Wikinews:Briefs/August 13, 2006

The time is 20:00 (UTC) on August 13th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

H5N1 bird flu confirmed in the Netherlands
Netherlands

The Dutch government has confirmed its first H5N1 bird flu case in the country. The case was found in 2 dead young owls in a zoo in Rotterdam.

Recuperating Castro shown in Cuban media
Cuba

New photos of a recuperating Fidel Castro have been published in the Cuban media. There has been international speculation on the state of the Cuban leader's health since he temporarily relinquished power two weeks ago prior to undergoing intestinal surgery.

South Africa sets deadline in land transfer scheme
South Africa

The South African government has set a six-month deadline for some white farmers to agree on sale prices for the government's mandatory purchase of their farms, as part of its land redistribution programme.

Forest fires continue to rage in Spain
Spain

Several forest fires, which have ruined well over ten thousand hectares of land, are continuing to burn in the Spanish region of Galicia today.

Firefighters tackle industrial blaze in Manchester
United Kingdom

Over fifty firefighters are damping down after a tanker exploded at an industrial unit in Salford in Greater Manchester. At one point, thick smoke could be seen drifting across Manchester city centre.

International AIDS conference begins in Toronto
Canada

Twenty-four thousand delegates from over 132 countries are expected to attend the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto this week Delegates include scientists, politicians, health care workers, government and non-governmental officials, people with AIDS and celebrities.

Australian government to introduce electronic Medicare rebates
Australia

The Australian federal government has announced that it will be introducing an electronic system for Medicare rebates within the next twelve months. Under the new system, patients will be able to receive their Medicare rebate electronically without having to visit a Medicare office.

Dead British soldier named
United Kingdom

The Ministry of Defence has named the British soldier who died in Afghanistan yesterday.

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