Reflecting a move of 33 percentage points in the past 10 years, a majority of Americans — 54 percent — currently see Cuba in a favorable light, according to Gallup. The nation's favorability rating went up across the U.S. political spectrum, but by far the biggest gain was among Democrats.

Benin's Angelique Kidjo has won the best world music album of the year at this year's Grammys in Los Angeles. The New York-based singer won the award for her Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg collaboration, Sings. "I want to dedicate this Grammy to all the traditional musicians in Africa, in my country, to all the young generation," Kidjo said.

Hans Poppelaars is Chef and Co-Founder of Le Manoir Kasselslay. Hailing from the Netherlands, he became inspired by Luxembourg's food traditions during his family trips to the Grand Duchy when he was a child. [...] it means identity, research, quality and giving the traditions more value. It also helps with nation branding, especially since the visual is very strong from a design perspective.

An exhibition to introduce South Korea to the world to increase its national brand awareness will be held in Seoul later this month. The non-governmental organization Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) and Yonhap News Agency will cohost the "National Brand (UP) Exhibition" at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul from Feb. 23-28.

After years of negligence and a lack of serious preservation efforts, the historic buildings and facades of Lahore’s old city are being rescued from further deterioration […] The Walled City of Lahore initiative has helped promote cultural activities and tourism in the city. The initiative allows visitors, both local and foreign, to get acquainted with the history, architecture, lifestyle, and community of old Lahore.

Across America, sushi is getting reimagined, often in outlandish ways. […] But none of them are authentically Japanese — not even the beloved California roll […] A new program from the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will certify that Japanese restaurants operating outside the country uphold the values of traditional Japanese cuisine, known as washoku.