The time is 17:30 (UTC) on August 15th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.
Indian Ocean
A Japanese tanker has spilled an estimated 4,500 tonnes (or 1.4 million gallons) of crude oil in the eastern Indian Ocean, after colliding with a cargo ship, which it was trying to assist, the tanker's owners report.

Israel
Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon has developed double pneumonia and is being treated with "massive" amounts of "antibiotics" according to hospital officials.

New Zealand
The New Zealand Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu has just died after a long illness at 
75-years-old at 5.32 p.m. (NZST) today.

Canada
Former Ontario premier Bob Rae received a boost today in his bid to win the leadership of the federal Liberal Party of Canada when rival candidate Maurizio Bevilacqua announced he was dropping out of the race in order to back Rae.

Australia
Recent heavy hailstorms occurring at approximately 4 o'clock in the afternoon today left parts of Sydney with the appearance of being snowed in, with thick blankets of hail covering streets and sidewalks with layers of hail.
Solar Systems Pty Ltd, Hawthorn, Victoria, have announced an agreement with Boeing Australia Ltd for supply of Spectrolab solar cells. The agreement will result in the supply of 500,000 cells, capable of generating 11MW of electricity.
Crime statistics released on Monday by Victoria Police show that Victoria is seeing an increase in fuel theft, much like Sydney has recently experienced.

New Zealand
"Jeremy", an airplane pilot in Nelson, has put his uniform on sale for NZ$1.00 at New Zealand auction site TradeMe. The pilot had lost his job when Origin Pacific Airways fired 230 staff because of financial difficulties and is now trying to "make ends meet this week," the pilot said.

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Wikinews:Briefs/August 15, 2006