Waiting for God Knows

At the IMF and World Bank meetings, it's all getting slightly Beckettian.

A forum for civil society groups yesterday saw Mr Wolfowitz asked if he’d consider postponing the conference in wake of the stringent security regulations that has seen 27 accredited activists denied entry into Singapore.

The World Bank president rejected the idea. “I honestly don't think that is feasible or I would consider it,” he said. Minutes later at least 15 civil society member’s got up and walked out. Speaking to journalists outside, Social Watch coordinator Roberto Bissio was adamant that the protest would not result in the NGO boycotting the entire event. “I don’t think self-censorship is a good measure against censorship,” he told reporters.

To sum up day three of this issue then: No cancellations. No boycotts. And no progress, either.

Chemical Customs

Picture the scene. A long wooden trestle table dotted with half-empty cans of shaving cream, tubes of toothpaste in stained plastic bags and a rather spurious looking tub of Vaseline. The closing minutes of a jumble sale? No. This was the approach to passport control at Heathrow's terminal three last night.

Sharp objects are one thing. But when you find yourself screened for toothpaste and moisturiser, its time to wonder what price one has to pay to feel safe in the 21st century.

The answer? A few more quid at Boots once you hit duty-free, obviously.