COVER

Burma's Agony

In Rangoon, a military regime begins a brutal crackdown on tens of thousands who have for weeks been peacefully demonstrating against the junta's oppressive rule. When will the violence end?

WORLD

A Grand Entrance

The new French President is off to a dazzling start. But will he prove a great reformer or merely a gifted showman? TIME asks five experts what's next for Nicolas Sarkozy

GLOBAL BUSINESS

Open Range (Agriculture)

To satisfy China's hankering for steak, American cowboys are teaching Inner Mongolians a new way to raise cattle

AFRICA

LIFE

Head Start in Karts (Sport)

The next generation of Formula One greats is coming up fast in karts

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Too Tough to Die (Cinema)

Nobody likes Westerns, so why are so many new ones — backed by big studios and big stars — arriving in movie theaters this fall?

BRIEFING