Real power in global governance requires intellectual input into the international financial and economic agenda, policies and rules — the effective exercise of ‘soft’ power. [...] The major substantial outcomes of the G20 to date, including updating international financial regulatory rules through Basel III and international tax cooperation on tax havens, have been mostly led by the Atlantic countries.

A popular restaurant, which sells Indian and Pakistani cuisine and the idea of peace between the not-so-friendly neighbours right at the international border between both countries, will showcase its food at an international food event in Paris next month.

The theme of Art Bengaluru 2016 is to “Celebrate the World with the Spirit of India”. This year’s edition aims to provide a platform for the global exchange of art and culture with participation from 8 international artists from France, China, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Israel and Peru, apart from an association with international cultural institutes including the Alliance Francaise, Instituto Cervantes, Italian Institute of Culture and the British Council.

The leaders of Italy, France and Germany have been meeting on board the Italian aircraft carrier ‘Garibaldi.’ The trio planned to discuss several topics such as the migrant crisis as well as securing Europe’s internal and external borders following a string of Islamist militant attacks.

That wireless network, called "Jungala," is beamed into the camp from a crude but serviceable hand-built antenna that sits atop a battered blue truck once used to transport horses. It's called the Refugee Info Bus and it's run by a charity group called Help Refugees. Jungala, the Afghan name for the camp, serves as a lifeline for its occupants, with as many as 400 people logging on every day. 

Lord co-wrote and co-edited Cities, Museums and Soft Power, a book of essays by prominent culture experts on the influence of museums and arts institutions on cities and citizens. While hard power is exerted by countries through weapons, war, sanctions and money, soft power creates influence through persuasion, agenda-setting and culture, Lord says.

A special cultural exchange programme that connected 17 state schools in Rio de Janeiro with schools in other countries around the world concluded with a special ceremony on Tuesday at the award-winning Art Museum of Rio. Launched in February this year by the Rio 2016 organising committee, the Conexão Transforma project has built lasting bridges between Brazil and schools in 17 countries.

In collaboration with leading global organisations, the Abu Dhabi Festival, organised by the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, ADMAF, enables the creation of cultural initiatives that bring countries together and enable societies to better understand each other. The latest cultural diplomacy endeavours by the Abu Dhabi Festival also seek to further strengthen Abu Dhabi's position on the global cultural map.