COVER

In the Wake of Tragedy (Cover Story)

On the morning of Dec. 26, an earthquake off Sumatra was followedby a massive tsunami. Asia's suffering touched the world

Without Warning (Cover Story)

Could an oceanic detection system have saved lives?

Tallying the Damage (Cover Story)

Asia's engine room wasn't swamped, but the waves wiped out countless jobs and rebuilding may take years

How to Help (Cover Story)

TIME lists some organizations who are contributing to relief efforts, and how to contact them

GLOBAL ADVISER

Grapevine (TIME Global Adviser)

Don't Want to Burst Your Bubble, But ...

Curtain Raiser (TIME Global Adviser)

A grand encore for Milan's la Scala

Virtual Schools for Jocks (TIME Global Adviser)

More high school athletes are taking online classes. Does electronic ed work?

Cutting-Edge Cool (TIME Global Adviser)

A guide to some of our favorite ice-skating rinks on the planet

At the Airport (TIME Global Adviser)

Lufthansa's lavish new launchpad

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

In Search of Buddha

Is spiritual enlightenment a luxury that only the rich can afford? Pankaj Mishra seeks an answer

BRIEFING

Hope in the Ruins? (Notebook)

Cooperation on relief efforts offers Sri Lanka's warring parties a chance to return to the negotiating table

I Changed My Mind (Notebook)

Despite promises to step down as military chief, Pakistan's President Musharraf decides to stay in fatigues

Verbatim (Notebook)

Quotes of the Week

Letters (Notebook)

The Most Amazing Inventions of 2004