Wikinews:Briefs/August 20, 2006

The time is 18:00 (UTC) on August 20th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Volcano eruption in Ecuador kills five and destroys several small villages
Ecuador

The eruption of volcano Tungurahua on August 16 destroyed several small villages in the Ecuadorian Andes. At least 6 people have been killed and about 4000 residents of the affected area have been evacuated.

400 Australian soldiers sent to Afghanistan
Australia

400 Australian soldiers have been officially farewelled at a parade in Darwin, NT, ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Pair taken off plane because of "suspicious" behaviour
Spain

Two men who were reportedly seen acting suspiciously on a flight bound for Manchester had to be taken off the plane, it has emerged today. According to Monarch Airlines, a number of passengers informed staff of their worries surrounding the pair’s behaviour in Malaga on Wednesday.

South Carolina attracting Republican hopefuls
United States

2008 Republican presidential hopefuls are spending a lot of time in South Carolina in the run-up to the 2006 off-year elections. All the interest in the Palmetto State is widely viewed in the light of its place of significance in the GOP's primary calendar.

Australia's "most powerful" windfarm approved
Australia

The government of Victoria has announced plans to build what it says will be Australia's "most powerful wind farm." Planning Minister Rob Hulls has given the go ahead to a new $380 million wind farm at Mount Gellibrand in the state's south-west.

JonBenet Ramsey murder suspect on his way to America
Thailand

The man being held in Bangkok on suspicion of murdering six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey more than ten years ago has started his extradition flight to the US.

American athlete Marion Jones tests positive for EPO
sports - athletics

Track Star Marion Jones, winner of 3 gold medals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has tested positive for the performance enhancing drug, EPO. The hormone helps create extra red blood cells which allows the user's body to obsorb extra oxygen.

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