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.
Najib: Friendship Bridge A Symbol Of Special Relationship Between Malaysia, Brunei
The building of the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Friendship Bridge symbolises the special closeness that exists between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Prime Minister said the bridge would also help further strengthen ties between the two countries in the future. "I wish to put on record how proud Malaysia is on the opening of the Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Friendship Bridge (Sunday).
Colombia’s FARC Announces Unilateral Ceasefire
Colombia's largest rebel group, the Farc, has announced a 30-day-long ceasefire starting on 15 December. The announcement came a day after five soldiers, one police officer and three civilians were killed by a Farc car bomb attack against a police station. The Farc declared a similar ceasefire when peace talks began in Cuba a year ago. It was abandoned on 20 January. The Colombian government insists it will only stop fighting the rebels when a final peace accord is reached.
Mandela’s Funeral To Include At Least 53 World Leaders
Fifty-three heads of state and government have so far confirmed attendance at upcoming memorial events for peace icon Nelson Mandela, South African Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said Sunday. The dignitaries will include U.S. President Barack Obama, along with three former American presidents, Brazilian leader Dilma Rousseff, French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Five Myths About Helping The Philippines
Since Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines a month ago, the world has wanted to help the devastated areas. Yet as we’ve seen in the wake of other mega-disasters, well-meaning assistance to shattered communities can cause more harm than good. Let’s lay to rest some of the biggest misconceptions about how best to help victims of storms, earthquakes and other calamities.
Emerging Markets: Stronger for Longer?
Asia’s emerging markets remain on edge over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s actions, damaging investor confidence from India to Indonesia. However, a new survey by the World Bank suggests that foreign direct investment (FDI) flows won’t be drying up anytime soon. In its World Investment and Political Risk 2013 report released Thursday, the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) said macroeconomic instability and political risk ranked “neck and neck” as the top concerns for investors over the short and medium terms.
Cuban Jewish Leaders Visit Jailed American Gross
Cuban Jewish leaders say they have visited a U.S. government subcontractor imprisoned on the island. A statement from Beth Shalom Temple says they met with Alan Gross, of Maryland, on Thursday. The visit came two days after Gross marked four years in custody, and on the last day of Hanukkah.
Ever Closer: A Continent Mulls Merging Currencies
The euro crisis has put most people off currency unions. But not in Africa, it seems. In November the leaders of five countries of the East African Community (EAC) agreed to form a monetary union within ten years. A month before West African politicians agreed on a plan to introduce a new shared currency, the eco, over the next few years. It should eventually subsume West Africa’s existing currency bloc—but not its central African cousin.
Is Colombia Still A Major Player In the U.S. Heroin Market?
The US government estimates that heroin production has sharply declined in Colombia over the past decade, yet the United Nations claims the country remains the primary supplier of the drug for the US market. So which is it? The picture is confusing, beginning with the most recent World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). In the report, the UN said Colombia continued to be reported by US officials as the main supplier of heroin to the United States.
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