Wikinews:Briefs/August 15, 2006

The time is 17:30 (UTC) on August 15th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Tanker spills 1000s of tonnes of crude oil off Nicobar Islands
Indian Ocean

A Japanese tanker has spilled an estimated 4,500 tonnes (or 1.4 million gallons) of crude oil in the eastern Indian Ocean, after colliding with a cargo ship, which it was trying to assist, the tanker's owners report.

Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon develops double pneumonia
Israel

Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has developed double pneumonia and is being treated with "massive" amounts of "antibiotics" according to hospital officials.

New Zealand Maori Queen dies
New Zealand

The New Zealand Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu has just died after a long illness at 75-years-old at 5.32 p.m. (NZST) today.

Rae gains support in Canadian Liberal leadership race
Canada

Former Ontario premier Bob Rae received a boost today in his bid to win the leadership of the federal Liberal Party of Canada when rival candidate Maurizio Bevilacqua announced he was dropping out of the race in order to back Rae.

Heavy hailstorms leave Sydney appearing snowed in
Australia

Recent heavy hailstorms occurring at approximately 4 o'clock in the afternoon today left parts of Sydney with the appearance of being snowed in, with thick blankets of hail covering streets and sidewalks with layers of hail.

Australian company to make solar power with space technology
Solar Systems Pty Ltd, Hawthorn, Victoria, have announced an agreement with Boeing Australia Ltd for supply of Spectrolab solar cells. The agreement will result in the supply of 500,000 cells, capable of generating 11MW of electricity.

Victoria, Australia - fuel theft on the increase
Crime statistics released on Monday by Victoria Police show that Victoria is seeing an increase in fuel theft, much like Sydney has recently experienced.

New Zealand pilot selling uniform online
New Zealand

"Jeremy", an airplane pilot in Nelson, has put his uniform on sale for NZ$1.00 at New Zealand auction site TradeMe. The pilot had lost his job when Origin Pacific Airways fired 230 staff because of financial difficulties and is now trying to "make ends meet this week," the pilot said.

Closing statements
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