NEWS-2/19/09

Obama Plans to Spend $75 Billion Outlay to Fight Foreclosure
President Obama is offering a plan to help as many as nine millio families refianance their mortgages or avoid foreclosure. This would help as many as four million families with their homes and five million more with their mortgages to take advantage of lower interest rates. Mr. Obama said the plan would, "give millions of families resigned to financial ruin a chance to rebuild."

Sri Lankan War Nears End, but Peace Remains Distant
On February 17th, 2009 the Sri Lankan military closed in on the speratist rebels which is being considered the end of the country's long civil war. Even though there are signs of reconstruction, the lack of development in the area reveals how fare the government will have to go to win peace. Fights have been springing up everywhere in Sri Lanka and Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu said, "Now that we have nearly ended the war, are we going to end the conflict?"

Iraq Says It Is Interrogating 4 Men Returned by U.S. From Guantanamo Prison
Four prisoners who were being held in Guantanamo Bay prison were sent back to there home in Iraq. Iraqi officials released that they are being interrogated. They will interrogate them about their crimes and see if they are guilty to make the decision to set them free or not. There remains one Iraqi in Guantanamo Bay prison who was not sent back to Iraq.

Death Toll in Australia Fires Rises to 200
On Tuesday, Australian officials found 11 more victims of this month's wildfires in southern Australia, this raises it over 200 total deaths. The officials say that all the victims so far have been killed by the 60-mile-long fire front. 39 bodies have been found in the town of Marysville, which was said to be intentional. As the fire increases, a man suspected of starting it is being placed in protective custody. People are now requesting he should be put to death or spend life in prison. The judge will make the final decision.