Brand Ghana and Brand South Africa are devising strategies to help improve the competitive brands of the two countries, and those of other countries in Africa.

Doualy Xaykaothao reports on "Past Forward,"  a collection of works by contemporary artists from the United Arab Emirates. And vice president of news Rick Holter empties the media's trove of military and conflict clichés with the standards and practices editor for NPR, Mark Memmott.

Indian community members across the emirates have geared up to celebrate the 43rd UAE National Day, showing solidarity to a country that is hosting more than two million Indians, the largest expatriate community here.

Koala diplomacy involved world leaders getting photographed and cuddling with Koala named Jimbelung- the furry grey animals, shy native marsupials of Australia. Jimbelung, which means friend in a local Aboriginal dialect, was later gifted to Japan.

A musical homage to President Xi Jinping of China and his wife, Peng Liyuan, has circulated widely online in recent days, a sign of how the public face of Chinese leadership has changed since Mr. Xi took office two years ago.

US ambassador to Russia said that he would like to expand contacts and cultural ties between Russia and the United States.  Relations between Russia and the US have been strained in light of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. 

Last month China’s president Xi Jinping presented his pragmatic vision for China’s arts and creative industries. (...)Whereas his predecessor Hu Jintao saw culture as a means to boost China’s global prestige and soft power, Xi is as concerned with shaping China’s hearts and minds.