TIME International

COVER: Tragedy on Top of the World
A sudden, brutal storm swept Mount Everest's "Death Zone" as more than 30 climbers began the treacherous descent from the summit. Despite space-age equipment and a daring helicopter rescue, at least eight mountaineers lost their lives
Cyberscoop: The disaster was first reported via the Internet

INDIA: Government Golightly
The freest, cleanest general election in 50 years produces an indecisive verdict, leaving the new regime likely to fall soon
Wealth Health: The economy asks, "Who's in charge here?"

INDONESIA: The Raid on Irian Jaya
After talks break down, an élite band of commandos frees 11 hostages from months of captivity in the hands of rebels

SOUTH PACIFIC

NEW ZEALAND: Kiwi Firsters
The debate on immigration policy touches universal nerves

SPECIAL REPORT

RUSSIA '96:
This presidential campaign turns on an issue of a bit more consequence than a gas tax: whether to bring the political heirs of Stalin back to power. Russia votes on June 16, and Boris Yeltsin is in a fight for his life against Gennadi Zyuganov. Yeltsin has focus groups, control of the media, billions of rubles to dispense. The Communists have 500,000 foot soldiers. Inside the campaigns and their strategies

VIEWPOINT: Two Cheers
Warren Christopher on how the election benefits the U.S.

EYEWITNESS: The Search for a Normal Life
A renowned Polish journalist casts an eye on a divided nation

UNITED STATES

THE MILITARY: A Question of Honor
The Navy's top admiral takes his life rather than face queries about his right to a coveted medal

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON: Fighting the Dole-drums
The candidate quits the Senate to invigorate his campaign

OLYMPICS

HISTORY: A Century of Change at the Games
The modern Olympics have served as a showcase for Nazi efficiency, a surrogate battlefield in the cold war, a stage in the world theater of protest, and even as a megamachine for merchandizing. Nonetheless, as the Games enter their second century, they have attained a dazzling level of athletic accomplishment and planetary popularity. Here's a look at the tug-of-war between Olympic idealism and Olympic reality

SCIENCE

PALEONTOLOGY: Monsters in Morocco
Two new dinosaurs force a rethinking of ancient geography

THE ARTS

MULTIMEDIA: Flashy icons are putting a new face on Internet chat, but the conversation needs animation

BOOKS: A memoir of a white boy's upbringing in Rhodesia

IDEAS: Why the technological snafu will always be with us

TO OUR READERS
TRAVELER'S ADVISORY
NOTEBOOK
TALK OF THE STREETS
MILESTONES
PEOPLE
VIEWPOINT

COVER: Photograph by Scott Fischer

PRESS: O.J. in England
The value of wowing the Oxford Union is a matter of debate

ASIA

NEPAL: Tragedy on Top of the World
A sudden, brutal storm swept Mount Everest's "Death Zone" as more than 30 climbers began the treacherous descent

INDIA: Government Golightly
An indecisive verdict leaves the new regime likely to fall soon

INDONESIA: The Raid on Irian Jaya
An élite band of commandos frees 11 hostages