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.

Uber-Style App 'Careem' Goes Off Beaten Track in Palestinian West Bank

Careem, a Middle Eastern rival to Uber, has become the first ride-hailing firm to operate in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Dubai-based Careem, whose name is a play on the Arabic word for generous or noble, launched in Ramallah in June, aiming to bring digital simplicity to the Palestinian territory.

Tags: digital diplomacy, careem, Palestinian territories, west bank, digital simplicity, ramallah, middle east

Can Tourism Alleviate Global Poverty?

In 2016, over 1.3 billion international tourists spent an estimated US$1.4 trillion. That’s the equivalent of Australia’s gross domestic product, dispersed around the world. [...] Governments can reduce leakage by thinking strategically about procurement, emphasizing local business development, integrating supply chains and investing in education and training to prepare workers for tourism jobs.

Tags: op-ed, international tourism, local business development, tourism industry, supply chains, educational investment, tourism jobs, global poverty

Macron’s France Takes ‘Top Softie’ Crown From Trump’s US

France is this year’s top soft power, according to a report published Tuesday. The Soft Power 30, published by PR firm Portland Communications, ranks countries on their exercise of soft power — the ability to influence others through attraction and likability rather than coercion.

Tags: soft power, macron, france, united states, soft power 30, attraction, likability, leadership, tourism

South Korean-Russian Space Cooperation: Mistrust & Diplomatic Styles

South Korean—Russian space cooperation is an important landmark in the South Korean contemporary quest to become a global space power. The success of several joint space projects was possible due to cooperation with Russia, an unusual and unlikely partner considering South Korea’s historically close ties to the United States. In view of the circumstances and specifics of such ambitious projects, we look at South Korean—Russian space cooperation through the lens of science diplomacy, distinguishing national diplomatic styles in particular.

Tags: science diplomacy, space diplomacy, space cooperation, russia, south korea, diplomatic styles

Walk, Work, Win: Hi-Tech Knees to Get Young Amputees Back on Their Feet

Young amputees in some of the poorest parts of the world will be able to navigate rough terrain to access jobs and opportunities with the help of new, specially developed prosthetic knees, after a non-profit company received a grant from the UK government to develop its design. [...] D-Rev, a development company based in San Francisco, California, has been awarded around $100,000 (£76,280) in UK aid money to develop a polycentric, four-bar knee, which wearers will be able to use over uneven ground.

Tags: international aid, international development, uk, san francisco, california, united states, prostheses, d-rev

Soap Factory Announces Artists Participating In International Exchange

The Soap Factory is excited to partner with Kutilvera to bring four emerging and mid-career Minnesota-based artists to Tranås, Sweden, to participate in a month-long residency at their organization. This residency is about time and place, an opportunity to reflect and cultivate ideas through experience and exchange. Artists will be given opportunities to learn about their host city, meet other artists, and space to work independently or collaboratively in their studios.

Tags: international exchange, the soap factory, united states, sweden, art, cultural exchange, art & culture, musical theater

Japan Pledges US$1 Billion to UN Development Goals

Japan on July 17 pledged US$1 billion (S$1.37 billion) over the next two years to back the United Nations' development agenda, raising its profile as one of the world's largest foreign aid donors. Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told a meeting at the UN that the funding will go to help children and youth worldwide, in particular to promote education, health, disaster response and gender equality.

Tags: international aid, nation branding, united nations, japan, development, international development

Queen Letizia of Spain Does High Street Style Diplomacy in Topshop

For the last day of her state visit to the UK,  which included an official farewell to The Queen and Prince Phillip at Buckingham Palace followed by a tour of the Francis Crick Institute, Letizia wore an ivory prom-style skirt by one of the UK's best-loved high street labels, Topshop. [...] Diplomatic dressing is a favored sartorial tactic of many of the world's most high-profile women, who use their style choices to pay tribute to the places and countries they visit.

Tags: fashion diplomacy, topshop, zara, queen letizia, spain, uk, london, first lady, melania trump

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