Vol. 160 No. 24
NATION
What is Capitol Hill really saying about taxes? A guide to the secret code
How To Balance A Budget
States are in crisis. They will have to cut services, raise taxes and try a few tricks. Here's what to expect
WORLD
A TIME inquiry unearths the roots of the bombings and shows how the masterminds remain at large
A Twist of the Arm (The Unending War)
Pushing Saudi Arabia to up its antiterrorism efforts, the U.S. is telling Riyadh it's next on al-Qaeda's list
WAR & TERRORISM
A hotel bombing in Kenya, a missile attack on an Israeli civilian jet--this is how terrorists are rewriting the rules of engagement
HEALTH & MEDICINE
WE'RE HEADED FOR AN EPIDEMIC OF JOINT DISEASE. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF
The Other Crippling Joint Disease (Health)
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
SOCIETY
Filming deliberations for television could be a great display of democracy--or a gross distortion of justice
NOTEBOOK
Verbatim
Happy Holidays, Martha
Milestones
No Holiday for al-Qaeda
Yet Another Job For Kissinger
Numbers
Panhandling.com
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
You don't have to suffer. There are many ways to find relief
Homeland Security, Explained
We hope this clears it all up for you. Just follow those lines of authority!
Something in the Air
How do the inhabitants of this small Sardinian town manage to live so long?
BUSINESS
Every President from Ford to Clinton has been caught off guard by the camera of TIME's Diana Walker, whose best appears in a new book. Here's an exclusive glimpse
Look, Ma, No Stains
New techno-clothes let a man be a mess without looking like one. Will shoppers buy slob chic?
Cellular's New Camouflage (Time Inside Business / Environment)
As wireless towers spread, so do their guises--including 50-ft. cacti
Thrown for a Loop (Time Inside Business / Telecom)
In the name of competition, the Baby Bells say, they're forced to subsidize their rivals
Sweep Up That Paper! (Time Inside Business / Health Care)
A small start-up helps big firms save on employee health insurance by taking bids over the Internet
Profit in Parody (Time Inside Business / Office Humor)
In today's workplace, cynicism sells big
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Shania Twain aims to sell more records than anyone in history--and she just may
Spike Adapts (Movies)
In his quirky new film, Adaptation, director Spike Jonze grows up, but he's still playing mind games
Mighty Medici (Art)
The rulers of Renaissance Florence were legendary patrons of art. A splendid show surveys their legacy
No Good-Time Charlie (Movies)
YOUR TIME
Investors wary of stocks are taking the collectible-car market out for a spin
Desserts for Adults Only (Drinks)
Giving Credit Where Credit Is Not Due
The big identity-theft bust last week was just a taste of what's to come. Here's how to protect your good name
Tie This On for Size (Style Watch Essentials)
Is Going Nutty Good for You? (Second Opinion)
Fish Oil and Toenails (Technology Health Money Fitness Food Trends)
Eating fish is good for hearts. Mercury may be bad. Which matters more?