Opportunity awaits those who know where to look and are bold enough to act. This issue unravels the tangle of global goings-on and finds out where the action is.

The meteoric growth of tar-sands boomtown Fort McMurray has slowed but it might be just the break this unbalanced town needs.

Violence in Tripoli has forced diplomats next door to Tunis, where they gather in makeshift offices trying to solve Libya’s problems from afar. But a terrorist attack in their new home underlines the region’s fragility.

The mayor of London's blond ambition, Greece's new foreign affairs stance and Poland goes to the polls.

Japan reviews its ties with South Korea, Indian farmers' beef with the BJP and why Seoul's mayor rides the economy.

We assess Hillary Clinton's presidential candidacy, Dominican diplomacy and archaeology in Chile.

How the Democratic Republic of Congo got an airport back and Tunisia's road to the truth.

Keeping journalism free in Australia, China's Pacific influence and why Cuban medics will be speaking Kiwi.

Sweden's mission to Mali, a missile test of loyalty for Turkey and an interview with Nato's cyber-defence chief.

The EU's new foreign-affairs chief rings the changes and Ukraine's ambassador to Poland waxes lyrical on his warm Warsaw welcome.

Creating contemporary art in a fiercely traditional country is hard enough; layering it with political and religious messages is brave, to say the least. But Abdulnasser Gharem, a former military man, isn’t backwards in coming forwards.

Despite heavy sanctions, a small faction of Iranians retain big purchasing power. Investors are keeping a close watch on this untapped market, looking to cash in on Tehran’s burgeoning retail scene.

Every year the Côte d’Azur plays host to global property fair Mipim. The sunshine and beachside location mean it’s hardly a chore but this is more than a seaside jolly; it’s where the deals happen that will shape our cities for decades to come.

Small Giants is an investment company with big aspirations, backing projects that are both sustainable and profitable. The Commons apartment complex is the fruition of its business model centred around profit and purpose.

The relationship between master and apprentice is based on trust and the belief of each in the talents of the other. Architectural model-maker Lee Howell is passing his expertise to Giles Harvey, in a craft that makes a little go a long way.

The growing trend for temporary retail spaces, health food in China and the height of the Haitian fashion.

Despite his position as the president and COO of Ritz-Carlton, one of the world’s top hotel groups, Herve Humler’s ability to motivate all around him regardless of role is a modern-day inspiration.

Are all remakes bad news? Not when you are the world’s smartest cinema operator. Monocle surveys a vast upgrade from ragged art-house authenticity to the gleaming celebration of cinema that is now the Curzon Bloomsbury.

The Moomins’ message of tolerance and their striking look have made the loveable trolls a global brand. Monocle talks to the makers of the latest Moomins film adventure and discovers why these uniquely Finnish characters travel so well.

Germany's sharp take on the Scandi-noir genre, a preview of Art Stage Singapore and a slick new set of earphones.

We look ahead to Frieze art fair's return to New York and meet the founders of Photo London.

One of the world’s most populous urban areas, Mexico City’s politically savvy population is blessed with a growing number of independent media outlets that are operating increasingly online.

Norwegian author Åsne Seierstad introduces her latest book and we round up this month's high-brow highlights.

Adolf Loos was a key figure in architecture but his legacy has had to endure turbulent times in his Czech homeland. Now that restorations of his most dazzling interiors are underway, his designs are set to be revealed in all their glory once more.

Be it from near or far, classic or contemporary, monochrome or multicoloured, the following hotlist represents our favourite 25 design pieces in the world right now.

The Thai capital, with its hectic street life and humid climate, presents local architects with the opportunity to prove their design chops while interpreting traditional styles to create a new built vernacular.

Showing the world the true face of today’s watch industry, Baselworld’s annual fair remains as relevant as ever. Here are our highlights from this year’s edition.

Be it from near or far, classic or contemporary, monochrome or multicoloured, the following hotlist represents our favourite 25 design pieces in the world right now.

This month’s Inventory is a treat for the senses – from tactile notebooks and fragrant soap harking back to times past to sculpted oak hangers and model replicas of a brutalist London.

From the Alpine lodge with farm-fresh appeal to the two Argentine openings revamping the city’s retail scene, here are the movers, shakers and makers catching our eye across the world.

We meet the Spanish craftsmen and women who have reinvented the traditional board game with a contemporary twist.

Quiet yet central, Campo de Ourique became a creative hub with the rebirth of its market.

Lower East Side café El Rey finds a personal touch with inventive Mexican fare that incorporates Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavours.

Our culinary round-up from across the globe sees us sample virtuous vegetables in New York, tempting Turkish ice cream and beautiful Belgian sourdough. And that’s just for starters.

Acclaimed engineer, architect and writer Cecil Balmond discusses his love of food, his mother’s cooking and why one last meal would never satisfy.

In Toronto recently, editor in chief Tyler Brûlé bumped into a young reader of the magazine. It got him thinking about misguided opinions regarding the state of the print market and even more enthused about our new project: the Kioskafé.

It was designed by a suspect bohemian, houses a coup plotter and is today favoured by young, liberal creatives. Madrid’s Edificio Princesa, once both bunker and luxury home for Franco’s loyal cadre, is a concrete testament to the contradictions and bold optimism of Spain’s transition to democracy.