As an economy prospers, its culture perhaps begins to grow in appeal. Over the last 100 years or so – jeans, Coke, McDonald’s, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Hollywood — about everything American had been lapped up as things of global cool. They still are. The 20th was entirely America’s century.

"Considering not only the spreading of culture and sharing of experience on the development of culture, but also the appreciation of each other's cultural fruits, cultural exchanges between China and France weigh a lot in bilateral relations," a Chinese diplomat told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"I really like it, and I take it very seriously," [Salma Hayek] tells reporters straining over the barrier for a comment about her role as a judge at this film festival. "It looks like they have built a great home for arts, culture and film." Who would believe she was talking about Qatar, a desert country of 1.7 million people...

In a country famed for its distance runners and sweltering sun, few would expect Kenya to be enthusiastic about winter sports. But at an ice rink in the capital, some young Kenyans are playing a new and exciting western game.

For his India visit, President Barack Obama will likely receive stacks of India briefings from the State Department, the CIA, the National Security Council and countless officials. Aides will give him binders full of articles so he can better understand the wonder that is India. However, seeing is believing and nothing will better prepare Mr. Obama for his trip than watching Bollywood. On his 15-hour flight, the President can whip through five Bollywood movies that vividly bring new and old India to life.

American Ballet Theatre dancers promised pirouettes - not politics - during the troupe's historic visit to Cuba this week, the first by the New York-based company since shortly after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution turned the island into a U.S. nemesis.

Moscow’s sushi obsession is set to survive the current dispute between Russia and Japan over the remote Kuril Islands. While the authorities squabble of the wind-swept rocks, the ever-growing passion for Japanese cuisine continues apace.