The latest news on the G20 Summit, G20 Protests, GOP Budget, Recession, U.S.-Russia, Afghanistan-Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, Sudan, and Select Op-eds.

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G20 Summit. G20 leaders on brink of $1 trillion rescue deal "A new $1 trillion stimulus to the world economy could emerge from the G20 summit in London's Docklands later today, officials say." G20 to unveil $1tn boost to world economy at London summit "Gordon Brown, Barack Obama and other leaders were finalizing a deal that is expected to inject a huge sum into the world economy through a variety of means, with much of the investment coming from countries such as China with vast cash surpluses." In Europe, Obama Faces Calls for Rules on Finances "In his first full day in Europe, President Obama conceded Wednesday that the United States had 'some accounting to do' for failures that led to the world's financial crisis, even as he tried to brush past heavy pressure from Germany and France to accept global financial regulations that could reach well inside American borders." China pushes for bigger role in reshaping the world economy "At a time when the U.S. and other traditional economic powers are weakening, China is flexing its muscles, signaling it will seek a much more assertive role in shaping the future of the world financial order."

G20 protests. G20 summit: Police brace for more violence as world leaders gather "Police in London are bracing themselves for more violent G20 protests today following yesterday's demonstrations during which almost 90 people were arrested and one man died of a suspected heart attack." Protesters take to the streets of London "Closely watched by police, the protesters offered a raucous public counterpoint to what are expected to be the cozy, closed-door meetings today of leaders from the Group of 20, a collection of the world's biggest and up-and-coming economies."

GOP budget. Pushed to Act, House G.O.P. Pitches a Budget "House Republicans on Wednesday offered a budget vision sharply at odds with the Democratic proposal, calling for sweeping tax cuts, major changes in Medicare and a suspension of the economic stimulus program." GOP's budget is worlds away from Obama's "In most years, the federal budget debate on Capitol Hill is an incremental affair - a few billion more here, a billion or so less there. But Wednesday's release of the House Republican Budget Alternative sets up a clash of starkly different worldviews."

Recession. Recession Taking Emotional Toll, New Poll Finds "Consumers are keeping their wallets in their pockets and feeling increasingly anxious because of the recession, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll."

U.S.-Russia. U.S., Russia agree to seek warhead cuts "President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed Wednesday to open negotiations on a treaty that could slash their nuclear arsenals by a third, part of what they described as a step 'to move beyond Cold War mentalities' in relations between Washington and Moscow." Obama, Medvedev Pledge Cooperation "President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the start of negotiations Wednesday on a new strategic arms-control treaty that would cut each nation's long-range nuclear arsenal further than previous agreements." Promises of 'Fresh Start' for U.S.-Russia Relations "President Obama and President Dmitri A. Medvedev of Russia, in their first meeting, vowed a 'fresh start' in relations and announced their intention to cooperate on a variety of issues, beginning with negotiations on a new arms control treaty."

Afghanistan-Pakistan. U.S. Military to Request More Troops for Afghanistan "Gen. David H. Petraeus disclosed yesterday that American commanders have requested the deployment of an additional 10,000 U.S. troops to Afghanistan next year, but he said the request awaits a final decision by President Obama this fall." Afghan-Pakistan situation dire; more troops may be needed "Top defense officials told Congress Wednesday the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan is 'increasingly dire' and said that President Barack Obama may have to send another 10,000 troops beyond the 22,000 he's announced since taking office." Petraeus Warns About Militants' Threat to Pakistan "Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top American commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, warned a Senate panel on Wednesday that militant extremists in Pakistan 'could literally take down their state' if left unchallenged, as he and two other top officials presented a grim picture of growing dangers in the region." Sen. Carl Levin questions Pakistan aid plan "A senior Democratic senator expressed concerns Wednesday about the Obama administration's plan to triple nonmilitary aid to Pakistan, saying he wasn't sure that would push Islamabad to take more aggressive action against extremists."

Israel. Livni condemns new Israel leaders "Israel's former chief peace negotiator says the way the new government is talking shows it will not be a partner for peace with the Palestinians."

North Korea. North Korea fuels rocket ahead of launch "Military and civilian authorities across north-east Asia were on alert today, with reports that North Korea has begun to fuel a long-range rocket in advance of its scheduled firing in the next few days."

Sudan. World court under threat as President al-Bashir of Sudan defies warrant "Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese President, made a pilgrimage to Mecca yesterday, threatening the credibility of the International Criminal Court, which has issued a warrant for his arrest."

Editorial. The Forgotten Rich (New York Times) "The Senate budget debate began this week against a backdrop of war and recession, rising unemployment and surging foreclosures, runaway health care costs and diminishing insurance coverage - to name just a few of the nation's big problems. But for Senator Blanche Lincoln, Democrat of Arkansas, and Senator Jon Kyl, Republican of Arizona, the most pressing issue is clear: America's wealthiest families need help. Now. The two senators plan to propose an amendment to deeply cut estate taxes for the fraction of the top 1 percent of the population still subject to those levies."

Opinion. At Stake Are More Than Banks (Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times) "As world leaders gather in London for the Group of 20 summit meeting, the most wrenching statistic is this: According to World Bank estimates, the global economic crisis will cause an additional 22 children to die per hour, throughout all of 2009." What the poor can teach the rich at G-20 (Jamie Zimmerman, Christian Science Monitor) "This week's G-20 summit is essentially an echo chamber for the world's wealthy to talk macrofinance. The world economy might rebound more quickly if they listen to what the poor have to say about microfinance." How do we save NATO? We quit (Andrew J. Bacevich, Los Angeles Times) "When he visits Strasbourg, France, this week to participate in festivities marking NATO's 60th anniversary, President Obama should deliver a valedictory address, announcing his intention to withdraw the United States from the alliance. The U.S. has done its job. It's time for Europe to assume full responsibility for its own security, freeing the U.S. to attend to more urgent priorities."