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.
No, Egypt, That Swan Is Not a Spy
Someone in Egypt thought a swan was a spy, but it turns out they were wrong. Shockingly, the beautiful bird wasn't an undercover agent looking to gather information from the skies. The Associated Press reports Egyptian authorities in Qena, more than 250 miles outside of Cairo, recently detained a swan after a citizen accused it of being a spy because the bird had an electronic device on its leg. The electronic device "likely could be a wildlife tracker," the AP notes.
The Illusionists: Seven Magic Wonders Arrive in the UAE
Fans of magic and illusion arrived from across the Gulf to witness internationally acclaimed magicians perform in “The Illusionists,” a show held in Dubai this week. Events company Alchemy Project spearheaded the drive to bring together seven of the world’s most renowned illusionists including a mind-reader and a “gravity defying” magician, The Enchantress. The show has attracted a diverse audience, according to the managing partner of Alchemy Project, Sia S. Far.
Obama Faces Increasing Isolation on Syria
As a freshman US senator with his eye on the White House, Barack Obama said this: “The president does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.” Mr. Obama’s comment (which came in a 2007 interview with The Boston Globe) had to do with Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
Spotty Record for Chinese Exec With Canal Dream
When President Daniel Ortega granted a Chinese telecommunications executive exclusive rights to develop a $40 billion canal through Nicaragua and operate it for 100 years, his administration touted the CEO's record of success heading a wireless communications firm with projects in 20 countries. Wang Jing's company, Xinwei, boasted that it had orchestrated an array of deals worth more than $5 billion over the last three years, in places as far-flung as Zimbabwe and Ukraine.
Al Jazeera English Launches in New Zealand
Two new television deals mean that New Zealand viewers are for the first time able to watch global news channel Al Jazeera English. From today, on SKY channel 090, Al Jazeera’s offering of news, documentaries and programmes from over seventy bureaus worldwide will be beamed into nearly half of New Zealand homes reaching around two million people. And from 1st November, Al Jazeera will be on Freeview HD channel 16, broadcasting live and free to air.
Electronic Transfers Improve Somalia Economy
Abukar Abdulle Mohamed is a busy man. His three phones keep beeping away as he negotiates and shakes hands with a group of mainly middle-aged men. Fifty-four-year-old Mohamed is a livestock trader with more than thirty years experience and has just sold his tenth goat of the day at Hawl Wadaag livestock market in Mogadishu. But he isn’t holding wads of cash in his hands to show for the day’s sales.
Iran: Facebook Diplomacy
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs,posted a short piece with six questions about Syria on his Facebook page. 1,100 comments left on the Minister's post until Saturday,30th of August. Some called Zarif on the hypocrisy of criticizing Western intervention as intervention, when Iran has its own presence on the ground.
Go On, Have a Laugh: Saudi Comedians Take to the Stage in Dubai
“I quit my Job in Dubai two years ago and moved to Riyadh… May I rest in peace” Saudi comedian Mohammad Bazaid quipped in a Saudi-only stand-up show held on Friday in Dubai. The first Saudi-only comedy show in the region featured prominent names from the kingdom’s comedic community who performed in front of a diverse audience. Funny-men Yasser Baker, Mohammad Bazaid and Thamer al-Meshari hosted the show which was the last of a series held during August.
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