NATION

Was This A Bad Idea?

A verdict clearing Espy is the latest sign that the independent-counsel statute is likely to perish

WORLD

The Pinochet Problem

With courts suddenly taking human-rights crimes seriously, is every leader vulnerable?

SCIENCE

Digging Mars (Space)

Scientists know the Martian surface well. This week they will launch a mission to probe the inner Mars

HEALTH & MEDICINE

The Great Pain Debate (Health)

A new breed of analgesics is about to battle aspirin and ibuprofen for a place in your medicine cabinet

Burst Balloon (Health)

There's no proof breast implants cause serious ills

RELIGION

In Search Of Moses

Behind the wonders of Scripture and popular culture are glimmers of a real man. What can archaeology and scholarship tell us about him?

BRIEFING

Wages Battle (Notebook / The Scoop)

Maybe They Can Improve The Airplane Food Too

Campaign 2000 (Notebook / The Scoop)

Gentlemen, Choose Your Candidates

Layoffs (Notebook / The Scoop)

Merry Christmas! Now, About the New Year

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

BUSINESS

Just Hide Me The Money

A government report criticizes Citibank's services to accused Mexican murderer Raul Salinas--and illuminates a quiet global boom in private banking

LAW

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Prince And The Promoter (Show Business)

For DreamWorks' Jeffrey Katzenberg, the Promised Land is an epic animated version of the Moses saga...and an audience to appreciate it

Art: Style Was Key (The Arts / Art)

In Washington, a magnificent show of 2 1/2 centuries of Japanese art

Cinema: Class Clowns (The Arts / Cinema)

A delightfully droll comedy that delights in itself a little too much

Cinema: Psycho Therapy (The Arts / Cinema)

Gus Van Sant works out his Hitchcock obsession with a reverent remake

YOUR TIME

Of Oil and Paper (Personal Time / Your Money)

The takeovers of Mobil and Union Camp show how low inflation hits commodity stocks

Just Browsing? (Personal Time / Your Technology)

The computer browser may be the best tool ever given away. But which should you use?

Overdosed on Iron (Personal Time / Your Health)

Tired? Achy? Lost your spark in bed? You may have hemochromatosis. Here's how to find out

SPECIAL SECTION

The Give-Back Years (Time Select / Second Careers)

They say you learn until you're 30, earn till you're 50 and then share the wisdom you've accumulated. There are plenty of useful ways you can do it

PEOPLE

LETTERS