A S I A
THE PHILIPPINES: Caught in the Middle
Twin hostage crises bring a resurgence of violence to the nation's south--and a headache for President Estrada

SRI LANKA: Showdown
The country goes on war alert as Tamil Tigers fighting for an independent homeland move to retake the Jaffna peninsula
• 'We Must Declare War': President of the influential National Sanga Council Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera speaks to TIME in this Web-only Interview

THAILAND: Collision Course
Web-only Exclusive: Thailand's Finance Minister hasn't always seen eye to eye with his country's central bank governor
• 'I'm Here To Do a Job': Web-Only Exclusive: Outspoken Bank of Thailand Governor Chatu Mongol Sonakul pulls no punches

CHINA: Boom Time
With the Internet set to take off across the country, Time speaks with five individuals who are leading the charge

T H E   A R T S
CINEMA: Marrying The Director
Web-only Exclusive: Actress Maggie Cheung on life, love and meeting Steven Spielberg

E N D   P A G E S
TRAVEL WATCH
Do-It-Yourself Luxury on Thailand's Railways

SPOTLIGHT

MILESTONES