In a week of ultra sporting competition between different nations, 12 of the world's greatest cities came together in a slightly different spirit to look at how they fared in the field of culture. Following a year of intensive research, the Mayor's Office launched the World Cities Culture Report 2012 at an international summit of city government and arts leaders.

Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama met Thursday with Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy Li Liguo, who arrived here to attend Friday's scheduled funeral of Ghana's late President John Evans Atta Mills. Mills died on July 24 at the age of 68 at a military hospital in Accra. During the meeting, Mahama said "China is a true friend of Africa, not only in terms of economic cooperation, but also in terms of political solidarity."

Studying the Olympics should be a required experience for anyone running for or serving in public office. Maybe then they could get over the persistent, uncompromising ego that figures so large in politics, and end up working for the common good.

South Korea's president on Friday made a surprise, election-year visit to islets also claimed by Japan, which quickly reasserted its sovereignty there, recalled its ambassador from Seoul and warned that the trip would worsen the countries' strained relations. President Lee Myung-bak's trip to the tiny, rocky outcroppings between the countries was the first by a South Korean president, officials in his office said.

Relations between Indonesia and Namibia have matured to a point of good friendship since they were inaugurated 21 years ago. It was their historical background that initially helped lay the foundation for close ties between the two countries. Back then, Indonesia, being a promoter of decolonization of all Asian and African nations, was working together with SWAPO in the UN forum during the struggle for Namibia’s liberation. After independence, the two countries witnessed huge changes and progress.

China's government already encourages participant sports as an enduring piece of its diplomacy that calls on citizens to understand the world as is and then conquer a piece of it. Children eagerly attach to soccer as taught in school or to basketball as seen on television. Their elders play ping pong or badminton in public parks, with grimaces revealing a passion to win, not just have fun. The government grooms its top athletes at specialized universities to play in international events.

After Japan, now the Dutch fashion industry collaborates with Indian designers for a collection that will debut on the opening day of WIFW Spring Summer 2013, starting Oct 6.
Co-initiated by the FDCI foundation, HTNK Fashion recruitment and consultancy foundation and House of Denim, the programme is titled "Dutch Fashion Here & Now India" (DFH&NI). It will see Indian names Suneet Varma, Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna teaming up with Dutch fashion house.

The governor’s office released the following statement on the Enterprise Florida trade mission headed by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll to Trinidad and Tobago: This week Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll embarked on a trade mission to Trinidad, West Indies. She was accompanied by 27 Florida businesses representing 23 industries. Hoping to expand trade, Florida businesses were able to have one-on-one “matchmaker” meetings with local Trinidad businesses. The participants stated that the trade mission exceeded all of their expectations and were very pleased to have the Lt.