COVER
Why Popes Never Have to Say Sorry (Cover)
The Pope can cite theology and tradition in defense of the church, but with many Catholics wanting a very modern kind of accounting for the sex abuse scandal, words and ritual may no longer be enough
The Church Sex Abuse Scandals Around the World
ESSAY
The Logic of an Afghan Policy Leak (Commentary / Viewpoint)
Why would the White House divulge details of a secret war-strategy session? To force the Pentagon's hand
Who's to Blame for the Gulf Oil Spill? (Commentary / In the Arena)
The Bush Administration's petro-bias soiled the Minerals Management Service, the agency charged with regulating offshore drilling, but President Obama's lack of oversight hasn't helped
Make Me Your Tea Partyer-in-Chief! (Commentary)
The Tea Party's founders say it's leaderless by design. But that was before they met me
NATION
How the Pauls (Ron and Rand) Are Reshaping Politics (The Well / Nation)
Ron and Rand Paul understand that libertarianism is merging with populism to explosive effect. How a new political dynasty is scrambling American politics
The Emergence of Rand Paul
The son of congressman Ron Paul surprises the political establishment with a victory in Kentucky's Senate Republican primary
WORLD
The World Cup Comes to the People of the Dew
How a small African tribe came to play host to two of the most powerful nations on earth. World Cup soccer comes to the People of the Dew
Bibi and Barack: Can They Bridge the Gap? (World)
President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu — two leaders with different histories — see the world through vastly different lenses. Can they bridge the gap for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process?
LETTERS
Inbox (Inbox)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Sex and the City 2 Leaves Fans Behind (Movies)
Sure, you Sex and the City girls can have a blast in Abu Dhabi — but you're leaving us, your fans, behind
Prince of Persia: A Prince Among Paupers (Movies)
A silly-smart adventure film gives the summer blockbuster season a belated jump start
A New Look at E.M. Forster's "Undeveloped Heart" (Books)
Novelist E.M. Forster specialized in the "undeveloped heart." A new biography illuminates his own
The Room: The Awful Movie Everyone Wants to See (Phenomenon Watch)
Tommy Wiseau's unfathomably strange cult film The Room has no goblins or time-traveling transvestites. But it's selling out midnight showings across the country
Short List
TIME'S PICKS FOR THE WEEK
TECHNOLOGY
How Computers Know What We Want — Before We Do (Technology)
Recommendation engines are the software that suggests what we should watch or read or listen to next. They help us deal with the millions of choices the Web offers. But can a computer really have good taste?
The Brains Behind Pandora Radio
How the recommendation engine behind Pandora Radio — using the Music Genome Project — figures out what you like to hear
SOCIETY
Keep the Faith: Christian Health-Sharing Plans (Life / Cash Crunch)
In lieu of buying insurance, Christians join medical-bill-sharing groups
Taste Test: Taking on the KFC Double Down (Life / Food)
KFC's breadless Double Down sandwich is a salty, unhealthy, gooey mess. And I love every bite of it
Thanks, Mom! (Life / Women's Health)
In a new hormone study, phone calls from mothers calmed kids as much as a hug
Better Health Via Vanity? (Life / Women's Health)
PEOPLE
10 Questions for George Romero (10 Questions)
The horror master's latest zombie film, Survival of the Dead, is in theaters. George Romero will now take your questions
BRIEFING
The Moment
5|25|10: Gulf of Mexico
The World
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
Brief History: British Royal Scandals
The Skimmer
Book Review: Zero Decibels: The Quest for Absolute Silence by George Michelsen Foy Scribner