We all know Japan and the United States share close cultural ties. What I had not realized as a young American academic taking up my first job in Britain in 1996 teaching Japanese art history at the University of East Anglia is that Japanese-British cultural relations are in fact much deeper.

The country is at something of a crossroads: A strategic defense review after the election could decide whether it continues to act as a close partner of the United States in military operations abroad or retreats to a lesser role.

The Arab News, since its inception, has carefully maintained a style of reporting on Saudi-UK relations that might best be described as one of friendly formality. It is almost never critical.

The 162-year-old Associated Press news agency, an American icon, has chosen London as the hub of its global television operation. Ian Burrell pays a visit to its historic offices.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Sanjay Mark Wadhwani has underscored the need for steady and enhanced trade and investment, besides economic and cultural relations between the UK and India, considering the long stating relations between the two great nations.

Teachers from Government schools across the UAE had the opportunity to improve the way they teach mixed ability classes and adapt materials at the first British Council Teaching Young Learners and Teenagers Conference on Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 March.

On May 1, the modern-day equivalent, the World Expo, will open in Shanghai, China. Given China's rising international profile, the Shanghai Expo seems to be less about inventions and more about geopolitics.

British Council Climate Champions from UAE are today showcasing their ambitious projects to combat climate change in their local community during a two-day regional workshop (30-31 March). This showcasing event marks the end of the first year of the Climate Champions programme in the Middle East.