Contents

Agenda Making the news this month 8 We need to bust the pendulum,

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Women’s rights in Mexico

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F e r n a n d o not see how it swings! Our new columnist Mark Engler considers the impact of the US midterm elections.

10 Koreans brace themselves for the G20 travelling roadshow Protestors are planning a memorable welcome for the men (and women) in suits.

13 Threatened town looks for alternatives The struggle to save a picturesque

Romanian village from mining misery.

Analysis Special feature: Humans vs. Nature 15 The need for reconnection We are agents of great change, says Dinyar Godrej, but can we also change direction?

16 A sea returns to life, a sea slowly dies Paul Lauener’s stirring report from the Aral Sea, scene of both environmental miracle and disaster.

20 That petrol emotion Adam Ma’anit peers beyond the smoke and mirrors at BP’s

‘clean up’ of the Gulf of Mexico.

23 Stopping the juggernaut Put environmental villains in the dock, says campaigner

Polly Higgins.

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Europe against GM crops

R e u t e r s

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D o w n

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Also in Analysis 25 Fungus to die for Murder in the high Himalayas over a natural aphrodisiac. Jamie James reports.

32 Country profile: Georgia 44 A day in the life – with interest Becky Palmstrom discovers how Burma’s urban poor survive in a world without banks. Argument 34 Are cuts in public services justified? Banker Dan Mobley goes head to head with tax justice campaigner John Christensen. What do you think? Join the debate by visiting www.newint.org/argument Plus: what you have to say about last month’s debate on the controversial trade in human organs.

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Arts 39 Eros returns to the Middle East As a result, a Lebanese editor is facing death threats. Cheryl Morris reports. Plus: music from Brazil and

Afghanistan; Tom and Gerri in Mike Leigh film Another Year; and a knock-out novel from Martin Kohan.

Alternatives 48 Community occupies land near Heathrow From wasteland to eco-village – Russ McPherson visits the Hounslow Community Land Project. Plus: There’s a hole in my cabbage… Anna Weston on why she’s happy with imperfect veg. Cleaner cooking in India thanks to a fuel-efficient stove.

Action 57 Don’t just sit there! Get in on the action with our listings for UK-wide events this month. Plus: A round-up of campaign news by Rowenna Davis.

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Regular Features 6 Letters Western nations’ contempt for democracy. Plus: Scratchy Lines by Simon Kneebone.

47 Letter from Cairo In the name of research, Maria Golia meets a man with an unusual mission.

51 Puzzle Page 53 Southern Exposure Daniel Patiño Flor captures a moment of relaxation in Ecuador.

56 Applause Vedanta undermined! Victory for the hill tribes of India in a David and Goliath battle.

60 Cartoon corner Big Bad World, Only Planet and a guest cartoonist from Cuba/Brazil.

61 Anna Chen Why are we dancing round reality?

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62 And finally… What makes Margaret

Atwood tick?

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Front cover: AP/Press Association Images

All monetary values are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise noted.

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