Tripped Up By History
G.O.P. leader Trent Lott's remarks on race raise a storm and a hot question: Have Republicans really outgrown their past?

Why Trent Lott's a Menace to His Party
He undermines the inclusive spirit that Bush has tried to build

Lott's Adventures in Gaffeland
When you're a politician, the worst slip is saying what you really think

The End of Rule by Law
Burned by the scandal of predator priests, Boston's Cardinal steps down. His church's problems go on


Iraq: The Great Scud Hunt (Iraq)
In the last war against Iraq, the U.S. did a poor job of destroying Scuds. If another war comes, the American military aims to do it better and smarter--with Israeli help

On The Ground In Qatar

The Axis of Evil in Action
Was Bush right when he made Iraq, Iran and North Korea a loathsome trio?

Iraq: The Missile Front (Iraq)
In a war with Iraq, the U.S. would probably bring out its new Patriot surface-to-air missile, the PAC-3, which improves upon the flawed PAC-2 used during the Gulf War. The new model promises greater p


The Beluga Blues (Environment)
America's craving for salty, sexy caviar has pushed an ancient sea creature to the brink of extinction


Food, Talk, Dice: Hey, It's Bunco Time! (Lifestyle)
Women are going crazy over an old gambling game


Far from Home

Verbatim: Dec. 23, 2002

Kissinger's Fast Exit

Another Jab From The General

Big-Tire Backlash

Aftereffects Of A Siege

Milestones Dec. 23, 2002


Smallpox Shots: Make Them Mandatory (Essay)
When it comes to epidemic diseases, you don't get to decide. The state decides

Have It Your Way
From lipsticks to cars, a growing array of products can be custom-made to your own taste--and waist


Crunching the Numbers
Would-be masters meet their match in the Putnam Competition, the world's toughest math test


Holiday Movie Preview: The Master of Deception (Holiday Movie Preview)

Holiday Movie Preview: The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis (voice of Gollum) DIRECTED BY: Peter Jackson

Holiday Movie Preview: Maid In Manhattan (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Stanley Tucci, Bob Hoskins DIRECTED BY: Wayne Wang

Holiday Movie Preview: Have A Very Leo Noel (Holiday Movie Preview)
DiCaprio has two big stocking stuffers, as our critics pass out the gifts--and a few lumps of coal

Holiday Movie Preview: 25th Hour (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper DIRECTED BY: Spike Lee

Holiday Movie Preview: The Hours (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris DIRECTED BY: Stephen Daldry

Holiday Movie Preview: The Pianist (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Adrien Brody, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox, Maureen Lipman, Thomas Kretschmann, Julia Rayner DIRECTED BY: Roman Polanski

Holiday Movie Preview: Russian Ark (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Sergei Dontsov, Maksim Sergeyev, Mariya Kuznetsova DIRECTED BY: Alexander Sokurov

Holiday Movie Preview: Nicholas Nickleby (Holiday Movie Preview)
STARRING: Charlie Hunnam, Jamie Bell, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Christopher Plummer, Edward Fox DIRECTED BY: Douglas McGrath

Tilting at Windmills (Books)
In a new novel, Annie Proulx casts her sharp eye on her beloved and bedeviled Panhandle country

Islam's Prophet Motive (Television)
PBS's Muhammad paints a too rosy picture of a humanitarian faith and its founder

Catfight! (Theater)
Broadway resurrects a famed literary spat


Why Let the Dogs Out? These Vets Come to You (Technology Health Money Fitness Food Trends)
House-call and mobile veterinarians are reducing stress for pets and owners

Sneakers for Highflyers (Technology Health Money Fitness Food Trends)

One-Minute Photo
Smile! Cell phone--camera combos are here. Just don't expect perfect pictures

A Smallpox Shot?
The vaccine works but carries real risks. How to tell if you should take it

Second Opinion: The New Carcinogens (Second Opinion)


Indian Casinos: Playing The Political Slots (Special Report / Indian Casinos)
PART TWO: How Indian casino interests have learned the art of buying influence in Washington

Global Briefing: Global Briefing: Dec. 23, 2002 (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)

Speed Reader (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
New software instantly connects key bits of data that once eluded teams of researchers

Energy: Black Gold (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
The U.S. is becoming less reliant on Middle Eastern oil, thanks to West Africa

Tobacco: Smoke Screen? (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
A new lawsuit says cigarette smugglers had a friend in R.J. Reynolds

People to Watch in International Business (Time Bonus Section Global Business / World Beaters)
People to Watch in International Business

Fishing for Yield? (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
Smart investors are buying a class of stock that acts much like a bond, only with more income

CEOs as Pilots (Time Bonus Section / Global Business)
Weary of airline delays and traffic jams, more executives are learning to fly their own planes


People: Dec. 23, 2002

10 Questions for The Sanchez Sisters (Interview)


Letters: Dec. 23, 2002