The time is 17:00 (UTC) on May 27th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.

Indonesia
An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale has struck Indonesia's Central Java province early on Saturday morning, killing at least 2,700 people, and injuring thousands more.

East Timor
Gang violence continued in East Timor today, despite patrols by foreign soldiers being stepped up. There are presently 600 troops from Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia in the East Timorese capital of Dili, with that number expected to rise to 1,300 by the end of the weekend.

East Timor
The Australian presence in East Timor so far has been characterised by vigorous patrolling into the capital Dili, with the main goal being to lock down the city in order to separate and concentrate the various conflicting forces in East Timor. Despite the Australian military being provided strong rules of engagement by the East Timorese government, so far no soldiers have fired their weapons or been fired upon, although they might have been fired over by gangs earlier today.

Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Hain has announced that next month, the Prime Ministers of both Ireland and the United Kingdom will meet with the parties of the Northern Ireland Assembly before the summer break.

Switzerland
The World Health Organization on Saturday asked the Swiss manufacturer of the antiviral medicine Tamiflu to prepare the global stockpile of the drug for distribution after a family of seven Indonesians died from the H5N1 avian flu virus. However, the WHO says that there is no cause for alarm at this point.

Pakistan
The coalition government of Sindh Province in Pakistan headed by Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim appears to be in trouble as his difference with Urdu speaking coalition partners become deeper and wider.

United States
Seniors who haven't been credited with passing the California High School Exit Exam won't be getting diplomas when graduation ceremonies are held next month because the First District Appellate Court won't hear the court case about the test until July 25.

sports - rugby
The Canturbury Crusaders have won the inaugral Super 14 title, downing the Wellington Hurricanes 19-12 at Jade Stadium, Cristchurch.

sports – cricket
The West Indies beat India by six wickets in the fourth One- Day International at the Port of Spain, to clinch the 5 match series 3-1.

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Wikinews:Briefs/May 27, 2006