Wikinews:Briefs/May 19, 2006

The time is 17:00 (UTC) on May 19th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Rep. Hunter calls for hearings about alleged "cold-blooded killings" of civilians by U.S. Marines
United States

On Wednesday John Murtha, a member of the United States House of Representatives, said that the incident on November 19, 2005 near the Iraqi town of Haditha was "much worse than was reported in Time magazine". On March 21, 2006 Time magazine reported that "U.S. Marines killed 15 Iraqi civilians in their homes", including "seven women and three children". Time reported that U.S. troops were responding to an IED and insurgent fire.

Police thrash protestors in Patna
India

As the dispute over a government proposal to increase the quota of University seats reserved for students from the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) continues, pro-quota demonstrators in Patna, India were baton-charged by police, apparently after the protest turned violent. Police officials alleged that the rally organised by medical students had commenced without prior permission from the authorities.

Controversy over translation of Norwegian national anthem
Norway

A suggestion to translate the national anthem of Norway in a language spoken by immigrants to the country is causing controversy. Those who oppose this suggestion say that the people who cannot understand Norwegian could just hum with the Norwegian citizens. Since a week, there have been huge patriotic rallies in Norway to mark the occasion of Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17. The debate is over the suggestion to translate the Norwegian national anthem in writing to Urdu, a language spoken by many immigrants in Norway.

Guantanamo Bay should be closed: UN
United Nations

The United Nations Committee against Torture told the United States today that the US should close its detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as well as disclose the existence of any secret prisons it operates.

Hawaii governor Lingle lobbies GOP for Akaka Bill passage
United States

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle wrote a letter to Republicans in the U.S. Senate urging passage of the controversial Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (S. 147), commonly known as the Akaka Bill after Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), its main proponent. In a letter dated May 15, 2006 addressed to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Lingle cited a recent report by the U.S. Civil Rights Commission that urged defeat of the measure on the grounds that it is racially based, calling it a "misguided action" and saying that it was based on a "grossly flawed understanding of the history of Hawaii and of the law itself."

State schools chief to appeal California High School Exit Exam ban to state high court
United States

State schools Superintendent Jack O’Connell has his lawyers working “around the clock” to prepare to ask the State Supreme Court to overturn a lower court judge’s ban on using the California State High School Exit Exam as a graduation requirement, he said today.

Two Australian car ferry operators caught drunk on the job
Australia

Two men operating a car transport ferry at Berowra Waters, New South Wales, Australia, North of Sydney have been charged with operating a vessel with high range PCA according to police.

Hurricanes through to Super 14 2006 Final
sports – rugby

Hurricanes are through to the Super 14 2006 Final after a 16-14 win over the Waratahs.

Closing statements
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