A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
Obama meets Japan’s Hatoyama, stressing equal partnership
President Barack Obama's first trip to Asia as head of state began with a warm welcome Friday in the highly guarded Japanese capital, where excitement over the president persists despite recent tensions over the two nations' security alliance – in particular the presence of United States military bases in the Japan.
ROC to showcase ‘soft power’ in centennial celebrations: president
President Ma Ying-jeou said Friday that a military parade will not be part of the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China, but a series of cultural activities will be held to showcase the nation's soft power. "The ROC does not want to show the world its military capability, but rather prefers to highlight its culture in its celebration of its 100th founding anniversary."
Russian media visit Amish Country, learn about culture
For a period of five days, the group who hails from Buryatia, a republic in eastern Russia commonly referred to as Siberia, explored various aspects of media as well as investigative journalism through visits to media outlets. Last Thursday, the group traveled to Amish Country to visit The Budget office and learn more about how the newspaper works and the culture of people whose news is printed each week.
Barack Obama’s Asian adventure
As well as Japan, the tour takes in Singapore, China and South Korea. Engagement in the region, he says, is critical to America’s future. Advisers even suggest that what he achieves there will help define Mr Obama’s presidency. Of course, they say that about a lot of things on his plate. But to judge by ordinary folk, the region wishes him well. Many Indonesians think of Mr Obama as one of their own. In Japan students of English have emptied the bookshops of his collected speeches.
Adbusters: The Israeli Brand
“Israel is not a regular brand in the sense that there is an active and powerful worldwide campaign aimed at hurting Israel’s image. Few countries or places need to cope with such an environment, and taking [these] statements at face value in regard to Israel is missing the bigger picture.” Given Israel’s place behind Iran on the NBI, it would seem that the bigger picture of the world’s largest, most enduring refugee population and a destructive 42-year occupation is exactly what shapes the Israeli brand.
Coke opens ‘green’ plant in Brazil
Coca-Cola Co. announced Thursday the opening of its first "green" plant in Latin America and said it would invest $5.8 billion in Brazil in the next five years. The new plant, located in the Brazilian town of Fazenda Rio Grande, is part of Leão Junior, a beverage company bought in 2007 by Coca-Cola.
Superpower Summitry: Sino-US Relations; Building a Better Bilateral Vehicle
The substance of President’s Obama’s message is equally important as its delivery. Its essence must comprise both a careful mixture of humility, praise, encouragement and firmness. The values it conveys must be couched in a greater humanism that connects Americans and Chinese.
The softer hand
His predecessor tried to crush the rebels with a campaign of torture, abductions and killings. But Yevkurov pledged to rein in the government's security forces, saying their abuses were helping the rebels attract recruits. He reached out to human rights groups and his pro-democracy critics. And he offered a limited amnesty to the militants.
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