinchte states. they are funding terrorist organizati

and the israelis started warming up to him particularly after he gave the united nations speech that in the general assemblyxtremely pro israel. >> reporter: the israeli government is determined to make this a feel good trip for the president. the u.s. embassy is using facebook to make the case the president is popular here. yet conversations with young professionals in tel aviv bring mixed reviews. >> i don't think that nothing important will come out from this visit. it's like -- it is going to be like a tourist visit. >> does it bother you that president obama and prime minister netanyahu don't get along? >> i think they have a common target and they must solve this target together if they want to or not. >> reporter: does it bother you at all? >> it's too shame. >> reporter: perhaps things will shift again but it's clear any arab optimism about the president is dimming while at the moment anyway most israelis see him in a somewhat better light. it's also clear, wolf, that iran, how the president handles iran and the meetings with prime minister netanyahu go on iran will be biggest test of this trip from

it is generally the biggest single source of problems for the united nations and it is because there is no tempering of what goes on. members of the general assembly both have no capacity to pass truly binding law. in other words with the general assembly passes are resolutions thad to not carry the force of command and at the same time they bear no responsibility for anything so it is the ultimate kibitzer club and from the u.s. standpoint much of what they want to do is not just wasteful, not just waste, there's an awful lot of things the general assembly would like to see go forward or important sectors of the un general assembly would like to see go forward that are really quite maddening and quite willing to cover for the worst members from human-rights standpoint from many standpoints in this way and the nature of such a body and subsidiary organs that depend on it with the u.s. institutions tend to be the worst you are the more you have an incentive to be in the leadership organization that might say things about you, so there's a sensitive for the worst actors to actually want to have the most voice at the u.n. because it protects them and

general assembly. is to examine options for establishing bilateral and multilateral tcmb 's to help the space environment. representatives from 14 nations, including the united serve on this gge. the first meeting was in new york city. is to developive a consensus report that outlines bm's.t of hermetic space tc arms control is outside of it. it will hold its next meeting in geneva next week. thegoal is to finalize report by july of this year. another area where we are discussing space security is within the group of g8, which conducted its annual meeting last may. in its role, as president last year, the united states introduced discussions on the long-term sustainability and security of the space environment within the group. in the nonproliferation director statement, it just sustainability and security in detail. outer spacer, activities play a significant role in the social, economic, scientific and technological developments of space and maintaining international peace and security. the growthcern about of orbital debris, which presents an increasing threat to welcomedivities and the current efforts aimed at establishing a strong consensus on an intern