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.

Returning To Mexico: Why Mexican Immigrants Are Leaving The U.S.

Last year’s debate on immigration reform centered on discussions on improving border security for the nearly 2,000-mile border between the United States and Mexico by adding new fencing, more electronic detection technology including drones, and beefed-up numbers of security patrol.

Tags: united states, mexico, immigration, economy, migration, remittances, borders, u.s.-mexico relations

Winter Olympics 2014: IOC President Thomas Bach Says Competitors Will Not Be Gagged At Sochi Games

Athletes will be allowed to make political statements in press conferences at the Winter Olympics but will be punished for doing so while competing or during Games ceremonies, Thomas Bach confirmed on Monday. The International Olympic Committee president vowed that no athlete would be denied “freedom of speech” whilst in Sochi, despite the Olympic Charter banning demonstrations or “political, religious or racial propaganda” in any Games areas.

Tags: russia, protests, lgbt, international olympic committee, anti-gay, sochi, 2014 sochi winter olympics

Army Chief Sisi, Egypt’s New Nationalist Icon

Egypt's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whom the military has endorsed for the presidency after he ousted a civilian leader, has emerged as a nationalist icon in the mould of Gamal Abdel Nasser. Sisi, 59, has not yet said whether he will seek the country's highest office, but Egypt's military commanders on Monday said in a statement that "the people's trust in Sisi is a call that must be heeded as the free choice of the people."

Tags: middle east, arab spring, egypt, muslim brotherhood, nationalism, abdel fattah al-sisi, gamal abdel nasser, pan-arabism

Democratic Values And US Bases In Okinawa

On Sunday, January 19, the small city of Nago in northern Okinawa re-elected their mayor. Americans especially will wonder why a local election in a far-off place should matter. Because by voting for Mayor Susumu Inamine people voted against Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the United States military. Local fishermen and farmers voted yes to their traditional way of life, no to American helicopters polluting the pristine waters of Oura Bay.

Tags: united states, japan, democracy, military diplomacy, protests, values, activism, shinzo abe, okinawa

1,000 In Sao Paulo Protest World Cup

At least 1,000 demonstrators protested in Sao Paulo on Saturday against the World Cup that Brazil will host later this year in a demonstration that devolved into violence late in the night. On its Facebook page, the Anonymous Rio protest group billed “Operation Stop the World Cup” as this year’s first act against the soccer tournament.

Tags: brazil, protests, 2014 fifa world cup, sao paulo, black rock, anonymous rio, sao paulo art museum, operation stop the world cup

Inside Lines: New Concern For FIFA Ahead Of World Cup 2022 After Anti-Zionist Row In Qatar

With the current cloud of anti-Semitic allegations hovering over football, Fifa must be praying that Israel do not qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For hard on the heels of the disturbing concerns over excessive heat, homophobia and mass deaths of migrant construction workers comes an incident at the recent Swimming World Cup in the capital Doha when the Qatari hosts refused to display the name “Israel” during TV broadcasts and removed Israeli flags from outside the venue.

Tags: israel, sports diplomacy, qatar, anti-semitism, fifa, 2022 fifa world cup, anti-zionist

How A Head Scarf Almost Got Italian FM’s Visit In Tehran Canceled

Italy’s Emma Bonino was the first EU foreign minister to make an official visit to Tehran after Iran and the six powers signed an interim agreement on the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. She landed in Tehran on December 21 after years when Western foreign ministers refused to set foot in the Iranian capital.

Tags: iran, european union, italy, hijab, javad zarif, emma bonino, diplomatic protocol

Egypt To Hold Presidential Election First

Egypt will hold a presidential poll this year before parliamentary elections, interim president Adly Mansour said Sunday, in a move seen to benefit army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The election process would have to start before mid-April, according to a timetable included in a constitution adopted in a referendum this month.

Tags: arab spring, egypt, democracy, elections, muslim brotherhood, mohamed morsi, constitution, abdel fattah al-sisi

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