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World leaders gather in New York with the goal of adopting reforms at the United Nations. The General Assembly has approved a document that touches on issues like human rights, world poverty and terrorism. But the document was watered down greatly in negotiations just prior to the summit.

Fresh Air's critic looks back on a fruitful year and lists his favorite music releases of 2011.

The United Nations begins a special session on AIDS Monday in New York. The conference will call for governments and NGOs to contribute $10 billion annually to AIDS treatment and prevention programs. Lisa Simeone speaks with Thoraya Obaid, head of the U.N. Population Fund, about cultural considerations that come into play when dealing with reproductive and sexual activity.

President Bush addresses the United Nations General Assembly with a speech advocating the spread of democracy in the Middle East. But he's likely to face a skeptical audience that is critical of the U.S. policies in Iraq and Iran.

Israel has allowed a "trickle" of aid into Gaza this week. But the U.S. says it is just not enough. The Biden administration is threatening to withhold some military aid to Israel unless that changes.

The UN Security Council failed to pass a draft resolution aimed at pressuring Syria's government to stop its violent crackdown on dissidents on Saturday morning. NPR's Michele Keleman and Kelly McEvers join guest host David Greene to update the vote and the fresh breakout of violence Saturday morning.

The brutal rape left aid agencies wondering whether to pull out their foreign staff. Now the U.N. has issued a report — and taken action.

NPR's Ann Cooper reports that the United Nations is taking short-term security measures to more carefully screen mail and trying to make long-term security plans. But specialists in terrorism say bombs sent through the mail are hard to stop. Letter bombs addressed to an Arabic-language newspaper were disarmed at U-N headquarters in New York yesterday.

NPR's Ann Cooper reports from the United Nations on the signing today of a treaty banning nuclear testing. The United States was the first to sign the treaty and following the signing, President Clinton delivered his annual address to the U.N. General Assembly. He called for all countries to get toughter on terrorists and drug traffickers.

For years, Japan has been trying to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council. NPR's Eric Weiner reports that the current Japanese government is pushing even harder. They believe that Japan's chances have now improved, due in part to its greater engagement in the international community.