Affairs
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Presenting the nation
A boom in state-funded English news channels aims to transmit a country’s brand alongside the news. We report on these new broadcast empires and ask if it's propaganda disguised as programming.
Trade secret
Once a colonial trading hub, George Town on the Malaysian island of Penang lost out to Hong Kong and Singapore. Now its faded villas and relaxed pace are luring a new generation of entrepreneurs.
Finnish line
The Russia-Finland border was once a Cold War flashpoint. Now, Finns and Russians work together to stop traffickers opening new smuggling routes. Monocle joins the Finnish border guards on patrol.
Out of Africa
While Chinese firms flock to Africa, a quieter phenomenon sees a steady stream of African businessmen moving into China. An estimated 10,000 of them now live and work in Guangzhou.
Africa/Middle East
West Africa wants its money back from France, the UAE's "Poetry Idol" and Japan's aid to Africa.
Americas
The Paraguay priest running for president, and a Style Leaders special on the Republican party's presidential candidates.
Europe
Why Norway is going Dutch, vodka and the Russian elections, plus the French mayor who could teach Sarkozy a lesson
Man in the middle
With Afghanistan reportedly heading for failed-state status, the Taliban continues to defy US and Nato-led troops. In the middle of this is Said Jawal, the Afghan ambassador to Washington, balancing conflicting expectations.
The flight watch
At London's Gatwick airport, police are relying on unlikely weapons to protect the travel hub from terror threats: plane-spotters and local farmers. Monocle reports on a community-based response to a global problem.
