Time

COVER: With both Mom and Dad at 54

work, America faces a child- care crisis

The demand for day care is exploding as women pour into the U. S. work force. But parents are finding that child care is scarce, expensive and often of alarmingly poor quality. Some states have taken action; most have not. Meanwhile, researchers are raising worrisome questions about the psychological well- being of the child- care generation. See LIVING.

WORLD: Britain' s Margaret Thatcher 34

triumphs with a record third term

Though down from their 1983 high, the Tories capture a 101- seat majority, enough to help the Iron Lady in her campaign to "destroy socialism" in Britain. -- A TIME interview with the Prime Minister. -- On a visit to his native Poland, the Pope invokes the legacy of the outlawed Solidarity labor movement. -- A U. S. plan to give Pakistan AWACS planes flies into trouble.

SHOW BUSINESS: In a hail of bullets, 78

The Untouchables storms the box office

This sleek retelling of the war between Chicago Ganglord Al Capone and Supercop Eliot Ness has all the right lures: ripe violence, tough guys in chic suits, the triumph of good over venal. No wonder it looks to be a summer smash. It is also a surprise hit for the film' s pricey talent: Director Brian De Palma, Screenwriter David Mamet and Stars Robert De Niro and Sean Connery.

18

Nation

At the economic summit in Venice, Ronald Reagan is upstaged by an absent adversary, Mikhail Gorbachev. -- Fawn Hall reveals details of a cover- up at the end of the first phase of the Iran- contra hearings. -- A sharp tongue may be Democratic Presidential Candidate Joe Biden' s greatest asset -- as well as his greatest liability.

46

Economy & Business

Back to the future for United Airlines. -- Congress takes on corporate America. -- Crops rot as migrant workers lie low.

64

Law

The Supreme Court makes land- use planning more costly for zoners. -- An expensive settlement for the New York Daily News.

69

Education

Among the subjects of 1987' s commencement talks: nuclear weapons, civil rights, the man shortage, hugging and Italian restaurants.

73

Books

In Empire, Gore Vidal continues to rewrite American history with charm and naughty wit. -- Martin Amis' nuclear forebodings.

80

Sport

As Isiah Thomas and Al Campanis have testified, a thread of color winds through baseball, basketball and all the playgrounds.

83

Essay

The U. S. should not act alone in the Persian Gulf, critics say. Why not? Should Washington wait for Europe? The U. N.? The Soviets?

6 Letters

10 American Scene

67 Press

72 Music

76 Cinema

77 Science

81 People

84 Milestones

Cover: Photograph by Jade Albert