Category:May 26, 2006

The time is 17:00 (UTC) on May 26th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

United States

Police sealed off the United States Capitol today after receiving reports of gunfire in the Rayburn House Office Building Parking Level. The House was not in session, the Senate was. Senate Sergeant at Arms Bill Pickle has said that there were no reports of any injuries.

United States

The U.S. Senate today approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill Thursday by a vote of 62-36. Among other provisions, the bill seeks to bolster security along the U.S.-Mexican border, create a guest worker program, and grant many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, all positions supported by the Bush administration.

Australia

Rail services between Melbourne and Adelaide are expected to be disrupted until early next week following a fatal crash between a truck and freight train in Lismore, Victoria 170 Km (105 miles) South-West of Melbourne.

East Timor

After approximately 150 Australian troops from 4 Royal Australian Regiment (Commandos) secured Comoro airport in Dili yesterday, the total number of Austalian troops in East Timor has risen to 600, with a further 1200 in transit or directly supporting Operation Astute. Malaysia, New Zealand and Portugal have also begun their deployments. Malaysia has now sent 25 military officers ahead of its 500 strong commitment of military and police personnel; New Zealand has committed two C-130s, and an infantry company is on standby pending negotiations over rules of engagement; Portugal's 120-strong commitment has commenced preparations, but is not expected to arrive for a matter of weeks.

Australia

Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop visited the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Lucas Heights, New South Wales today. The purpose of her visit was to inspect progress on Australia's newest nuclear research reactor - OPAL. Whilst at the facility, she received a report on the economics and safety of a nuclear power industry in Australia.

United States

The popular BitTorrent index site TorrentSpy has filed a federal lawsuit against the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), alleging that the organisation hired a hacker to break into TorrentSpy's servers and steal private information.

New Zealand

New Zealand police officers and customs officials working with Hong Kong authorities have seized methamphetamine with a street value of $135 million dollars (NZD). The drugs were found in a container from China, among bags of cement.

India

The Congress-Left coalition government at the Centre was asked by the Communist Party of India to advice the government of the state of Chattisgarh not to accept any offer by the U.S.A to help combat Naxalism in the area. The CPI also expressed concern at the fact that a foreign country was being allowed to interfere in India's internal affairs.

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