Wikinews:Briefs/August 26, 2006

The time is 17:30 (UTC) on August 26th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Iran inaugurates heavy-water production plant
Iran

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad inaugurated a heavy-water production plant in Arak, Iran on Saturday, according to reports on Iranian television. The plant is part of the nuclear program of Iran, which the Iranian government says is for peaceful purposes only, in the face of accusations by western governments that the country is trying to develop nuclear weapons.

Congo electoral commissioner condemns Kinshasha clashes
Congo

Nearly a week after the announcement of provisional election results in the Democratic Republic of Congo sparked violence across the capital Kinshasa, the country's Electoral Commissioner has spoken out to halt clashes.

Deadline to release "Muslim prisoners" passes, journalists still being held captive
Palestine

A midnight deadline to release "Muslim prisoners" has passed and two Fox News journalists are still being held captive in Gaza. The two journalists, American Steve Centanni, 60, a reporter for Fox News and British citizen Olaf Wiig, 36, Centanni's cameraman were kidnapped from their press vehicle on August 14. Ten days later, the two journalists appeared in a video allegedly made by the kidnappers. In the video, the journalists say that they are being treated well.

Courtrooms in Ontario to get cameras
Canada

Ontario courtrooms could get cameras for Ontarians to watch court proceedings on television. This is awaiting approval by both the government and judges.

Four year-old boy bound to a tree and battered with a brick in East Yorkshire
United Kingdom

In what Humberside Police are describing as a "nasty" attack, a four year-old boy was bound to a tree and battered with a brick. The incident happened on wasteland close to the child’s home in Hessle, East Yorkshire.

All-Ferrari front row on 2006 Turkish Grand Prix
sports - racing

Second Ferrari driver Felipe Massa won the first place on the FIA Formula-1 Turkish Grand Prix on the Istanbul Park racing track. His teammate Michael Schumacher qualified right after him.

South Africa lose to the All Blacks at rugby in Pretoria
sports - rugby

Despite the All Blacks having already clinched the 2006 Tri Nations in rugby union, the first of the remaining three fixtures was played in Pretoria, South Africa on Saturday August 26. The Springboks (South Africa) lost the fifth Test in a row, whilst the All Blacks continued their streak of wins.

Umpire Darrell Hair offers to quit ICC elite panel for $500,000
sports - cricket

The International Cricket Council announced on Friday that controversial Australian umpire Darrell Hair has offered to resign from the ICC Elite Umpires Panel with effect from 31st August if he is paid a sum U.S $500,000 to do so.

Closing statements
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