The Note’s Must-Reads for Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Note’s Must-Reads are a round-up of today’s political headlines and stories from ABC News and the top U.S. newspapers. Posted Monday through Friday right here at www.abcnews.com

Compiled by ABC News Desk Assistants’ JAYCE HENDERSON, PETER MARTINEZ, CARRIE HALPERIN and CLAUDIA MORALES

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PRESIDENT OBAMA AND THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY:

ABC News Nightline Closing Argument: Has the U.N. Become Irrelevant? LINK

ABC News’ Jake Tapper: “At the UN, a Scolding from the President” LINK

ABC News’ Kirit Radia: “Moammar Gadhafi Rants at U.N. General Assembly” LINK

USA Today’s Ken Dilanian: “Obama signals ‘new era’ at U.N.” LINK

Time’s Tony Karon: “Did Netanyahu Best Obama in Mideast-Peace Tussle?” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Farah Stockman: “Obama signals new direction” LINK

The New York Times’ Helene Cooper: “Obama Makes Gains at U.N. on Iran and Proliferation” LINK

The Washington Post’s Michael Shear and Dan Balz: “Obama Appeals for Global Cooperation” LINK

The Washington Post’s Mary Beth Sheridan and Colum Lynch: “At U.N., Obama to Push for New Nuclear Weapons Treaty” LINK

The Washington Post’s Keith Richburg: “Gaddafi Praises Obama at U.N.” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Christi Parsons: “At U.N., Obama asks leaders to set aside ‘anti-Americanism’” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Tina Susman: “Libya’s Moammar Kadafi gives U.N. his opinions on Obama — and more” LINK

NY Daily News’ Michael Saul and David Saltonstall: “President Barack Obama in United Nations speech urges ‘new era of engagement’ for world leaders” LINK

NY Daily News’ Michael Saul and David Saltonstall: “Libyan despot Moammar Khadafy chastises United Nations for failing to prevent wars” LINK

Politico’s Laura Rozen: “U.S. navigates Iran Challenge” LINK

G-20:

USA Today’s Richard Wolf: “G-20 leaders look to shake off lingering economic woes” LINK

Bloomberg’s Simon Kennedy: “‘Age of Austerity’ Awaits G-20 as Rising Debt Worries Greenspan” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Kirit Radia: “Medvedev Says of Iran: ‘In Some Cases, Sanctions Are Inevitable’” LINK

The Associated Press: “US to deal directly with Myanmar junta” LINK

The Washington Post’s Karen DeYoung: “McChrystal request to reach Pentagon by End of the Week” LINK

The Associated Press’ Pauline Jelinek and Lara Jakes: “Afghan troop request may be revised” LINK

The Washington Times’ Patrice Hill: “U.S. courts China for trade balance” LINK

The Washington Times’ Eli Lake and Sara A. Carter: “McChrystal to request more Afghan troops” LINK

Politico’s Josh Gerstein: “W.H. hails Russia/Iran breakthrough” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Khris Maher: “Paper Is Next Front in China Trade Fight” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Staff: “U.S. to Engage Myanmar’s Junta” LINK

Bloomberg’s Bill Varner and Ali Sheikholeslami: “Ahmadinejad Criticizes U.S., Israel; UN Warns Iran” LINK

The Boston Herald’s Roger Simon: “Afghan mission unaccomplished” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND HIS ADMINISTRATION:

Politico’s Alexander Burns: “Mondale: Racial ‘edge’ to Obama foes” LINK

Politico’s Staff: “Charlie Rose interviews Rahm Emanuel” LINK

HEALTH-CARE:

ABC News’ David Chalian: “DeMint: Obama Care Focus Endangers U.S. Troops in Afghanistan” LINK

Times Swampland by Kate Pickert: “Dear Insurance Company, You Have a Right to be Wrong” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Lisa Wangsness: “Democrats seek cuts in Medicare Advantage” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Political Notebook: “GOP says health debate has held up other issues” LINK

The New York Times’ Robert Pear: “Senator Tries to Allay Fears on Health Overhaul” LINK

