Category:May 17, 2006

The time is 18:00 (UTC) on May 17th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Australia

Australian media reports that a recently leaked Northern Territory police briefing paper exposes "shocking" cases of sexual abuse and violence against women and children in remote Australian Aboriginal communities. Central Australian Crown prosecutor, Dr Nannette Rogers, detailed a range of "dreadful" cases she had prosecuted.

Iran

In response to European Union offers of a light water reactor in exchange for the halting of Iran's uranium enrichment, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad spoke to supporters in the central city of Arak, dismissing them as being "candy for gold". "They say they want to give us incentives! Do you think you are dealing with a four year old child to whom you can give some walnuts and chocolates and get gold from him?" Ahmadinejad has ruled out any suspension of its nuclear programme, finding its previous halt of two years a "bitter experience".

Australia

An audit conducted by Australia's Auditor general has found AUD$1 billion worth of munitions (bombs, explosives and ammunition) stockpiled by Australia's defence forces are unusable in their present state. Australia holds AUD$2 billion worth of munition stock. Of the AUD$1 billion considered unsuable, $300 million is unrepairable and needs to be disposed of. The unusable munitions are waiting to be detonated at the Woomera weapons range in remote South Australia.

Australia

The two Australian mine-workers, who were trapped for 14 days underground in a collapsed mine, have signed a media deal reportedly worth AUD$2 million for their story of survival. Local media reports that the lucrative deal, announced by the Nine Network, is believed to be the "highest ever paid to secure news talent". A planned TV special will be the outcome of a deal secured by Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), which owns the Nine Network.

United States

The Hawaii state legislature has appropriated US$4.9 million to fight the coqui frog and other invasive species. About $2.9 million will be used to hire 58 additional inspectors at Hawaii's airports to improve detection of invasive species, an increase of 75% over the current level. The remaining $2 million will be used specifically for coqui frog eradication using citric acid and hydrated lime.

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