West Meets East (Cover Story)
Europe is scrambling to cash in on China's amazing boom—and forge a political alliance that can boost its global fortunes

The Art of Trade (Cover Story)
A riveting exhibition recalls an earlier era when Europe and Asia fascinated and enriched each other


Southern Front
Muslims have been fighting for decades for a separate state in Thailand's south. Now, for many, the goal is no longer independence but jihad

Pouring Cash
In small-town China, a case of alleged corruption sheds light on what happens when poorly paid local officials are encouraged to go all out for economic growth


A Whale of A Time (TIME Global Adviser)
Don't just take photographs... swim with the world's largest mammals

Backstreet Beijing (TIME Global Adviser)
Get to the Chinese capital's old alleys, or hutongs, before the developers do

Walk of Life (TIME Global Adviser)
The Whitsunday Great Walk celebrates the natural beauty of Australia's coastal rainforests

Welcome to Wonderland (TIME Global Adviser)
A Sri Lankan hotel combines the serendipitous with the surreal

A New Tonic for Old Gins (TIME Global Adviser)
As tastes change, some distillers change their taste

Tech Watch (TIME Global Adviser)
Keeping Privacy Protected

Bali: Two Years After
Indonesia's idyllic island is slowly recovering from 2002's deadly blast, but for its victims, healing may take longer

Megawati Loses Out
The outgoing Indonesian President's unwillingness to accept defeat has held up a peaceful transition

Staying Tuned
Not spending enough quality time in front of your TV? Help is on the way.

Passing the Scepter?
Cambodia's King Sihanouk says he'll abdicate as questions swirl over his motives

Milestones
Rodney Dangerfield; Janet Leigh

Verbatim
Quotes of the Week

Letters
Indonesia: Again