COVER
The Threatening Storm
How years of misguided policies and bureaucratic bungling left New Orleans defenseless against Katrina — and why it may happen again
BRIEFING
Herd of Trouble (World Spotlight)
Foot-and-Mouth rears its ugly head again in the U.K.
AFRICA
The South African Candidate
Despite a colorful past, former Deputy President Jacob Zuma remains a top contender to succeed Thabo Mbeki in leading South Africa
ESSAY
The Fog of Flying
A week in the clouds offers a dizzyingly modern head trip
BOOKS
Surrealist Pen Pals
Seven French writers team up with seven Americans to coauthor a book of playfully surreal short stories
GLOBAL BUSINESS
China in Italy: Kick Start (Strategy)
How a Chinese company rescued an ailing Italian motorcycle maker — and revved up its own competiveness
GLOBAL ADVISER
Fast Fashion (Next Time You're in ... Tokyo)
Japanese clothing chain Uniqlo brings couture into the age of the convenience store
Uphill Battle (TIME Traveler)
Once off limits, Seoul's Bukak-san is now open to the hiking public
Grabbing a Few Bytes (Tech Watch)
Singapore's Geek Terminal is dotcom dining at its techiest
Moscow Moola (Check In)
The new Ritz Carlton hotel is the Russian capital's latest exercise in unbridled excess
Steamy Sessions (Diversions)
The sauna's central role in Finnish society hasn't changed much in generations. But now, you can eat, drink, and even bowl while working up a sweat
LETTERS
The Long Goodbye (Inbox)
Private-Equity Perks; Indelible Class Lines; Canines Vick-timized