Portal:Current events/2006 September 20

September 20, 2006 (Wednesday)

Singapore 2006:
- The 61st International Monetary Fund-World Bank annual meeting ends with an agreement on the need to revive stalled global trade talks, and to curb risks to global economic growth. (BusinessWeek)
- 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)
Dozens are killed and hundreds missing in India and Bangladesh after heavy rainstorms in the Bay of Bengal. (BBC)
The United States Federal 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)
Shinzo Abe is elected as party leader of the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan, replacing the current Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. He will likely be elected as the new prime minister on 30 September 2006. (Bloomberg)
Thailand coup d'état:
- The leader of the military coup in Thailand, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, declares that a new civilian prime minister will be appointed in two weeks to replace the deposed Thaksin Shinawatra. (BBC)
2006 protests in Hungary:
- 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 Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány. (Reuters)
A public memorial service is held at Australia Zoo in Beerwah, Queensland, Australia, for "The Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. (ABC Australia)
The Football Association is to investigate allegations of corruption and the taking of illegal payments (known colloquially as 'bungs') within the sport. (Sky Sports)
After a Globe and Mail article from journalist Jan Wong created controversy and accusations of racism against Quebec, the Canadian House of Commons unanimously passes a motion requesting an apology from The Globe and Mail. (CBC)
Venezuelan President Hugo 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.