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A man rolls a marijuana cigarette

1. An American Pastime: Smoking Pot

A global survey finds that Americans are most likely to have tried illegal drugs

2. A New Clue in Predicting Earthquakes

By measuring the speed of travel of seismic waves on the San Andreas Fault, scientists discovered an intriguing pattern: the waves slowed dramatically in advance of earthquakes

3. Chess-Boxing Hits it Big

The curious combination of mental and physical battles is growing in popularity, both as a teaching tool in the U.S. and a bloody pro sport in Europe

4. Beijing Orders Pollution to Vanish

A draconian set of industrial and traffic cutbacks will help clear the skies over the notoriously noxious capital in time for the Olympics. But it's only a quick fix

5. Batman Is Back — TIME Reviews The Dark Knight

Richard Corliss takes an advance look at The Dark Knight and finds it a masterly weave of madness and dread

6. Gore's Bold, Unrealistic Plan to Save the Planet

The global-warming guru says Americans must replace fossil-fuel power plants with renewable energy within 10 years. But can this "moral and spiritual challenge" be met?

7. Obama: The Half-Billion-Dollar Man

At least, that's what the Democratic Party hopes. But as primary season fades, Obama's not the cash juggernaut he once was

8. The Dilemma of 'Virginity' Restoration

Doctors in Europe are increasingly performing hymenoplasties for brides seeking to simulate virginity. But critics say the practice reinforces oppressive religious strictures

9. Do Breast Self-Exams Do Any Good?

A new report questions their usefulness, finding that they don't save lives and may lead to twice as many unneeded biopsies

10. Is Florida the Sunset State?

Beset by a housing crash, environmental chaos and political turmoil, Florida confronts the death of a dream

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Table of Contents

• 100 Olympic Athletes To Watch
• Inner-City Farms
• Obama's Overseas Test
• Salim Hamdan: Enemy Number One
• Activism, Hollywood-Style
• Mad Men on a New Frontier