Kim Raises the Stakes (Cover Story)
North Korea declares itself a nuclear power and spurns the six-party talks, dashing hopes that Kim Jong Il can be coaxed down from his diplomatic ledge

Going Into Business (Cover Story)
The state can't feed its citizens, but cautious economic reforms have led to a growth of enterprise, markets and trade. Can the regime keep a lid on the changes?

It's Time to Disengage with Kim Jong Il (Viewpoint)
North Korea's nuclear admission shows regime change is the only real option


Time to Go Back to the Beach
Most of the resorts hit by the tsunami are back in business. Now all they need is for tourists to return

Southern Exposure
Jolo is the birthplace of one the Philippines' oldest insurgencies. Now violence is flaring again


Truffle Kerfuffle
Chinese "pig-snout" fungi are flooding gourmet-food markets, and the French are not amused


Thaksin's Real Challenge
The Thai PM won reelection in a landslide—but failed to make any headway in the country's restive south

Milestones
Ellen MacArthur sets record

Verbatim

Letters

Holding Up Half the Sky
Mo Yan's Big Breasts and Wide Hips celebrates the role of women in China since the Qing dynasty


King for a Day (TIME Global Adviser)
Talk about meritocracy—here's how to check into the nobility's historic palaces

Next Time You're in ... Berlin (TIME Global Adviser)
In Germany, Life's a Beach

Yoga's Growing Reach (TIME Global Adviser)
A trove of new gear embraces the yoga mystique

Style Watch (TIME Global Adviser)
Even better than the real bling; seamless style

Your Health (TIME Global Adviser)
Fidgeting to lose weight; feeding the brain; the next step in skin care