The passage of the Smith-Mundt Modernization act as part of the NDAA removes the restriction on the State Department and Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) banning the broadcast or distribution of materials produced for overseas consumption inside the US.

Numerous pan-Arab rivals sprouted to grab a viewing share with a copycat mix of flashy graphics, daring reportage and sizzling debate. And global media firms such as Bloomberg, News Corporation and CNN have pushed into the Arab market.

It is important for everyone to realise that a country's brand is a proclamation of existing strengths and not a statement of desire, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He said this had to be rooted in reality and connected to the people, encompassing products, governance, sustainable growth as well as social and human capital.

A private delegation including Google's Eric Schmidt is urging North Korea to allow more open Internet access and cellphones to benefit its citizens, the mission's leader said Wednesday in the country with some of the world's tightest controls on information.

One by one they came to the microphones, some gingerly, some with great gusto, each with a remarkable story to share. The speakers were members of the Asia Society's Asia 21 young leaders program — rising stars from more than 20 nations, representing a kaleidoscope of professional backgrounds.

There is no shortage of social activity in government, but a new report finds that agencies are becoming increasingly familiar with the benefits of social platforms and discovering uses that further their missions.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society is set to send 625 tons of flour to Syria as part of "Bread&Blanket for Syria," an international campaign aimed at extending humanitarian aid to Syrians forced to leave their homes due to the nearly two-year-old civil war, Turkey's Office of Public Diplomacy said Wednesday.

Transparency in government took a huge step forward on January 3. On that day, President Obama signed into law the Smith–Mundt Modernization Act as an amendment to the 2013 Defense Authorization Bill.