Israel releases 19 female Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a video that shows an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas to be alive and in good health. Hamas calls the exchange a “triumph” of the armed resistance. None of the 19 prisioners has blood on her hands, and all were set for release within two years.
Ireland holds a second referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, an agreement aimed at strengthening the European Union by creating a full-time president and foreign-policy chief. The treaty must be unanimously accepted by all 27 member states. Ireland, which voted “no” in a similar referendum last year, is one of the last hold outs.
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal of her most recent sentencing is rejected. The pro-democracy leader was convicted and sentenced to 18 additional months of house arrest for having allowed an uninvited American to stay in her home while under a previous house arrest.
The International Olympic Committee hears final presentations from the four cities competing to host the 2016 Summer Olympics — Chicago, Tokyo, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro. President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama give an emotional speech on behalf of their hometown, Chicago. A decision is expected by 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.