Affairs
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Asia
Why English-style village shops are popping up in rural China and how the hutongs of Beijing may be given a reprieve. Plus, the latest figures on who is living the longest.
Secret treasures
These outposts may not score highly on the Monocle city metrics – they’re not very well connected for starters. But they all offer a quality of life we would recommend.
Shop idols
It can take just one retailer to unite a neighbourhood and restore a sense of old-fashioned community. Monocle has found 10 independent shops doing just that, from Barcelona to Tokyo.
Observation
An alluring first impression or a tempting parting glance? For Tyler Brûlé it was the latter, sparking dreams of relocating Monocle to Berlin and finding a perfect summer retreat in the German capital.
50 things to improve your life
Our 2009 global round-up of the people, pursuits, places and pets to improve the way you live, work, rest, commute and communicate.
Full speed ahead
Later this year, Barack Obama's transportation secretary Ray LaHood will begin allocating $8 billion to emerging American train systems, with another $5 billion to come over the next five years - the first time…
Europe
How Sarkozy wings it in Me and My Motorcade, plus Luxembourg goes to the polls and bar room blues hit the UK.
Media face-off
On 7 June, Lebanon holds its most hotly contested general election. The fiercest fights are not on the streets but in the media, as factions battle it out on the airwaves.
Paradise regained
Born from socialist ideals, the appeal of the kibbutzim has faded over the years. To survive, they’ve become profit-making cooperatives, attracting Israelis back with a higher standard of living.
