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.

British Public Fears Rise of Fascism after Trump's Win, Reveals Survey

The British public is fearful of the rise of fascism around the world in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory in the US and the Brexit referendum in the UK, according to a new survey released today. The study by BMG Research for ‘The Independent’ newspaper also showed that most people think the number of individuals holding fascist views is increasing in the UK and on the continent as well.

Tags: international public opinion, public opinion, opinion surveys, survey, Donald Trump, brexit, britain, u.s., fascism

Why Ireland's Farmers Want the Irish Embassy in Iran to Reopen

Farmers have called on the government to reopen the Irish embassy in Iran, which was closed in 2011. Patrick Kent, the President of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA), said there would be “huge opportunities for exports of beef and sheep meat to Iran” if full diplomatic relations were to resume between the two countries.

Tags: bilateral trade, bilateral relations, international trade, diplomatic relations, farming, ireland, iran

American TV Stars Visit Israel

A group of Hollywood television stars are touring Israel in an attempt to strengthen ties between the US and the Jewish state, as well as to bolster the struggle against the BDS movement. The trip is organized by America's "Voices in Israel" group (Conference of Presidents) in cooperation with the Israeli Ministry for Strategic Affairs and Public Diplomacy.

Tags: celebrity diplomacy, hollywood diplomacy, voices in israel, cultural bridge, BDS, israel, u.s.

2017: Social Media Is Where Nigerian Arts Will Breathe

From PR to much-needed buzz for new projects, social media has become the tool of choice for artists around the world. This year, more than before, Nigerian artists will catch on fully. [...] Looking across the cultural landscape in Nigeria, it is therefore a no-brainer that the internet will play a crucial role in shaping the year that’s to come, for both the artists and their teeming fans.

Tags: Digital Diplomacy & New Technology, social media diplomacy, social media, art & culture, nigeria

New Broadcaster Promises Year-Round Buzz

Fans of the Olympics can expect the spirit of the Games to remain aflame all year round, not just during the sporting extravaganzas, the man now responsible for broadcasting both the Summer and Winter events to hundreds of millions of viewers across Europe told Reuters. "We can make this a year-round experience... because of all the broadcast rights we have to Olympic sports," Eurosport CEO Peter Hutton said in an interview.

Tags: international broadcasting, olympic games, olympics, sports, eurosport, discovery communications

'Spochan,' a Safe Variation of Kendo, Spreads around World

Tetsundo Tanabe was running a kendo dojo in Yokohama when he came up with an idea on how children could avoid the pain of getting smashed over the head with a bamboo sword. His solution was simple: Use softer weapons. [...] Forty-five years after that brainstorm, 400,000 people in 65 countries and regions are playing Tanabe’s invention, called sports “chanbara” (sword fighting), or “spochan” for short. 

Tags: sports diplomacy, cultural exchange, spochan, kendo, martial arts, japan, egypt

What to Eat for Good Luck in the New Year

In Spain, for example, for every chime of the clock at midnight, people eat one grape. Each of the 12 grapes represents good luck for a month of the coming year, but only for those who can get them all in their mouths before the clock finishes striking. Here is a sampling of other traditions from around the globe that, like Spain’s grape-eating, have found their way to the United States.

Tags: food diplomacy, gastrodiplomacy, new year, spain, armenia, Cultural Diplomacy, estonia, germany, philippine

Netanyahu Discusses Syria Conflict with Putin

Prime Minister Benjamin spoke on the phone Saturday with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the conflict in Syria and “continued security cooperation,” his office said. The talks came as the 15-member UN Security Council unanimously voted to back a Russian-Turkish peace plan for a ceasefire in Syria and the launch of new peace talks for the war-wracked country.

Tags: benjamin netanyahu, vladimir putin, syria conflict, un security council, russia, turkey, government pd, israel, security cooperation

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