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◆On the cover
Panic in the markets is scary. Among policymakers it makes things worse



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◆The world this week
Politics this week
Business this week
KAL's cartoon

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◆Leaders
The markets
It's rough out there
Northern Rock
Hocking the Rock
Private spaceflight
Virgin birth
Thailand
Good riddance
Serbia's future
No place else to go

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◆Letters
On migration, the National Health Service, Chinese exports, Bruce Forsyth

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◆Special Report
The world's silver lining
Somewhere over the rainbow

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◆United States
Race and the Democrats
The cooks spoil Obama's broth
The stimulus package
Full speed ahead
Barack Obama's church
Holy moly
The Republicans
McCain builds momentum
On the campaign trail
Primary colour
Health care costs
Boon or bane?
Fred Thompson bows out
Lights, camera, curtains
Racing
All bets may be off
Land use in Colorado
Where gas comes cheap
Lexington
Off the leash

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◆The Americas
Canada
The automaton goes on and on
Mexico and NAFTA
Tariffs and tortillas
Brazil
Wolf pack
Argentina
Stop all the clocks

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◆Asia
Environmental protection in China
Don't drink the water and don't breathe the air
Thailand's drug wars
Back on the offensive
Malaysia
Indian mutiny
Whaling
Salty shepherds
Tourism in Nepal
From treks to sex
Afghanistan
Paddy re-enlists

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◆Middle East & Africa
The Gaza Strip
Busting the blockade
Kenya
No let-up in the killing
Central African Republic
Beyond a failed state
Nigeria
Democracy by court order


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◆Europe
Spain
Zapatero's bear fight
Italy's rocky government
On its way out
Italian art treasures
Coming home
Eastern Europe, America and Russia
Pipedreams
European energy
Hot air
French reforms
Attali the Hun
Charlemagne
The in and out club

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◆Britain
Economic nerves
Nothing to smile about
Political-party funding
Hain walks the plank
The poor
Undeserving
Britain and Europe
Push-pull
Northern Ireland
The old order changeth

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◆International
Environment and development
How green is their growth
The Vatican and Islam
A flustered flock of pigeons
Malnutrition
The starvelings
Military helicopters
Getting boots off the ground

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◆Business
The advertising market
Hard sell
Australian media
Likely lads
The pharmaceutical industry
The bitterest pill
European business schools
Insead out?
Wireless industry
Airwaves for sale
Chinese hotels
Room at the inn
Face value
High Streiff

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◆Special Report
Commercial space flight
Starship enterprise: the next generation
Spaceflight medicals
Suited for space

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◆Finance & Economics
Bond insurers
Buddy, could you spare us $15 billion?
Global markets
A wild ride
The Federal Reserve
Going it alone
Pakistan's stockmarket
The world's most dangerous haven
Decoupling 1: Emerging Asia
An independent streak
Decoupling 2: Japan
Unable to fend for itself
Société Générale
Socked, not gently
Economics focus
Faulty powers

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◆Science & Technology
Artificial life
Nearly there
Microelectronics
Eyeing up a new technology
Organ transplants
A successful mixture
Physiognomy and success
Face value

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◆Books & Arts
Rupert Murdoch
Spend some, then spend some more
Doing business in China
By the book
Chinese and Indian capitalism
Shifting the balance
New film: “Katyn”
Unburied dead
New fiction
The winds of war
Parmigianino at the Frick
One and only

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◆Obituary
Bobby Fischer

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◆Economic and Financial Indicators
Overview
Output, prices and jobs
The Economist commodity-price index
Economic freedom
Trade, exchange rates, budget balances and interest rates
Markets
Gold