Puerto Rico's role in the elections, and the Jehovah's Witnesses who put their faith in property deals.

The style of Russia's new first lady, and the not-so private lives of Finland's politicians.

Sochi, a Black Sea beach resort popular with Putin and Siberian retirees, was the surprise choice to host the 2014 Winter Olympics – it lacks proper sewers for a start. So before it can cater for an expected one million visitors, the region needs new roads, pistes, hotels and an army of cooks.

A mining town in Queensland goes solar, Rugby Union eyes up Asia, plus Sydney isn't holding its breath over new metro plans.

After decades of Greek-Turkish conflict and division, could the island of Cyprus be nearing a reunification settlement? Mehmet Ali Talat, president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, recognised only by Turkey, is one of the two key players in the agreement.

Since the War in Afghanistan began in 2001, Nato, US and Afghan troops have attempted to restore order in the country. Yet today 10 per cent of the nation is in Taliban hands, the drug trade is rife and suicide bombers are a constant threat. Many, including the US, feel that the solution lies in building up the Afghan National Army (current strength 45,000) but there is a shortage of skilled military leaders to train them. That’s why the US Marines have created their own Taliban stronghold – in Nevada.

The state of Santa Catarina in Brazil is booming, luring firms with its fortuitous location and skilled labour force. And Florianópolis, its capital, is regarded as one of the best places to live in the country.

You may not know its name but chances are you use its designs every week. Italian company Solari revolutionised train and airport information boards in the 1950s and continues to innovate with LCD-screen and punch-card technology.

Japan's biggest used-car dealer conquers the US, self-help books on Indian mobile phones, plus growing profits in Russia.

On 18 March Singapore Airlines (SIA) introduced a second scheduled route to fly the new Airbus A380, this time from Singapore to London Heathrow. It has upped the ante with inflight amenities and a new best-in-business-class seat to inject some decorum into the long-haul schlep. With an almost silent cabin and greener aspirations, the A380 is in a serious dogfight with rival Boeing.

With roads gridlocked, delivering goods in the world’s cities is a growing problem. One engineer believes the answer lies in underground Victorian-style pneumatic pipes and he has some powerful backers.

No sailing royals, an antipathy to ostentation and an unwillingness to take holidays has left Japan’s recreational boat market in the doldrums for years. But the ‘nation of rice farmers’ is finally finding its sea legs: this year there were almost 50,000 visitors to the Japan Boating Industry Association’s annual fair. Monaco it’s certainly not.

Turkey’s aviation market is growing faster than China’s, and Turkish Airlines is helping turn Istanbul into a hub that could soon rival Dubai. CEO Temel Kotil explains how traditional Turkish hospitality has been key to his success.

Italy's Malpensa airport loses out to Rome, Taiwan's airline face turbulent times and Japan re-enters the regional aircraft market.

Dubai and its neighbours have come to believe that even seven-star luxury and tax-free sunshine can seem stale without culture. Monocle visits Art Dubai to see who’s buying and ask if an oil state can reinvent itself as a capital of culture.

Qatar’s Al-Jazeera Arabic news network has enjoyed as rocky a relationship with the US as the region from which it hails. Abderrahim Foukara, the station’s New York and Washington bureau chief and managing editor, is the face of Al-Jazeera Arabic in the US.

Publishing dynasty MDS is growing faster than at any time in its 205-year history, but the man leading its charge into the digital arena is determined that the firm stays close to its founding principles.

The latest books, films, art and music.

School architecture needn’t be grey, dull and uniform. The inspired redesign of Oslo International School by architects Jarmund/Vigsnæs is not just ticking style boxes but proves that an exciting study environment has a noticeably calming effect on its pupils.

In Finland, organic produce makes up just 1.5 per cent of the food market. One deli is feeding this nascent movement by creating a new fast-food retail concept that combines fresh, healthy fare with well-thought-out design.

The CEO of furniture retailer Wohnbedarf previews the Milan furniture fair, plus a new gallery in Bolzano and a fuel stop in Navarra.

For the second part of our Workhorse series we profile Japanese zip maker YKK. Plus, a Q&A with the founder of Folk clothing, classics from Our Legace, and 10 Corso Como's new foray into South Korea.

The occasional open-neck shirt, a wool/linen suit, an almost-sexy belt, a retro satchel: sartorial details to get you seen but not heard. Office wear should be relaxed but effortlessly smart – it helps if you have a work environment to match.

Riding to and from work is a time for contemplation; time to grab a macchiato, catch up with the world and plan the day ahead or read a couple of chapters in the park before heading home to prepare for an evening out. Whether you’re pedalling with a paramour or cycling solo it always pays to pack a tote with a few essential elements to guarantee you start and finish the day with a sunny disposition no matter what the weather.

A decade ago it was rare to see a pair of Tokyo teenage boys out shopping in kimonos. But attitudes to national identity are starting to change. Genbei Yamaguchi’s new collection for United Arrows is targeting this shift in mood.

German artist Thomas Demand’s talents lie behind the camera. Known for his extraordinary lifelike model sets, which he builds and shoots, Demand extends his love of good presentation to his food, too. We meet him at Berlin’s Cantamaggio, where he dines regularly as he cannot cook and loves the ritual.

Beirut’s Christian quarter of Ashrafieh has weathered civil war, terrorist assassinations and the recent Hezbollah-Israeli conflict. But today, the hill-top neighbourhood is once again under threat, this time from developers who are destroying the old palaces to build high-rises for the country’s internationally mobile elite.