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.
Mumbai’s long shadow finally recedes
Pakistan and India agreed on Thursday to revive, without any precondition, the stalled dialogue when their prime ministers met for first direct talks in nine months on the sidelines of the 16th Saarc summit here. Both sides termed the meeting between Yousuf Raza Gilani and Dr Manmohan Singh “very positive”.
Repressing the media
President Hugo Chávez has put the assault on Venezuela's already-beleaguered media into overdrive. The recent arrest of a major television-channel owner, efforts to revoke dozens of radio-station licenses and possible controls on the Internet come amid a longer-term campaign to stifle dissent in this increasingly authoritarian country.
Iran Reformist Tries to Enlist Labor and Teachers
The Iranian opposition leader Mir Hussein Moussavi released a video statement on Thursday calling on workers and teachers to join the reformist cause, in a bold new attempt to broaden and energize the country’s flagging protest movement.
The Dangers of Nuclear Disarmament
Russia and the United States have signed the New START. Officially, the treaty cuts their weapons by one-third; in fact, each party will decommission only several dozen. Nevertheless, the treaty is a considerable achievement. It normalizes political relations between the two countries, thereby facilitating their further cooperation and rapprochement.
Belgian lawmakers vote to ban full-face veils in public
But nothing has aroused more resentment than the sight of women on the streets of European cities covered from head to toe in dark robes with only a slit or a screen at eye level. Despite the consternation, women wearing the veils are seen infrequently, even in suburbs with large Muslim populations.
ElBaradei declares democracy is priority for Egypt
In his highest-profile television appearance since his return to Egypt in mid-February, Mohammed ElBaradei, an Egyptian democracy campaigner and presidential hopeful, explained his agenda for political change on CNN International on Wednesday.
Censorship is in the ascendant
There is more to this than a bit of fuss surrounding a satire show. We are, as a culture, becoming increasingly relaxed about censorship, preferring to play safe and to avoid trouble. The reaction across the political spectrum to the South Park saga has added to its grim comedy.
Shanghai rolls out record world’s expo
Up to $58 billion has been pumped into the local economy in preparations for Expo 2010 Shanghai, which runs from May 1 to October 31, with 70 million visitors expected. According to Chinese state-run media, 179 countries and 57 international organizations are confirmed to participate in the Asian nation's first time hosting the event -- which began in 1851 in London as the first world's fair.
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