It's the&nbsp;world's&nbsp;longest&nbsp;certified foot&nbsp;race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times.

Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile&nbsp;Race.

Runners finish more than two marathons a day for almost two months, on less than five hours sleep a night.

They can't rely on changing scenery to keep them motivated as the route is a half-mile loop on a concrete sidewalk around a high school in Jamaica, Queens.

To mix things up a bit, they alternate daily between running clockwise one day and anti-clockwise the next.

"Definitely monotony," said this year's winner, Andrea Marcato, describing the biggest test of the&nbsp;race.

"The first week is quite challenging, especially for the mind. But after a while you get used to it. You have to accept that every day is going to be the same," he told AFP.

Participants have 52 days to run 3,100 miles (4,989 km), meaning they must average 59.6 miles every day.

They run, walk and hobble between 6:00 am and midnight, eating as they go to make up for the estimated 10,000 calories they burn during every session.

For the day's other six hours they sleep, wash and care for their blistered feet in nearby accommodation.

Only ultra-marathon veterans who have completed six-day races are allowed to enter.

<h2>Meditation</h2>

"It's a test of stamina, strength, inner determination, and talent," said&nbsp;race&nbsp;director Sahishnu Szczesiul.

Harita Davies, the sole woman of this year's seven competitors, said the&nbsp;race&nbsp;takes a physical toll&nbsp;but "the kind of unbelievable thing is that as the days and weeks go by your body actually does adapt, you do get stronger."

Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who lived in New York before his death in 2007, founded the run in 1997.

He advocated "self-transcendence," using spirituality to go beyond the limits of what an individual thinks they can achieve.

Runners in the 25th edition, which began on September 5, said achieving a meditative state was key to completing the&nbsp;race.

"If the mind is focused, you don't have other thoughts or fears or worries or doubts," said Marcato, 39.

Meditating while navigating the 883-metre loop around Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School isn't easy though.

Runners go past a busy highway and basketball and handball courts. The route isn't cordoned off from everyday life and twice a day 2,000 school children flood the sidewalk.

Forty-seven-year-old New Zealander Davies listens to music, audiobooks and recordings of inspiring quotes.

"When you first come here you think oh my god it's a concrete jungle. But you can find beauty everywhere. You can look at the sky, the trees, the birds, the people," she told AFP.

The runners, who are also from Japan, Taiwan, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia, have a small aid station at their disposal where a doctor is on hand to tend to blisters and shin splints.

Volunteers hand participants copious helpings of food -- from healthy vegan meals and juices to donut holes, ice-cream and sometimes Chinese takeout.

An RV with a bed provides for quick power naps while a rickety scoreboard displays the number of miles completed by each runner.

<h2>'My dream'</h2>

Supporters come by to clap while residents shout words of encouragement, although not everyone is sure what is going on.

"I grew up here and had no idea that it was a&nbsp;race. I just figured they were really into jogging," said 34-year-old Julio Quezada.

The&nbsp;race&nbsp;returned to New York after occurring in Austria last year due to the pandemic.

Marcato, from Italy, clocked his 3,100th mile late Sunday, completing the&nbsp;race&nbsp;in less than 43 days with an average of more than 72 miles per day.

He tore through some 16 pairs of shoes in the process and will receive a trophy but no prize money.

"This is the ultimate. It was my dream and here I am," said the passionate ultra-marathoner who works for a plant-based food company.

"The last two laps I was completely disconnected from my body. I didn't feel any pain. It was a really special sensation."

For New Zealander Harris, on track to complete the distance before the October 26 deadline, the&nbsp;race&nbsp;is an opportunity to "explore the frontiers of my capacity and potential" and "to make myself a better person."

When it ends, the healing process begins, which means lots of rest, sleep, food and patience.

But one element of the recovery is perhaps the hardest.

"Getting used to being back to regular life," said Davies.&nbsp;

"This&nbsp;race&nbsp;really simplifies your life because you don't have to think about anything else except running."

It's the world's longest certified foot race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times. Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race.

It's the world's longest certified foot race: a 3,100-mile run that takes participants around the same New York block 5,649 times. Thousands of people have climbed Everest -- but, organizers say, just 49 have completed the Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3,100 Mile Race. Runners finish more than two marathons a day for almost two months, on less than five hours sleep a night. They can't rely on changing scenery to keep them motivated as the route is a half-mile loop on a concrete sidewalk around a high school in Jamaica, Queens. To mix things up a bit, they alternate daily between running clockwise one day and anti-clockwise the next. "Definitely monotony," said this year's winner, Andrea Marcato, describing the biggest test of the race. "The first week is quite challenging, especially for the mind. But after a while you get used to it. You have to accept that every day is going to be the same," he told AFP. Participants have 52 days to run 3,100 miles (4,989 km), meaning they must average 59.6 miles every day. They run, walk and hobble between 6:00 am and midnight, eating as they go to make up for the estimated 10,000 calories they burn during every session. For the day's other six hours they sleep, wash and care for their blistered feet in nearby accommodation. Only ultra-marathon veterans who have completed six-day races are allowed to enter. Meditation "It's a test of stamina, strength, inner determination, and talent," said race director Sahishnu Szczesiul. Harita Davies, the sole woman of this year's seven competitors, said the race takes a physical toll but "the kind of unbelievable thing is that as the days and weeks go by your body actually does adapt, you do get stronger." Indian spiritual leader Sri Chinmoy, who lived in New York before his death in 2007, founded the run in 1997. He advocated "self-transcendence," using spirituality to go beyond the limits of what an individual thinks they can achieve. Runners in the 25th edition, which began on September 5, said achieving a meditative state was key to completing the race. "If the mind is focused, you don't have other thoughts or fears or worries or doubts," said Marcato, 39. Meditating while navigating the 883-metre loop around Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School isn't easy though. Runners go past a busy highway and basketball and handball courts. The route isn't cordoned off from everyday life and twice a day 2,000 school children flood the sidewalk. Forty-seven-year-old New Zealander Davies listens to music, audiobooks and recordings of inspiring quotes. "When you first come here you think oh my god it's a concrete jungle. But you can find beauty everywhere. You can look at the sky, the trees, the birds, the people," she told AFP. The runners, who are also from Japan, Taiwan, Slovakia, Ukraine and Russia, have a small aid station at their disposal where a doctor is on hand to tend to blisters and shin splints. Volunteers hand participants copious helpings of food -- from healthy vegan meals and juices to donut holes, ice-cream and sometimes Chinese takeout. An RV with a bed provides for quick power naps while a rickety scoreboard displays the number of miles completed by each runner. 'My dream' Supporters come by to clap while residents shout words of encouragement, although not everyone is sure what is going on. "I grew up here and had no idea that it was a race. I just figured they were really into jogging," said 34-year-old Julio Quezada. The race returned to New York after occurring in Austria last year due to the pandemic. Marcato, from Italy, clocked his 3,100th mile late Sunday, completing the race in less than 43 days with an average of more than 72 miles per day. He tore through some 16 pairs of shoes in the process and will receive a trophy but no prize money. "This is the ultimate. It was my dream and here I am," said the passionate ultra-marathoner who works for a plant-based food company. "The last two laps I was completely disconnected from my body. I didn't feel any pain. It was a really special sensation." For New Zealander Harris, on track to complete the distance before the October 26 deadline, the race is an opportunity to "explore the frontiers of my capacity and potential" and "to make myself a better person." When it ends, the healing process begins, which means lots of rest, sleep, food and patience. But one element of the recovery is perhaps the hardest. "Getting used to being back to regular life," said Davies. "This race really simplifies your life because you don't have to think about anything else except running."

World's longest race? 3,100 miles around a New York block

There have been reports of health officials investigating 10 reported cases of Legionnaires' disease on Long Island. This is a rare form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Legionella.&nbsp;

The source of the illness has not yet been identified, but New York is experiencing an uptick in Legionnaires cases statewide.&nbsp;

As per the country's health department, the 10 cases have been reported within a one-mile radius in a Long Island neighbourhood. The cluster includes people between the ages of 35 and 96. As of Saturday, one person has died from Legionnaires, two are hospitalised and seven have been released from the hospital

Medical teams are working on contact tracing, as well as swabbing and sampling on-site to find the cases' origins, reports CBS New York.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-covid-19-creates-new-poor-heres-how-india-is-progressing-to-eradicate-extreme-poverty-421445">Also read |&nbsp;As COVID-19 creates 'new poor', here's how India is progressing to eradicate extreme poverty</a>

The county health department has said that people can easily contract Legionnaires by breathing in a vapour containing the Legionella bacteria.

Symptoms of Legionnaires begin between 2 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. The symptoms include breath, high fever, cough, muscle aches and headache.&nbsp;

The disease tends to last between 2 to 5 days and can range from a mild cough to a fatal case of pneumonia. Severe diseases can include respiratory failure, shock and acute kidney failure.&nbsp;

There have been reports of health officials investigating 10 reported cases of Legionnaires' disease on Long Island. This is a rare form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Legionella.

There have been reports of health officials investigating 10 reported cases of Legionnaires' disease on Long Island. This is a rare form of pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Legionella. The source of the illness has not yet been identified, but New York is experiencing an uptick in Legionnaires cases statewide. As per the country's health department, the 10 cases have been reported within a one-mile radius in a Long Island neighbourhood. The cluster includes people between the ages of 35 and 96. As of Saturday, one person has died from Legionnaires, two are hospitalised and seven have been released from the hospital Medical teams are working on contact tracing, as well as swabbing and sampling on-site to find the cases' origins, reports CBS New York. Also read | As COVID-19 creates 'new poor', here's how India is progressing to eradicate extreme poverty The county health department has said that people can easily contract Legionnaires by breathing in a vapour containing the Legionella bacteria. Symptoms of Legionnaires begin between 2 to 10 days after exposure to the bacteria. The symptoms include breath, high fever, cough, muscle aches and headache. The disease tends to last between 2 to 5 days and can range from a mild cough to a fatal case of pneumonia. Severe diseases can include respiratory failure, shock and acute kidney failure.

Legionnaires' disease: Health officials investigating cluster in New York

As per the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two-thirds of New York state is fully vaccinated. The data reveals that 65.3 per cent of the total population is fully vaccinated, this accounts for 12.7 million residents.&nbsp;

The percentage of people vaccinated above the age of 18 is somewhere at 77.1 per cent with 11.9 million people. The percentage of those with one dose out of the whole population is 72 per cent.

New York City has implemented one of the strictest COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the country. In New York City, one needs to show their vaccine card to get into certain places, such as restaurants. The city has also mandated vaccines for certain jobs. This includes public school teachers and police officers.&nbsp;

As of now, New York has the eighth-highest vaccination rate in the US, following behind Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and New Jersey. However, its vaccination rate is higher than the entire US with only 56.9 per cent fully vaccinated. The rate of those with one dose of the vaccine is 65.8 per cent in the US.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-cases-among-children-peaked-in-september-shows-data-421035">Also read |&nbsp;US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data</a>

Meanwhile, recent data revealed that September was the worst month in the US for new cases and deaths.

Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that cases among children peaked in September, as many schools opened for offline classes amid growing cases of delta variant.

More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 1.1 million new cases recorded from September 3 to September 30.

The weekly data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 deaths among children under age 15 also reached their highest level in September.&nbsp;

Recently, Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks. In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe.

As per the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two-thirds of New York state is fully vaccinated. The data reveals that 65.3 per cent of the total population is fully vaccinated, this accounts for 12.

