The Realists Take Charge (Cover Story)
The election whupping marked the end of George W. Bush's radical experiment in partisan government - and a plea for politicians to get serious about solving problems


Vietnam Trades Up
Vietnam's entry into the World Trade Organization could supercharge the country's booming economy, if the government can carry out much-needed reforms


Best Inventions 2006
From a cat engineered to keep you from sneezing to espresso in solid form and a robot that rides a bike?plus, of course, the Invention of the Year?Time brings you a guide to this year's most fascinating innovations


Inconvenience Stores
India's shopkeepers in New Delhi are under siege

Milestones
Events of the Week

Letters
The Scramble for the Bomb

Asha's Encore (Curtain Raiser)
India's star Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle in Belgium

Desert Flower (Diversions)
The city of Nukus is an avant-garde oasis in Central Asia

Parliamentary Briefing (Check In)
A minimalist approach makes this Austrian hotel an attractive bolt hole

Spice Island (Amuse Bouche)
Upmarket dining in a backpackers' Thai paradise