The 56-year-old chairman of the Fed is TIME's 2009 Person of the Year
Photographs by Dan Winters for TIME
On Dec. 16, residents around the picturesque Mayon volcano in the central Philippines awoke to dozens of earthquakes and tremors, as the nearby Mayon volcano began to spew ash and lava.
A glimpse into the rarified rooms in Washington where the Fed Chairman oversees the U.S. financial system
Photographs by Dan Winters for TIME
The nerd from Dillon, South Carolina rises to the most powerful job in American banking
U.S. monetary policy is guided by an independent government agency that can trace its roots to the administration of George Washington
A glimpse into the life of the man tasked with leading the U.S.-led war effort in Afghanistan
At an LED factory in Shenzhen, TIME meets some of the young men and women all of them migrants who are fueling China's booming economic growth
By Austin Ramzy
Photographs for TIME by Song Chao
A glimpse into the world of the most powerful woman in American politics
Photographs by Gillian Laub for TIME
A celebration of the Italian maestro's dolce vita antics on set, a prelude to the release of 9, a musical adaptation of the great director's masterpiece 8½
Lady Gaga tries to make an impression on Her Royal Majesty with an ensemble rouge, but it takes more than a red rubber dress to shock Elizabeth II. She has seen more than her fair share of snazzy duds
TIME's photographer Callie Shell shares her thoughts about what it is like to photograph the President of the United States
President Barack Obama becomes the third sitting American president to receive the award, which was established 108 years ago by Alfred Nobel, a wealthy chemist and investor of dynamite.
Around the globe, the holiday season with all its sundry trappings gets under way
One of the art world's most prestigious and controversial honors was awarded Dec. 7 to Scottish painter Richard Wright. A look at past winners of the prize, distributed each year by London's Tate gallery to an artist under 50 born or working in Britain.
Violent street demonstrations rock National Student Day in Tehran and other cities
The National Zoo announces that the beloved Giant Panda will return to China
Climate change at the top of the world imperils Asia's water supply
Photographs by Bharat Sikka for TIME
The largest cruise ship in the world, the Oasis of the Seas from Royal Caribbean goes through final preparations before setting sail. TIME photographer Andrew Kaufman gets a sneak peak at this floating city.
The First Lady chooses traditional decorations for the family's first Yuletide in Washington
A phenomenal new building by Pritzker Prizewinning architect Thom Mayne goes up in the East Village
TIME photographer Christopher Morris surveys the scene as the President describes his plan for Afghanistan to an audience of cadets at West Point
Photographs by Christopher Morris / VII for TIME
The site of the Union Carbide tragedy is still a toxic mess and a continuing threat to a new generation of residents
Photographs by Alex Masi
A look at the troops who President Obama hopes will someday provide security in Afghanistan reveals a force with limited resources
Photographs by Scott Olson / Getty
An album of memories celebrates the engagement of Bill and Hillary's only child
Did You Hear How Bad The Morgans Is?
Joe Klein's Annual Teddy Awards
Portraits of Chinese Workers
Crazy Heart Review: Jeff Bridges Abides