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.

The Internet Has a Message For Tony Blair Now That He's Babbling About the Middle East Again

Former UK prime minister and crusader against the "Axis of Evil" Tony Blair delivered a speech Wednesday calling for Western powers to "take sides" in Middle East foreign policy and to move the issue of "religious extremism" to the top of their agenda.

Tags: tony blair, united kingdom, middle east, quartet, levant, internet, social media, egypt, syria, islam, extremism, terrorism

Royal Tour of Australia is All About Creation of Soft Propaganda

This is succession planning. It's about laying down memories in Australia against the time the Queen dies. The first tour is the one that matters – the tour with the young couple and the baby, the gloss not worn off their marriage and possible princely misdemeanours of the child far in the future.

Tags: united kingdom, prince william, british royal family, australia, soft propaganda, soft power, propaganda, commonwealth, duke and duchess of cambridge, tourism

On Tour With the Slum Tourists in Kenya

Tourism is a money-spinner in Kenya - it is the country's second largest source of income, writes Jamal Osman. Its safaris are world famous, but a recent drop-off in wildlife tourism has given rise to this new type of sightseeing.

Tags: kenya, africa, slums, tourism, slum tourism, poverty, economy, nation branding, kibera, nairobi

Building 'A Bridge Between China and Europe'

Recently, CCTV aired a special program about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Europe. The program was even given a grandiose title: “A Bridge Between China and Europe.” China’s media continues to play up the success of Xi’s first visit to Europe.

Tags: china, europe, united states, asia pacific, diplomacy, foreign policy, cctv, xi jinping, east asia, media

Sri Lanka to Expel Tourist with Buddha Tattoo

Sri Lankan authorities have decided to deport a British tourist for having an image of Buddha tattooed on her arm, officials have said. Police spokesman Ajith Rohana said on Wednesday that Naomi Coleman, 37, was detained at Colombo's airport after she arrived from India on Monday when authorities spotted the tattoo of Buddha seated on a lotus flower.

Tags: sri lanka, united kingdom, tourism, buddhism, buddha, colombo, faith diplomacy, Cultural Diplomacy

Justin Bieber Visits Japan's Yasukuni War Shrine

Global pop star Justin Bieber has sparked controversy in Asia after he uploaded photos of his visit to Japan’s controversial war shrine. During a visit to Tokyo with his mother on Wednesday, Justin Bieber posted photos of himself at Japan’s controversial Yasukuni Shrine on his Instagram account, sparking outrage in some Asian countries.

Tags: justin bieber, japan, yasukuni war shrine, world war ii, history, public diplomacy, china, south korea, Cultural Diplomacy

History Education: The Source of Conflict Between China and Japan

While people often discuss historical problems in the bilateral relationship between China and Japan, they normally only see history as a background issue for the current tension and thus refrain from taking any actions. Most people also believe that it would take a long time to see any result from changes to the historical narrative and history education.

Tags: japan, china, history, education, history education, sino-japanese war, rape of nanjing, public diplomacy, youth

Colombians Want The World to Stop Misspelling Their Country's Name. It's Colombia, Not Columbia

Colombians have a message for the world: Stop misspelling our country's name. Seriously, it's not that hard. It's Colombia, NOT Columbia. The simple reminder has grown into a global campaign. Sure, it's just one pesky vowel, but, in this case, the difference between an "o" and a "u" is the difference between respect and disrespect.

Tags: colombia, south america, campaign, advertising, it's colombia not columbia

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