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.
EU’s quiet diplomat steps aside after 10 years
EU foreign relations chief Javier Solana, who retires this week, will be remembered as a master of quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy. With limited support from EU states, Mr Solana has relied on his personal charisma, quick-wittedness and vim to win the trust of leaders in Balkan, post-Soviet and Middle Eastern countries.
Russia and Euro-Atlantic
For the first time in decades, the values gap between Russia and Europe of the EU is apparently increasing. Europe is overcoming state nationalism and Russia is building a nation state. And because of the lack of “soft power” – social, cultural and economic attractiveness. So it has to use the “competitive advantages” available.
Switzerland votes to prohibit the building of mosque minarets
Voters in Switzerland decided Sunday to ban the building of minarets, in a referendum that showed an unexpected level of resentment against Muslim immigrants in a country long known for discretion and tolerance. Official results of opinion poll on Sunday showed a surprisingly strong 57.5 percent of those voting endorsed it, against 42.5 percent who opposed.
National Museum of Cultures in Mexico Receives Donation from Cyprus
More than a hundred ethnographic, archaeological and historic pieces from the Republic of Cyprus, as well as compact discs and books that give account of culture in that nation, were donated to the National Museum of Cultures (MNC) to be included in the halls that to present undergo remodeling, which did not count on with Cypriot items.
PM: PA not interested in peace process
Five days after the security cabinet approved a moratorium on new housing starts in the West Bank to induce the Palestinians back to the negotiating table, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he was not sure the Palestinian Authority or its leader were interested in a diplomatic process.
Afghanistan is Obama’s biggest test
Even more than healthcare, the war in Afghanistan will decide whether Barack Obama succeeds or fails. On Tuesday night, in a speech at the West Point military academy broadcast across the country, Mr Obama will lay out his plans.
In Elections, Honduras Defeats Chávez
Unless something monumental happens in the Western Hemisphere in the next 31 days, the big regional story for 2009 will be how tiny Honduras managed to beat back the colonial aspirations of its most powerful neighbors and preserve its constitution...Almost 400 foreign observers from Japan, Europe, Latin America and the U.S. traveled to Honduras for yesterday's elections.
Swiss Vote to Ban Islamic Minarets
Human rights groups say a ban against minaret construction violates freedom of expression. Many Muslims have expressed concern the vote could resonate across Europe, including in neighboring France - home to about five million Muslims, Western Europe's largest Islamic community.
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