Wikinews:Briefs/August 23, 2006

The time is 21:45 (UTC) on August 23rd, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Amnesty International accuses Israel of "war crimes" in Lebanon
Lebanon

The human rights organisation, Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes by deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon during the Israel-Lebanon conflict, calling the attacks "indiscriminate and disproportionate". Israel has rejected the charge.

Disease outbreak feared after mass hysteria over "sweet" water in Mumbai
India

"18 hours of mass hysteria" (according to the Sunday Times of India) broke out last Friday in Mumbai as hundreds of residents flocked to Mahim Creek, one of the most polluted creeks in India that receives thousands of tonnes of raw sewage and industrial waste every day[1] after reports that the salt water had suddenly turned "sweet".

Pakistani-born Australian sentenced to 20 years over terrorism offences
Australia

Convicted terrorist Faheem Khalid Lodhi has been sentenced a 20 years prison time by the Supreme Court of New South Wales, Australia.

12 arrested after India-bound flight escorted back to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport
Netherlands

Police in the Netherlands have arrested twelve passengers after a US flight destined for Mumbai in India had to be escorted back to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. No further information about the arrests have been given.

Australia to subsidise Herceptin for early-stage breast cancer
Australia

The Australian federal government has annouced it will subsidise the breast-cancer drug Herceptin under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for women with HER2 positive cancer. Those with advanced breast cancer will continue to be eligible for special assistance from Medicare Australia independently from the PBS.

New Zealand government unwilling to help Overlander train service
New Zealand

New Zealand finance minister, Michael Cullen, rejected providing a subsidy for the New Zealand's Auckland to Wellington passenger train service, Overlander, which Australian company Toll Holdings Limited plans to stop on September 30, 2006.

New Zealand Governor-General sworn in
New Zealand's nineteenth Governor-General was sworn in today. The Honourable Anand Satyanand succeeds Dame Silvia Cartwright as the personal representative of New Zealand’s Head of State, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand. Dame Silvia concluded a five year term in office.

Woman and man arrested over multiple deaths
United Kingdom

A thirty-five year-old woman and a forty year-old man, both from Burnage in Manchester, have been arrested in connection with the deaths of a woman and her three young children.

Judge sends JonBenet murder suspect to Colorado
United States

John Mark Karr, the man who last week admitted to killing six year-old JonBenét Ramsey on Boxing Day 1996, has been told by a judge that he will be sent to Coloado to face charges.

Thousands watch Boobs on Bikes parade in Auckland
New Zealand

Thousands of spectators lined Queen St. in central Auckland, New Zealand to watch a parade of around 20 female porn stars riding topless on motorcycles.

Bobby Robson to undergo cancer surgery
sports – football or soccer

Earlier today former England-manager Bobby Robson underwent surgery to remove a tumour from his brain. A statement was made saying the surgery went "very well", and that the tumour has been completely removed.

Closing statements
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