As the countdown to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) election intensifies, diplomacy takes a silly turn. Australia, Finland and Luxembourg – competitors in the race - continue to outdo each other in pursuit of the diplomatic prize: a temporary seat on the UNSC.

NEWLY appointed US Ambassador to Swaziland Makila James yesterday met editors and senior journalists from various media houses... She said her government firmly believed that a free press was critical to the success of any democratic society. “In order for our society to thrive, citizens need accurate, timely and independent news,” she said.

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) brought together a diverse group of thinkers, policymakers and practitioners for an October 15 conference that examined the positive impact of online or “virtual” exchanges for students and others around the world and the need to expand their use in an era of tight constraints on spending.

According to the public relations office of the Cultural Department of the Ministry, Ali Esmaeili said that the secretariat is necessary for proper planning and efficient presence of Iran in international exhibitions.

Minister of Culture Dr. Mohamed Saber Arab confirmed during a meeting with Tajik ambassador to Egypt Narzullo Nazarov...that the two countries will cooperate in the field of translation while a protocol of cultural cooperation between the two countries will be signed and cultural agreements will be activated.

NEW DELHI: Cultural ties between India and Russia have got a boost with the signing of a protocol between both the countries for a festival to be held Oct 24- Nov 4 in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

In a visit aimed at consolidating and deepening China’s diplomatic, economic and "soft power" presence in South Asia, a top Chinese official will visit Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Maldives in a three-nation tour starting on Wednesday.

The documents show that the United States conducted a broad-based multilateral diplomacy to address the crisis and that U.S. diplomats were active participants in the development of the International Energy Agency’s program of energy cooperation.