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Power struggle

Thanks to substantial foreign investment and its status as the home of the African Union, the Ethiopian capital is positioning itself as Africa’s diplomatic hub. As the AU divides over how to expand its mandate, Addis is building a new image, and affirming its premiership in the powerful pan-continental body.
Recognise us yet?

But only a third of countries have acknowledged it and the young state has no seat at the UN and is forbidden from playing in international football matches. However, in the capital, Pristina, they have a plan.
Hope, still

Barack Obama may not yet have brought about as much change as promised, but he himself has certainly changed. He has learnt that he will have to fight dirty to get things done – and this means his first year in office can be deemed a success.
Snow place like home

It was the perfect powdery snow blown in from Siberia that attracted the Aussie skiers. And when they decided to stay put and open hotels and cafés they kickstarted a small business and development boom in Niseko, a once sleepy town in Japan’s far north.
Open and shut case

Pelican Products was founded by a diver who wanted to keep his equipment safe and now it makes protective cases for everyone from the military to the iPhone user. It’s expanded into ingenious lighting systems – and is making a healthy profit.
Post modern

Like other state-owned mail services, Swiss Post is under pressure from private-sector competition and the internet, but it is not running scared. The firm is transforming itself into a media and technology brand.
Synth sense

Danish producer Thomas Troelsen is the mastermind behind some of the last decade’s catchiest pop songs. He puts his success down to his huge collection of vintage synthesisers and not caring about what is supposedly hip.
Room to improve

The global marketplace isn’t short of economic indicators but none’s a more rapid read than hotel occupancy rates. With many predicting 2010 will still be tough going, we look at the managers, designers and concepts transforming the sector and rethinking the whole concept of hospitality. We also talk to a few informed guests.
Keep on trucking

The furniture made by the husband and wife team behind Truck is so popular that the couple have been able to move into stunning new premises complete with workshop, showroom and their own café serving steak and doughnuts.
Inn focus

It’s called the ‘art of inn-keeping’ for a good reason. If you’re not a natural host/designer/lighting director/logistician all rolled into one then you’ll need to spend years honing the craft of creating an environment where people will want to return again – and again.

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Dulce de leche / Global

Cream of the crop

With the growing Latino population in the US and Europe, and following on the success of Häagen-Daz’s dulce de leche ice cream (now its most popular flavour after vanilla), there is growing demand outside of Latin America for its treasured dulce de leche.

Cream of the crop

With the growing Latino population in the US and Europe, and following on the success of Häagen-Daz’s dulce de leche ice cream (now its most popular flavour after vanilla), there is growing demand outside of Latin America for its treasured dulce de leche.

Made by boiling milk with sugar, dulce de leche is a creamy caramel-like dessert that in South America is used in candy, layered in cakes and biscuits and spread on toast. It inspires the same loyalty and devotion as Marmite or Nutella. Who makes the best dulce de leche is a matter of intense debate among Latin Americans. Every country has its own version – cajete in Mexico, manjar blanco in Peru and Bolivia – but Argentina and Uruguay both believe they invented it. Argentina claims it as theirs, “And that really pisses off the Uruguayans,” says Regina Rebmann, owner of the popular Café Bacacay in Montevideo, Uruguay. “Talking about Dulce touches on national pride and tradition”.

Five of the best

01: La Salamandra (pictured) is the Argentine favourite.
lasalamandra.com.ar

02: Calcar con Crema is hands down the most delicious in Uruguay.
calcar.com.uy

03: Itambé, made in the Brazilian countryside, is the Havaianas of dulce.
itambe.com.br

04: Coronado Cajeta has a darker, more toffee-like texture, and is made in Mexico.
coronado.com.mx

05: Arequipe’s miniature container is a staple in Colombian school lunchboxes.
alimentos-santillana.com

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