Why Did Jesus Have to Die? (Cover Story)
As Easter arrives and millions still flock to see The Passion, the reasons behind his sacrifice are debated anew


State Of Disgrace
Bangladesh is reeling from violence, corruption and political turmoil. Inside Asia's most dysfunctional country

Who's in Charge Of Hong Kong?
To the dismay of democracy advocates, China is tightening its control over the territory


Prague: Duck! It's A Doughnut! (TIME Global Adviser | Next Time You're In...)
Grab some pastry to go at the zany, literary Café Imperial

Let's Hear It for Carbohydrates! (TIME Global Adviser | Amuse BoucheAmuse Bouche)
From the E.U.'s newest members, a taste of some traditional cooking

Art on the Danube (TIME Global Adviser | Dossier)
How a Van Gogh devotee opened Central Europe's most exciting new gallery

Subterranean Spectacular (TIME Global Adviser | Traveler)
Slovenia's Postojna caves are a natural wonder

Poland's Racy, Lacy Secret (TIME Global Adviser | Style Watch)
Faced with obsolescence, Poland's master craftswomen find their future in a saucy new direction

Here Comes The Sun
After years of gloom, Japan's economy is finally blossoming. And this time the recovery seems for real

Monetary Policy
To the Rescue: Superbanker!


Democracy In Action (Notebook | Indonesia)
Voters gear up for the biggest single-day election in history

Mother Courage (Notebook | China)
Parents and widows of Tiananmen victims speak out against the Chinese government—but not without risk

Longing To Litigate (Notebook | Japan)
Faced with a dearth of lawyers, Japan opens the floodgates with 68 new law schools

Playing Bad Guy
Action star Jackie Chan's comments on Taiwan's elections provoke ire on the island

Milestones
Remembering Alistair Cooke

Verbatim
Quotes of the Week

Letters
Looking for a Way Out