NATION

Dodging The Bullet

Even in the wake of the sniper slayings, Democrats are shying away from gun control

The Road To Capture

Over the three-week investigation, the multi-agency task force yielded 138,000 calls and enlisted everything from geographic profilers to Pentagon reconnaissance planes to help catch the quarry. But i

Behind The Killer Smiles

Broke and homeless, JOHN ALLEN MUHAMMAD and LEE MALVO traveled together and are accused of killing together too. A story of two lives gone bad

Death On The Campaign Trail

A plane crashes, a Democratic Senator dies and suddenly both parties must readjust their strategies for winning control of the Senate

WORLD

Bloody Drama

His back to the wall, Putin retakes a Moscow theater from a Chechen suicide squad, but the cost is high

SOCIETY

Is Pot Good For You?

Well, no. But the latest research suggests the health risk from occasional use is mild, and it might ease certain ills

RELIGION

The Brother Of Jesus?

A French scholar argues that the 1st century burial box of a James is the first archaeological proof of the existence of Jesus of Nazareth

SPORT

A Coach Second to None

He may not have been its top pick, but Tyrone Willingham has Notre Dame winning again

TECHNOLOGY

Busjacking for Grownups (Video Games)

Grand Theft Auto III is a national obsession. Its sequel borders on something more: art

BRIEFING

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Extra! Dynasties Duel! (Press)

Old allies at the New York Times and the Washington Post find Paris isn't big enough for both of them

Artist, Con Artist, Art House (Movies)

A forgettable Frida, a regrettable Charlie and a lovely epic about France, filmmaking and the Resistance

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

An Empire of the Mind (Television)

Simon Schama's lively, provocative A History of Britain examines the ideas that outlast monuments

The Good Liar (Books)

In Umberto Eco's wry novel, truth is not so true

Pay Your Taxes (Books)

An absorbing social history of the income tax

Land of the Islamic Bomb (Books)

In the war on terrorism, Pakistan is a crucial but unreliable ally. A new book explains why

Hold the Fries (Music)

The Ketchup Song: hear it now, it'll be gone tomorrow

YOUR TIME

Planner, You Are Outta Here! (Personal Time / Your Money)

Did your financial adviser fail you? Here's how to know--and some new ways to hire a replacement

SPECIAL SECTION

Best Websites (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)

FOR BUSINESS

Environment: All the Marble (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)

A global mining firm offers good jobs in rural Vermont, but protesters say the environmental cost is too high

Health Care: No Free Golf (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)

Under fire for pushing expensive drugs, salesmen are cutting back on the wining and dining of doctors

Broadcasting: What Ad Slump? (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)

Even as cable lures away viewers, the TV networks are raking in record ad revenues. Here's why

Weasels at Work (Time Bonus Section / Inside Business)

Recession. Layoffs. Corporate scandal and stupidity. Yes, it's a great time to be Dilbert

PEOPLE

LETTERS