The Washington Post’s Ceci Connolly and Lori Montgomery: “Medicare Is Focus on Day 2 of Health-Care Negotiations” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Noam N. Levey and James Oliphant: “Mandate minus price controls may increase healthcare costs” LINK

ACORN:

USA Today’s On Deadline: “ACORN sues over hidden video; FBI probing case” LINK

MASS. SENATE SEAT:

The Boston Globe’s Joseph Williams: “Patrick’s selection won’t get some key perks on the Hill” LINK

The Boston Globe’s Matt Viser and Frank Phillips: “Signs point to Kirk for interim senator” LINK

The New York Times’ Abby Goodnough and Carl Hulse: “Kennedy Confident Expected to Take Senate Seat” LINK

The Washington Post’s Chris Cillizza: “Ex-Kennedy Aide Is Seen as Likely Interim Senator” LINK

ECONOMY:

ABC News’ Matthew Jaffe: “Government Watchdog: ‘Extremely Unlikely’ Taxpayers Will Recoup TARP Money” LINK

ABC News’ Lisa Ling and Katie Hinman: “Under Las Vegas: Tunnels Stretch for Miles” LINK

USA Today’s Matt Kelley: “Stimulus funds boost number of federal jobs” LINK

Time’s Swampland by Kate Pickert: “Partisan Divide Alive and Well in Finance” LINK

The New York Times’ Stephen Labaton: “White House Pares Its Financial Reform Plan” LINK

The New York Times’ Michael Cooper: “Federal Government Spends Stimulus Money Faster Than Expected” LINK

The Hill’s Silla Brush: “TARP inspector to say transparency ‘attitude’ on bailout frustrating” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Sudeep Reddy And James R. Hagerty: “Home Buyers Get a Reprieve ” LINK

Bloomberg’s Scott Lanman: “Fed Signals Growth Return Insufficient to End Monetary Stimulus” LINK

Bloomberg’s Daniela Silberstein: “European Stocks, U.S. Futures Drop; BHP, Hennes & Mauritz Fall” LINK

The Wall Street Journal’s Marshall Eckblad and Jane J. Kim: “As Banks Retreat, Lawmakers Press Attack” LINK

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND GUANTANAMO BAY:

The New York Times’ Peter Baker: “Obama to Use Current law to Support Detentions” LINK

The Washington Post’s Peter Finn: “Administration Won’t Seek New Detention System” LINK

DEMOCRATS/REPUBLICANS:

The Washington Post’s Ellen Nakashima: “Democrats Seek to Tighten Oversight of Surveillance Methods” LINK

Newsweek’s Holly Bailey: “More poll Numbers That Should Have the Dems Seriously Nervous” LINK

USA Today’s Fredreka Schouten and Matt Kelley: “GOP gets big bump of donors in August” LINK

ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT:

Times’ Bryan Walsh: “How Much Human Activity Can Earth Handle?” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Ronald D. White: “Oxy oil discovery could spark new interest in California’s energy potential” LINK

The Los Angeles Times’ Nicole Santa: “Ventura County wildfire consumes 16,000 acres” LINK

The Washington Times’ Patrice Hill: “Senate spurns wildland fire funds for D.C.” LINK

Politico’s Lisa Lerer: “Murkowski to move against EPA” LINK

OTHER MUST-READS:

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos: “Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.)” LINK

Newsweek’s Michael Isikoff: “Critics Unimpressed With Holder’s New State-Secrets Policy” LINK

The Hill’s Walter Alarkon: “Rep. Honda cancels trip after State Department warning” LINK

NY Daily News’ Kenneth Lovett: “Shaving face: Newly clean-shaven Gov. Paterson back to work after White House bid to push him out” LINK

ABC NEWS VIDEOS:

“Jake Tapper: Obama’s Foreign Policy Era” LINK

“Homecoming for Iwo Jima Mementos” LINK

“Is Diplomat Sex Tape a ‘Cold War’ Trick?” LINK

“Gadhafi’s Speech, and Tent, Draw Protests” LINK

“GOP Senator Critiques Obama’s UN Performance” LINK

“Netanyahu: Can’t Freeze Israeli Settlements” LINK

“Dalai Lama Embraces the Fist Bump” LINK