NEWLY appointed US Ambassador to Swaziland Makila James yesterday met editors and senior journalists from various media houses... She said her government firmly believed that a free press was critical to the success of any democratic society. “In order for our society to thrive, citizens need accurate, timely and independent news,” she said.

The Israeli government is to launch a wide-ranging campaign to boost the global image of Jewish settlers and bolster its illegal settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian territories. The move was announced by the Minister of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Affairs, Yulu Edelstein. The campaign will include direct and indirect media activities which target social networks across the world.

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) brought together a diverse group of thinkers, policymakers and practitioners for an October 15 conference that examined the positive impact of online or “virtual” exchanges for students and others around the world and the need to expand their use in an era of tight constraints on spending.

According to the public relations office of the Cultural Department of the Ministry, Ali Esmaeili said that the secretariat is necessary for proper planning and efficient presence of Iran in international exhibitions.

Representatives from several Euro-Mediterranean countries, including France, Iran, Israel, Morocco, Romania and Tunisia attended the launch on Tuesday of the 18th MedFilm Festival at a press conference at the Casa del Cinema.

From 19 October to 12 November, different exhibitions and concerts dedicated to the Azerbaijani culture and art are planned to be held in different regions of France with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation... Exhibitions will showcase Azerbaijani miniatures, ancient carpets, archeological cultural findings, folk musical instruments...

Minister of Culture Dr. Mohamed Saber Arab confirmed during a meeting with Tajik ambassador to Egypt Narzullo Nazarov...that the two countries will cooperate in the field of translation while a protocol of cultural cooperation between the two countries will be signed and cultural agreements will be activated.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will make his first historic three-day visit to the Philippines to meet with President Benigno Aquino III and discuss ways to enhance the two countries' political, economic and cultural relations...He will be accompanied by a 130-member delegation composed of ministers, parliamentarians and businessmen...