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.
Most French want burqa law, but not total ban
Two-thirds of French people want a law limiting the use of face-covering Islamic veils such as the niqab and the burqa, with only a minority backing the government's plan for a complete ban, a poll showed Saturday.
Obama calls 1915 Armenia massacre an atrocity
President Barack Obama on Saturday marked the World War One-era massacre of Armenians by Turkish forces, calling it one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century, but avoiding any mention of "genocide."
Cultural exchange between France and India
A cultural tit-for-tat is happening in France as Namaste France picks up steam. It follows hot on the heels of Bonjour India which saw French cultural events highlighted across 18 Indian cities. Now the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and the Indian Embassy in Paris has even outdone the French.
Obama’s Soft Power Effect
I was on a panel on Friday at the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy. There is both good news and bad news in this critical area of the use of soft power. The good news is that after only a year in office, the Obama Administration has greatly improved the world’s view of America.
Obama to host Muslim entrepreneurship summit
Making good on a promise he made to the Muslim world last year, President Barack Obama will host an entrepreneurship summit next week to deepen ties between business people in the U.S. and Muslim countries.
U.S. Public Diplomacy Through Music: Kareem Salama Tours the Middle East
American country and pop singer/songwriter, Kareem Salama will depart the U.S. for Cairo to begin a seven-country, one-month tour of the Middle East. Salama will be accompanied by three other accomplished musicians: Dan Workman, JJ Worthen and Michael Whitebread.
Rebranding Canada: More K’naan less canoe
The sad fact is that, for all our perceived virtues — or maybe because of them — Canadians are viewed by many outsiders as tamer Australians, more spaced-out Belgians, or decaffeinated Americans. The lack of understanding — i.e. interest — on the part of our friends and neighbours, not to mention our handful of enemies, is a problem.
Russia Reclaims Influence, U.S. Doesn’t Object
Under the Bush administration, all three were ignored, and relations with Russia became nastier than they had been since the Cold War. Obama, on the other hand, has been far more obliging, and his Administration believes Moscow is reciprocating — much to Saakashvili's chagrin.
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