The time is 18:00 (UTC) on August 19th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.
Lebanon
Reuters is reporting that according to a source with Lebanese security, Israeli aircraft fired rockets at a Hezbollah stronghold at or near the village of Bodai.

Australia
Speaking at a Liberal party conference in Melbourne today, Australia's treasurer Peter Costello said that the US-led War on Terrorism could outlast the Cold War and continue for more than 50 years.

Germany
Police in Germany have arrested one of two men who they suspect was involved in a failed terrorist attack.
Authorities say the pair planted two bombs on trains last month, but they failed to detonate.

United States
Ford has announced sweeping cuts of 21% (168,000 units) in its US and Canadian production, resulting in the partial closure of ten of its plants during the fourth quarter. The measure comes on top of existing turnaround plans announced in January, in which 25,000 to 30,000 positions should be cut and 14 plants closed by 2012.

France
The body of Mike Seavers, a mountaineer who died in a climbing accident in the French Alps, has been found after seventeen years.

sports - rugby
The New Zealand All Blacks have defeated Australia to win the rugby union 2006 Tri Nations.

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Wikinews:Briefs/August 19, 2006