Today's Top Stories

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Senator John McCain speaks at a town hall meeting.

William Thomas Cain / Getty

McCain's Foreign Policy Frustration

By JOE KLEIN

While Obama moves elegantly through the Middle East, the pillars of McCain's bellicose regional policy are collapsing

LeBron James' Olympic Mission http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1214055407/bclid1342094282/bctid1683827951

The NBA star talks to TIME's Sean Gregory (and shoots hoops with him too), as he prepares to lead America's Redeem Team in Beijing

How Sudan Was Brought to Court

By ELIZABETH RUBIN

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, prosecutor of the International Criminal Courts, charged a sitting president with genocide. But getting to do that was fraught with big power politics

Facebook: Movement or Business?

By JOSH QUITTNER

At the company's annual conference, CEO Mark Zuckerberg had lofty words for the mission of his social network. But Facebook still has one thing on its mind: advertising

Berlin Awaits the 'Next JFK'

By STEPHANIE KIRCHNER

Amid record levels of anti-American sentiment, the Democrat will likely get the warmest reception in Berlin since Kennedy

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Karen Tumulty

In the past few minutes, scores of people — some wearing Obama t-shirts and chanting "Yes we can" — have gathered to see if they can catch a glimpse of him.

Special Package

9 Kid Foods to Avoid

Here's a sample of packaged foods parents may be better off avoiding, plus our next-best suggestions for what to buy instead

Today's Top Stories

Obama: 'We Have a Daunting Task'

By KAREN TUMULTY

In a podcast interview with TIME's Karen Tumulty, the candidate says Afghanistan will be "a tougher job than Iraq"

Karadzic a Big Win for Hague Cops

By SAMANTHA POWER

International justice is often derided, but Samantha Power writes that its recent successes have been hard to ignore

Should Genetic Tests Be Regulated?

By SARAH N. LYNCH

Web-based testing is a hot industry, but some question whether consumers know how to use the information

Judge Limits Hamdan Prosecution

By MARK THOMPSON/WASHINGTON

A Gitmo judge's dismissal of evidence against Bin Laden's driver could bode ill for cases against others tied to 9/11

NBC Tries to Sell Its Late-Night Shuffle

Where will Jay Leno end up? Can Conan fill his shoes? Why does Jimmy Fallon need a Web warm-up? James Poniewozik ponders questions raised by NBC's late-night moves

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Karen Tumulty

As a first-time visitor to this part of the world, I was unprepared for the lushness of Jerusalem. It reminds me of the Hollywood Hills in both the terrain and the weather.

U.S. and Iran: A One-Sided Negotiation

By JONATHAN MAHLER

As the war crimes trial of Osama bin Laden's former driver begins, Jonathan Mahler explains how an uneducated Yemeni became America's most famous detainee

Never Underestimate McCain, But...

By MICHAEL GRUNWALD

The race has just begun, but after a run of bad luck and poor strategy, Michael Grunwald sees the odds of a McCain presidency looking longer

US and Iran: A One-Sided Negotiation

By MASSIMO CALABRESI

Four years of incremental climb-downs by the U.S. have produced no progress on Iran's nuclear program. Secretary of State Rice thinks this time may be different

Breakthrough in Zimbabwe: Let's Talk

By ALEX PERRY

Mugabe and Tsvangirai agree to negotiate, making way for a possible end to the country's crisis. But obstacles remain

Getting Serious About Flood Insurance

By AMANDA RIPLEY

After the devastating Midwest deluge, Congress may require flood insurance for millions of at-risk Americans. But opponents may yet find a way to water down the bill

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Karen Tumulty

I had to go all the way to Amman to finally meet a Swampland commenter in person.

U.S. and Iran: A One-Sided Negotiation

By JONATHAN MAHLER

As the war crimes trial of Osama bin Laden's former driver begins, Jonathan Mahler explains how an uneducated Yemeni became America's most famous detainee

Never Underestimate McCain, But...

By MICHAEL GRUNWALD

The race has just begun, but after a run of bad luck and poor strategy, Michael Grunwald sees the odds of a McCain presidency looking longer

US and Iran: A One-Sided Negotiation

By MASSIMO CALABRESI

Four years of incremental climb-downs by the U.S. have produced no progress on Iran's nuclear program. Secretary of State Rice thinks this time may be different

Breakthrough in Zimbabwe: Let's Talk

By ALEX PERRY

Mugabe and Tsvangirai agree to negotiate, making way for a possible end to the country's crisis. But obstacles remain

Getting Serious About Flood Insurance

By AMANDA RIPLEY

After the devastating Midwest deluge, Congress may require flood insurance for millions of at-risk Americans. But opponents may yet find a way to water down the bill

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Karen Tumulty

I had to go all the way to Amman to finally meet a Swampland commenter in person.

