China calls for close int'l cooperation in fighting racism

A Senior Chinese diplomat says close international cooperation is needed to fight all forms of racism and racial discrimination, which is the enemy of the whole human society.

Li Baodong, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations Office in Geneva, spoke at the Durban Review Conference on Wednesday,

He said China proposes that the international community work closely together to form a strong united front in the fight against racism.

According to the Chinese ambassador, countries should enhance dialog and communications to resolve political differences and refrain from creating a breeding ground for hatred.

WB chief calls for China-US cooperation

The president of the World Bank, says the US and China, should work closely together, to cope with the current global financial crisis.

Robert Zoellick, says this involves structural reforms in both countries.

He says America consumes too much, while China saves too much.

Four Westerners kept hostage in Mali freed

Four Westerners kept hostage in Mali have been freed.

The released hostages include two Canadian diplomats, a German and a Swiss national kidnapped by militants months ago, according to reports. However, the kidnappers still kept in hand two other Europeans.

The two Canadian diplomats were seized in December last year in Niger.

Four tourists, a Swiss couple, a German woman and a British man were taken in January in the border zone between Mali and Niger. Two women tourists of the four were among the freed hostages.

North accuses Seoul of moving MDL marker

North Korea has accused the South, of moving a marker, along the Military Demarcation Line, that separates the two countries.

North Korean state media says Pyongyang has warned, of severe consequences.

It provided no other details.

IMF slashes outlook for global economy

The International Monetary Fund drastically lowers predictions for the global economy.

It says the economy will contract by 1.3 percent this year, and grow by just 1.9 percent next year.

Three months ago, the IMF said the economy would grow by half a percent this year.

It has blamed the vicious circle, between the ailing financial sector, and the shrinking economy.

It says central banks of developed economies, should continue to ease monetary policy, to prevent deflation.

Turkey recalls its ambassador to Canada

Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Canada.

Ankara is upset, that Canadian ministers reportedly attended an event labeling the Ottoman-era killings of Armenians as genocide.

Scholars widely consider, the killing of one and a half million Armenians, the 20th century's first case of genocide.

Ankara did not say why or for how long its ambassador would be away from Canada.