Prospects 2016
International
_350.jpg "The skyline of Frankfurt's banking district (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)")
Global economy
Growth divide damages world trade and heightens tensions over monetary policy and currency trends
_350.jpg "Renault electric city Twizy cars, Paris (Reuters/Charles Platiau)")
Manufacturing
New technologies and regulations are reshaping manufacturing, particularly in the automotive sector
Natural gas
Rising gas demand in the northern hemisphere's winter season will not be enough to outdo the supply glut
_263.jpg "Smoke rises from a gas-fired power station, Minsk, (Reuters/Vasily Fedosenko)")
Infrastructure
The future of global trade will depend on there being sufficient port and other logistics infrastructure
Agriculture
Although agricultural output and prices are relatively stable, coming months threaten currency- and weather-linked risks
Defence and security
Ongoing war in Syria, drones and negotiations on the sale of French Mistral helicopter-carriers will be the main issues
Oil
Iran's anticipated return to the market, along with tepid emerging market demand growth, shapes the outlook
Global economy
Global trade and growth will be subdued as commodity sell-off continues to hit emerging economies
Global oil market
Oil prices will stay low in 2016 amid declining demand and slowing, but resilient, US production
Emerging economies
Low commodity prices and China's slowdown cloud outlook for emerging economies
Security and defence
Russia's Syria intervention, Middle East procurement and the global fight against Islamic State group will dominate
Global gas and coal
Gas and coal prices have fallen sharply amid lower demand despite production cutbacks
Agriculture
Extreme weather looms over global agriculture, but its impact will not be wholly negative
Cyber trends
Who governs the internet -- and how -- are questions that vex governments, activists and other stakeholders
Global infrastructure
New financing sources will cement Asia's position as the global epicentre of major infrastructure development
Global climate policy
The post-Paris climate regime faces challenges and opportunities over the coming year