As per the data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two-thirds of New York state is fully vaccinated. The data reveals that 65.3 per cent of the total population is fully vaccinated, this accounts for 12.7 million residents. The percentage of people vaccinated above the age of 18 is somewhere at 77.1 per cent with 11.9 million people. The percentage of those with one dose out of the whole population is 72 per cent. New York City has implemented one of the strictest COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the country. In New York City, one needs to show their vaccine card to get into certain places, such as restaurants. The city has also mandated vaccines for certain jobs. This includes public school teachers and police officers. As of now, New York has the eighth-highest vaccination rate in the US, following behind Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and New Jersey. However, its vaccination rate is higher than the entire US with only 56.9 per cent fully vaccinated. The rate of those with one dose of the vaccine is 65.8 per cent in the US. Also read | US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data Meanwhile, recent data revealed that September was the worst month in the US for new cases and deaths. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that cases among children peaked in September, as many schools opened for offline classes amid growing cases of delta variant. More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 1.1 million new cases recorded from September 3 to September 30. The weekly data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that COVID-19 deaths among children under age 15 also reached their highest level in September. Recently, Pfizer has asked the US government to approve the use of its COVID-19 vaccine in children aged 5 to 11 years old, and if regulators agree, injections may start within weeks. In a trial of children, Pfizer had previously declared that a lower dose of their vaccine worked and looked to be safe.

Almost two-thirds of New York state is fully vaccinated, reveals CDC data

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols.

Speaking exclusively to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, he sought to put to&nbsp;rest speculation that the country now under a military junta was not allowed to speak at the behest of US, China and Russia.

Shahid said a committee will meet in November to decide whether&nbsp;Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun will be allowed to retain his seat.

“No country has decided that Myanmar will not speak. We have a lot of procedures here which are being followed. There is a committee on credentials who are meeting in November and their report will be adopted by the general assembly. So, it is up to the membership of the UN to decide on these things,” Shahid said.

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"I received no request from Myanmar" 
 
UNGA President Abdulla Shahid (<a href="https://twitter.com/abdulla_shahid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abdulla_shahid</a>) speaks exclusively with WION's <a href="https://twitter.com/palkisu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@palkisu</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Myanmar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Myanmar</a>'s exclusion from the list of speakers at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA76?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA76</a>, says "everyone who requested to speak were given the floor"<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WIONatUNGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WIONatUNGA</a> <a href="https://t.co/J5d6Gb0MFN">pic.twitter.com/J5d6Gb0MFN</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1442839463114252294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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When pointed out that Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun – appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government— was not allowed to address the assembly, Shahid said, “I am not aware of it. As the president of UNGA, I am not aware of anyone not allowing it. I am the person who either allows or doesn’t allow.”

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-wont-address-world-at-un-ousted-afghan-government-will-416300">&nbsp;Myanmar won't address world at UN, ousted Afghan government will</a>

When the president was asked if the Myanmar representative make a request to address the UNGA, Shahid said, “There was no request from the Myanmar delegation to speak."

"I just completed the general debate at the assembly hall and the list of speakers was exhausted. Meaning: Everyone who requested to speak were given the floor, in which 194 delegations spoke," he said, pointing out that Myanmar was the only one who did not make a request to speak.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-says-plot-against-myanmar-un-envoy-fits-disturbing-pattern-403812">US says plot against Myanmar UN envoy fits 'disturbing pattern'</a>

There were reports that China, Russia and the United States had reached an understanding to prevent&nbsp;Kyaw Moe Tun&nbsp;from addressing the general assembly.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-edition-myanmar-envoy-stopped-from-addressing-unga-416471/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kyaw Moe Tun is supported by the international community and has retained his seat at the United Nations following the February 1 military coup.

In May, the junta had appointed a former general to replace him, but the United Nations has not yet approved the appointment.

UN accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the US, China and Russia. It traditionally meets in October or November.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was overthrown by the military in February, sparking a nationwide uprising that the military has tried to crush.

(With inputs from agencies)

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols.

Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on Tuesday clarified to WION that Myanmar did not speak at the assembly hall because it failed to make a request as per the protocols. Speaking exclusively to WION’s Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay, he sought to put to rest speculation that the country now under a military junta was not allowed to speak at the behest of US, China and Russia. Shahid said a committee will meet in November to decide whether Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun will be allowed to retain his seat. “No country has decided that Myanmar will not speak. We have a lot of procedures here which are being followed. There is a committee on credentials who are meeting in November and their report will be adopted by the general assembly. So, it is up to the membership of the UN to decide on these things,” Shahid said. "I received no request from Myanmar" UNGA President Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) speaks exclusively with WION's @palkisu on #Myanmar's exclusion from the list of speakers at #UNGA76, says "everyone who requested to speak were given the floor"#WIONatUNGA pic.twitter.com/J5d6Gb0MFN — WION (@WIONews) September 28, 2021 × When pointed out that Myanmar’s current UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun – appointed by Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government— was not allowed to address the assembly, Shahid said, “I am not aware of it. As the president of UNGA, I am not aware of anyone not allowing it. I am the person who either allows or doesn’t allow.” Also read | Myanmar won't address world at UN, ousted Afghan government will When the president was asked if the Myanmar representative make a request to address the UNGA, Shahid said, “There was no request from the Myanmar delegation to speak." "I just completed the general debate at the assembly hall and the list of speakers was exhausted. Meaning: Everyone who requested to speak were given the floor, in which 194 delegations spoke," he said, pointing out that Myanmar was the only one who did not make a request to speak. Also read | US says plot against Myanmar UN envoy fits 'disturbing pattern' There were reports that China, Russia and the United States had reached an understanding to prevent Kyaw Moe Tun from addressing the general assembly. Watch Kyaw Moe Tun is supported by the international community and has retained his seat at the United Nations following the February 1 military coup. In May, the junta had appointed a former general to replace him, but the United Nations has not yet approved the appointment. UN accreditation issues are dealt with by a nine-member committee, whose members include the US, China and Russia. It traditionally meets in October or November. Myanmar has been in turmoil since Aung San Suu Kyi’s government was overthrown by the military in February, sparking a nationwide uprising that the military has tried to crush. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar did not make a request to speak, UNGA president Abdulla Shahid clarifies to WION

After his small Manhattan food stand lost its customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Abdul Rahman -- an Afghan vendor who arrived in New York in 1992 -- has resumed service, albeit at a fraction of former business since offices are still far from full.

Rahman and the thousands of street vendors like him, emblematic of New York's sidewalks, were hoping things would finally go back to normal in September.

But that's far from the case: "The business is like, 20, 30 per cent (less) than before the pandemic," Rahman, 44, told AFP, standing in front of a display case of doughnuts and other pastries. On the counter is a jug of coffee, which he says he has trouble emptying.

With a wave of his arm, he points to where customers used to form long lines in front of his mobile stand.

Like yellow taxis, the metal food carts -- stocked with coffee, muffins, bananas and hard boiled eggs -- are part of New York's cityscape.

An estimated 20,000 vendors are on the streets of the Big Apple, and many of them are immigrants who have no other way of earning money.

A city hall permit is clearly visible on Rahman's cart, as is a photo of his three children, all born in the United States.

It has been 20 years since Rahman arrived in New York to escape the war back home in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

He set up shop on the sidewalk of Whitehall Street, in the south of Manhattan. It is a good location, at the foot of office buildings, near a subway exit and not far from the docks where ferries full of tourists leave and return for the Statue of Liberty, as well as boats transporting workers from Staten Island.

- 'Better than nothing' -

Some customers are loyal, such as Mike Reyes, a maintenance worker, who says he comes every morning.

"We need affordable (things) like donuts, coffee, because I do know in the city it's very expensive," he explained. "To me, they are really essential."

But tourists are still few and far between as a result of the Delta variant, so "people work mostly from home," said Rahman.

According to a survey conducted by the Partnership for New York City organization, only 23 per cent of the one million office workers in Manhattan had returned to their offices by August, and employers were anticipating a rate of 41 per cent by the end of September -&nbsp;well below the two-thirds expected in May.

With a baseball cap on his head and black mask over his nose and mouth, Rahman hopes things will go back to normal in October&nbsp;or maybe January.

"I don't know what's going on in the future," he said worriedly, noting that he relies on his wife's salary as a teacher to support the family.

For the time being, after 15 months of inactivity due to the pandemic, during which he was able to receive public aid, he prefers to go to work.&nbsp;

In order to get into the city from his home in Nassau County in eastern Long Island he has to get up at 2:30 am, Monday through Friday.&nbsp;

"It's better than nothing," he said, although the times of earning $800-900 in a good week are a distant memory.

"If I stay home, (there's) more pressure on me, and what should you do at home?" he said.

After 20 years on the job, Rahman is thinking of switching to another line of work. His wife tried to find him a job as a school bus driver, but it was only part-time.

Besides, "I know all the people here," he said. "It's almost 21 years, it looks like a life here."

After his small Manhattan food stand lost its customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Abdul Rahman -- an Afghan vendor who arrived in New York in 1992 -- has resumed service, albeit at a fraction of former business since offices are still far from full.

After his small Manhattan food stand lost its customers during the coronavirus pandemic, Abdul Rahman -- an Afghan vendor who arrived in New York in 1992 -- has resumed service, albeit at a fraction of former business since offices are still far from full. Rahman and the thousands of street vendors like him, emblematic of New York's sidewalks, were hoping things would finally go back to normal in September. But that's far from the case: "The business is like, 20, 30 per cent (less) than before the pandemic," Rahman, 44, told AFP, standing in front of a display case of doughnuts and other pastries. On the counter is a jug of coffee, which he says he has trouble emptying. With a wave of his arm, he points to where customers used to form long lines in front of his mobile stand. Like yellow taxis, the metal food carts -- stocked with coffee, muffins, bananas and hard boiled eggs -- are part of New York's cityscape. An estimated 20,000 vendors are on the streets of the Big Apple, and many of them are immigrants who have no other way of earning money. A city hall permit is clearly visible on Rahman's cart, as is a photo of his three children, all born in the United States. It has been 20 years since Rahman arrived in New York to escape the war back home in Afghanistan. He set up shop on the sidewalk of Whitehall Street, in the south of Manhattan. It is a good location, at the foot of office buildings, near a subway exit and not far from the docks where ferries full of tourists leave and return for the Statue of Liberty, as well as boats transporting workers from Staten Island. - 'Better than nothing' - Some customers are loyal, such as Mike Reyes, a maintenance worker, who says he comes every morning. "We need affordable (things) like donuts, coffee, because I do know in the city it's very expensive," he explained. "To me, they are really essential." But tourists are still few and far between as a result of the Delta variant, so "people work mostly from home," said Rahman. According to a survey conducted by the Partnership for New York City organization, only 23 per cent of the one million office workers in Manhattan had returned to their offices by August, and employers were anticipating a rate of 41 per cent by the end of September - well below the two-thirds expected in May. With a baseball cap on his head and black mask over his nose and mouth, Rahman hopes things will go back to normal in October or maybe January. "I don't know what's going on in the future," he said worriedly, noting that he relies on his wife's salary as a teacher to support the family. For the time being, after 15 months of inactivity due to the pandemic, during which he was able to receive public aid, he prefers to go to work. In order to get into the city from his home in Nassau County in eastern Long Island he has to get up at 2:30 am, Monday through Friday. "It's better than nothing," he said, although the times of earning $800-900 in a good week are a distant memory. "If I stay home, (there's) more pressure on me, and what should you do at home?" he said. After 20 years on the job, Rahman is thinking of switching to another line of work. His wife tried to find him a job as a school bus driver, but it was only part-time. Besides, "I know all the people here," he said. "It's almost 21 years, it looks like a life here."

