AP: At U.N., China, Russia and U.S. clash over pandemic responses
“The United States butted heads with China and Russia at the United Nations on Thursday over responsibility for the pandemic that has interrupted the world, trading allegations about who mishandled and politicized the virus in one of the few real-time exchanges among top officials at this year’s COVID-distanced U.N. General Assembly meeting…” (Lederer, 9/24).

AP: At U.N., Africa urges fiscal help against virus ‘apocalypse’
“African nations came out swinging on the third day of the United Nations annual gathering of world leaders Thursday, calling for dramatic fiscal measures to help economies survive the coronavirus pandemic — which one leader called the ‘fifth horseman of the apocalypse.’ Africa’s 54 countries estimate they need $100 billion in support annually for the next three years, pointing out that it’s a fraction of the trillions of dollars some richer countries are using to revive their economies…” (Anna, 9/24).

Reuters: If world handles climate like COVID-19, U.N. chief says: ‘I fear the worst’
“The United States, China, and Russia fought on Thursday during a United Nations Security Council meeting on the coronavirus pandemic after U.N. chief António Guterres had warned the body that if the climate crisis was approached with the ‘same disunity and disarray’ of COVID-19, then: ‘I fear the worst’…” (Nichols, 9/24).

AP: Yemen’s president urges Houthis to allow humanitarian aid (9/24).

Devex: There is ‘enough common ground’ to revitalize the U.N., but it still won’t be easy (Lieberman, 9/25).

The Economist: Why governments get covid-19 wrong (9/26).

TIME: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on the Dangers of Politicizing the Coronavirus Pandemic (Oaklander, 9/24).

U.N. News: Pandemic shocks world, reinforces need for multilateralism, says Estonian President (9/24).

U.N. News: Haiti’s President urges ‘critical rethink’ to ensure development assistance targets national priorities (9/24).

U.N. News: Somalia committed to promoting democracy, accountability despite COVID-19 challenge (9/24).

U.N. News: Through solidarity, humanity will overcome COVID-19 pandemic: Timor-Leste President (9/24).

Xinhua: Albanian president expresses gratitude to WHO for helping contain COVID-19 (9/25).

Xinhua: World leaders call for continued commitment to SDGs (9/24).