Twitter finally has a toehold in Israel: The social networking company has retained the services of the public relations firm of Daphna Triwaks, whose Triwaks Public Relations will start representing the company locally this week.

David Duckenfield, currently president of Balsera Communications, has been appointed deputy assistant secretary for public affairs at the US Department of State. Duckenfield will lead the State Department's public liaison and domestic outreach efforts and will seek to broaden understanding of American values by communicating with both the American people and global audiences.

Richard Stengel, the managing editor of Time magazine, is leaving to become under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs at the State Department, according to people familiar with the appointment. Mr. Stengel replaces Tara Sonenshine, who held the post with Secretaries of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Kerry before leaving in July.

Egypt is seeking global public affairs support as the international community responds to violence plaguing the nation. The government -- currently led by military-backed interim president Gen. Abdel Fattah Al Sisi -- is in talks with a handful of firms that have strong public-affairs capabilities in the U.S. and Europe, and has issued at least one global RFP out of London, according to people familiar with the matter.

The documents show that the United States conducted a broad-based multilateral diplomacy to address the crisis and that U.S. diplomats were active participants in the development of the International Energy Agency’s program of energy cooperation.

"These meetings are critical for developing positive relationships with community members and citizens of other countries and regions who may not be familiar with U.S. Africa Command," said Major Charles Parada, U.S. AFRICOM's International Engagement Division deputy chief, who briefed the guests on international engagements.

In a small classroom in the Director of Women’s Affairs office, more than 20 women gathered, mostly teachers, for a two-day communications workshop held in Bazarak District here, beginning Feb. 8.