10 Most Popular Stories of the Week

1. An American Pastime: Smoking Pot

By Sarah N. Lynch

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

2. A New Clue in Predicting Earthquakes

By Dan Cray

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

By Ada Calhoun

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

By Austin Ramzy / Beijing

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

By Richard Corliss

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

By Bryan Walsh

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

By Jay Newton-Small / Washington

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

By Bruce Crumley / Paris

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?

By Catherine Guthrie

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?

By Michael Grunwald/Miami

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

Today's Top Stories

Today's Top Stories

Leaving Iraq: Debate Shifts to When

By MICHAEL SCHERER/WASHINGTON

Both candidates, at least for now, seem to be moving closer together on Iraq. Which one will benefit?

How Batman Broke the Record

By REBECCA WINTERS KEEGAN

The Dark Knight beat Spider-Man with a $155 million weekend. The secret: word of mouth plus lots of Heath Ledger

Oxytocin: The Asocial Cure?

By M.J. STEPHEY

It's called the "love hormone," and now some manufacturers are selling it as a shyness remedy. But is oxytocin all it's cracked up to be?

Beijing's Revolution

On the eve of the Summer Games, China capital is buzzing with a hot cultural scene, creative entrepreneurs and a collection of new buildings

The Weemote vs. Wiimote Tiff

By TIM PADGETT

The makers of a gadget whose name is almost identical to the nickname of the videogame system's remote control wonder if their trademark is still worth anything

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Karen Tumulty

The Obama charter plane is spiffy on the outside, with the Obama logo on the tail and "Change We Can Believe In" painted where "North American" used to be. The main Change I Can Believe In (I hope) is the addition of power outlets at our seats.

Today's Top Stories

The Pursuit of Teen Girl Purity

By NANCY GIBBS/COLORADO SPRINGS

Striking back against a Girls Gone Wild culture, many fathers and daughters are choosing a much different path

The Week in Politics

By MICHAEL DUFFY/WASHINGTON

A new voter registration study bodes well for Obama and the Democrats this fall, but the growing ranks of independents are still up for grabs

Obama Begins Afghanistan Tour

By ARYN BAKER/KABUL

With violence hitting new highs, the nominee arrives amid tight security in a country now weary of American promises

The Weemote vs. Wiimote Tiff

By TIM PADGETT

The makers of a gadget whose name is almost identical to the nickname of the videogame system's remote control wonder if their trademark is still worth anything

What's Next for the HIV Vaccine?

By ALICE PARK

A large government trial of the most promising HIV vaccine candidate to date has been canceled. Does that leave any hope for prevention?

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Joe Klein

The message is clear: Please leave, as soon as possible. He may be saying this for local, political reasons, in the runup to the regional Iraqi elections, but he's saying it

Today's Top Stories

India's Nuclear Brinksmanship

By JYOTI THOTTAM/NEW DELHI

By pushing an atomic-power deal with the U.S., the country's Prime Minister has put his government on the firing line

Warming to the Kindle

By JOSH QUITTNER

How Josh Quittner learned to love Amazon's digital book-reading device despite its imperfections

The Dalai Lama's Buddhist Foes

By DAVID VAN BIEMA

What lies behind a rowdy encounter in New York City between devotees of a ferocious Himalayan deity and the followers of Tibet's spiritual leader?

A New Prophet for the Polygamists?

By HILARY HYLTON / AUSTIN

Warren Jeffs is in jail, possibly ill and on tape "recanting" his leadership. Who are the men angling to succeed him?

An Olympic Equestrian Tragedy

By SEAN GREGORY

A champion rider and her pony would have won hearts at the Olympics. But now Karen O'Connor is on the sidelines

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Michael Scherer

Has the Times ever published a more over-the-top, irresponsible op ed column? Not that it shouldn't have been published: if Benny Morris represents even a small minority of Israeli public opinion, then his view is as newsworthy as it terrifying.

Today's Top Stories

How to Save Afghanistan

By RORY STEWART / KABUL

As violence subsides in Iraq, it's surging in Afghanistan. A veteran diplomat and student of the country on what it really needs — and why more troops won't help

11 Must-Have iPhone Applications

The new apps are in the stores. Many are useless; others are buggy. Here are some that make the whole thing worthwhile

Obama's War Zone Guides

By KAREN TUMULTY / WASHINGTON

His traveling companions to Iraq and Afghanistan, two fellow senators and war critics, can help him cut through the p.r.

