NATION

The Columbine Effect

Zero tolerance sounds like a good way to treat violence in our schools. But does it go too far?

A Bloody Rite

Did he kill a black man to impress a racist gang?

Last Of The Molly Maguires

One of the East's most feared labor leaders is locked out of his union hall after officials find an arsenal

WORLD

Chechen Hell

On the front lines of Russia's brutal battle for control of the Caucasus

Cuba's New Look

Havana is open for business, and eager U.S. firms are calling for an end to four decades of embargo

Diamonds In The Rough

In an African tragedy, the world's purest gems are funding one of the dirtiest wars in history

SOCIETY

The Beauty Face-Off (Fashion)

Stylish independent companies are giving the cosmetic giants a run for their mascara

RELIGION

Jesus' Second Millennium: A New Gospel

A great novelist and biblical scholar examines what faith and historical research tell us after 2,000 years and emerges with his own apocryphal Gospel

TECHNOLOGY

BRIEFING

Nazareth (Notebook)

In Jesus' Town, Worship Shuts Down over Mosque

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

How Sexy Is Chalk Dust? (Ideas)

Plenty, judging from the attention mathematicians and numbers (especially zero) are getting these days

Latte Lightweights (Essay)

When a powerful country starts drinking good Java, down goes the empire

BUSINESS

Super Fries Saboteur

The French rabble rouser who took on McDonald's takes his cause to the World Trade Organization

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Music: Hip-Hop's Next Wave (The Arts / Music)

They break rules, party like it's 1999 and make CDs that matter. Meet the coolest performers in rap

Art: The Innocent Abroad (The Arts / Art)

The art of Norman Rockwell is touring the U.S. in triumph. Is the art world ready? Are you?

Books: Teddy and Robert (The Arts / Books)

Two books rebalance the myths and realities of the younger Kennedy brothers

Ben Stein Also Sings (The Arts / Show Business)

The economist, writer, actor, lawyer, pitchman and game-show host gets his own talk show

YOUR TIME

The Caregivers (Personal Time / Your Family)

The elderly population is growing three times as fast as that of the young. Who will provide care?

No Vision, Big Gain (Personal Time / Your Money)

How a once well-known brokerage firm miscalled the '90s but still whipped the market

Stuck in an AirPort (Personal Time / Your Technology)

Apple's wireless Internet system is a marvel, but installation was like a night on a plastic seat

Arthritics, Rejoice (Personal Time / Your Health)

New drugs are reducing pain with fewer side effects--for those who can afford them, anyway

PEOPLE

LETTERS