New York's street vendors still waiting for pandemic recovery

New York City has an opportunity to solve a debt crisis that has devastated a central institution in the lives of many New Yorkers: yellow cabs and their owner-drivers. The solution would come at a relatively modest cost and would help redress an injustice from which the city benefited financially: a creditor-driven bubble in the price of medallions — the permits that allow people to operate cabs — that led many drivers into debt bondage and even prompted some to commit suicide.

The city should take action. It should adopt a plan put forward last year by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance in which the drivers’ debt would be restructured and the city would serve as the guarantor of the medallions’ value.

There are about 12,000 taxi medallions in use in New York, sold originally by the city but now traded mostly among taxi drivers and owners of taxi fleets. Medallion brokers often arrange for sales and their financing. As investigative reporting has shown, for about a decade a creditor-driven cycle of easy credit rapidly increased the price of a medallion, which reached almost $1 million in 2014, the peak year.

Cabdrivers, typically immigrants, took out loans to pay for the medallions, and to obtain the loans they often had to offer as collateral everything that they and their next of kin owned. When in 2019 the bubble burst and the value of a medallion dropped to about $100,000, cabdrivers were plunged into financial ruin.

Identifying a debt bubble in real time is not always easy. But with the market for taxi medallions, creditors, brokers and the city were in a position to see what was going on — and yet they allowed the frenzy to continue and often made large sums of money from it.

The plan put forward by the Taxi Workers Alliance was devised after consultation with cabdrivers, some of the creditors and some city officials. (Two of the alliance’s lawyers are former students of mine.) Under the plan, New York City would become the guarantor of the medallions’ value. If the cabdrivers default on the loan, the city, not the personal assets of drivers and their families, would guarantee the value.

For creditors this would be a boon as well, because a guarantee from New York is a more reliable security than are personal assets. In return, the creditors would agree to restructure the loans to reflect the actual market value of the medallions, not their inflated “bubble” value.

The cost to the city would be $93 million over 30 years, based on estimated default rates and the prevailing market value of the medallions published by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission. This is a relatively small price, especially considering that from 2004 to 2017, the city made more than $850 million from auctioning new medallions.

The alliance’s plan is superior to a plan being considered by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, which would offer each driver a one-time grant of $20,000 to pay off creditors. That would be good news for the creditors, but it would leave the cabdrivers to renegotiate the rest of their debt on their own.

Some will object that the city should not get involved in a private contractual relationship between a debtor and a creditor. But the city is already involved: It created the asset at the center of the deals — the medallion. In addition, as the city made money from the inflated price of medallions, it allowed the bubble to run its course, ignoring lessons from the similar bubble in the housing market a few years earlier. By adopting the alliance plan, the city would help right a wrong that, at least indirectly, it helped create.

Another objection to the plan is that the drivers are to blame for their fate — after all, they chose to sign the loan contracts — and that government intervention will just make things worse because people will come to expect bailouts in the future and behave recklessly as a result. But lender-borrower relationships are never entered into equally: Whoever has the money can set the terms — whether to lend at all, for what purposes and on what conditions. Unfortunately, the law ignores this power imbalance. Contracting parties are treated as equal with each party fully responsible for upholding its side of the bargain.

Even if the creditors who provided the loans to buy the medallions played by the formal rules of the game — a big “if,” in many cases — they still took their debtors for a ride. Their lending practices shifted most of the risk of the deal to the debtors, who were least able to carry it.

Though it did not directly subsidize creditors, New York City allowed them to enrich themselves by exploiting the weaknesses of others — while itself profiting handsomely. By adopting the plan put forward by the cabdrivers’ alliance, the city would mitigate a harm it helped inflict on a group of people who have always helped fuel the fortunes of this city.

New York City has an opportunity to solve a debt crisis that has devastated a central institution in the lives of many New Yorkers: yellow cabs and their owner-drivers.

New York City has an opportunity to solve a debt crisis that has devastated a central institution in the lives of many New Yorkers: yellow cabs and their owner-drivers. The solution would come at a relatively modest cost and would help redress an injustice from which the city benefited financially: a creditor-driven bubble in the price of medallions — the permits that allow people to operate cabs — that led many drivers into debt bondage and even prompted some to commit suicide. The city should take action. It should adopt a plan put forward last year by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance in which the drivers’ debt would be restructured and the city would serve as the guarantor of the medallions’ value. There are about 12,000 taxi medallions in use in New York, sold originally by the city but now traded mostly among taxi drivers and owners of taxi fleets. Medallion brokers often arrange for sales and their financing. As investigative reporting has shown, for about a decade a creditor-driven cycle of easy credit rapidly increased the price of a medallion, which reached almost $1 million in 2014, the peak year. Cabdrivers, typically immigrants, took out loans to pay for the medallions, and to obtain the loans they often had to offer as collateral everything that they and their next of kin owned. When in 2019 the bubble burst and the value of a medallion dropped to about $100,000, cabdrivers were plunged into financial ruin. Identifying a debt bubble in real time is not always easy. But with the market for taxi medallions, creditors, brokers and the city were in a position to see what was going on — and yet they allowed the frenzy to continue and often made large sums of money from it. The plan put forward by the Taxi Workers Alliance was devised after consultation with cabdrivers, some of the creditors and some city officials. (Two of the alliance’s lawyers are former students of mine.) Under the plan, New York City would become the guarantor of the medallions’ value. If the cabdrivers default on the loan, the city, not the personal assets of drivers and their families, would guarantee the value. For creditors this would be a boon as well, because a guarantee from New York is a more reliable security than are personal assets. In return, the creditors would agree to restructure the loans to reflect the actual market value of the medallions, not their inflated “bubble” value. The cost to the city would be $93 million over 30 years, based on estimated default rates and the prevailing market value of the medallions published by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission. This is a relatively small price, especially considering that from 2004 to 2017, the city made more than $850 million from auctioning new medallions. The alliance’s plan is superior to a plan being considered by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, which would offer each driver a one-time grant of $20,000 to pay off creditors. That would be good news for the creditors, but it would leave the cabdrivers to renegotiate the rest of their debt on their own. Some will object that the city should not get involved in a private contractual relationship between a debtor and a creditor. But the city is already involved: It created the asset at the center of the deals — the medallion. In addition, as the city made money from the inflated price of medallions, it allowed the bubble to run its course, ignoring lessons from the similar bubble in the housing market a few years earlier. By adopting the alliance plan, the city would help right a wrong that, at least indirectly, it helped create. Another objection to the plan is that the drivers are to blame for their fate — after all, they chose to sign the loan contracts — and that government intervention will just make things worse because people will come to expect bailouts in the future and behave recklessly as a result. But lender-borrower relationships are never entered into equally: Whoever has the money can set the terms — whether to lend at all, for what purposes and on what conditions. Unfortunately, the law ignores this power imbalance. Contracting parties are treated as equal with each party fully responsible for upholding its side of the bargain. Even if the creditors who provided the loans to buy the medallions played by the formal rules of the game — a big “if,” in many cases — they still took their debtors for a ride. Their lending practices shifted most of the risk of the deal to the debtors, who were least able to carry it. Though it did not directly subsidize creditors, New York City allowed them to enrich themselves by exploiting the weaknesses of others — while itself profiting handsomely. By adopting the plan put forward by the cabdrivers’ alliance, the city would mitigate a harm it helped inflict on a group of people who have always helped fuel the fortunes of this city.

How to save New York City’s cabdrivers

Air India has asked a New York court to dismiss a petition filed by Britain's Cairn Energy for seizure of its assets to enforce USD 1.2 billion arbitral awards against the Indian government, saying the litigation was premature as an appeal against the arbitration award was still pending.

The petition by the airline, which is separate to Indian government's plea in a Washington court seeking dismissal of Cairn's lawsuit to seek confirmation of the arbitral award, said the New York district court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate a "mere hypothetical question" or one that depends upon contingent future events that may or may not occur.

Cairn first moved a court in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking confirmation of the arbitration award and then filed a petition in the New York court to seek declaration of Air India as "alter ego" of the Indian government and so it should be made liable to pay the USD 1.26 billion arbitral award.

An international arbitration tribunal in December last year set aside the levy of capital gains tax, using a 2012 retrospective legislation, on a 2006 reorganization of India business that Cairn carried before listing it on local stock exchanges. It ordered India to return the value of shares seized and sold, dividend confiscated and tax refund withheld to enforce levy. 
With India refusing to pay, Cairn moved courts in the US.

"Cairn's petition to confirm the Award is pending in the District Court for the District of Columbia," Air India said in the August 23 petition seen by PTI.

It went on to state that the Indian government has filed before a court in The Hague -- the seat of the international arbitration tribunal -- a Motion to Stay and a Motion to Dismiss the arbitral award.

"In effect, the Complaint (by Cairn Energy) is a premature enforcement action dressed up as a declaratory judgment action, invoking this Court's federal jurisdiction to get a head start on executing the Award before the D.D.C. Has had the opportunity to address the Republic of India's immunity defenses and its claims that the Award is not subject to enforcement under the New York Convention," Air India said.

"Such an attempt is improper, and the Complaint should be dismissed."

It sought dismissal on three counts - first because the court lacks jurisdiction "to issue a declaratory judgment because the alleged controversy is not ripe", second "Air India is immune from suit because none of the exceptions to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) applies to a premature collection proceeding of a hypothetical judgment, and third "the Complaint, which presupposes an enforceable judgment that does not exist, fails to allege a cognizable cause of action."

The Indian government had earlier this month asked the US District Court for the District of Columbia (DDC) to dismiss the case, arguing that it lacks jurisdiction since the country never agreed to arbitrate tax disputes. Meanwhile, litigation filed by New Delhi in the Netherlands to have the award set aside also remains pending.

"Cairn asks this court to issue a declaration that Air India, as alleged alter ego of [India], will be liable on a judgment that does not, and may never, exist," the airline said in the August 23 petition.

"Unless and until the court in the Cairn confirmation action determines the threshold question of the enforceability of the award against (India), whether Cairn can then enforce that judgment against Air India under an alter ego theory is purely academic and not ripe for adjudication."

This comes within weeks of the government enacting a legislation to scrap the tax rule that gave the tax department power to go 50 years back and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas, but business assets were in India. That rule had been used to levy a cumulative of Rs 1.10 lakh crore of tax on 17 entities, including Rs 10,247 crore on Cairn.

The Indian government and Air India are defending their positions as rules for withdrawal of such tax demands are in the process of being framed.

"One of the requirements for the dropping of the retrospective tax demands is that the parties concerned have to give an undertaking for withdrawal of all cases against the government/tax department. So, while all this is in process, the government is obligated to respond in any legal matter where there is a time bar for doing so," an official explained. 
The government in the dismissal motion filed on August 13 before DCC, cited protections afforded by the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976.

India in the filing said the court "lacks subject-matter jurisdiction under the FSIA because India never waived its sovereign immunity and, likewise, never offered - let alone agreed - to arbitrate the present dispute with Petitioners".

"India also never "clearly and unmistakably" excluded judicial review or delegated exclusive competence to decide these questions to an arbitral tribunal", implying that Cairn couldn't satisfy any exception to sovereign immunity under the US law, the filing said. 
&nbsp;

Air India has asked a New York court to dismiss a petition filed by Britain's Cairn Energy for seizure of its assets to enforce USD 1.2 billion arbitral awards against the Indian government, saying the litigation was premature as an appeal against the arbitration award was still pending.

