Vol. 164 No. 24
COVER
Who were the wise men? What about that star? And is it possible Jesus was born in Nazareth? How the story of Christ's birth came to be
NATION
A growing steroid scandal has entangled the sport's biggest star, and now Washington wants reform
The Cafeteria Crusader
High noon in Texas: the agriculture chief is making a stand against junk food. Can she win?
WORLD
Kofi Annan built a reputation as the world's most trusted diplomat, but the oil-for-food scandal has riled U.S. critics. Is his job in jeopardy?
The Great Sunni Hope
Once invisible, Iraq's interim President could win big in next month's election--if he gets out his voters
Is There a Better Model For the U.N.? (Reform)
SCIENCE
It might not be visible, but chronic emotional burdens can make your cells age prematurely
NOTEBOOK
Milestones (Milestones)
Creative Thinking In Chicago
Balking At The TSA
On The Stump Behind Bars
Payback Time For The Cock Of The Prairie
Performance Of The Week
Numbers
In Need Of A Helping Hand
56 Years Ago In Time (Milestones)
Finding Nino ... In Grand Rapids
Verbatim
The Democrats' Hope in the Desert (In The Arena)
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Color, fantasy, humor and, above all, magic are prime ingredients of the holiday season, and nowhere are they to be found in greater abundance than in the words and illustrations of books for kids. On
Holiday Trimming (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Connections)
Cut back on the fuss to find the season's real joys
In From the Cold (Time In Depth)
In 1965, U.S. Army Sergeant Charles Robert Jenkins deserted his post in South Korea and fled to the communist North--a move he now calls "the stupidest thing I have ever done." He spent nearly 40 year
Gridiron Gals (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Connections)
In cities around the country, the NFL is looking for a few good women to coach youth football
LAW
It's no joke. Animal lawsuits are gaining respect as pet owners seek justice for the ones they love
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hotel Rwanda is the riveting account of a man finding courage in the midst of genocide
Fine China, Kung Fu Style (Movies)
Zhang Ziyi battles with the big boys in the dazzling, devious martial-arts epic House of Flying Daggers
High Drama, Low Comedy (Movies)
Meet the rowdy cast of the sequel to that comedy about in-laws. Know any of them?
Pop Goes the Literature (Books)
When authors as highbrow as Michael Chabon write pulp fiction, what defines a good read?
At Last, Don Cheadle Is the Hero (Movies)
THE CHARACTER PLAYER
YOUR TIME
Fellowship of the Matrix (Living)
Star Wars was just the start. Now Frodo and Neo get their fancy DVD spotlights
Welcome Back, Earth Shoes (Style)
Museum-Quality Beauty (Style)
Chandelier Couture (Style)
Will Podcasting Kill the Radio Star (Tech)
Joystick Nostalgia (Tech)
Atari brings back its golden oldies--but some games don't feel the same
Toasting Christmas with a Bottle of Turkey Soda (Living)
The Season to Relax (Style)
Two spas offer accessible pampering services to relieve holiday stress
SPECIAL SECTION
The inside story of Parmalat, the biggest, most brazen corporate fraud in European history
World Beaters (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Global Business / World Beaters)
People to Watch in International Business
Hanging by a Thread (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Global Business / Trade)
Textile factories throughout Asia face extinction as a long-standing global trade pact is set to expire
A Tale of Survival (Time Bonus Section December 2004: Global Business / Trade)
PEOPLE
Auld Or New?
Hemingways Inside The Beltway
Q&A Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali talked to TIME by e-mail about his new book, written with his daughter Hana
10 Questions For Tavis Smiley (Interview)
LETTERS
ESSAY
Band Aid's intentions are good, but Africa needs more than a Christmas jingle