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.

Qatar to Launch Al Jazeera Counterweight

Qatar is launching a new television station as a political counterweight to Al Jazeera amid concern the network has become too supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood. The new station is to be an Arabic-language news channel based in London and broadcasting across the Arab world.

Tags: qatar, international broadcasting, media, al jazeera, television, middle east, sheikh tamim bin hamad al thani

Ukraine: Lies, Propaganda, and the West's Agenda

Washington and Brussels are the heroes of the Ukrainian saga, if you believe the Western media. Russian President Vladimir Putin is cast as the Big Bad Russian Bear, US President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry are the Democratic A-Team.

Tags: united states, media, propaganda, russia, ukraine, vladimir putin, barack obama, western media

This Troubling Image Explains Why So Many People Are Angry With Erykah Badu

One minute she's singing "Happy Birthday" to an African king, and the next she's being lambasted by human rights activists for endorsing the continent's "last absolute monarch" — the brutal and despotic Mswati III of Swaziland.

Tags: erykah badu, africa, swaziland, mswati III, human rights, dictatorship, music diplomacy

Chinese Premier Arrives for Ethiopia Visit

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang started an Africa tour on Sunday with his arrival in Ethiopia, where he will also visit the headquarters of the African Union (AU). Ethiopia is the first leg of Li's ongoing four-nation Africa tour, his first to the "Land of Hope" since he took office last year and the latest stroke of the frequent high-level diplomacy between the Asian giant and the promising continent.

Tags: china, ethiopia, li keqiang, african union, africa, asia pacific, diplomacy, exchange diplomacy

How Russian Media Turned Construction Site Into 'Concentration Camp'

Viewed with the sound off, it appears on video to be a tour of a typical construction site in eastern Ukraine. But unmuted, the report by Russian TV host Arkady Mamontov becomes more ominous. As eerie music overlays the din of power drills, the camera zooms in on a tube protruding from a piece of brick wall and then quickly cuts to what appears to be a small shower room.

Tags: russia, media, international broadcasting, ukraine, propaganda, radio free europe/radio liberty, conflict, RFE/RL ukranian service

Why Libya's Militants Are Kidnapping Diplomats - And Why We Can't Give In

At least nine Libyan soldiers were killed in the early hours of Friday morning, and dozens injured, after clashes broke out between Ansar al Sharia militants and other Islamist militants. In addition, three Libyan soldiers were killed Tuesday morning, and two others injured, after a suicide bomber blew up his car at the entrance of an army brigade headquarters in the city of Benghazi.

Tags: libya, middle east, north africa, africa, diplomacy, diplomats, conflict, violence, kidnapping

Kerry Warns of 'Genocide' Risk in South Sudan

The US Secretary of State has warned of the risk of genocide in South Sudan if the civil war is not stopped. John Kerry made the comments during meetings in Ethiopia, where talks are under way between South Sudan's government and rebels. Kerry’s visit is part of international diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis.

Tags: john kerry, south sudan, united states, ethiopia, genocide, africa, diplomacy

Accurate, Reliable Journalism Is More Essential Than Ever Before, BBG Says In Marking World Press Freedom Day

To commemorate World Press Freedom Day (May 3), reporters from around the globe, leaders of U.S. international media, and other staff of the Broadcasting Board of Governors today released an interactive presentation containing video testimonialsthat underscore the importance of press freedom.

Tags: bbg, broadcasting board of governors, world press freedom day, journalism, media, international broadcasting

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