Air India has asked a New York court to dismiss a petition filed by Britain's Cairn Energy for seizure of its assets to enforce USD 1.2 billion arbitral awards against the Indian government, saying the litigation was premature as an appeal against the arbitration award was still pending. The petition by the airline, which is separate to Indian government's plea in a Washington court seeking dismissal of Cairn's lawsuit to seek confirmation of the arbitral award, said the New York district court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate a "mere hypothetical question" or one that depends upon contingent future events that may or may not occur. Cairn first moved a court in the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking confirmation of the arbitration award and then filed a petition in the New York court to seek declaration of Air India as "alter ego" of the Indian government and so it should be made liable to pay the USD 1.26 billion arbitral award. An international arbitration tribunal in December last year set aside the levy of capital gains tax, using a 2012 retrospective legislation, on a 2006 reorganization of India business that Cairn carried before listing it on local stock exchanges. It ordered India to return the value of shares seized and sold, dividend confiscated and tax refund withheld to enforce levy. With India refusing to pay, Cairn moved courts in the US. "Cairn's petition to confirm the Award is pending in the District Court for the District of Columbia," Air India said in the August 23 petition seen by PTI. It went on to state that the Indian government has filed before a court in The Hague -- the seat of the international arbitration tribunal -- a Motion to Stay and a Motion to Dismiss the arbitral award. "In effect, the Complaint (by Cairn Energy) is a premature enforcement action dressed up as a declaratory judgment action, invoking this Court's federal jurisdiction to get a head start on executing the Award before the D.D.C. Has had the opportunity to address the Republic of India's immunity defenses and its claims that the Award is not subject to enforcement under the New York Convention," Air India said. "Such an attempt is improper, and the Complaint should be dismissed." It sought dismissal on three counts - first because the court lacks jurisdiction "to issue a declaratory judgment because the alleged controversy is not ripe", second "Air India is immune from suit because none of the exceptions to sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) applies to a premature collection proceeding of a hypothetical judgment, and third "the Complaint, which presupposes an enforceable judgment that does not exist, fails to allege a cognizable cause of action." The Indian government had earlier this month asked the US District Court for the District of Columbia (DDC) to dismiss the case, arguing that it lacks jurisdiction since the country never agreed to arbitrate tax disputes. Meanwhile, litigation filed by New Delhi in the Netherlands to have the award set aside also remains pending. "Cairn asks this court to issue a declaration that Air India, as alleged alter ego of [India], will be liable on a judgment that does not, and may never, exist," the airline said in the August 23 petition. "Unless and until the court in the Cairn confirmation action determines the threshold question of the enforceability of the award against (India), whether Cairn can then enforce that judgment against Air India under an alter ego theory is purely academic and not ripe for adjudication." This comes within weeks of the government enacting a legislation to scrap the tax rule that gave the tax department power to go 50 years back and slap capital gains levies wherever ownership had changed hands overseas, but business assets were in India. That rule had been used to levy a cumulative of Rs 1.10 lakh crore of tax on 17 entities, including Rs 10,247 crore on Cairn. The Indian government and Air India are defending their positions as rules for withdrawal of such tax demands are in the process of being framed. "One of the requirements for the dropping of the retrospective tax demands is that the parties concerned have to give an undertaking for withdrawal of all cases against the government/tax department. So, while all this is in process, the government is obligated to respond in any legal matter where there is a time bar for doing so," an official explained. The government in the dismissal motion filed on August 13 before DCC, cited protections afforded by the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976. India in the filing said the court "lacks subject-matter jurisdiction under the FSIA because India never waived its sovereign immunity and, likewise, never offered - let alone agreed - to arbitrate the present dispute with Petitioners". "India also never "clearly and unmistakably" excluded judicial review or delegated exclusive competence to decide these questions to an arbitral tribunal", implying that Cairn couldn't satisfy any exception to sovereign immunity under the US law, the filing said.

Air India asks US court to dismiss Cairn petition,says it is premature

Nagaraj Naidu, the Chef de Cabinet of the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, has said that an Indian diplomat holding the position shows the “confidence of the PGA (President of the General Assembly) on what India brings to the table”.

Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New York, Naidu said, “We are here to be seized of issues erupting all over the world. We have to take care of member states’ concerns and specific areas.”

This is the first time that an Indian diplomat is helming the post. He will be holding the position for a period of one year.

The position is akin to the principal secretary, a top bureaucrat, serving to the prime minister in the Indian political system.

Naidu explained the work as, “A train that is running nonstop and we are at the 76th station and we just dropped at the 77th station, that is the work.”

The 77th session of the UNGA will begin next year in September.

Naidu is a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, a fluent Chinese speaker, and an avid yoga practitioner. He has served in China and was also the National Coordinator for establishing the International Solar Alliance in India.

WION: What is your daily routine and how is the workflow?

Nagraj Naidu: The 76th session of the General Assembly kicked off recently, with only two more days to end. We just finished the high-level debate week, which is ending today. The work in the general assembly is such that we oversee all six committees. The work in those committees revolves around all the important initiatives and the pressing matters, which the President of the UNGA feels that needs to bring to the attention of the UN members. These can be issues such as climate change, Covid 19 vaccination and the inequity in distribution as we are seeing today, and all other issues that the member states think that needs to be deliberated upon in the general assembly. The office works for almost 24/7. We operate at every hour to enable virtual meetings to take place at any part of the day. Considering the time zones, we practically schedule meetings all the time. And, the PGA (president of the general assembly) has to be present in all the meetings, as there is massive coordination involved related to writing speeches, appointing co-facilitators, scheduling events and the plenaries throughout the year. It is like a train that is running non-stop, and we were at the 76th station, and we have just dropped at the 77th station, that is how hectic the work is.

WION: You are the first Indian diplomat to hold office. What are your thoughts?

Nagraj Naidu: It’s a privilege for India and I am delighted that I was chosen. It reflects the confidence of the PGA on what India brings to the table. The post of chef de cabinet is an important one, there is a lot of responsibility, and it requires to be in touch with all the UN member states. Handling the office brings its complexities, it is tremendously satisfying because once you are here, you manage all the processes. There is pressure from all the member states, which is good, and it also ensures that the president’s office works for the member states interests. Our work revolves around six different committees of the UN. The first committee is related to disarmament, the second committee deals with economic and social affairs, the third committee looks at the human rights issues, the fourth committee discusses the decolonisation issue, the five committees discusses the UN’s budget, like: What are the resources available for us, and how we can spread those resources to areas which are important to member states. And finally, the 6th committee looks after the legal issues. So, it’s an elaborate agenda and my responsibility as the chef de cabinet is that we run the agenda smoothly. The discussion happens in a very constructive atmosphere and it is deliberated upon. We bring the resolution and decisions of the general assembly to the broader UN membership.

WION: So, one has to put a lot of effort and diplomatic outreach, while also communicating with a lot of people.

Nagraj Naidu: Absolutely, you are firefighting from day one. It is the responsibility of the office to be ready at all times because we are here to handle the crisis situation. The PGA has to deliberate some of these issues and bring in his perspective that can reassure the member states that the important issues are getting the concerned attention and they are also getting resolved. The way we chart our calendar for the year is to seek what are these mandated events the president has to organise throughout the year. And then we work with a large number of teams to discuss requests made by the member states to the PGA. He delivers through the year. This is a massive exercise, and we have a very good team in place. We have a lot of guidance from PGA himself and we are looking at a very substantive and productive 76th session.

Nagaraj Naidu, the Chef de Cabinet of the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, has said that an Indian diplomat holding the position shows the “confidence of the PGA (President of the General Assembly) on what India brings to the table”.

Nagaraj Naidu, the Chef de Cabinet of the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Abdulla Shahid, has said that an Indian diplomat holding the position shows the “confidence of the PGA (President of the General Assembly) on what India brings to the table”. Speaking to WION’s diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal in New York, Naidu said, “We are here to be seized of issues erupting all over the world. We have to take care of member states’ concerns and specific areas.” This is the first time that an Indian diplomat is helming the post. He will be holding the position for a period of one year. The position is akin to the principal secretary, a top bureaucrat, serving to the prime minister in the Indian political system. Naidu explained the work as, “A train that is running nonstop and we are at the 76th station and we just dropped at the 77th station, that is the work.” The 77th session of the UNGA will begin next year in September. Naidu is a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, a fluent Chinese speaker, and an avid yoga practitioner. He has served in China and was also the National Coordinator for establishing the International Solar Alliance in India. WION: What is your daily routine and how is the workflow? Nagraj Naidu: The 76th session of the General Assembly kicked off recently, with only two more days to end. We just finished the high-level debate week, which is ending today. The work in the general assembly is such that we oversee all six committees. The work in those committees revolves around all the important initiatives and the pressing matters, which the President of the UNGA feels that needs to bring to the attention of the UN members. These can be issues such as climate change, Covid 19 vaccination and the inequity in distribution as we are seeing today, and all other issues that the member states think that needs to be deliberated upon in the general assembly. The office works for almost 24/7. We operate at every hour to enable virtual meetings to take place at any part of the day. Considering the time zones, we practically schedule meetings all the time. And, the PGA (president of the general assembly) has to be present in all the meetings, as there is massive coordination involved related to writing speeches, appointing co-facilitators, scheduling events and the plenaries throughout the year. It is like a train that is running non-stop, and we were at the 76th station, and we have just dropped at the 77th station, that is how hectic the work is. WION: You are the first Indian diplomat to hold office. What are your thoughts? Nagraj Naidu: It’s a privilege for India and I am delighted that I was chosen. It reflects the confidence of the PGA on what India brings to the table. The post of chef de cabinet is an important one, there is a lot of responsibility, and it requires to be in touch with all the UN member states. Handling the office brings its complexities, it is tremendously satisfying because once you are here, you manage all the processes. There is pressure from all the member states, which is good, and it also ensures that the president’s office works for the member states interests. Our work revolves around six different committees of the UN. The first committee is related to disarmament, the second committee deals with economic and social affairs, the third committee looks at the human rights issues, the fourth committee discusses the decolonisation issue, the five committees discusses the UN’s budget, like: What are the resources available for us, and how we can spread those resources to areas which are important to member states. And finally, the 6th committee looks after the legal issues. So, it’s an elaborate agenda and my responsibility as the chef de cabinet is that we run the agenda smoothly. The discussion happens in a very constructive atmosphere and it is deliberated upon. We bring the resolution and decisions of the general assembly to the broader UN membership. WION: So, one has to put a lot of effort and diplomatic outreach, while also communicating with a lot of people. Nagraj Naidu: Absolutely, you are firefighting from day one. It is the responsibility of the office to be ready at all times because we are here to handle the crisis situation. The PGA has to deliberate some of these issues and bring in his perspective that can reassure the member states that the important issues are getting the concerned attention and they are also getting resolved. The way we chart our calendar for the year is to seek what are these mandated events the president has to organise throughout the year. And then we work with a large number of teams to discuss requests made by the member states to the PGA. He delivers through the year. This is a massive exercise, and we have a very good team in place. We have a lot of guidance from PGA himself and we are looking at a very substantive and productive 76th session.

Here to be seized of issues erupting all over world: UNGA president’s Chef de Cabinet

It has been a jam-packed week at the UN General Assembly. World leaders made their way to the United States for this year's general debate. WION's Sidhant Sibal & Susan Tehrani brings you more on this.

