Icy blasts

I've been told that the secret of blogs is to keep postings short and sharp. So here's quick one: delegates were welcomed to their hotels last night with a note explaining that a major snow and ice storm was heading for the US capital – although it was promised that, whatever the weather, the World Bank Forum would take place as planned.

By this morning, although the temperature had dropped significantly, no snow had materialised. The meeting started at the scheduled time. And the moderator of the first session, explained how the relieved organisers were "indebted to mother nature, even in these days of science"

But the snow and ice is still threatened. Very different from the blue skies and picturesque cherry blossom with which Washington is usually associated.