Mexico City  - Mexican President Felipe Calderon saluted Friday the "constructive attitude" of the new US administration in the fight against drug gangs.

As he hosted US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and US Attorney General Eric Holder in Mexico City, however, Calderon also expressed his "concern" over the fate of millions of Mexicans who live and work illegally in the United States.

Ankara  - The presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey met for talks in the Turkish capital Ankara Wednesday, with the topic of security set to top the agenda.

Presidents Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan and Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan are expected to commit to sharing of intelligence and further cooperation in dealing with Taliban extremists that freely cross the porous border between the two neighbours.

Johannesburg/Swaziland  - Southern African leaders suspended the membership of Madagascar in a regional organization for what they called the unconstitutional ouster of the island's president.

The leaders of the 15-member Southern African Development Community (SADC) at their special summit held in Swaziland urged the leader of Madagascar's transitional government Andry Rajoelina to step down.

Taipei  - Taiwan on Tuesday recalled a Canada-based diplomat for lying about writing articles calling on China to attack Taiwan.

Hundreds of angry Taiwan natives met Kuo Kuan-ying, 50, when he arrived at the Taipei international airport, shouting "Kuo Kuan-ying, Kuo Kuan-ying!" ("Apologize, apologize!").

Kuo, head of the press office for Taiwan's representative office in Toronto, reportedly has been writing articles in recent years under seven alias to slander Taiwan.

Dhaka  - Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Saturday urged Malaysian authorities to reconsider the cancellation of visas for more than 55,000 Bangladeshi workers during the economic crisis, officials said.

Moni met Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin bin Mohd in Kuala Lumpur as part of Bangladesh's diplomatic efforts to protect its overseas labour markets, a release issued by the embassy in Malaysia said.

Washington  - US President Barack Obama will make his first trip to Europe next week since taking office, hoping his immense popularity on the continent will provide a fresh start in cross- Atlantic relations.

Obama is due to arrive in London to attend Thursday's 20-nation summit on the financial crisis, before heading to France and Germany for a NATO summit April 3-4. Later, he'll stop in Prague for an EU gathering and then Turkey.