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

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.

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.
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.

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The New Zealand government has withdrawn its Criminal Proceeds and Instruments Bill from Parliament, putting on hold its plans to introduce a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture regime.

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.

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.

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Wikinews:Briefs/July 17, 2006