COVER

ASIA

A Democracy is Shaken

In a divided nation, an attack against Bangladesh's opposition party leader marks a new low

BRIEFING

The Quiet Koreans (Notebook)

With government encouragement, the press keeps Korean troops' low profile in Iraq

Rumors of a Death (Notebook)

Stories that Kim Jong Il's favorite companion has passed away leads to speculation on North Korea's line of succession

Hands Off My Gods (Notebook)

Pop culture's appropriation of Hindu icons has the faithful up in arms

Milestones (Notebook)

Dr. Elisabeth Kbler-Ross dies

Verbatim (Notebook)

Quotes of the week

Letters (Notebook)

Hellish Highways

SPORTS

Beaten, But Not Defeated (Olympics 2004)

It was the losers, as much as the winners, who embodied the spirit of this year's Olympic Games

BUSINESS

Wedding Crasher

An unusual takeover battle is shaking up Japan's consensus-minded bankers

GLOBAL ADVISER

Bound for Glory (TIME Global Adviser)

Japan's Museum Meiji-Mura is part theme park, part living history

Foam Party (TIME Global Adviser)

Get soggy at Munich's legendary Oktoberfest

Board Meetings (TIME Global Adviser)

Want to learn to surf? Try Asia's easy beaches and affordable surf schools

Health (TIME Global Adviser)

Does poetry make the heart grow stronger?