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.
Top 10 Cities Attracting Chinese Returnees to Start Up Business
Beijing attracts most Chinese overseas student entrepreneurs, according to a report jointly released by Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based independent think tank, and China's recruitment website Zhaopin.com. "Soft power" including interpersonal connections, comfortable environment, cultural diversity, and resources are the most important reasons the returned entrepreneurs consider when deciding on base.
Hajj Pilgrim Spending Jumps by 70 Percent
With global oil prices flailing, Saudi Arabia is turning to another natural resource: billions of dollars gained from religious tourism as the kingdom hosts the annual hajj pilgrimage. “The money spent by pilgrims this year could be from 20 to 25 billion riyals (5.3 to 6.7 billion dollars),” said Maher Jamal, head of Makkah’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry - an estimated 70 percent increase from the previous year.
Asian-African Training Session on International Law Held in Beijing
Some 50 legal experts and officials from Asian and African countries, the African Union and the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization (AALCO) joined a training session on international law in Beijing Monday. Jointly organized by Wuhan University and the Asian Academy of International Law, the third training session of the AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law will run till September 24.
Russian Supermodel’s Foundation Funds Sharing of Information
Natalia Vodianova has been the face of Calvin Klein campaigns and she’s graced the cover of Vogue. She’s also the founder of the Naked Heart Foundation whose mission is to support people with disabilities. Staff and faculty from the University of New Mexico’s departments of neurology, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and from Carrie Tingley Hospital are participating in a Naked Heart Foundation program aimed at bringing new ideas about working with children with special needs and their families to facilities in Russia through international exchange experiences.
Can an America First Nation Get the World's Help After Harvey?
Natural disasters know no political boundaries. And that’s why international humanitarian relief flows so quickly, and in such great and humbling quantities, when hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis strike. But today, with Houston suffering as Mother Nature’s latest victim, will the world’s giving nations step-up and step-in to help American relief efforts?
North Korea Tourism: U.S. Travel Ban Takes Effect
A U.S. ban on its citizens travelling to North Korea has come into effect, at a time of heightened tensions over North Korean missile launches. The new rule was announced after U.S. student Otto Warmbier died after being released from prison in North Korea. The State Department said it was necessary "due to the serious and mounting risk" of detention.
Nigeria Seeks British Investment
Acknowledging the various interventions by the British Government in aid of the country’s developmental challenges, the minister said although Nigeria would appreciate more foreign aid from the British Government, it would be looking more in the area of investments from companies in that country coming into Nigeria. He explained the government’s efforts toward ensuring the ease of doing business and particularly mentioned the creation of industrial hubs in the six geo-political zones of the country that would have the basic facilities required for manufacturing to thrive smoothly.
A £198m Transfer Is Not About Football. It's About Soft Power
Just as many fans have been grudgingly coming to terms with football’s new reality, Qatar Sports Investments shelled out the £198m to transfer Neymar from Barcelona. This hardly came as a surprise. Neymar is a phenomenal talent. But it is important to understand what lies behind this: governments from across Asia have been targeting football for some time as a means of building their global soft power and boosting their images.
Pages
Visit CPD's Online Library
Explore CPD's vast online database featuring the latest books, articles, speeches and information on international organizations dedicated to public diplomacy.