NATION

On the Defensive

Sensing disaster, a Littleton-addled G.O.P. tries to fix its fumble on gun control

WORLD

Russia: Survival of the Fittest

Boris Yeltsin beat an impeachment rap and left his opposition in tatters again. But he still doesn't seem to have a plan for Russia

SCIENCE

It Is Rocket Science! (Space)

As the launch industry is heating up, U.S. boosters are blowing up. What's behind all the flameouts?

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Our Daily Folate (Health)

What can nuns tell us about Alzheimer's? A lot, it turns out. This week's news is that folic acid may stave off dementia

SOCIETY

On the Virtual Couch (Behavior)

Too stressed out to even have time for a shrink? Now you can talk through your neuroses online

TECHNOLOGY

A Room Full of Doom (Video Games)

Did Columbine take the fire out of the splatter-game business? Not judging by last week's big expo

BRIEFING

Bureaucracy (Notebook)

Treasury Shuffle Costs Albright Her Ace Card

Campaign 2000 (Notebook)

Bradley Rounds Up Some Unusual Prospects

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS

Taking The Handoff

Brainy economist Larry Summers replaces Wall Street wizard Robert Rubin at the Treasury. Can he leave well enough alone?

EDUCATION

LAW

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Latin Music Pops (The Arts / Show Business)

We've seen the future. It looks like Ricky Martin. It sings like Marc Anthony. It dances like Jennifer Lopez. Que Bueno!

Music: Back with Beethoven (The Arts / Music)

No one loves the composer's piano concertos more--or plays them better--than Alfred Brendel

Books: Boo! (Scared Yet?) (The Arts / Books)

Marina Warner, a keen student of fairy tales, takes a look at things that go bump in the night

Cleopatra (The Arts / Short Takes)

ABC, May 23, 24

YOUR TIME

It's Only a Game! (Personal Time / Your Family)

How can parents encourage a kid to love sports and be a good sport too? Step 1: stop yelling

Driving a Bargain (Personal Time / Your Money)

Car insurance is getting cheaper amid heated competition. Go ahead, demand a better rate

Love's Linux Lost (Personal Time / Your Technology)

Sick of Windows and Mac OS? How hard could it be to install the famous free alternative?

Turn Off the Lights (Personal Time / Your Health)

Are babies who sleep in the dark less likely to grow up nearsighted? Don't take any chances

PEOPLE

LETTERS