COVER

The Best Photos of the Year (Cover Story)

TIME presents a collection of the most compelling images of 2006—photographs that capture the essence of the years most memorable events, from the devastation of Beirut to a volcanic eruption in Indonesia to a head-butt no soccer fan will ever forget. Feast your eyes and cast your mind back to a remarkable year

SOUTH PACIFIC

Chief on the Run

Citizens seeking to explain the country's latest coup are voicing sininster accusations against its architect

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Perfect Mats (The Arts)

Enlivened by embroidery and appliqu, traditional Pacific textiles, on show in Brisbane, look as boldly modern as the contemporary works beside them

BRIEFING