WION-USA Direct: Issues like climate change & Afghan crisis dominated 76th UNGA session

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages.&nbsp;

This comes in as New York prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline.

In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cdc-study-schools-with-mask-mandates-likely-to-have-fewer-outbreaks-416046">Also read |&nbsp;CDC study: Schools with mask mandates likely to have fewer outbreaks</a>

"I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care."

The preparation plan further includes signing an executive order to declare a state of emergency to increase staff, &nbsp;to allow licensed health care professionals from other places to work in New York.&nbsp;

The plan also includes the potential deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and the opportunity to expedite visa requests for medical professionals.&nbsp;

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages. This comes in as New York prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline. In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities." Also read | CDC study: Schools with mask mandates likely to have fewer outbreaks "I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care." The preparation plan further includes signing an executive order to declare a state of emergency to increase staff, to allow licensed health care professionals from other places to work in New York. The plan also includes the potential deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and the opportunity to expedite visa requests for medical professionals.

New York prepares for staff shortages as it prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York is considering calling in the National Guard and recruiting medical professionals from other states to cover looming staff shortages at hospitals and other facilities as the likelihood grows that tens of thousands of health care workers will not meet the state’s deadlines for mandated vaccinations.

In a statement released Saturday, the governor’s office said Hochul was laying plans for an executive order to declare a state of emergency that would “allow qualified health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York State.”

Other options, the statement said, included calling in medically trained National Guard members to deliver care and to work with the federal government to deploy Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, which are operated by the Department for Health and Human Services.

New York state is one of the first major testing grounds for stronger vaccination edicts rolling in across the country in the health care sector. California and Maine have also set deadlines for health care workers to be vaccinated. President Joe Biden has said his administration will issue a national vaccination mandate expected to ultimately affect some 17 million health care workers at hospitals and other institutions that accept Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.

Hospital and nursing home employees in New York are required to receive a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59 p.m. Monday night, while workers working in home care, hospices and other adult care facilities must do so by October&nbsp;7, according to state regulations and a mandate issued August 16 by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

State vaccination figures show that, as of Wednesday, 16 per cent&nbsp;of the state’s roughly 450,000 hospital workers, or about 70,000, were not fully vaccinated. The data show that 15&nbsp;per cent of staff at skilled nursing facilities and 14&nbsp;per cent of workers at adult care facilities are also not fully vaccinated, representing another 25,000 or so workers.

Eileen Toback, executive director of the New York Professional Nurses Union, which represents 1,500 nurses in Manhattan and supported the vaccine mandate, said she appreciated that Hochul was trying to address possible staffing shortages. But Toback criticized the state for issuing the plan only 48 hours before thousands of health care workers could lose their jobs.

“That could be devastating, particularly when hospitals staff only the exact numbers they need,” Toback said. “There’s no fat on that bone.”

Toback said about 5&nbsp;per cent of her union’s members have not been vaccinated. “I believe a lot of unvaccinated employees, not just nurses, are banking on the fact that they are so necessary that they won’t be terminated, and they are holding out,” she said.

The governor’s office said workers terminated because they refuse to be vaccinated are not eligible for unemployment insurance unless they provide a doctor-approved request for a medical accommodation.

In announcing New York’s determination to enforce its deadline, Hochul said, “We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal.” She also commended the vast majority of state health care workers for getting vaccinated and urged “all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care.”

The Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, had not issued a response to the governor’s plan but has supported the deadline for health care workers’ vaccinations, signaling that staffing shortages can be managed.

Michael A.L. Balboni, executive director of the Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association, which represents about 80 nursing homes in the metropolitan area, applauded the governor’s effort to get more health care workers vaccinated but expressed concern about staffing shortages.

“This is a paradox, in that in trying to protect the residents and staff you don’t have enough people to provide the services and you could put people in jeopardy,” Balboni said.

Toback said retirees and others could play a role in helping to alleviate shortages, as they did early in the pandemic. But she said replacement workers were no substitute for experienced nurses who have worked at the same hospital for “13 shifts a month, every month, for years.”

“Nurses have been through a great deal — they’re burned out — and although we appreciate the need for what we need to get through this pandemic, this is just hitting people when they’re down,” Toback said.

Northwell Health, which operates 19 hospitals in the state, said in a statement that it “wants to reassure the public that patient care will not be affected” by the mandate and that it was working on contingency plans to meet staffing needs.

Unvaccinated employees at Northwell Health have been notified that they could be terminated if they do not receive at least their first dose of the vaccine by the deadline, the statement said.

“We are optimistic that we will soon be able to provide a fully vaccinated staff to our patients and the communities we serve,” the statement said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York is considering calling in the National Guard and recruiting medical professionals from other states to cover looming staff shortages at hospitals and other facilities as the likelihood grows that tens of thousands of health care workers will not meet the state’s deadlines for mandated vaccinations.

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York is considering calling in the National Guard and recruiting medical professionals from other states to cover looming staff shortages at hospitals and other facilities as the likelihood grows that tens of thousands of health care workers will not meet the state’s deadlines for mandated vaccinations. In a statement released Saturday, the governor’s office said Hochul was laying plans for an executive order to declare a state of emergency that would “allow qualified health care professionals licensed in other states or countries, recent graduates, retired and formerly practicing health care professionals to practice in New York State.” Other options, the statement said, included calling in medically trained National Guard members to deliver care and to work with the federal government to deploy Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, which are operated by the Department for Health and Human Services. New York state is one of the first major testing grounds for stronger vaccination edicts rolling in across the country in the health care sector. California and Maine have also set deadlines for health care workers to be vaccinated. President Joe Biden has said his administration will issue a national vaccination mandate expected to ultimately affect some 17 million health care workers at hospitals and other institutions that accept Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements. Hospital and nursing home employees in New York are required to receive a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by 11:59 p.m. Monday night, while workers working in home care, hospices and other adult care facilities must do so by October 7, according to state regulations and a mandate issued August 16 by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo. State vaccination figures show that, as of Wednesday, 16 per cent of the state’s roughly 450,000 hospital workers, or about 70,000, were not fully vaccinated. The data show that 15 per cent of staff at skilled nursing facilities and 14 per cent of workers at adult care facilities are also not fully vaccinated, representing another 25,000 or so workers. Eileen Toback, executive director of the New York Professional Nurses Union, which represents 1,500 nurses in Manhattan and supported the vaccine mandate, said she appreciated that Hochul was trying to address possible staffing shortages. But Toback criticized the state for issuing the plan only 48 hours before thousands of health care workers could lose their jobs. “That could be devastating, particularly when hospitals staff only the exact numbers they need,” Toback said. “There’s no fat on that bone.” Toback said about 5 per cent of her union’s members have not been vaccinated. “I believe a lot of unvaccinated employees, not just nurses, are banking on the fact that they are so necessary that they won’t be terminated, and they are holding out,” she said. The governor’s office said workers terminated because they refuse to be vaccinated are not eligible for unemployment insurance unless they provide a doctor-approved request for a medical accommodation. In announcing New York’s determination to enforce its deadline, Hochul said, “We are still in a battle against COVID to protect our loved ones, and we need to fight with every tool at our disposal.” She also commended the vast majority of state health care workers for getting vaccinated and urged “all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care.” The Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, had not issued a response to the governor’s plan but has supported the deadline for health care workers’ vaccinations, signaling that staffing shortages can be managed. Michael A.L. Balboni, executive director of the Greater New York Health Care Facilities Association, which represents about 80 nursing homes in the metropolitan area, applauded the governor’s effort to get more health care workers vaccinated but expressed concern about staffing shortages. “This is a paradox, in that in trying to protect the residents and staff you don’t have enough people to provide the services and you could put people in jeopardy,” Balboni said. Toback said retirees and others could play a role in helping to alleviate shortages, as they did early in the pandemic. But she said replacement workers were no substitute for experienced nurses who have worked at the same hospital for “13 shifts a month, every month, for years.” “Nurses have been through a great deal — they’re burned out — and although we appreciate the need for what we need to get through this pandemic, this is just hitting people when they’re down,” Toback said. Northwell Health, which operates 19 hospitals in the state, said in a statement that it “wants to reassure the public that patient care will not be affected” by the mandate and that it was working on contingency plans to meet staffing needs. Unvaccinated employees at Northwell Health have been notified that they could be terminated if they do not receive at least their first dose of the vaccine by the deadline, the statement said. “We are optimistic that we will soon be able to provide a fully vaccinated staff to our patients and the communities we serve,” the statement said.

New York could call in national guard to cover hospital staff shortages

From Wuhan Virus Origins to Afghanistan, the global economy and vaccines - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on a range of issues at the UN General Assembly. Palki Sharma brings you the 6 key takeaways from PM Modi's speech.

Gravitas US Edition: UN General Assembly: PM Modi sends clear message to Pakistan & China

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the first time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in December 2019. Here are the key takeaways from his much-awaited address.

Indian PM Modi addresses 76th UN General Assembly: Key takeaways

During his address at the 76th UNGA session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that "Countries with regressive thinking that are using terrorism as a political tool must understand that it is an equally big threat for them."

PM Modi UNGA Address 2021: Terrorism is an equal threat to nations using them

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on Friday evening (local time). He is scheduled to address 76th session of UNGA today (Indian time). PM Modi left from Washington after meeting US President Joe Biden and attending the Quad Summit.

"Thank you, Washington! Onward bound for New York. After a historic Quad Leaders` Summit and bilateral engagements with USA, Australia and Japan, PM Narendra Modi departs for the New York leg of his visit," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you, Washington! Onward bound for New York. 
After a historic Quad Leaders’ Summit and bilateral engagements with USA, Australia and Japan, PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> departs for the New York leg of his visit. <a href="https://t.co/I9ZNruiZKU">pic.twitter.com/I9ZNruiZKU</a>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1441541212926881796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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PM Modi is in US for a three-day visit. He arrived on Wednesday. This is his first visit to a country beyond India's neighbourhood since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/quad-summit-us-president-says-india-should-have-permanent-seat-at-unsc-mea-after-quad-summit-415719">US President says India should have permanent seat at UNSC: MEA after Quad summit</a> 
 
PM Modi`s US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/quad-summit-modi-biden-morrison-suga-vow-free-open-indo-pacific-at-historic-first-quad-summit-415687">Quad summit: Modi, Biden, Morrison, Suga vow free, open Indo-Pacific at historic first in-person meet</a>

The theme for this year`s General Debate is `Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations`.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on Friday evening (local time). He is scheduled to address 76th session of UNGA today (Indian time). PM Modi left from Washington after meeting US President Joe Biden and attending the Quad Summit.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in New York on Friday evening (local time). He is scheduled to address 76th session of UNGA today (Indian time). PM Modi left from Washington after meeting US President Joe Biden and attending the Quad Summit. "Thank you, Washington! Onward bound for New York. After a historic Quad Leaders` Summit and bilateral engagements with USA, Australia and Japan, PM Narendra Modi departs for the New York leg of his visit," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. Thank you, Washington! Onward bound for New York. After a historic Quad Leaders’ Summit and bilateral engagements with USA, Australia and Japan, PM @narendramodi departs for the New York leg of his visit. pic.twitter.com/I9ZNruiZKU — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 24, 2021 × PM Modi is in US for a three-day visit. He arrived on Wednesday. This is his first visit to a country beyond India's neighbourhood since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. Also Read | US President says India should have permanent seat at UNSC: MEA after Quad summit PM Modi`s US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change and other important issues. Also Read | Quad summit: Modi, Biden, Morrison, Suga vow free, open Indo-Pacific at historic first in-person meet The theme for this year`s General Debate is `Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations`. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi arrives in New York, will address UNGA today

Indian PM Narendra Modi said that "The global economy needs to be diversified even further and for this expansion of global value chains are necessary. Our self-reliant India is inspired by this very spirit."

