Weekly News Feb 12

Military: Suicide Bomber Kills 4 U.S. Soldiers in Iraq
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/09/soldiers.killed.mosul/index.html?eref=rss_world
A suicide car bomber killed 4 U.S. soldiers and their interpreter in Mosul of northern Iraq. Three of the soldiers died in the initial explosion while the fourth soldier and the interpreter died later. Though violence is dropping in Iraq, Mosul remains volatile because of ethnic tensions and the presence of the al Qaeda in Iraq militant group.
Impact lede

Judges Rule to Release Thousands of California Inmates
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-02-09-calif-inmates_N.htm?csp=34
California judges believe they have found a safe solution to the California jail overcrowding problem. The overcrowding problem has caused conditions to be so poor that inmates are dying regularly of suicides or lack of proper care. The judges will set the final population figure later, and hope to have their plan carried out within 2 or 3 years. They also believe that if this process is done right the public safety will not be threatened.
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Australia Declares Bushfire Disaster a Crime Scene
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5171EI20090210?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews
Australian investigators are now searching the freshly charred landscape to find some clues to the cause. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and most Australian investigators believe that Australia’s deadliest wildfires since 1983, were set by arsonists. The former 1983 wildfires only caused 75 deaths, almost 98 less than this years fires, which have caused 173 deaths so far. The investigation proves difficult as many of the fires are still burning.
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Senate Clears Path for Vote on $838 Billion Stimulus
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/washington/10stimulus.html
Three republican votes plus that of an elderly senator helped the senate to get the 60 votes needed to approve the stimulus. Much controversy has arisen around the bill. Democrats claim that the bill is a lifesaver while republicans stick to the belief that it is a waste of money. After many amendments, open debates, and much disagreement, the stimulus was approved, though it still needs the president’s approval.
Impact Lede