A S I A
INDONESIA: Unrelenting Pressure
Indonesia's Wahid faces up to his political friends and foes. At least he won't be impeached

KASHMIR: Give Peace a Chance
The Indian government opens negotiations with Kashmiri separatists even as militant groups unleash a new wave of lethal violence in the disputed territory

CRIME: Reel Life, Real Life
In a caper right out of a movie script, India's most wanted criminal kidnaps one of its most famous actors

HONG KONG: Fight of Abode
Arson-or was it self-immolation?--in the immigration office sparks new fears about would-be residents from the mainland

KOREA: Unsporting Behavior
A female basketball player's injury highlights the problem of coaches who go overboard on physical punishment

JAPAN: Splash Down
Swimming star Suzu Chiba is left off the national Olympic team. Is it simply because the authorities don't like her?

B U S I N E S S
BEAUTY: About Face
Online and in stores, Chinese-American Susan Yee is selling cosmetics designed specifically for Asian complexions

S C I E N C E
INNOVATORS: Edgy Science
Six up-and-coming researchers who are pushing the limits and setting the scientific agenda for the new century

E N D   P A G E S
SPOTLIGHT

MILESTONES

TRAVEL WATCH: Singapore, the United Nations of Food