The Singapore 2006 organizing committee thanks Singaporeans and corporations for helping to make what delegates called the "best and most memorable IMF/World Bank meeting they've had" a success. Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in Charge of Singapore 2006, also clarified some pointers over the about-turn in the handling of 27 Civil Society Organisation representatives whom the Singaporean authorities originally objected to being allowed entry into the country. (CNA)
In Kazakhstan, 41 miners die in the nation's worst mining accident after a methane explosion in a coal mine. (Reuters)
Former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma's corruption trial is thrown out by the judge at Pietermaritzburg High Court, who rules that the State's case goes "from one disaster to another" and failed to follow proper procedure. This is thought likely to improve Zuma's chances of succeeding President Thabo Mbeki, but prosecutors have said that they will refile charges later. (Mail & Guardian Online)
The United StatesFederal Reserve decides to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 5.25% for a second successive month. Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues believe a slowing economy and falling energy prices are starting to relieve inflation pressures. (USA Today)
A second night of violence in the capital Budapest leaves nearly 60 people injured and leads to 100 arrests as police clash with demonstrators seeking the resignation of Prime MinisterFerenc Gyurcsány. (Reuters)
Venezuelan PresidentHugo Chávez, addressing the United Nations 61st General Assembly, said 'Yesterday the devil was here, and today it still smells of sulfur at this podium,' in reference to US President George W. Bush.
