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.
Is Egypt About to Become the World's Next Big Bitcoin Trading Hub?
Egypt could become one of the world’s top Bitcoin trading hubs within weeks thanks to the launch of the country’s first cryptocurrency exchange. [...] The project is the brainchild of Alexandrian entrepreneurs Rami Khalil and Omar Abdelrasoul, who seized the opportunity to capitalize on the country’s growing demand for Bitcoin.
What's Up Luxembourg! Events App Gains Popularity
The "What's Up!" Luxembourg app was released in November last year for Apple and Android, and since then has grown substantially to become an app chock-a-block of events throughout Luxembourg and beyond. [...] A good feature of the app is that once the user has signed in, they are able to create their own events for all to see. A free way of publicizing what's going on in the region.
Envoy Says Israel Was the First Country to Get Aid to Sierra Leone
Within 24 hours of of hearing from the country’s national security adviser that Sierra Leone needed food for survivors, Israel had sent supplies expected to provide nourishment for three days. [...] The ambassador emphasized the importance of getting the aid into the country quickly, in order to illustrate to desperate citizens that help was on its way and there was reason for hope.
Saudi Arabia Reopens Qatar Border for Hajj Pilgrims
Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that it is reopening its border with Qatar to allow Qataris to attend the hajj, despite a monthslong rift between Doha and four Arab countries led by Riyadh that prompted both sides to trade accusations of politicizing the pilgrimage.
What Is Going on at the State Department?
Ben Cardin (Md.), ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has had enough with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s mismanagement. On Tuesday, he sent a blistering letter[.] [...] The notion that one can run a giant organization out of a senior staff office is something an oil executive might think up; in government, it’s a disaster. Cutting out thousands of professional diplomats deprives one of not only expertise but also bandwidth (try managing two or three major crises with only a couple of dozen key players).
Small Men on Campus
America does not have a regional problem, it has a national one. It is less about which statues stay up in the South than which prejudices fall nationwide. And that will, in turn, determine how we deserve to be seen in the world.
#PutinShirtlessChallenge: Ripped Russians Heed Call for Topless Torsos
Thousands of Russians have paid homage to Vladimir Putin, some with tongue in cheek, after the Russian president was photographed topless enjoying the Siberian summer. [...] Men, women and children across Russia and elsewhere answered the call from Durov, who is reported to be living abroad after repeated clashes with the authorities.
A Hunger Games and Twilight Theme Park is in the Works
On Tuesday (August 15), Lionsgate announced that it will be opening its first branded outdoor theme park at Jeju Shinhwa World, South Korea. [...] In a statement, Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer said: "We're pleased to partner with our friends at Landing International, one of Asia's premier developers, on our first branded outdoor theme park and one of our largest and most exciting location-based entertainment destinations.
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