From a museum on the move to an Egyptian on a mission, we present the people, organisations and issues set to shape 2017 and beyond.

Yes, they have economic problems and some rocky politics but the old Eastern bloc nations are poised to set the European agenda in 2017. From defence to pinching City of London jobs, the Visegrad Group is shaping up to shake up the year ahead.

How to care for an increasingly large ageing population is a question that faces every city. But those that answer it – as the city of Toyama has – by inviting seniors to live and interact in their centres are discovering far-reaching benefits.

It’s not what we hoped for. We’re not happy about it. But rather than rear up against the nightmare, we need to face our fears. Here’s how to handle the Donald Dilemma.

With Donald Trump’s comments about ditching Nato and his ambiguous stance towards Russia stoking fears of being abandoned, the airbase at Ämari has become a crucial site for policing the Baltic states from above.

As cities become increasingly choked with traffic, new ways of keeping our urban centres moving are being explored and – perhaps surprisingly – the car is still key to the mix. From updates on car-sharing to mini buses, the auto industry is fighting back.

All around the world, ambitious entrepreneurs are starting out in business, all with different visions and set-ups but one crucial thing in common: good ideas. From a dog walker in Australia to delivery vans in Singapore, here are a few dark horses with bright futures.

Despite being conceived in the 1960s, science-and-technology park Sophia Antipolis remains a green and pleasant blueprint for anyone wanting to do business and think big.

During the monsoon season Oman’s second city turns into a lush oasis in the heart of the Arabian desert. It is ripe for discovery – and ready to give its Gulf neighbours some competition in the year ahead.

With its meticulous approach to international coverage, ‘Tagesschau’ is the western world’s most successful news programme. We meet the team and cast an eye to the future of this German institution.

Biennials are a sparkling staple of the cultural calendar and a springboard for many artists’ careers. But have we reached peak biennial? If this year’s events are anything to go by, it might be time to call it a night.

The US and UK may be falling short when it comes to making a good impression but Berlin is firming up its footing on the world stage with a sparkling renovation of its stellar department store Kadewe.

Speedy rail links connecting the Baltics, the first nuclear-power reactor in the UAE and a sea port in Pakistan that is open for business: all are headline projects but will they work?

Despite a slowdown in the yachting industry, top shipyards and designers are feeling quietly confident.

Danish television has long led the way in dark, thrilling drama and new series ‘Below the Surface’ looks set to be its new global export. We visit the set of the latest Nordic noir hit.

From homelessness to hurricanes, the issues that call for homes that can be thrown up swiftly and securely are diverse. But it also helps if they can profit their surroundings – both financially and aesthetically.

Amid the crises that Lebanon has faced over the past few years, new design galleries and studios have emerged across the capital and secured its status as a chief design centre in the Middle East.

Hopefully better graphics and windows in our department stores. To help, here are a few design cues for shaping smart packaging, signage and service to keep shoppers coming back time after time.

New Zealand is welcoming a modern gold rush of international investors and entrepreneurs attracted by the prospects of fresh business opportunities, a warm welcome and an unrivalled quality of life.

This windswept city on the Pacific Coast may seem like an outlier to some but Vancouver is a metropolis with personality to boot and a culture that combines alpine cool with the West Coast’s free spirit. We drop in on some of the city’s favoured haunts to find out how The Platinum Card® from American Express could help uncover Vancouver’s myriad treasures by putting your experience at the fore, whether it’s securing a tip-top room overlooking the Harbour or a much sought-after table for dinner downtown.Search ‘Amex Platinum’ to find out more

Despite the rise of Airbnb striking fear into the hearts of hoteliers, small independent hotels can co-exist with the homestay giant – but they have to be smart about it.We highlight a few intelligent examples and look to the future of the city stay.

There’s lots to talk about in 2017. We kick things off with tales of espionage, Michelin stars, the UN, the conflict in Syria and texture – and a revealing chat with a French bulldog.

We are all guilty of it: texting instead of calling, emailing instead of dropping in for a chat (Sherry Turkle told us so). But there’s a growing movement underway that’s encouraging people to press the off button and brush up their skills in the art of debate and discussion. The conversation is making a chatty return.

Austria’s second city is a hub of activity – and a place of opportunity – for its young creatives.

From keeping a nation’s food culture fresh to shelf space for small-scale producers, here are five food firms with tasty ideas for the year ahead.

It may be near the equator but there’s nothing middling about Ecuador’s third city – hence the mountainous expat boom.

It hasn’t got the beguiling reputation of its coastal cousins but Australia’s capital has a lot more going for it then you might think.

With its thriving businesses and close-knit community, it’s little wonder this scenic Italian town has a winning quality of life.