Wikinews:Briefs/June 20, 2006

The time is 18:00 (UTC) on June 20th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

New Zealand PM faults Japan over Whaling Commission vote
New Zealand

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has accused Japan of creating a rift between Pacific Countries. She accuses Japan of influencing the voting of some member nations of the Pacific Island Forum at the International Whaling Commission by supplying vast amounts of aid to certain small pacific nations.

Australian House of Representatives moves to affirm support for heterosexuality of marriage
Australia

The Australian House of Representatives yesterday discussed as part of private Member's business a motion moved by Michael Johnson (Australian Liberal Party, Division of Ryan) that seeked to affirm and "celebrate" support for marriage "between a man and a woman" and called on the Government to "enact policies that promote and strengthen marriage".

Italy seeks indictment of U.S. marine
Italy

Italian prosecutors have asked a judge to indict a United States solider for fatally shooting the Italian intelligence officer Nicola Calipari at a roadblock in Iraq a year ago. Calipari died just after freeing the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, as he was escorting her to the Baghdad airport.

Tony Blair orders two government jets
United Kingdom

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is set to give the go-ahead for an order of two government jets.

Twin babies in NZ foster home die of head injuries
New Zealand

The New Zealand police who are investigating the deaths of male twin babies say that they suffered from serious head injuries.

BBC's famous 'Top of the Pops' programme to be axed
United Kingdom

The BBC has confirmed that its famous Top of the Pops music programme is to be axed this summer, after the news was broken by the Media Guardian. The programme began on New Year's Day in 1964 and has featured most of the top bands and artists ever since.

"Avast ye scurvy file sharers!": Interview with Swedish Pirate Party leader Rickard Falkvinge
Sweden

The Pirate Party, a new Swedish political party first publicized in January, wants to legalize sharing music, movies, and other copyrighted content using the Internet.

Apple plans to sell movies on iTunes
United States

Apple is planning to sell full-length feature films for download via the online iTunes store. The store currently sells digital music tracks, and more recently has begun to sell TV episodes.

Germany too hot for Ecuador in Group A
sports – football or soccer

Germany made light of heat and humidity to brush Ecuador aside 3-0 in their final Group A match, Tuesday.

Poland win 2-1 against Costa Rica in Group A
Poland came from behind with two set-piece goals to beat Costa Rica in Group A, Tuesday.

Closing statements
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