PM Modi UNGA Address 2021: Global value chains have to be reformed says PM Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Saturday. In his speech, he focused on global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, afghan crisis, terrorism, and climate change. WION's Sidhant Sibal & Palki Sharma share their insights on the much-awaited address.

Indian PM Modi addresses 193-membered world body at 76th UNGA

During his address at the 76th UNGA session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that "India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine for COVID-19 which can be administered to everyone above the age of 12."

PM Modi UNGA Address 2021: India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine says PM Modi

Indian PM Narendra Modi addresses the 76th UNGA session in New York. He said that "in the last 1.5 years, the entire world has been facing the worst pandemic in 100 years, I pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in this deadly pandemic and I express my condolences to their families".

PM Modi UNGA Address 2021: PM Modi pays tribute to lives lost due to pandemic

After Washington DC focus has now shifted to New York where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the 76th UNGA session. PM Modi's address will focus on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change, and other important issues.

Stage set for Indian PM Narendra Modi's 76th UNGA session address

In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

Officials at Northwell Health, New York’s largest provider of health care, estimate that they might have to fire thousands of people who have refused to get vaccinated.

And while the vast majority of staff members at New York City’s largest private hospital network, NewYork-Presbyterian, had been vaccinated as of this week, more than 200 employees faced termination because they had not.

These are just a fraction of the workers at risk of losing their jobs or being put on unpaid leave after Monday, when a state directive requiring hospital and nursing home employees in the state to have received at least one shot of a virus vaccine takes effect.

As of Wednesday, state data shows, around 84% of New York’s 450,000 hospital workers and 83% of its 145,400 nursing home employees had been fully vaccinated. But tens of thousands of people are estimated not to have gotten a shot despite being threatened with losing their jobs. The holdouts say they fear potential side effects from the vaccines, have natural immunity or believe that the mandate violates their personal freedom.

On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the Monday deadline was firm and that her administration was developing emergency plans to cover for those who are laid off, going so far as to look into recruiting temporary workers from the Philippines or Ireland.

“What is looming for Monday is completely avoidable, and there’s no excuses,” Hochul said, pleading for those who have not done so to get vaccinated.

In New York City, health care workers are not the only ones who face an imminent deadline to be vaccinated or face termination. A requirement that virtually everyone working in the public schools — well over 150,000 people — be vaccinated takes effect at midnight Monday. Although about 90% of the system’s educators and 80% of support staff members have gotten at least one shot, thousands of workers have not. That could cause staff shortages in some schools.

Educators who choose not to get vaccinated will be allowed an unpaid one-year leave with their health insurance intact. But they will not be allowed to enter school buildings starting Tuesday. Unions that represent educators and other school staff members are warning of disruptions for students and have urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay enforcement of the mandate.

New York state’s vaccination requirement for health care workers is among the largest mandates of its kind that is set to take effect in the United States, with weekly virus testing not permitted as a substitute measure. How it goes — and whether it leaves hospitals understaffed — will be closely watched. California is requiring health care workers there to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30, and a similar mandate in Maine will not be enforced until Oct. 29. New York’s willingness to risk large-scale layoffs of health care workers comes amid a national nursing shortage, and the requirement is facing numerous legal challenges.

“We give patients a Bill of Rights, and they are able to choose what procedures or tests or medications they want to put in their system,” said Gregory Serafin, a registered nurse at the Erie County Medical Center and the lead plaintiff in a New York lawsuit that seeks to stop the mandate. “Health care workers deserve the same medical autonomy to make those decisions.”

Depending on how many health care workers are fired, the policy could also test the resiliency of New York’s health care system. Hospitals across the state are activating emergency staffing plans that they typically reserve for natural disasters or, more recently, surges in COVID-19 cases. Volunteers, students and retirees will fill vacancies, along with traveling nurses.

Northwell, which has 77,000 employees, believes it can weather any loss of employees without the care of patients being affected. The Erie County Medical Center is not as sure.

On Monday, the hospital had 553 inpatients, its busiest day on record. A big reason the hospital is so crowded is that it cannot discharge as many patients as usual to nursing or group homes, because they are also limiting admissions in anticipation of their own staff shortages because of the vaccine mandate.

“This is creating an unprecedented crisis for us,” said Tom Quatroche, the Erie County Medical Center Corp.’s president. “I think we need more time to comply, and I’ve asked for that. For all the right reasons, the vaccine mandate was put in place. But the reality is it is creating a public health crisis in hospitals, with nobody to care for patients.”

In New York City, more than 5,000 of the 42,000 employees of the public hospital system were unvaccinated as of Friday. They will be barred from hospitals starting Monday and from other care facilities beginning Oct. 7, and they will be placed on unpaid leave.

The hospital system anticipates the vaccine mandate could reduce the ranks of radiology technologists and phlebotomists, in particular, and some doctors have been urged to limit the amount of imaging and blood work they order next week, according to an internal message.

Firings under the new directive could prove particularly problematic for nursing homes, which are already facing staffing problems. The New York State Health Facilities Association, a trade group that represents about 250 nursing homes, has asked state officials to temporarily let unvaccinated nursing home workers keep working as long as they get tested regularly.

“While we are striving for 100%, we do not feel we will achieve that by Monday,” said Stephen Hanse, the association’s president.

The wider range of workers who must be vaccinated starting Oct. 7 includes those at diagnostic and treatment centers, adult care facilities, certified home health agencies and hospices.

Despite the potential staffing challenges, the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, supports the deadline.

“The mandate is the best way to ensure the safest possible patient care environment and protect the public’s health,” Kenneth E. Raske, the association’s president, said in a statement. “We will work with the state to address any staffing challenges that arise.”

The vaccination mandate for health care workers was issued Aug. 26 as an emergency order by the Health Department. It permits limited medical exemptions, which employers can determine, but does not currently allow religious exemptions.

The lack of religious exemptions has created some confusion, because an earlier order, issued Aug. 18 under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, allowed such exemptions, and some hospitals had granted them. NewYork-Presbyterian, for example, granted 129 religious exemptions but withdrew them after the state’s policy changed, court documents show.

The conflict over religious exemptions has prompted several lawsuits accusing New York of violating either the First Amendment or federal law prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of religion. Many of the suits’ plaintiffs argue that they do not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine because cell lines derived from fetuses aborted decades ago were used in the development or production or testing of the vaccines.

In legal papers, most of the plaintiffs, most of whom are identified as John or Jane Doe, insist that as opponents of abortion they must abstain from getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

One plaintiff in a suit filed in Brooklyn, a NewYork-Presbyterian employee, is described in court papers as a Christian Scientist who opposes all vaccines and believes in the healing power of prayer.

For now, the fate of unvaccinated health care workers who have sought religious exemptions remains uncertain, and will not be decided for at least a few weeks. A federal judge in Utica has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing the mandate on those seeking such exemptions until Oct. 12, when he will decide what to do.

In the meantime, the mandate can take effect for all other workers.

At Northwell, the vaccination rate reached 91% on Friday, rising steadily as the deadline approached. Of the employees who still were not vaccinated, about 2,000 had applied for religious or medical exemptions.

Only a small group of people are being approved for medical exemptions, including those who are allergic to vaccine components, Maxine Carrington, the company’s human resources chief, said. Being pregnant or breastfeeding does not qualify. Unvaccinated employees without exemptions that have been approved or are pending have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to get a shot or they will be let go Tuesday, she said.

NewYork-Presbyterian set an earlier deadline for its workers to get vaccinated — Sept. 22 — and officials there said Thursday that fewer than 250 employees would lose their jobs. Still hundreds of employees remain unvaccinated: Around 200 got medical exemptions; more than 500 had pending requests for religious exemptions, according to a court filing.

The state’s emergency order does not dictate exactly how hospitals or other health care employers should enforce the mandate, stating only that compliance is expected by Sept. 27.

Vaccination rates vary among hospital staffs.

John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Erie County says that 100% of its employees have been fully vaccinated. At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 75% of the staff is fully vaccinated, according to state data; nearly 90% have received at least one dose, a spokeswoman said.

Some hospital executives said they did not anticipate that any terminations would have much effect on medical care at their institutions.

At St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, about 12% of the nearly 3,000 employees had not been vaccinated as of midday Friday, the chief medical officer, Eric Appelbaum, said in an interview.

The group included three doctors and a larger number of nurses, Appelbaum said. Most of the rest worked in nonmedical roles, including housekeeping and food services.

Appelbaum, noting that there had been a sharp uptick in vaccinations in the past 48 hours, said he was optimistic that a good number of unvaccinated staff members would soon get the shot. (There was a similar rush at the city’s public hospital system, officials said, with more than 2,000 employees getting vaccinated just this week.)

“Obviously,” Appelbaum said, “Monday’s getting close.”

In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.

