Briefing

VILLAHERMOSA, MEXICO

Floods swamp homes of nearly 1 million

BANGKOK

Thailand celebrates the King's 80th birthday

TONACATEPEQUE, EL SALVADOR

Celebrations on the eve of the Day of the Dead

BALTIMORE

Phelps loses $11 million lawsuit

LONDON

Parliament session officially kicks off

MINSK, BELARUS

Clocks fall back one hour

KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Police battle protesting lawyers

THE MAP

America's Checkup

In the past year, cancer and heart-related mortalities modestly decreased in the U.S. That's the good news. The bad news? According to a report on lifestyle and diet by the United Health Foundation, 45 million Americans smoke regularly, 47 million are uninsured, and 55 million are obese. Also, while U.S. life expectancy is at its highest ever, at 78 years, the country still trails 43 other nations--including Jordan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Domestically, Mississippi is the least healthy state, though it has nearly half the binge-drinking rate of Vermont, which is still ranked the healthiest. [The following descriptive text appears within a diagram] WHO IS THE HEALTHIEST? Percentage each state ranks above (blue) or below (red) the national norm for health Source: United Health Foundation

EXPLAINER

King Tut Unmasked

Tut's blackened face was revealed on Nov. 4, exactly 85 years after Howard Carter unearthed the Egyptian boy king's tomb. While age and careless handling may have caused 18 body fractures, heat and humidity now pose a greater threat. Archaeologists moved the once shrouded pharaoh to a climate-controlled coffin in the antechamber of his Valley of the Kings tomb. Now tourists can tempt King Tut's curse if they dare.

1 Carter did major damage by ripping off Tut's gold mask

2 Tut's distinct overbite is on display 3 Scans show a leg fractured at the time of death 4 They also dispel rumors that WW II soldiers stole the king's privates 5 He was 5 ft. 6 in. (1.7 m) but had large feet

LEXICON

brainbow

DEFINITION brane-bo n: Name coined for the brain of a mouse that researchers bred to have neurons light up in 160 colors.

CONTEXT Harvard scientists have raised mice whose genes contain fluorescent proteins (derived from coral and jellyfish) that, when activated, tint the brain's neurons a wide array of colors. The technique can't be used on humans, but it may enable scientists to better understand our own brain wiring and offer insights into neurological development and disorders.

USAGE The technique's principle developer, Jeff Lichtman, says the stunning colors are a bonus: "There was no intent to have an aesthetically pleasing result, but it is beautiful."

SAFETY NET

Veterans and Homelessness

It's not just a stereotype--many of America's homeless are former soldiers. "Veterans, who represent only 11% of the civilian adult population, comprise 26% of the homeless population," says a new report by the Homelessness Research Institute. Close to half a million veterans found themselves on the streets or in shelters and transitional housing in 2006.

WHY IT MATTERS A major goal is preventing homelessness among soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan now. The report calls for screening to find out which soldiers are at risk right after leaving the military and emergency grants for those who fall behind on their rent.

MILITARY NOTE

Playboy and the Pentagon

NEW RULES After a decade-long ban, the Pentagon has approved the sale of Playboy and Penthouse magazines on military bases. While the Honor and Decency Act of 1996 forbids bases from selling "sexually explicit material," a review board recently ruled that most of the magazines' content is made up of ads and other nonpornographic material, making it safe for on-site stores.

BACKLASH Antipornography and religious groups have petitioned to stop the new sales, without much success. The Pentagon says it hasn't lowered its high moral standards--about 67% of sexual videos are still banned.