Bush presents record $3.1 trillion budget; France does not intervene to stop Chad rebels, despite UNSC approval; London creates low-emissions zone...

4 February :: US pres. George W. Bush has presented the nation's first federal budget exceeding $3 billion in spending; while giving generous expansions to defense spending, the budget seeks to cut $196 billion from healthcare spending, and projects near record budget deficits for at least two years; Bush claims that part of the 6% increase in spending is tied to the planned $145 billion economic stimulus package he's working with Congress to implement... Fmr. colonial power, ally France stands aside as rebels attack Chad gov't, though officially it says it supports the elected gov't, UNSC approves unilateral action by France to protect Déby gov't, condemns rebels; Sarkozy gov't says it plans to ensure joint EU "humantarian protection force" for Darfur refugees in eastern Chad (EU's largest ever common defense deployment) be implemented to protect aid routes... French pres. Sarkozy has lost support rapidly among electorate, his approval dropping 13 points in January alone, to 41%, as economic woes seem by many to go unattended; his wedding Saturday to singer Carla Bruni was unannounced, and did not even include the official presidential photographer... London establishes 610 sq mile low-emissions zone, within which violators who do not meet EU emissions standards for transport vehicles will be charged £200 per day to operate; Mayor Ken Livingstone is quoted as saying "In a modern world city, people should have the opportunity to live and work without fear of being poisoned by the air they breathe", though the plan is projected only to eliminate 16% of air pollution by 2012... Millions assemble in cities around world in "global rally" against FARC rebels in Colombia, demanding peace, end to bloodshed; Bloomberg reports "Millions of Colombians dressed in white marched throughout the country and in major cities worldwide today to express outrage at 40 years of violence and kidnapping by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia"; over 100,000 people were reported to have registered their participation in the rally on the social networking site Facebook...