Vol. 170 No. 13

COVER

The Real Running Mates (The Well / Cover Story / Nation)
the rules will have to be rewritten

NATION

The Grand Tradition of Flip-Flopping (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health / History)
their minds for all kinds of reasons. Here are a few of them

ESSAY

Hiding Behind the General. (Commentary)
Bush has made Petraeus the arbiter of Iraq policy when it should be set by the President

The Rule-Breaking Campaign (Commentary)
Most elections produce a surprise or two. Here is why this one could upend all assumptions

Pen Pal
When the President writes, even fan mail turns into a political referendum

WORLD

Is This Musharraf's Final Chapter? (The Well / World)
His expulsion of a returning rival may signal the endgame for Pakistan's embattled President

Who Killed Madeline McCann? (The Well / Crime)
The parents of the British girl who went missing in Portugal are now under suspicion, but much about the case remains a baffling mystery. A look at the chief unanswered questions

Postcard: Diego Garcia (Postcard: Diego Garcia)
This coral atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a key base in the war on terrorism and, not surprisingly, rarely visited by civilians. Our correspondent is on the scene

NOTEBOOK

Dashboard

Global Warning (Briefing / The Moment)
The latest studies on the planet's health show a world in pain

Numbers

Japan's Leader Resigns (Briefing / World Spotlight)

Milestones (Briefing)

New Clinton, Old Woe (Briefing / Washington Memo)

Verbatim

HEALTH & MEDICINE

Beepocalypse Now? (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health / Going Green)
Something is killing honeybees in record numbers. Three theories on why

Hyper Kids? Check Their Diet (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health / Health)
Research confirms a long-suspected link between hyperactivity and food additives

BUSINESS

Coping With a Real-Estate Bust (The Well / Business)
The slump in the housing market has no quick fix — and it could expand into a full-blown recession

What Homeowners Can Do (The Well / Business)
The eternal question in response to any market volatility--be it up or down, in stocks or real estate--is a simple one: How does this affect me? In housing it depends, of course, on which rung of the real estate ladder you occupy. Here are five perspectives on playing the vastly changed property game

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Nature Boys (Arts: Movies - Downtime / Movies)
Sean Penn and Eddie Vedder talk about age, rage and their new film

Divided (Arts: Movies - Downtime / Tuned In)
A reality-TV flap captures the horror of separating young children from parents--and its appeal

Geography Lessons (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health / Fashion)
The coolest designers redefine the idea of American style in an increasingly global business

Downtime (Arts: Movies - Downtime / Downtime)

SOCIETY

Video Games That Keep Kids Fit (Education)
Never mind kickball or soccer. Some schools are now getting kids to break a sweat with exergaming fitness centers

No Gifted Child Left Behind? (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health)

Forget Morton's Salt (Life: Education - Fashion - History - Food - Environment - Health / Food)
The saline seasoning has gone gourmet with tasty--and colorful--varieties from around the world

PEOPLE

10 Questions for 50 Cent
He was born Curtis Jackson, but he made his mark on the rap world performing under his childhood nickname. His third album, Curtis, debuted Sept. 11. 50 Cent will now take your questions

SPECIAL SECTION

New Zealand's Great Performer (Pursuits)
Far from Hollywood, actor Sam Neill plays a different part: vintner of star grape Pinot Noir

The Most Exclusive Vintage Is Your Own (Pursuits: New Zealand Vineyards - Make Your Own Wine / Wine)
At this DIY winery, making your personal blend is almost as pleasurable as drinking it

LETTERS

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