The time is 18:00 (UTC) on June 16th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Australia
The Australian federal opposition has attacked the Howard government following four incidents in a week at the HIFAR nuclear research reactor in Lucas Heights, South of Sydney. The incidents come just a week after the Australian government announced an inquiry into the feasibility of nuclear power.

Australia
The Australian Democrats deputy leader, Senator Andrew Bartlett moved in the Australian Senate a bill to amend the Marriage Act to provide for same-sex marriages.

United States
U.S. President George W. Bush yesterday signed an executive order declaring the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a U.S. National Monument, creating the largest protected marine area in the world and the largest single conservation area in the history of the United States.

Switzerland
A tram derailed on Thursday in the middle of the afternoon on the Boulevard Georges Favon, near Route du Stand, Geneva, causing major traffic jams. By chance, this spectacular incident caused three light casualties.

New Zealand
A sexual attack on a woman in her Pukekohe, South Auckland home was, police say, premeditated.

sports – football or soccer
Argentina thrashed Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in a display that stunned the crowd in Gelsenkirchen, Friday.

sports – basketball
Dwayne Wade had 36 points to led the Miami Heat to a 98-74 victory Thursday night over the Dallas Mavericks. Miami's win over Dallas evens the NBA Finals series to 2-2.

We invite you to visit wikinews.org for up-to-date news and information. This has been Audio Wikinews Newsbriefs. Thank you for listening, and enjoy the rest of your day.
This recording has been released under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
Wikinews:Briefs/June 16, 2006