The time is 19:00 (UTC) on August 6th, 2006, and this is Audio Wikinews News Briefs.
Lebanon
… fighting escalates as ceasefire looms.
Eleven Israelis were killed and 15 injured in an attack that saw 80 missiles hit towns in northern Israel Sunday. Later, at least seven rockets hit Haifa, Israel and the surrounding area killing one and injuring at least 20. Other missiles have hit the Ma'alot, Carmiel area, and Kiryat Shmona.
In Lebanon, 17 people were killed as Israeli warplanes and artillery struck southern Lebanon. Three Chinese UN peacekeepers were injured when a rocket landed near their post, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Israeli jets also struck the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Syria
Syria has rejected a proposed United Nations resolution, backed by both the United States and France, for a cease fire in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict.
Syria's foreign minister has said that the resolution is "a recipe for the continuation of the war," and "adopted Israel's point of view only."

Afghanistan
The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a British soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan during a joint operation with Canadian-led Nato troops.

China
China is planning to execute a Canadian national next week according to his wife who is seeking help from the Canadian government to free the man.

Iran
The government of Iran has banned the human rights group Defenders of Human Rights Center led by Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi.

United Kingdom
Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister, intends to remain in power for "at least another year" despite calls for his resignation from within his own Labour Party.

A man who fell ill after participating in a drug trial at Northwick Park Hospital in north-west London earlier this year has revealed he has the early signs of an “aggressive” form of cancer.

United States
American scientists have successfully used a vaccine to slow down weight gain in an animal model, as reported in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

media
The Reuters news agency has retracted a photograph of Beirut, Lebanon, after finding out that it was altered. Reuters released a statement saying: "Photo editing software was improperly used on this image. A corrected version will immediately follow this advisory. We are sorry for any inconvience."

sports - cycling
The second urine sample provided by the winner of this year's Tour de France, American cyclist Floyd Landis, has tested positive for excessive levels of testosterone. This confirms the results of the earlier test done after his victory in the Tour de France on 20 July.

sports – racing
Jenson Button has won the 2006 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

about us
Wikimania 2006 is the second annual Wikimedia conference. Hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at the Harvard Law School campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it began August 4 and will run until August 6.

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.
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Wikinews:Briefs/August 6, 2006