Affairs Report: Yes they can - USA

Aside from helping to elect Barack Obama, voters in California passed historic legislation to approve the nation's first high-speed rail network.

Affairs Report: New heroes - Worldwide

Monocle has drawn up a shortlist of 20 people - from politics, business, music and design - who we want to hear more of in 2009.

Affairs Report: Infamous five - Global

For every politician who thinks before speaking, there are more who charge ahead regardless.

Affairs Report: Be here next year - Global

From a southern African state that has gone from hungry nation to food exporter, to a vast new port in Mexico and a sea of trouble in Europe, we pinpoint the places that will make the headlines - for good and bad reasons - in 2009.

Affairs Report: Try this at home - Global

The most brilliantly effective ideas are usually the most simple.

Affairs Report: Here's to the future - Global

There's a real sense that we are entering a new era, with a fresh, sharp president in the White House and an economy in flux.

Affairs Report: Low expectations - Czech Republic

As prime minister of the Czech Republic, the richer half of the former Czechoslovakia, Mirek Topolanek knows more about break-ups than reunions.

Affairs Report: Q&A - Jagdish Bhagwati

Economist, Columbia University

Affairs Report: 2009 defence forecast - Global

The developments and deals to track

Affairs Report: Game on - Global

In October 2009 four cities around the world will hear if they are to host the Olympic Games in 2016.

Affairs Report: Emission commander - Denmark

How do we control CO2 emissions, when the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012?

Affairs Report: Q&A - Tham Khai Meng

Worldwide creative director, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Singapore

Affairs Report: Host story - Denmark

The dream of every city hosting a major international congress is to derive brand benefit.

Affairs Report: The usual suspects - Global

Where the UN will focus in 2009.

Affairs Report: Q&A - Ritt Bjerregaard

Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Denmark

Affairs Report: Following the leader - South Africa

What would a Jacob Zuma presidency mean for South Africa?

Affairs Report: New wave - South Africa

A new generation of black surfers is emerging from South African townships to tackle the mighty ocean and the status quo.

Affairs Report: Power play - Global

West's foes face ballot box.

Affairs Report: Crossing the line - The world

They might not make headlines, but there are numerous border disputes that could spark a crisis at any time (although we hope Canada and the US would avoid war over their quarrel regarding lobster-rich waters).

Business Report: Peter Pan pensioners - Japan

Japan has the fastest ageing population in the world, and businesses are quick to provide architect-designed care homes and grandchild robots for the elderly.

Business Report: Dream machines - Global

From robotic nurses to submersible aircraft, the stuff of science fiction is close to becoming a reality.

Business Report: The smart money - Global

The world recession, climate change and volatile oil prices will take their toll on businesses, but they also herald new opportunities.

Business Report: Service included - Global

In the developed world, the service industry is a fast-growing driver of the economy, so it pays to have well-trained, highly skilled staff.

Business Report: Brand stand - Global

The companies that will stand out in the next year are the ones that are driven by high standards, innovation, creativity and a desire to make a difference.

Business Briefing: Changing its spots - Mexico

A commonly held view in Mexico City is that using a street postbox is about as effective as throwing your letter in a bin.

Business Briefing: Fresh burst of energy - Italy

Italy is not known as an innovator when it comes to energy.

Business Briefing: Safe as houses - Europe

Europe's financial landscape is being reshaped - but who will cement their positions in the current crisis and emerge as the banking titans in 2009 and beyond?

Business Briefing: Q&A - Riccardo Illy

President, Gruppo Illy, Trieste, Italy

Culture Report: The watch word - Global

Traditional media brands have been infected by the web's 'publish now, worry about the facts later' ethic and as their standards slip, readers vanish. But now there's a crop of journalists who can mix old-school standards with high-tech reporting methods.

Culture Report: Writing history - Worldwide

Leading up to the US elections, Monocle spoke to reporters from around the globe based in America about their take on the proceedings for our series 'From their own correspondent'.

Culture Report: Rip up the rulebook - Global

The media industries are evolving and morphing extremely quickly and the old ways of doing things are becoming redundant. To help you keep up, Monocle identifies the pioneers, technologies and trends of the future.

Culture Report: Agents of change - Global

Mass brands and grocery stores have reinvented themselves - now newsagents and kiosks must do the same.

Culture Report: Cultural gathering - A world view

The sun rises on 2009 with hot new artists, musicians and directors coming to the fore.

Design Report: Power of three - Japan, France & Mexico

We predict three lesser-known metropolises set to become design hubs.

Design Report: We bring you joy - A better world

Every new year needs a fresh manifesto.

Design Briefing: Craft class - One-off Austrian furniture

Austrian industrial designer Klaus Lichtenegger stands out with his meticulously crafted products (everything from chairs to jewellery).

Q&A: John Maeda - President of the Rhode Island School of Design

Q&A with John Maeda.

Design Briefing: Raising the roof - PhilParks's space saving structures

With a hyperactive skyline that changes as regularly as the sun rises, Tokyo is famous for its lack of space.

Design Briefing: New watershed - Zeydon's trad boats with a twist

Upping the ante in yacht design is Belgian boat company Zeydon.

Design Briefing: House party - FilMelange's guerrilla tactics

This year Tokyo-based FilMelange opened - for just 10 days - its first guerrilla store, House, in Harajuku.

Q&A: Sarah Lerfel - Creative director, Colette

Q&A with Sarah Lerfel.

Design Briefing: Porter call - Perfect shopping companion

Somewhere between a tote and a backpack, Porter has come up trumps again with this new shopper.

Design Briefing: Time team - Workwear by Old Town

Marie Willey runs English workwear label Old Town with her partner, William Brown.

Design Report: Design dialogue - London

Monocle throws the spotlight on the future of the workplace.

Design Report: Box of delights - Innsbruck

Daniel Fuegenschuh's simple white house in Tyrolean capital Innsbruck is a chalet for the 21st century and a great foil for the city's grand architecture.

Men's Fashion: Market research - Tokyo

Although not part of its cultural tradition, Japan fully embraces the fun - and commercial spirit - of Christmas.

Women's Fashion: Counter culture - Berlin

Counter culture - Berlin