In Buffalo, New York, the Erie County Medical Center plans to suspend elective inpatient surgeries and not take intensive-care patients from other hospitals because it may soon fire about 400 employees who have chosen not to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Officials at Northwell Health, New York’s largest provider of health care, estimate that they might have to fire thousands of people who have refused to get vaccinated. And while the vast majority of staff members at New York City’s largest private hospital network, NewYork-Presbyterian, had been vaccinated as of this week, more than 200 employees faced termination because they had not. These are just a fraction of the workers at risk of losing their jobs or being put on unpaid leave after Monday, when a state directive requiring hospital and nursing home employees in the state to have received at least one shot of a virus vaccine takes effect. As of Wednesday, state data shows, around 84% of New York’s 450,000 hospital workers and 83% of its 145,400 nursing home employees had been fully vaccinated. But tens of thousands of people are estimated not to have gotten a shot despite being threatened with losing their jobs. The holdouts say they fear potential side effects from the vaccines, have natural immunity or believe that the mandate violates their personal freedom. On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul said that the Monday deadline was firm and that her administration was developing emergency plans to cover for those who are laid off, going so far as to look into recruiting temporary workers from the Philippines or Ireland. “What is looming for Monday is completely avoidable, and there’s no excuses,” Hochul said, pleading for those who have not done so to get vaccinated. In New York City, health care workers are not the only ones who face an imminent deadline to be vaccinated or face termination. A requirement that virtually everyone working in the public schools — well over 150,000 people — be vaccinated takes effect at midnight Monday. Although about 90% of the system’s educators and 80% of support staff members have gotten at least one shot, thousands of workers have not. That could cause staff shortages in some schools. Educators who choose not to get vaccinated will be allowed an unpaid one-year leave with their health insurance intact. But they will not be allowed to enter school buildings starting Tuesday. Unions that represent educators and other school staff members are warning of disruptions for students and have urged Mayor Bill de Blasio to delay enforcement of the mandate. New York state’s vaccination requirement for health care workers is among the largest mandates of its kind that is set to take effect in the United States, with weekly virus testing not permitted as a substitute measure. How it goes — and whether it leaves hospitals understaffed — will be closely watched. California is requiring health care workers there to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 30, and a similar mandate in Maine will not be enforced until Oct. 29. New York’s willingness to risk large-scale layoffs of health care workers comes amid a national nursing shortage, and the requirement is facing numerous legal challenges. “We give patients a Bill of Rights, and they are able to choose what procedures or tests or medications they want to put in their system,” said Gregory Serafin, a registered nurse at the Erie County Medical Center and the lead plaintiff in a New York lawsuit that seeks to stop the mandate. “Health care workers deserve the same medical autonomy to make those decisions.” Depending on how many health care workers are fired, the policy could also test the resiliency of New York’s health care system. Hospitals across the state are activating emergency staffing plans that they typically reserve for natural disasters or, more recently, surges in COVID-19 cases. Volunteers, students and retirees will fill vacancies, along with traveling nurses. Northwell, which has 77,000 employees, believes it can weather any loss of employees without the care of patients being affected. The Erie County Medical Center is not as sure. On Monday, the hospital had 553 inpatients, its busiest day on record. A big reason the hospital is so crowded is that it cannot discharge as many patients as usual to nursing or group homes, because they are also limiting admissions in anticipation of their own staff shortages because of the vaccine mandate. “This is creating an unprecedented crisis for us,” said Tom Quatroche, the Erie County Medical Center Corp.’s president. “I think we need more time to comply, and I’ve asked for that. For all the right reasons, the vaccine mandate was put in place. But the reality is it is creating a public health crisis in hospitals, with nobody to care for patients.” In New York City, more than 5,000 of the 42,000 employees of the public hospital system were unvaccinated as of Friday. They will be barred from hospitals starting Monday and from other care facilities beginning Oct. 7, and they will be placed on unpaid leave. The hospital system anticipates the vaccine mandate could reduce the ranks of radiology technologists and phlebotomists, in particular, and some doctors have been urged to limit the amount of imaging and blood work they order next week, according to an internal message. Firings under the new directive could prove particularly problematic for nursing homes, which are already facing staffing problems. The New York State Health Facilities Association, a trade group that represents about 250 nursing homes, has asked state officials to temporarily let unvaccinated nursing home workers keep working as long as they get tested regularly. “While we are striving for 100%, we do not feel we will achieve that by Monday,” said Stephen Hanse, the association’s president. The wider range of workers who must be vaccinated starting Oct. 7 includes those at diagnostic and treatment centers, adult care facilities, certified home health agencies and hospices. Despite the potential staffing challenges, the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents about 140 health systems and 55 nursing homes, supports the deadline. “The mandate is the best way to ensure the safest possible patient care environment and protect the public’s health,” Kenneth E. Raske, the association’s president, said in a statement. “We will work with the state to address any staffing challenges that arise.” The vaccination mandate for health care workers was issued Aug. 26 as an emergency order by the Health Department. It permits limited medical exemptions, which employers can determine, but does not currently allow religious exemptions. The lack of religious exemptions has created some confusion, because an earlier order, issued Aug. 18 under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, allowed such exemptions, and some hospitals had granted them. NewYork-Presbyterian, for example, granted 129 religious exemptions but withdrew them after the state’s policy changed, court documents show. The conflict over religious exemptions has prompted several lawsuits accusing New York of violating either the First Amendment or federal law prohibiting employers from discriminating on the basis of religion. Many of the suits’ plaintiffs argue that they do not want to get a COVID-19 vaccine because cell lines derived from fetuses aborted decades ago were used in the development or production or testing of the vaccines. In legal papers, most of the plaintiffs, most of whom are identified as John or Jane Doe, insist that as opponents of abortion they must abstain from getting vaccinated against COVID-19. One plaintiff in a suit filed in Brooklyn, a NewYork-Presbyterian employee, is described in court papers as a Christian Scientist who opposes all vaccines and believes in the healing power of prayer. For now, the fate of unvaccinated health care workers who have sought religious exemptions remains uncertain, and will not be decided for at least a few weeks. A federal judge in Utica has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the state from enforcing the mandate on those seeking such exemptions until Oct. 12, when he will decide what to do. In the meantime, the mandate can take effect for all other workers. At Northwell, the vaccination rate reached 91% on Friday, rising steadily as the deadline approached. Of the employees who still were not vaccinated, about 2,000 had applied for religious or medical exemptions. Only a small group of people are being approved for medical exemptions, including those who are allergic to vaccine components, Maxine Carrington, the company’s human resources chief, said. Being pregnant or breastfeeding does not qualify. Unvaccinated employees without exemptions that have been approved or are pending have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to get a shot or they will be let go Tuesday, she said. NewYork-Presbyterian set an earlier deadline for its workers to get vaccinated — Sept. 22 — and officials there said Thursday that fewer than 250 employees would lose their jobs. Still hundreds of employees remain unvaccinated: Around 200 got medical exemptions; more than 500 had pending requests for religious exemptions, according to a court filing. The state’s emergency order does not dictate exactly how hospitals or other health care employers should enforce the mandate, stating only that compliance is expected by Sept. 27. Vaccination rates vary among hospital staffs. John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital in Erie County says that 100% of its employees have been fully vaccinated. At Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, 75% of the staff is fully vaccinated, according to state data; nearly 90% have received at least one dose, a spokeswoman said. Some hospital executives said they did not anticipate that any terminations would have much effect on medical care at their institutions. At St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, about 12% of the nearly 3,000 employees had not been vaccinated as of midday Friday, the chief medical officer, Eric Appelbaum, said in an interview. The group included three doctors and a larger number of nurses, Appelbaum said. Most of the rest worked in nonmedical roles, including housekeeping and food services. Appelbaum, noting that there had been a sharp uptick in vaccinations in the past 48 hours, said he was optimistic that a good number of unvaccinated staff members would soon get the shot. (There was a similar rush at the city’s public hospital system, officials said, with more than 2,000 employees getting vaccinated just this week.) “Obviously,” Appelbaum said, “Monday’s getting close.”

New York hospitals face possible mass firings as workers spurn vaccines

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit will conclude on September 25 with an address at the United Nations General Assembly focusing on the pressing global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to combat terrorism, climate change, and other important issues.

After QUAD summit, Indian PM Modi prepares for 76th UNGA session

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in New York on Friday. He is scheduled to address the 76th session of UNGA today (Indian time). PM Modi left from Washington after meeting US President Joe Biden and attending the Quad Summit.

Indian PM Modi reaches New York to address 76th UNGA session

President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih speaks at the 76th general debate at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih addresses the 76th UNGA session

A massive rise in Wuhan Virus deaths. Thousands of migrants amassing at the Texas border. Allies second-guessing his leadership. Joe Biden begins UNGA week as an embattled host. Can he turn it around with a good show in New York? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas US Edition: Embattled Biden set to welcome world leaders

In Pics | World leaders arrive at New York for UNGA

In his address during the 76th Session of the UNGA, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned global leaders that the world has never been more threatened or more divided, and is facing the "greatest cascade" of crises, citing the COVID pandemic, a global climate crisis, and unrest in Afghanistan and other countries as examples.

WION USA Direct: UN Chief General Antonio Guterres speaks on Covid, Afghan unrest at UNGA Summit

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar, who has been a fierce advocate of climate conservation, has been invited to speak at the Climate Week in New York. 
 
Announcing the development, Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group, said, "We are pleased to host Bhumi Pednekar at Climate Week NYC 2021 which is a critical moment to influence climate action across the world." 
She added, "Along with being a talented artist, Bhumi has been a strong advocate for environment-friendly choices and green solutions. In line with this year`s theme of 'Getting It Done,' young voices like Bhumi`s will truly inspire others to do more at Climate Week NYC." 
 
Bhumi will be speaking on September 23 during Climate Week NYC. The actor will talk about how India will play a vital role in the global response to the climate emergency, and how the Indian industry will play a critical role in this journey forward. 
 
Now in its thirteenth year, Climate Week NYC is the largest climate week on earth. Run by Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations, COP26 and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC is where the world gathers to showcase leading action and discuss how to do more. 
 
Climate Group is an international non-profit, publicly launched in 2004, with offices in London, New Delhi and New York with the mission to see a world of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. 
 
Coming back to Bhumi, she spearheads the hugely lauded social media initiative `Climate Warrior` that aims at raising awareness towards protecting nature. 
 
The actor has always been an environmentally conscious citizen who has taken up climate conservation as a cause for life and through 'Climate Warrior', she is constantly aiming to mobilise the citizens of India to actively participate in protecting the environment. 
 
Meanwhile, on the film front, Bhumi has a couple of projects in her kitty including 'Raksha Bandhan', 'Badhaai Do' and 'Takht'.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar, who has been a fierce advocate of climate conservation, has been invited to speak at the Climate Week in New York. Announcing the development, Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group, said, "We are pleased to host Bhumi Pednekar at Climate Week NYC 2021 which is a critical moment to influence climate action across the world.

Bollywood actor Bhumi Pednekar, who has been a fierce advocate of climate conservation, has been invited to speak at the Climate Week in New York. Announcing the development, Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group, said, "We are pleased to host Bhumi Pednekar at Climate Week NYC 2021 which is a critical moment to influence climate action across the world." She added, "Along with being a talented artist, Bhumi has been a strong advocate for environment-friendly choices and green solutions. In line with this year`s theme of 'Getting It Done,' young voices like Bhumi`s will truly inspire others to do more at Climate Week NYC." Bhumi will be speaking on September 23 during Climate Week NYC. The actor will talk about how India will play a vital role in the global response to the climate emergency, and how the Indian industry will play a critical role in this journey forward. Now in its thirteenth year, Climate Week NYC is the largest climate week on earth. Run by Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations, COP26 and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC is where the world gathers to showcase leading action and discuss how to do more. Climate Group is an international non-profit, publicly launched in 2004, with offices in London, New Delhi and New York with the mission to see a world of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Coming back to Bhumi, she spearheads the hugely lauded social media initiative `Climate Warrior` that aims at raising awareness towards protecting nature. The actor has always been an environmentally conscious citizen who has taken up climate conservation as a cause for life and through 'Climate Warrior', she is constantly aiming to mobilise the citizens of India to actively participate in protecting the environment. Meanwhile, on the film front, Bhumi has a couple of projects in her kitty including 'Raksha Bandhan', 'Badhaai Do' and 'Takht'.

Bhumi Pednekar to speak at Climate Week in New York

A volunteer's photo and video showing deaths of migratory birds after crashing into New York's glass highrises has undelined the problem the city faces. The reflection from the glass facades of the building make the birds unable to change path and thus meet their end in collision with the surface.

"When you have 226 dead window-struck migratory birds from one morning, it’s hard to get them all in one photo.&nbsp; 
@_WTCOfficial — lights can be turned off, windows can be treated. Please do something. @4WTC and&nbsp; 
@3wtcnewyork don’t let this be your legacy. @NYCAudubon @wildbirdfund"," tweeted Melissa Breyer

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When you have 226 dead window-struck migratory birds from one morning, it’s hard to get them all in one photo. <a href="https://twitter.com/_WTCOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@_WTCOfficial</a> — lights can be turned off, windows can be treated. Please do something. <a href="https://twitter.com/4WTC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@4WTC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/3wtcnewyork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3wtcnewyork</a> don’t let this be your legacy. <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCAudubon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYCAudubon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/wildbirdfund?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wildbirdfund</a> <a href="https://t.co/Qiu8Wqmilf">pic.twitter.com/Qiu8Wqmilf</a>
— Melissa Breyer (@MelissaBreyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaBreyer/status/1437823618055122947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In another of her tweet, she posted a disturbing video in which birds could be literally seen dropping dead from the sky after colliding with the buildings.

