Wikinews:Briefs/July 17, 2006

The time is 21:30 (UTC) on July 17th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Severe tropical storm Bilis leaves 178 dead in south-east China
China

South-east China has been flooded by torrential rainstorms as the Severe Tropical Storm Bilis came ashore on Friday, July 14. The total death toll stands at 178 people but many people are missing, and the figure might rise.

Many killed by Indonesian tsunami
Indonesia

An earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, triggered a two-metre-high tsunami wave at 1519 local time (0819 UTC). Aid agencies are reporting that the tsunami has killed over 100 people and injured some 148 others in the town of Pangandaran in Indonesia.

G8 Summit debates Middle-east crisis, WTO trade talks
Russia

The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) nations met over the weekend in St. Petersburg in Russia for the 32nd G8 Summit, held under Russia's presidency, to discuss the ongoing Israel-Lebanon crisis, the stalled world trade talks and other issues. They also met with other world leaders, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and World Trade Organisation chief Pascal Lamy.

French PM in Beirut
Lebanon

French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin is in Beirut today. He will be joined by Philippe Douste-Blazy, the Foreign Affairs Minister.

New Zealand government withdraws asset forfeiture bill
New Zealand

The New Zealand government has withdrawn its Criminal Proceeds and Instruments Bill from Parliament, putting on hold its plans to introduce a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture regime.

Hooters Chairman dead at 69
United States

Robert Brooks, chairman of Hooters of America, Inc. who was famous for opening a restaurant selling chicken wings by scantily clad waitresses, was found dead yesterday, police said.

Teacher found murdered in New Zealand classroom
New Zealand

Lois Dear, a 66-year-old teacher at Strathmore Primary School, Tokoroa, has been murdered in her classroom at about noon on Sunday.

Closing statements
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