After agreeing to underwrite a local Pakistan version of the ubiquitous children’s television show, Sesame Street, USAID officials pulled the funding for this project after corruption rumours began to appear in local newspapers.

The use of sports for achieving political purposes and strengthening diplomacy between nations seems to be waning since the fall of the Berlin wall. However, the Euro 2012 will be a good indicator on how viable the coercive aspect of sports diplomacy is in the 21st century.

American actor David Arquette is in Israel as a guest of the Tourism Ministry and the Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs. Arquette, 41, is currently in Israel to film a segment in the popular Travel Channel series “Mile High.” The show, which will be broadcast on cable and satellite channels in the U.S., will showcase Israeli tourism

Shared histories, similar cultures and aspirations link India and Africa together. Launched in 2011, 'INDIAFRICA : A Shared Future' is a people-to-people initiative between India and the African continent.

The strike became a visible example of abuses in a State Department public diplomacy program meant to build cross-cultural rapport. This summer will be a test of the State Department's rescue effort for the program.

Other friends are planning their summer trips to London to attend the 2012 Olympics. The sports pages of the New York Times and Los Angeles Times are filled with stories about the training regimens and back stories of potential medal winners.

The Philippines must compete with numerous countries and entities for the sustained attention of various key publics and decisions makers in the United States. The Philippines needs a response to this political reality of rival advocacies, clashing priorities and multiple agendas. As part of this response, the Philippines must develop as many platforms as possible from which to project a positive image of itself and of the Philippine-American alliance.

The Chief Minister’s presence in the UK could not have been timed or planned any better, even if the Government had attempted to strategically get Mr. Picardo to meet the likes of David Cameron, Nick Clegg or even have lunch with William Hague at his residence and then go on to meet the UK Chancellor.