Wikinews Shorts: January 26, 2012

A compilation of brief news reports for Thursday, January 26, 2012.

If you believe any of these stories deserves more in-depth coverage, feel free to write a full article on the issues raised.

US marine may serve no jail time for 2005 Haditha deaths

United States Marine Corp staff sergeant Frank Wuterich, on trial for the manslaughter of 24 innocent Iraqi citizens in 2005, has pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of "negligent dereliction of duty"; the result of a plea bargain, this may see Wuterich may serve no jail time.

Wuterich is one of eight marines initially charged with the Haditha killings.



Turkish Prime Minister claims that French bill is: discriminatory, racist and unjust

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as "discriminatory, racist and unjust" a bill passed by the French Senate criminalising denial of the 1915 Armenian Genocide.

Having cleared the National Assembly in December, the bill only needs President Nicolas Sarkozy's consent to become law.


Many feared dead in Papua New Guinea landslide

A landslide that struck early Tuesday morning, has engulfed a cluster of hamlets in a remote area of Papua New Guinea (PNG). Initial reports stated at least 60 people died in the disaster; however, with only four bodies recovered the authorities have now become more cautious in their estimates.

Whilst anticipating more deaths, Martin Mose of the PNG's National Disaster Center said "I am unwilling to put a number on that until I get confirmation from my team."