The two recent attempts on the life of President Gerald Ford have sparked great national concern for his safety. They also raise significant questions about the kind of protection that Ford--and other world leaders--receive. This week's cover stories examine the security surrounding the President, tell the bizarre story of the second unsuccessful attempt on his life, and explore the tangled sociological and psychological roots of assassination. For all the writers and researchers of TIME'S Nation section, it was another week of exceptional effort. For the third time in four weeks, TIME'S West Coast correspondents found themselves in the middle of a major unexpected news story (the others: Lynette Fromme, Patty Hearst). Under the overall coordination of Los Angeles Bureau Chief Jess Cook, San Francisco Correspondent John Austin talked with local FBI and police sources and also interviewed the only FBI informant to have successfully infiltrated the Weather underground for our story on the California underground. Roland Flamini assembled a portrait of Sara Jane ("Sally") Moore. Christopher Ogden, who was close enough to the shooting to see the smoke of the gun, followed Moore in the aftermath and also interviewed Marine Corps Hero Oliver Sipple. A separate story in our Press section examines charges that press coverage of attempted assassinations inspires further attempts. Because Sally Moore had been an FBI informer, the Law section explores the role of police informers generally.

As usual, however, TIME'S coverage of the news of the week extends far beyond the major headline stories. In this week's issue curious readers will find answers to a multitude of intriguing questions. A sample:

P: Has the waterlogged city of Venice, Italy, finally stopped sinking? (See THE WORLD).

P: Why is walking such a lucrative pastime for Broadway musicians? (SHOW BUSINESS).

P: Can a dog win Hollywood's award for Best Actor? (PEOPLE).

P: What specifically bothers Episcopal bishops about the ordination of women into the priesthood? (RELIGION).

P: What baseball teams are likely to win the National and American League titles and which will probably emerge victorious from the World Series? (SPORT).

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