Time

22

COVER: Oliver North prepares for a star turn at the Iran- contra hearings

How he became the "world' s most powerful lieutenant colonel" and a central figure in covert operations that in turn were a keystone of the Reagan Doctrine. -- On his route from all- American boy to reckless zealot, he always seemed to be the hero of his own movie. -- A look at Ollie' s army and his oddly assorted collection of private operators. See NATION.

10

NATION: Robert Bork' s nomination to the Supreme Court ignites a fierce struggle

By selecting a leading conservative jurist, the President hopes to shape the legal balance into the next century. -- Bork' s personal style and temperament are seemingly at odds with his strict constructionist philosophy. -- The seven Democratic presidential contenders fire mostly blanks in a Firing Line debate. -- A Texas boxcar turns into a grisly coffin.

58

SHOW BUSINESS: Whitney Houston reigns at the top of the pop- music charts

Bright, black and beyond gorgeous, this 23- year- old singer hit it huge last year with the top- selling debut album in music history. Now she has topped herself: her new album is the first by a female singer to go to No. 1 in its first week on the charts. On July 4 she began a three- month concert tour that is already a hot summer ticket. And you know what? She sings beautifully too.

34

World

South Korea' s ruling party chairman, Roh Tae Woo, makes history by supporting the call for direct popular elections. -- In the Middle East, Soviet diplomatic power is again on the rise. -- Moscow elevates a propagandist to the Politburo. -- A French court finds Klaus Barbie guilty and sentences him to life in prison.

46

Economy & Business

The U. S. robotics industry is barely limping along. -- Labor is irked by falling wages. -- The Soviets steal the Paris Air Show.

52

Press

Those racy British tabloids love rowdy stories about the royals. Now they have a new topic of gossip: Di' s marital fidelity (gasp !).

55

Religion

Oral Roberts, fresh from a run of other controversies, claims to have raised the dead. -- The Pope and Billy Graham agree to meet.

56

Medicine

A brave new world of brain implants to treat neurological disorders may be on the horizon. -- Can mosquitoes carry the AIDS virus?

65

Art

A traveling exhibit of her sweet, rambunctious canvases marks Elizabeth Murray, 46, as one of the best painters of her generation.

72

Sport

It may be the players or even the ball, but something is up: in the major leagues, home runs have increased 22.7% this season.

4 Letters

57 Health & Fitness

64 Video

66 Milestones

68 Cinema

71 People

Cover: Illustration by Gottfried Helnwein