Affairs
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Africa/Middle East
Somaliland pursues democracy despite its unrecognised status, Yemen's president claims a crime crackdown amid meltdown, and Gaza's schools reopen during a continued blockade of basic materials.
Americas
In our View from Washington, we look at one of Barack Obama's many dilemmas: whether to allow visitors from friendly countries to land on US soil without a visa.
Europe
The new leaders tasked with saving Eastern Europe from economic doom, the Swedish town that's delighted it's being dumped on, and why French holidaymakers might want to take out more travel insurance.
First lady
Bahrain’s Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo has broken the diplomatic mould as a Jewish woman representing an Arab country. Relations with Iran and encouraging US investment in Bahrain occupy much of her time.
Soft focus
Since the fall of the Wall, Germany’s foreign office has become a master of gently promoting ‘Brand Germany’, with Berlin as the jewel in its decidely understated crown.
Expo 29: How I Govern
From Nagasaki to Washington, Monocle chronicles how a diverse group of presidents and mayors manage, from dealing with poverty and provincial wars to taking power naps and holding 'noodle' meetings.
Go with the flow
There’s nothing that irritates architects more than the word ‘cosy’. We believe they should rethink their view, as most of us are looking for intimacy, good lighting and sensible scale.
Cobble it up
Along with clean hospitals and punctual buses, our cities should have a cosy feel to them. Let’s hear it for warm street lighting, pristine parks and cobbled back alleys.
From coal to cool
Thanks to its excellent universities, international transport links and super bright, skilled workforce, this former mining city in Germany’s Ruhr valley has been transformed into a hive for hi-tech firms.
On the money
How come some nations’ banks glided through the global banking crisis unscathed? Do we even need money? But what if it’s forged? Three writers deposit their accounts.
