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.

Challenging the Pakistani Taliban Through Culture

With these fighting words, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari did something no other Pakistani politician has done: publicly defy the Taliban (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan or TTP).

Tags: pakistan, taliban, Cultural Diplomacy, pakistani taliban, tehreek-i-taliban pakistan, terrorism, extremism

Business Blurs the Lines of Diplomacy for Social Impact

Effective, pragmatic partnerships based on shared objectives—economic growth, financial stability, and more—are the future of diplomacy. Such partnerships will be the engine for increased security and prosperity, not just for advanced, but also for emerging economies around the world.

Tags: corporate diplomacy, public diplomacy, private sector, business, diplomacy, government pd

Beijing's Bad-Air Days, Finally Counted

Thanks to the U.S. State Department, Beijing residents finally have the answer to one of the city’s greatest mysteries: How often is the air polluted? Well, a lot, a resident would say. But how many is a lot? 

Tags: u.s. department of state, china, pollution, china real time, beijing, beijing pollution, environment, public health

Immigrants Stir New Life Into Sao Paulo's Gritty Old Center

For obvious reasons, many Paulistanos still consider this megacity’s decrepit old center a no-go zone. Carjacking and kidnapping gangs preyon motorists at stoplights. Squatterscontrol dozens of graffiti-splattered apartment buildings. Sinewy addicts roam through the streets smoking crack cocaine in broad daylight.

Tags: brazil, sao paulo, development, immigration, africa, south america, diaspora, poverty, Cultural Diplomacy, diversity

Revealed: USAID 'Cuban Twitter' Contractor Given Secret Level Clearance

A firm contracted by the U.S. government to help set up a Twitter-like network in Cuba held secret level security clearance and was warned the operation could involve classified work, according to documents seen by Al Jazeera.

Tags: cuban twitter, usaid, aid diplomacy, cuba, united states, zunzuneo, office of transition initiatives

Can China's Baidu Search Engine Censor Results in America? Sure, Says A US Court

Google the phrase “democracy is,” and you'll get several instant search suggestions. But when you Baidu it, you only get one. Coincidence? Maybe. But China's largest search engine has a bit of a track record when it comes to politically-motivated censorship. 

Tags: baidu, google, censorship, china, internet, first amendment, freedom of speech, internet freedom, democracy

Venezuela’s Agony: Weak President, Strong Generals, Riots and Cocaine

In the dark before dawn one night last February, Colonel Googlis Martín Caballero was driving a white Ford Explorer through the Venezuelan countryside not far from the Colombian border. With him were his wife, his daughter and roughly half a ton of cocaine. 

Tags: venezuela, nicolas maduro, conflict, colombia, south america, hugo chavez, narcotrafficking, chavismo, socialism, economy, inflation

Google, Once Disdainful of Lobbying, Now a Master of Washington Influence

In May 2012, the law school at George Mason University hosted a forum billed as a “vibrant discussion” about Internet search competition. Many of the major players in the field were there — regulators from the Federal Trade Commission, federal and state prosecutors, top congressional staffers.

Tags: google, soft power, lobbying, internet, digital diplomacy, u.s. federal trade commission, united states

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