Affairs
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Saggen
Beyond being an ideal event city, Innsbruck’s year-round vibrancy makes it perfect for second, or even first home status. Prices may be high, but then so is the quality of life.
Yubari: Ghost town
Featuring the haunting photographs of Shinichi Ito, our Asia bureau chief, Fiona Wilson, reports from Yubari, the Japanese coal city that lost 90 per cent of its residents after its mines closed and the…
Europe
For three years, people have wondered about the construction of Dragon Gate, a Chinese cultural centre in the Swedish woods, complete with massive statues of lions, horses, and the goddess Guan-Yin.
Oceania
In the southern hemisphere, the holidays are over and New Zealanders are bracing for a year of political blood sport. An election is due no later than mid-November.
The show goes on
May Chidiac, a political TV journalist and staunch critic of Syria, remains defiant after a bomb attack. She has returned to presenting for the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, despite losing an arm and leg.
Outside influence
US voters are often seen as oblivious to the world. Yet war, immigration and a globalised economy mean foreign affairs will play a bigger part in the 2008 election than ever before.
Power struggle
Sakhalin, in Russia’s far east, is a short hop from Japan, its former ruler. Marooned during the Soviet era, the region has seen little investment or spoils from its own huge oil reserves.
Americas
The 2008 Democratic primary is hotting up, with Obama, Clinton and Edwards battling for votes. This year, their appearance is being dissected by an image-obsessed media and public more than ever before.
Asia
Imagine walking into a room bursting with not-yet-released products, from bath oils and bottled water to exercise machines and lipsticks. Now imagine being told to help yourself.
Africa/Middle East
Quick quiz question. Which part of France has the highest birth rate? Paris? Bordeaux? Marseille? The answer lies further south. Some 5,000 miles further south.
