Briefing

CHICAGO

Dozens injured in train crash

ROCHESTER, N.H.

Six-hour hostage standoff at Clinton headquarters

WEST BANK

Israel releases 429 Palestinian prisoners

CHENNAI, INDIA

World AIDS Day observed

MANILA

Military dissident arrested for coup attempt

OLYMPIA, WASH.

Flash floods swamp the Pacific Northwest

BY THE NUMBERS

Happy Holidays from the White House

Tens of thousands of visitors will stream through 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this holiday season. Those attending one of the various receptions will be treated to, among other things, chocolate-dipped cookies shaped like White House dogs Barney and Miss Beazley. This year's theme, "Holiday in the National Parks," means models of U.S. landmarks--such as the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore--will deck the halls.

WHITE HOUSE 2007 HOLIDAY SPECS

895,000 Christmas cards sent

60,000 Guests who tour the house

20,000 Christmas cookies

10,000 Handmade tamales

1,000 Pounds of shrimp

862 Feet of garland

700 Assorted holiday cakes

600 Pounds of asparagus

347 Ornaments on main tree

320 Gallons of eggnog

232 Wreaths

73Volunteers

33 Christmas trees

DINOSAUR NEWS

Hadrosaur '07: Faster, Stronger

Scientists unearthed the preserved remains of a 67 million-year-old hadrosaur in North Dakota, one of only a tiny handful of dinosaurs ever found with evidence of skin. The skin of this herbivore is not just an impression in rock but actually intact, with muscles and organs probably preserved within. The discovery has already changed scientists' understanding of how the giant reptile lived.

1 The hadrosaur's vertebrae are spaced 10 mm apart, making the animal longer than thought. 2 The hind legs are 25% larger than once believed. 3 Its overall bigger size means it probably could run faster too, up to 28 m.p.h.--about the speed of an African elephant.

LEXICON

efficiency paradox

DEFINITION i-fish-in-see par-uh-doks n. Economic principle stating that as energy efficiency increases, overall energy consumption often rises rather than falls. Instead of being saved, cost reductions from improved efficiency stimulate energy demand.

CONTEXT A recent report by CIBC World Markets showed that energy efficiency in the U.S. had jumped nearly 50% since 1975--but that total energy consumption had increased more than 40% over the same period. Energy savings encouraged consumers to buy bigger cars and drive more rather than conserve gasoline.

USAGE Because increasing energy efficiency has long been considered the cheapest way to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, the paradox is yet another obstacle to fighting climate change. One solution: price power high enough--perhaps through carbon taxes--to keep consumption from rising.

HEALTH NOTE

Graveyard-Shift Hazards

RISKY HOURS Believe it or not, the night shift could become less appealing than it already is. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has named the so-called graveyard shift--worked in part by nearly 20% of the laboring population in Europe and North America--as a probable carcinogen, joining other likely cancer causes such as anabolic steroids and ultraviolet radiation.

LABOR LINK Studies have shown that people who work through the wee hours may have a greater risk of developing prostate and breast cancer. Scientists think the culprit could be a lack of melatonin, a tumor-suppressing hormone that is normally produced at night.

ARTIFACT

Thailand in the Pink

EN VOGUE Blush-colored shirts became a fashion craze in Thailand when King Bhumibol Adulyadej was spotted wearing a pale pink shirt and blazer last month. To meet the growing demand, the Commerce Ministry produced 30,000 more of the prized garments for those who wished to emulate their longest-serving monarch and honor his 80th birthday on Dec. 5.

THE NEW YELLOW The King has inspired trends before. Last year, during the celebration of his 60th year on the throne, Thais wore yellow shirts every Monday to commemorate the weekday of his birth.