The latest news on the G20 Summit, Health Plan, Climate Bill, U.S.-Russia Nuclear Talks, Pakistan, U.S.-Iran, Israeli Government, Iraq, and Select Op-eds. | Sojourners

The latest news on the G20 Summit, Health Plan, Climate Bill, U.S.-Russia Nuclear Talks, Pakistan, U.S.-Iran, Israeli Government, Iraq, and Select Op-eds.

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G20 Summit. In Europe, Obama Faces Big Challenges to Agenda "For nearly 30 years, American presidents have arrived at economic summit meetings with nearly identical talking points: the solution to most ailments lies in more economic integration, unleashing free markets and using a light touch to tame capitalism." Obama popular, but Europe seeks results "Obama is still seen as the antithesis of Bush, but he is no longer a fresh-faced candidate. Rather, he is the representative of a country and an economic system that many Europeans blame for leading them into the financial crisis." Obama and Brown are confident of deal "President Obama and Gordon Brown exuded confidence that, whatever the differences between the Anglo-Saxons and Old Europe, a deal they can sell will be done in the London Docklands tomorrow."

Health plan. Democrats Agree on a Health Plan; Now Comes the Hard Part "Efforts to overhaul the health care system have moved ahead rapidly, with the insurance industry making several major concessions and the chairmen of five Congressional committees reaching a consensus on the main ingredients of legislation."

Climate bill. Ambitious House Climate Bill Aims to Please Environmental and Business Interests "House Democrats introduced an ambitious climate bill yesterday aimed at pleasing both environmental and business interests, even as Senate leaders acknowledged that the party faces serious challenges in trying to pass a carbon limit in the near future." House leaders pitch wide-ranging climate plan "House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping plan to fight climate change and boost renewable energy, including mandates for renewable electricity nationwide and a market-based system for reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

U.S.-Russia nuclear talks. Obama and Medvedev announce nuclear talks "The United States and Russia opened talks on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty today as President Obama met his Russian counterpart for the first time ahead of the G20 summit in London." Obama and Medvedev to Announce Broad U.S.-Russia Agreement "In their first face-to-face meeting, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev are expected to announce agreement Wednesday on a broad statement of principles for cooperation between the two nations aimed at easing an increasingly strained relationship." U.S. and Russia to Consider Reductions of Nuclear Arsenals in Talks for New Treaty "President Obama plans to open negotiations on Wednesday to draft a new arms control treaty that could slash the American and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals by about a third and possibly lead to even deeper reductions."

Pakistan. 'U.S. drone' in deadly Pakistan raid "The missiles are thought to have hit a compound that belongs to Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistan Taliban.