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I did this for 65 minutes straight doing one loop around <a href="https://twitter.com/4WTC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@4WTC</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/3NYWTC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@3NYWTC</a> — most of these before sunrise. Please can we turn off lights during migration??? <a href="https://t.co/pCXoJkUXo0">pic.twitter.com/pCXoJkUXo0</a>
— Melissa Breyer (@MelissaBreyer) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaBreyer/status/1437813494141886467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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“As soon as I got to the buildings, the birds were everywhere on the sidewalk,” Breyer was quoted as saying by The Guardian

“Looking north, covered, south, covered, west, covered, the sidewalks were literally covered with birds.”

This week's death toll is understood to be particularly high. Bad weather on Monday night and into Tuesday may have been a contributing factor.

A volunteer's photo and video showing deaths of migratory birds after crashing into New York's glass highrises has undelined the problem the city faces. The reflection from the glass facades of the building make the birds unable to change path and thus meet their end in collision with the surface.

A volunteer's photo and video showing deaths of migratory birds after crashing into New York's glass highrises has undelined the problem the city faces. The reflection from the glass facades of the building make the birds unable to change path and thus meet their end in collision with the surface. "When you have 226 dead window-struck migratory birds from one morning, it’s hard to get them all in one photo. @_WTCOfficial — lights can be turned off, windows can be treated. Please do something. @4WTC and @3wtcnewyork don’t let this be your legacy. @NYCAudubon @wildbirdfund"," tweeted Melissa Breyer When you have 226 dead window-struck migratory birds from one morning, it’s hard to get them all in one photo. @_WTCOfficial — lights can be turned off, windows can be treated. Please do something. @4WTC and @3wtcnewyork don’t let this be your legacy. @NYCAudubon @wildbirdfund pic.twitter.com/Qiu8Wqmilf — Melissa Breyer (@MelissaBreyer) September 14, 2021 × In another of her tweet, she posted a disturbing video in which birds could be literally seen dropping dead from the sky after colliding with the buildings. I did this for 65 minutes straight doing one loop around @4WTC and @3NYWTC — most of these before sunrise. Please can we turn off lights during migration??? pic.twitter.com/pCXoJkUXo0 — Melissa Breyer (@MelissaBreyer) September 14, 2021 × “As soon as I got to the buildings, the birds were everywhere on the sidewalk,” Breyer was quoted as saying by The Guardian “Looking north, covered, south, covered, west, covered, the sidewalks were literally covered with birds.” This week's death toll is understood to be particularly high. Bad weather on Monday night and into Tuesday may have been a contributing factor.

Hundreds of birds pictured dead after collision with NYC glass towers

The United Nations General Assembly convened for its 76th session on Tuesday, as the COVID-19 continues to rock the world.&nbsp;

Every year, diplomats and international leaders gather in New York City, the headquarters of the United Nations, to review the year's agenda and work toward solutions to global issues.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the Organization's main policy-making body.

It provides a unique platform for multilateral discussion of the complete spectrum of international issues covered by the United Nations Charter. It is composed of all UN Member States.

Each of the United Nations' 193 member states has an equal vote.

What is the United Nations General Assembly?

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the UN's main decision-making body, and it serves as a forum for multilateral deliberations on some of the world's most sensitive problems, such as peace and security.

In January 1946, 51 world leaders gathered in London to discuss world problems, including Clement Attlee, the United Kingdom's postwar prime minister, and Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

Many of the problems debated in the inaugural session, such as refugee rights, nuclear disarmament, and peacekeeping, are still on the table today.&nbsp;

What does the General Assembly do?

The General Assembly's responsibilities include choosing the secretary general (on the 15-member Security Council's proposal), electing non-permanent members of the Security Council and other UN organisations, and approving the UN budget.

The assembly's responsibilities are defined under the UN Charter as discussing, debating, and making recommendations on issues of international peace and security.

Up to seven months before the assembly, member states start putting together the agenda.

The list of issues is gradually reduced down, culminating in a final vote that officially establishes the assembly's agenda.

(With inputs from agencies)

The United Nations General Assembly convened for its 76th session on Tuesday, as the COVID-19 continues to rock the world. Every year, diplomats and international leaders gather in New York City, the headquarters of the United Nations, to review the year's agenda and work toward solutions to global issues.

The United Nations General Assembly convened for its 76th session on Tuesday, as the COVID-19 continues to rock the world. Every year, diplomats and international leaders gather in New York City, the headquarters of the United Nations, to review the year's agenda and work toward solutions to global issues. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the Organization's main policy-making body. It provides a unique platform for multilateral discussion of the complete spectrum of international issues covered by the United Nations Charter. It is composed of all UN Member States. Each of the United Nations' 193 member states has an equal vote. What is the United Nations General Assembly? The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is the UN's main decision-making body, and it serves as a forum for multilateral deliberations on some of the world's most sensitive problems, such as peace and security. In January 1946, 51 world leaders gathered in London to discuss world problems, including Clement Attlee, the United Kingdom's postwar prime minister, and Prince Fahd of Saudi Arabia. Many of the problems debated in the inaugural session, such as refugee rights, nuclear disarmament, and peacekeeping, are still on the table today. What does the General Assembly do? The General Assembly's responsibilities include choosing the secretary general (on the 15-member Security Council's proposal), electing non-permanent members of the Security Council and other UN organisations, and approving the UN budget. The assembly's responsibilities are defined under the UN Charter as discussing, debating, and making recommendations on issues of international peace and security. Up to seven months before the assembly, member states start putting together the agenda. The list of issues is gradually reduced down, culminating in a final vote that officially establishes the assembly's agenda. (With inputs from agencies)

What is the United Nations General Assembly and what are its functions and responsibilities?

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on September 14, with the General Debate — a chance for representatives from all 193 member states to speak in front of the chamber — starting the following week.&nbsp;

The week-long General Debate, which will draw diplomats from all over the world to New York, will be the highlight of the event.&nbsp;

The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021.

The General Assembly General Debate is divided into two segments each day.

The morning sessions run from 9 AM until 2.45 PM local time.

The afternoon sessions run from 3 PM to 9 PM.

The following is a tentative speaker schedule:&nbsp;

Tuesday, September 21.

Brazil, United States, Maldives, Colombia, Qatar, Slovakia, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Iran, Chile, Korea, Turkey, Switzerland,

Croatia, Egypt, Peru, France, Turkmenistan, Latvia, Philippines, El Salvador, Argentina, Palau, Romania, Costa Rica, Mexico, Poland, Ecuador, Finland, Bulgaria, Zambia, and Hungary.

Wednesday, September 22.

Morning: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Monaco, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Republic of Moldova, Uruguay, Estonia, Suriname, Sierra Leone

Afternoon: Venezuela, Mongolia, Kenya, Honduras, Indonesia, Ukraine, Malawi, Cabo Verde, Vietnam, Togo, Mozambique, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Somalia

Thursday, September 23.

South Africa, Guyana, Botswana, Cuba, Angola, Burkina Faso, Panama, Montenegro, Namibia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Cameroon, Nauru, Zimbabwe, Chad, Comoros, Gabon, Tanzania, Liberia.

Micronesia, Burundi, Benin, Bolivia, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Uganda, Azerbaijan, Libya, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Kiribati, Dominica, Seychelles, Kazakhstan, Israel, Seychelles

Friday, September 24

Morning: Cyprus, Nigeria, Lebanon, Senegal, Nicaragua, Germany, Slovenia, State of Palestine, European Union, Gambia, Armenia, Mauritius, Sweden, Barbados, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Japan, Malta, Ireland&nbsp;

Afternoon: Albania, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Luxembourg, Greece, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Georgia. Australia, Kuwait, Serbia, Trinidad and Tobago, Denmark, Jamaica, Norway, Italy, Lesotho, Belize,

Saturday, September 25,

Morning: India, Nepal, Saint Lucia, Andorra, Canada, eSwatini, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Malaysia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sudan, Cambodia, Fiji, Bhutan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Belgium, Bahamas, Thailand, Iraq,&nbsp;

Afternoon: Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Solomon Islands, Congo, Tonga, Mali, Holy See, China, Ethiopia, Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Austria

Monday, September 27,

Morning: Singapore, Belarus, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iceland, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Grenada, Eritrea, Bahrain, San Marino, Oman, Sao Tome and Principe, Paraguay, Cote d'Ivoire, Timor Leste, Brunei, Mauritania, Niger

Afternoon: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Guinea, Afghanistan

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on September 14, with the General Debate — a chance for representatives from all 193 member states to speak in front of the chamber — starting the following week.

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on September 14, with the General Debate — a chance for representatives from all 193 member states to speak in front of the chamber — starting the following week. The week-long General Debate, which will draw diplomats from all over the world to New York, will be the highlight of the event. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, September 21, 2021. The General Assembly General Debate is divided into two segments each day. The morning sessions run from 9 AM until 2.45 PM local time. The afternoon sessions run from 3 PM to 9 PM. The following is a tentative speaker schedule: Tuesday, September 21. Brazil, United States, Maldives, Colombia, Qatar, Slovakia, Portugal, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Uzbekistan, Iran, Chile, Korea, Turkey, Switzerland, Croatia, Egypt, Peru, France, Turkmenistan, Latvia, Philippines, El Salvador, Argentina, Palau, Romania, Costa Rica, Mexico, Poland, Ecuador, Finland, Bulgaria, Zambia, and Hungary. Wednesday, September 22. Morning: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Monaco, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Guatemala, Marshall Islands, Republic of Moldova, Uruguay, Estonia, Suriname, Sierra Leone Afternoon: Venezuela, Mongolia, Kenya, Honduras, Indonesia, Ukraine, Malawi, Cabo Verde, Vietnam, Togo, Mozambique, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Central African Republic, Somalia Thursday, September 23. South Africa, Guyana, Botswana, Cuba, Angola, Burkina Faso, Panama, Montenegro, Namibia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Cameroon, Nauru, Zimbabwe, Chad, Comoros, Gabon, Tanzania, Liberia. Micronesia, Burundi, Benin, Bolivia, Rwanda, Tajikistan, Uganda, Azerbaijan, Libya, Madagascar, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, Kiribati, Dominica, Seychelles, Kazakhstan, Israel, Seychelles Friday, September 24 Morning: Cyprus, Nigeria, Lebanon, Senegal, Nicaragua, Germany, Slovenia, State of Palestine, European Union, Gambia, Armenia, Mauritius, Sweden, Barbados, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Japan, Malta, Ireland Afternoon: Albania, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Luxembourg, Greece, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Georgia. Australia, Kuwait, Serbia, Trinidad and Tobago, Denmark, Jamaica, Norway, Italy, Lesotho, Belize, Saturday, September 25, Morning: India, Nepal, Saint Lucia, Andorra, Canada, eSwatini, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Malaysia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Sudan, Cambodia, Fiji, Bhutan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Belgium, Bahamas, Thailand, Iraq, Afternoon: Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Solomon Islands, Congo, Tonga, Mali, Holy See, China, Ethiopia, Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Austria Monday, September 27, Morning: Singapore, Belarus, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iceland, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Grenada, Eritrea, Bahrain, San Marino, Oman, Sao Tome and Principe, Paraguay, Cote d'Ivoire, Timor Leste, Brunei, Mauritania, Niger Afternoon: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Guinea, Afghanistan

UNGA 2021: Schedule of speakers at the 76th General Assembly in New York

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