COVER

The New Action Heroes (The Well / Nation)

The New York City Mayor and California's Governor are doing the things that gridlocked Washington won't

The Courage Primary (Nation)

For this election, Joe Klein offers an agenda of five issues for judging just how serious the candidates are

NATION

Postcard: Coney Island (Postcard: Coney Island)

A developer sets out to revive New York City's beachfront amusement district, but at what cost? On the boardwalk of a storied summer getaway

The Veterans' Enemy at Home (Life: Technology-living-law-medicine-health-business / The Law)

A federal court ruling callously limits the rights of veterans to sue to get their old jobs back

Ethanol: Seek & Find ( Checkout)

In the battle against high gas prices, America is turning more and more to ethanol, the homegrown renewable fuel made from corn. But as demand for corn heats up, we may lose sight of hidden costs

ESSAY

The Quiet Gay Revolution (Commentary)

As gays have moved into the mainstream, Republicans have landed on the wrong side of history

WORLD

The Enemy's New Tools in Iraq (The Well / World)

A TIME investigation reveals how Iraqi militants are devising innovative ways to make the war more deadly for U.S. troops

Living Cheek by Beak in Indonesia (The Well / World)

How the special place of poultry in Indonesian culture is putting the rest of the world at risk for an avian-flu pandemic

BRIEFING

Hamas' Takeover of Gaza (World Spotlight)

The Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah may have passed the point of no return

BUSINESS

ING Direct's Man on a Mission (Banking)

No fees. No frills. Arkadi Kuhlmann has shown the world how to do online banking right. Now the trick is to stay ahead of the imitators

Where Retirement Works (Life: Technology-living-law-medicine-health-business / The Curious Capitalist)

Pensions don't have to bankrupt taxpayers or employers. How the Dutch figured it out

Touch Screens Take Over (Life: Technology-living-law-medicine-health-business / Technology)

Next-generation gadgets like the iPhone are turning your mouse into a dinosaur and introducing hands-on computing

HEALTH & MEDICINE

The Cancer Test (Life / Medicine)

Exposing a growing tumor's secrets may be as simple as drawing blood--and that can save lives

A Gated Community for Organ Donors (Life / Health)

Lifesharers is trying to settle the competition for organs in a fair way: before you get one, you should be willing to give one

SOCIETY

A Table for 20 (Life: Technology-living-law-medicine-health-business / Living)

The hottest foodie trend isn't on the menu. It's eating a communal meal with folks you've never met before

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Home Economics on TV (Culture Complex)

The real estate boom may be over in your neighborhood, but the market for realty TV is going strong

Comedians' Little Secret (Movies)

With hit after cut-rate hit, funny guys are the new movie studs Comedians' Little Secret

The White Stripes' Odd Appeal (Music)

Guitars, good. Mariachis, not so good. The White Stripes' new CD Icky Thump asks how much weirdness is too much

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

The Company Doctor (Global Business: Entertainment-work In Progress / WORK IN PROGRESS)

With carrots and sticks, employers prod their workers into better health--and lower premiums

Building a Better Mouse (Global Business: Entertainment-work In Progress / ENTERTAINMENT)

Bob Iger takes Disney's legendary brands into the digital age

LETTERS