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.
UN Women & Partners Seek Ways to Close Gender Data Gaps at Forum
With only 41 percent of countries regularly producing data on violence against women and only 13 percent of countries having a dedicated gender statistics budget, the first-ever United Nations World Data Forum explored ways to close these data gaps on January 17. [...] The panel, titled 'Gender Data for Decision-making: Strengthening the Links,' was among the nearly 100 sessions and parallel events scheduled throughout the 15-18 January gathering in Cape Town, South African, of more than 1,400 data experts around the world.
Paramount Inks $1B Deal with Chinese Firms
Paramount Pictures said Friday it has inked a co-financing deal with two Chinese companies for the Hollywood studio’s slate of movies over the next three years. Under the terms of the deal, Shanghai Film Group and Huahua Media will also set up an office on Paramount’s lot later this year, the studio said in a statement. [...] It’s the latest China-Hollywood tie-up, as both sides aim to beef up their presence in each other’s movie industries.
Cuba Impresses Cleveland Cultural Delegation with Artistic Brilliance
Representatives of seven Cleveland cultural and educational institutions met Cuban counterparts face to face and saw firsthand evidence of the rapprochement with Cuba started under President Barack Obama in 2014. The visit also provided a snapshot of Cuban life at an unusual point after the death of the country's longtime president, Fidel Castro, in November, and the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, who could freeze or reverse the normalization started by Obama.
In Distant Ghana, an Indian Soap Creates a Social Buzz
Loosely based on Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility", the Ekta Kapoor produced "Kumkum Bhagya" -- or Vermillion in My Destiny -- has somehow struck a chord with Ghanaian audiences, said Abena Yiadom, Adom TV Channel Manager, adding that it is watched by "20 per cent of national audience". "Most Ghanaians relate well to the storyline which is about arranged marriages," Yiadom told IANS of the serial that has been on air with Twi language voice-overs since November 2015.
Massive Crowd Gathers at Pershing Square for Women’s March Los Angeles
Women’s March Los Angeles was among dozens of similar events nationwide and in California, including in Riverside and Santa Ana the day after Trump took the oath of office. The local protests were coordinated in unity with a massive march on Washington, D.C., where organizers there said they would “send a bold message to our new administration on their first day in office and to the world that women’s rights are human rights.”
Tourism Department Extends Support to North East Festival
The partnership was formed in August last year, after the third edition. “We have a large North Eastern community here. We wanted to support their effort to showcase their culture and, in the process, also showcase ours to them. We felt the event can be a cross-cultural exchange platform. Also, Bengaluru has been called the most dynamic city in the world.
Refugees Get Jobs — And a Taste of American Culture at Berkeley Coffee Shop
With the exception of co-founders Rachel Taber and Douglas Hewitt, 1951 Coffee is entirely staffed by refugees, asylum seekers and special immigrant visa holders. The nonprofit establishment counts among its baristas people who left Eritrea, Afghanistan, Iran, Nepal, Bhutan, Uganda and Syria after facing political, religious or ethnic persecution. It’s a coffee shop with a cause, giving recent arrivals barista training and employing them in customer-facing roles so they can practice speaking English and engage with the community.
Rwanda-China Cultural Exchange to Grow More, Says Minister Uwacu
The Minister for Sports and Culture Julienne Uwacu has expressed confidence that the Rwanda-China cultural exchanges are growing from strength to strength. [...] “We appreciate the embassy of China in Rwanda for having organised such a wonderful event. Cultural exchanges between Rwanda and China will continue. They (Chinese) will also be inviting our artistes to go and perform in China showcasing our culture there,” she said.
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