Airbnb, the "official alternative accommodation service" for the Olympic Games, has made a big investment into Rio and it's is already paying off. A city that once lacked enough hotels and is living under Brazil's recession has meant big opportunity for the homesharing marketplace. [...] In preparation for the Olympics, Airbnb has worked in coordination with the organizing committee to encourage people to open up their homes for visitors.

From yesterday, the 10th edition of the East African Military Games are underway in Kigali under the theme 'One people, one destiny'. The Military Games and Cultural Events bring together over 500 soldiers from EAC member states to compete in a wide range sporting events and cultural shows. [...] The objective of the Military Games is to contribute in building confidence, friendship, cooperation 

Art has always been a great way to connect people from different countries and cultures. [...] It transcends borders, language, race, and cultures. The past week was a testament to that as 13 Filipino artists visited Malaysia through ArtDialogo, an initiative that proves to be the beginning of yet another opportunity for cultural exchange in the Southeast Asian region.

A new Confucius Classroom was inaugurated at the Universidad del Caribe (Unicaribe) by visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong on Sunday in Cancun, in the southeast Mexican state of Quintana Roo. During the inauguration ceremony, Liu said that Mexican students' fluent Chinese and great performances made her feel the charm of cultural exchange, and see the bright future of friendly ties between the two countries. 

Governor KK Paul inaugurated the Baltic Research Centre at Dev Sanskriti Viswa Vidyalaya in Haridwar today [...] He said the establishment of the Baltic centre would not only strengthen our cultural ties with Baltic countries but also encourage research and explore our heritage, which had remained suppressed, in our country as well as in the Baltic states.

Since a teenager, Art Thomya, YouTube host and travel vlogger, has enthusiastically participated in Asean cultural exchange programmes. His passion for the region rings true until today. The 39-year-old, who wears a number of hats, uses his talent as an independent singer/songwriter and travel enthusiast to promote the Asean region's tourism and culture on his YouTube travel programme Hey! Asean.

The British Council has unveiled a series of cultural and educational programs aimed at promoting its 'Year of Culture' to be observed across India and UK in 2017. These will include student scholarships, partnerships between Indian and British universities and a roadshow on Shakespeare - the most enduring literary and cultural icon that unites the two countries.

The U.S. Department of State plans to send circus experts, acrobats or clowns to schools in Turkmenistan as part of a cultural exchange program. [...] “Through this program, Turkmen students and faculty of the Circus Arts Department will have a chance to work and learn from American professionals in a series of master-classes,” the grant summary says.