COVER

Blackout '03: Lights Out (Cover Story / Blackout '03)

First the good news: the biggest blackout ever in North America brought out the best in millions of citizens. Now the bad: it exposed a woefully fragile electrical system. How did it happen? And how v

NATION

Hasta La Vista, Arnold?

Cruz Bustamante may be the last, best hope for California's Democrats--and he's leading in one poll

WORLD

How Secure Are The Skies?

An FBI sting and a terror alert reignite debate over shoulder-launched missiles and the threat to air safety

SCIENCE

Skeeter Alert

As we head into prime time for West Nile, disease trackers are nervously watching the numbers grow

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Obesity Goes Global (Health)

Children around the world are eating more like Americans-- and getting dangerously fat as a result

BRIEFING

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS

Selling Teen Spirit

At clothing retailer Pacific Sunwear, the surf is up--and so are profits. Can it hold the hip-hop crowd?

Who Are These Guys?

Sensing a recovery, elite bond traders are roiling the markets--and borrowers are paying the price

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Singing A New Toon (Books)

Will the hot new film American Splendor persuade adults to look at comic books again? If it does, here are four that could hook them

Art: Magical Modernist (Art)

An irresistible retrospective in San Francisco restores respect for Marc Chagall

Hip-Hop's Chic Geek (Music)

Whether Neptune, N.E.R.D. or solo star, Pharrell Williams brings sweetness to a genre that needs it

YOUR TIME

Rare Jordans (Lifestyle)

Old-school and limited-edition sneakers kick off a collecting craze

SPECIAL SECTION

India: Hey, Big Spenders (Time Bonus Section September 2003 / Global Business)

India's young are becoming world-class consumers, and multinationals are taking note

Investing: How to Be an Angel (Time Bonus Section September 2003 / Global Business)

With many stocks still pricey, investing in start-ups offers the most bang (and potential risk) for the buck

The Need for Speed (Time Bonus Section September 2003 / Global Business)

Our correspondent drops $650 for a chance to drive like a demon

PEOPLE

LETTERS