Round-up

1. Another racism row flared up in Switzerland after the country’s "far-right" party, the Swiss People's Party, managed to trigger a referendum on banning minarets in the country.

The minaret has indeed been seen as a symbol of political power over the years, especially given that it seems unnecessary for its stated function: the adhan, or call to prayer, which could be just as easily made from the mosque roof.

And what race is Islam again?

2. Hong Kong passed a landmark anti-racism bill today, with rights activists welcoming the breakthrough but also criticising the bill for not going far enough to fully enshrine minority rights.

China and Japan are among the most racist nations in the world.

3. The BBC has been accused of racism following a claim on Radio 4's Thought for the Day that Africans suffered from an endemic "moral deficit". Clifford Longley, the author and writer, said on the corporation's early morning religious slot that a Nigerian theologian had suggested African culture had always lacked "a developed sense of common humanity", which explained "Africa's propensity to turn to massacre and genocide". He said in the broadcast that the Nigerian theologian had suggested to him that Africans suffered from the deficit.

His comments, which were made last month, prompted the BBC Black and Asian Forum to complain to the corporation's head of news and to the editor of the Today programme.

Oh, grow up.