Naomi Xu Elegant
In the driving seat
The small Southeast Asian nation’s evergreen president is steering his country from brutal occupation to the promise of the road ahead.
Hit your stride
We hope that these diverse ideas might inspire you to be ambitious, be serious about having fun – and to get out there, put your best foot forward and go for it.
Monocle’s Quality of Life survey 2023: The world’s most liveable cities
This year’s survey of the best places to enjoy all that life offers finds a world grappling with new urban challenges.
On the up
From a forward-looking emirate to coastal enclaves in Mexico and Morocco, these cities are emerging from the pandemic having made bold improvements and attracted new residents.
Front and centre
Most city buildings reveal only one ornate façade, but Barcelona’s La Carbonería stands apart with four richly adorned façades, each featuring arching windows and striking balustrades that showcase its dramatic architectural flair.
Local heroes
Independent shops from Hong Kong to Madrid prove that knowing customers by name and fostering genuine community connections remains the foundation of thriving neighbourhood businesses.
Flight problems
Problems at a Rio de Janeiro airport, Scoot CEO Leslie Thng and the family-owned department stores thriving in the US.
Hit squad
From a magical-realist tale of life in a South Korean village to the latest beats to get the dance floor jumping, we survey this month’s cultural highlights.
The Opener
Deceptive dinosaurs and desperate Australian estate agents. Plus: why some of Jair Bolsonaro’s fans are appealing to a higher authority.
