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Clean break

A new robust approach to diplomatic relations marks a break with tradition for Canada. And many believe it has damaged the nation’s soft-power credentials.
Rocket city

Huntsville, Alabama is a global player in the defence and aerospace industries but in order to ensure its economic future it must diversify. It’s looking to bio-tech to not only attract top researchers and entrepreneurs, but also inject a dose of vibrancy.
Ethics work

Germany’s economic status exceeds its place in the world power order. With a touching lack of marketing sophistication and sturdy business values, Europe’s powerhouse has achieved soft power almost by accident.
All hail

The iconic London black cab is being adopted across the world, from Azerbaijan to Italy. It’s been painted purple and made into a high-class ride with wi-fi and a drinks cabinet, and it all started with The London Taxi Company, which Monocle visits in Coventry.
Flying patients

Consumers are increasingly looking beyond their native borders for low-cost, quality healthcare – and if there’s a safari thrown into the package, all the better. Monocle looks at the global hotspots attracting patients wanting anything from hi-tech surgery to a facelift.
XXI marks the spot

With no advertising, no marketing and limited online presence, the success of ‘XXI’ magazine has proven that readers do not need much persuasion to pay for beautifully presented, long-form journalism.
Brand Britain

London has had some bad press but with the Olympics ahead, can its burgeoning design scene save the day?
At your service

Monocle brings its taste for global cuisine, impeccable coffee and serene interiors to the Japanese capital with the first Monocle Café.
Top Tenn

Stockholm’s Svenskt Tenn has had its one and only homewares shop at the same location for 84 years. As Monocle discovers, a redesign of the iconic store hasn’t lost any of the homely charm of the firm’s idiosyncratic founder.
Turning the tables

At China’s International Furniture Expo, Furniture Labo launched its Stellar Works collection. Proud to be made in Shanghai, it’s not only gaining fans abroad but also targeting discerning Chinese clients.
A question of taste

Italians have never really believed in hard politics. They’ve always known that the root to real power is through a person’s stomach, and have acted accordingly, building up an enviable array of world class food and drink brands.

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High frequency

As we were putting this issue to bed, the studios of our new audio venture, Monocle 24, were moving into high gear. Broadcasting around the clock, Monocle 24 is a mix of discussion, news on the hour, happy tunes and a week’s worth of specialist magazine programmes. Here’s a day in the life of launch week.