Nelson Mandela at 90

TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel narrates a look at the life and leadership of the world's great hero

Dark Knight: Lines, But Not For Tickets

By GILBERT CRUZ

The advent of advance sales has made waiting hours for tickets obsolete. So why does the practice continue?

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Ana Marie Cox

Sen. John McCain's daughter, Meghan, lunched with 'The Hills' star Heidi Montag yesterday. Also, God will someday punish me for making it possible for Montag to think McCain is a fan of the show.

Today's Top Stories

Obama Faces His Overseas Audition

By KAREN TUMULTY / WASHINGTON

On his first trip outside the country as candidate, Obama must show he's in command of both symbolism and substance

85% of U.S. Unhappy with Economy

By BILL SAPORITO

An exclusive TIME/Rockefeller Foundation poll shows unprecedented dissatisfaction — and very little optimism

McCain and Bush's Uneasy Alliance

By JAMES CARNEY

John McCain has defied the President more than any other Republican, yet can't escape his shadow. An intimate look at the uneasy alliance that could cost McCain the election

Cracking Down on Tax Evaders

By BARBARA KIVIAT

A Senate subcommittee prepares to hear about the bankers and their ultra-rich clients who use overseas accounts to skirt U.S. tax laws

Can Britain Save Its Wayward Youth?

By CATHERINE MAYER / LONDON

A rise in knifings and other violence has British politicians looking for policies to combat its youth crime wave — and the social problems that foster it

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Joe Klein

Fred Kaplan does his usual good job parsing the Iraq and Afghanistan sections of the McCain and Obama foreign policy speeches yesterday. But there was more to Obama's speech than just Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today's Top Stories

Where Iraq and Iran Meet, Uneasily

By ABIGAIL HAUSLOHNER/AL-FAW

Baghdad is reasserting its authority in its crucial peninsula on the Gulf, but its old enemy Iran is just a short swim away

Best (and Worst) Sports Executives

From the NBA to the Olympics, Time.com's 2008 list of the world's most notable—for good and ill—owners, commissioners and other movers and shakers in sports

Obama's Conservative Mideast Pick

By MASSIMO CALABRESI/WASHINGTON

The return of Dennis Ross reflects the Democrat's intentions — and challenges — in the region

Do Breast Self-Exams Do Any Good?

By CATHERINE GUTHRIE

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

General Motors' Garage Sale

By JOSEPH SZCZESNY / DETROIT

Selling off the Hummer and cutting back on everything from salaries to NASCAR, the auto giant fights for liquidity

TIME Blogs

Swampland

By Ana Marie Cox

As the aunt of two rather adorable girls who were adopted from China by their moms, I had to wonder if McCain's ever been to a Chinese orphanage. I'd let the children be adopted by threesomes if it came to that.

10 Most Popular Stories of the Week

Was Jesus' Resurrection a Sequel?

AFP / Getty Images

A first-century BC tablet, thought to originate from the Jordanian bank of the Dead Sea, that tells the story of a Messiah who rose again after three days from the grave

1. Was Jesus' Resurrection a Sequel?

By David Van Biema / New York and Tim McGirk / Jerusalem

A controversial relic suggests that the story of a messiah who died and rose after three days was extant three decades before the birth of Christ

2. A-Rod and Madonna: A Fan's Guide

By Rebecca Winters Keegan

Ballplayers' marital woes don't usually wind up as front-page news. But most players aren't tied with Mickey Mantle on the all-time homer list — or get spiritual guidance from Madonna

3. Batman Is Back [EM] TIME Reviews [ITALIC "The Dark Knight"]

By Richard Corliss

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

4. Most Obnoxious Tourists? The French

By Bruce Crumley / Paris

Americans may be rude, but a new survey of attitudes toward foreign tourists shows that they're no match for the French

5. Where Is the Afghan Female Runner?

By Jeff Israely

Hounded by religious extremists, the only woman on the country's Olympic team vanishes. Is she seeking asylum? Or has something worse happened?

6. Chess-Boxing Hits it Big

By Ada Calhoun

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

7. An American Pastime: Smoking Pot

By Sarah N. Lynch

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

8. The Nightly News, Not-For-Profit

By Gilbert Cruz

As news organizations across the U.S. tighten their belts, one non-profit group is giving away high-quality journalism for free

9. Why We Have Affairs [EM] And Why Not to Tell

By Andrea Sachs

Mira Kirshenbaum's new book explores why extramarital affairs happen, and how they can be managed. Her surprising advice to the guilty: Honesty isn't always the best policy

10. Your Laptop's Dirty Little Secret

By Bryan Walsh

If you knew where your cast-off high-tech hardware ended up — in toxic heaps in developing countries — you might think twice about snapping up the latest gewgaw