Wikinews:Briefs/August 14, 2006

The time is 19:00 (UTC) on August 14th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

UN sponsored ceasefire in Israel-Lebanon begins
Lebanon

At 5:00 a.m. GMT, a UN sponsored ceasefire between the IDF and Hezbollah took effect. Outside of isolated small arms fire, both sides seem to be abiding by it. Although fighting took place until just minutes before the ceasefire, no air strikes or rocket attacks have been reported since.

Tamil Tigers say Sri Lanka's government bombed orphanage
Sri Lanka

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam accused the air force of Sri Lanka of deliberately bombing an orphanage, killing 50-60 children and injuring 150 more. The Tigers said that the victims were between the ages of 15 and 18 and were attending a first aid seminar. The air strike in took place in the rebel-controlled northern district of Mullaitivu in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. The military denied the charges that they bombed an orphanage.

Colombo land mine explosion kills seven
Hours after the Tamil Tigers threatened to bomb civilians in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a powerful bomb went off. The device is thought to be a fragmentation mine. Seven people were killed and seventeen injured in the explosion, which came hours after Sri Lanka's military carried out an air-raid that killed dozens.

Suspected low pathogenic H5N1 Bird Flu virus found in the United States
United States

Scientists have discovered the possible presence of the H5N1 Bird Flu virus in wild mute swans in Michigan on the coast of Lake Erie near the Mouillee state game area in Monroe County.

Ariel Sharon's condition worsens
Israel

Ariel Sharon's condition has worsened according to officials at the Chaim Sheba Medical Center where the former Israeli prime minister is being treated.

Fresh pictures of Castro and Chavez shown in Cuban media
Cuba

An additional round of new photos of a recuperating Fidel Castro have been published in the Cuban media.

AIDS conference opens without PM
Canada

Canada's prime minister did not attend the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto. This is now drawing criticism from event organizers.

Edinburgh Extends Parking Zone
Scotland

From the 4th September 2006, residents surrounding most of Edinburgh's pre-existing Controlled Parking Zone, will be obliged to buy parking permits to allow their vehicles to remain outside their houses during office hours Monday to Friday.

Wellington, New Zealand university student missing
New Zealand

Wellington Police are concerned over the disappearance of a 19-year-old student.

Court date "as needed" for lawsuit against Buffalo, N.Y. hotel proposal
United States

The preliminary hearing for a lawsuit filed against the Elmwood Village Hotel proposal in Buffalo, New York as well as the City of Buffalo has been postponed indefinitely and will take place "as needed" pending the resubmission of the proposal by Savarino Construction also of Buffalo.

Closing statements
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