(Democracy Now! 0902 PST, March 21, 2011) Former Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his family were flown on Friday by the South African government back to their home in Haiti after seven years in exile. Just before their journey, President Obama called South African President Jacob Zuma to try to prevent the trip. But the South African Government said it would not bow to pressure, so the Aristides boarded the flight in Johannesburg on Thursday night.

Democracy Now!'s Amy Goodman was the only reporter to join them on the journey. This is part one of our global broadcast exclusive conversation with Aristide as he flew over the Atlantic Ocean, approaching Haiti. "If we decide to go back when we had an army of 7,000 soldiers controlling 40 percent of the national product that would mean we are headed back to misery, instead of doing something to move from that misery to poverty with dignity," Aristide says.

(Euronews: 1056 PST, March 10, 2011) The Dalai Lama has announced he will hand over his political duties as Tibet's political leader and delegate his responsibilities to an elected member of the Tibetan government in exile.

The 76-year old made the announcement in a speech on the anniversary of the failed 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. He said Tibetans need a leader chosen by the people, adding the time had come for him to devolve power. China claims sovereignty over the Himalayan region and labels the Dalai Lama a separatist.