Social media allowed an ''unprecedented'' two-way exchange of information between the public and those given the task of preparing for and responding to major events such as earthquakes, floods and infection pandemics, said researchers. The technology allowed officials to ''push'' information to the public while at the same time ''pulling'' in valuable data from bystanders.

APDS Blogger: Kimberly DeGroff Madsen

Britain knows it will never be Hollywood, but the domestic film industry has carved out a unique niche in the movie world, cemented by the success of The Kings Speech. In short, a good British film is often low budget with a gripping narrative and featuring British acting royalty. British history, literature or culture often play a key role – it is these films that are...the biggest successes in the US.

London's Bush theatre is to present its next show - a celebration of the King James Bible - at Westminster Abbey, in an overnight performance this October. Sixty-Six Books will see 66 novelists, playwrights, poets and authors respond to each of the 66 books in the historic Bible to mark its 400th anniversary.

Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai in association with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and L.B. Associates, New Delhi have launched an image building project in India to brand Sri Lanka as an emerging MICE destination in the South Asian Region.

Initiated by the International Marketing Council (IMC) of South Africa... the summits aim to increase provincial participation in the nation-branding effort and encourage active citizenship – which, in turn, will help position the country as a top investment and tourism destination.

According to a press release, the International MANGA Award, as part of the active use of pop culture in public diplomacy, was established to share Japanese pop culture and to help promote understanding of Japan among overseas cartoonists.