NIGERIA's celebration of its 50 years as an independent nation was spoiled by car bombs that exploded close to the official ceremonies in the capital city Abuja.
IN Hungary a leak from an aluminium plant sent toxic sludge through the local town and threatened to flow towards the River Danube.
THE Commonweath Games started in Delhi following a last-minute rush to complete the sports facilities and accommodation. After a spectacular opening ceremony the sporting events were poorly attended.
IN Holland Geert Wilders, an anti-Islamic member of parliament. went on trial for inciting racial hatred; before appearing in court he pledged the support of his Freedom party to the centre-right government coalition.
In Pakistan Taliban fighters attacked convoys of Nato supply trucks held up by the closure of an important pass into Afghanistan by Pakistan; the closure followed the killing of two Pakistan soldiers by a US helicopter operating over the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.