Vol. 130 No. 24

American Notes AIR FORCE
Bird-Watching Bombers

American Notes BOSTON
Stand Up for Scrubwomen

American Notes CALIFORNIA
Not on My Beach

American Notes UTAH
Free Speech, Part 1

American Notes WASHINGTON
Free Speech, Part 2

An Offer They Can Refuse
Nearly everyone likes the arms deal but the G.O.P. conservatives

Coffee Or Tea?

We Meet Again
Why all the world loves a summit

Promises, Promises
Cuban prisoners surrender after striking a deal on deportation

Shaky Start
Chicago gets a new mayor

The Issue That Will Not Fade
Despite recent progress, Moscow has far to go on human rights

The Road to Zero
Behind the scenes of a surprising but potentially troubling triumph

Afghanistan Show 'Em the Way To Go Home
With the rebels gaining, Moscow looks for an exit

Haiti Blood in the Ballot Box
Violence halts an election, and a frustrated nation seethes at the military

Poland Thanks for Asking, but No
Voters turn thumbs down on a referendum for economic reform

Should the U.S. Intervene?

South Korea Heading Down the Homestretch
Will the first free election since 1971 end in a photo finish?

Soviet Union a "Tragic Phantasmagoria"
Repentance, an anti-Stalinist blockbuster, opens in the U.S.

Terrorism Furtive Swap
Did France cut an Iran deal?

The Mystery of Flight 858

World Notes AUSTRIA
The Surge To Merge

World Notes LATIN AMERICA
Talking Tough In Acapulco

World Notes TAXATION
Off with Her Head Tax!

World Notes VIET NAM
Muzzling the Dogs of War

Revving Up for New Voyages (Space)
NASA announces plans for a Jupiter probe and a space station

Antidote To All Those Wrinkles? (Health & Fitness)
For those worried by aging skin, an acne drug may be the answer

Frenzy Of Flabnost (Health & Fitness)

Step in The Right Direction (Medicine)
The President's AIDS panel releases its first report

The Man with a Paragon Palate (Food)
For countless wine lovers, Robert Parker's tastes are infallible

Does K Stand for Killjoy?
A bold challenger may spoil San Diego's America's Cup party

Wrecking Wren's London Skyline (Design)
The city's new buildings are a desecration, says a royal critic

Business Notes BEVERAGES (Economy & Business)
Ahh, That Cup Of . . . Coke?

Business Notes BROKERAGES (Economy & Business)
Rescue Parties On Wall Street

Business Notes COLLECTIBLES (Economy & Business)
A Glimpse of Genius at Work

Business Notes PRODUCTIONS (Economy & Business)
Funny Money, No Joke

Business Notes RETAILING (Economy & Business)
Good Cheer, Good Cause

Fighting The Urge to Splurge (Economy & Business)
The failure to save is catching up with U.S. consumers

Socking It Away in Japan (Economy & Business)

Filling Uncle Sam's Auction House
As lawyers protest, crimebusters turn to confiscation

Investigating Scott Turow

A Season Of Flash And Greed (Cinema)
Two Christmas movies Tweak an '80s devil

Bearing Witness to the Truth James Baldwin: 1924-1987 (Books)

Liberating Youthful Spirits (Books)
A seasonal menagerie of appealing creatures

Newswatch (Video)
High Moments in a Low Key

Sharing The Poet's Obsession (Art)
A singular show explores the vision of English Romanticism

Tv's Week: Of Gab and Glasnost (Video)
The tube exerts growing impact on political events

A Letter From the Publisher (A Letter From The Publisher)