Bono Watch: The lad got a gig as guest speaker at the UK Labour Party conference on Wednesday. He addressed the party faithful with his DATA hat on, describing Tony Blair and Gordon Brown as the John Lennon and Paul McCartney of world development. I don't remember Paul secretly plotting for John's place in the Beatles.

Here is the transcript of his address to the Labour Party conference. It can also be found on the DATA website, the official U2 website, and the @U2 fan website.

Reports on the speech from the Guardian's Kevin Maguire and Simon Hoggart. On the other side of the fence, the Telegraph reported his speech by quoting four paragraphs without comment. Oxfam issued a press release coinciding with Bono's speech, while the BBC website has video of his address.

Before the conference began, Gordon Brown signalled that the British Government will pay off 10% of the money owed by the world's poorest countries to the World Bank and the African Development Bank. Report in the Guardian.

The G7 Board of Governors annual meeting will be held in Washington this weekend.