May 23, 2005 | Vol. 165 No. 21

Microsoft: Out of the X Box (Cover Story / Technology)

How Bill Gates built his new game machine--and changed your living room forever

Let the Battle Begin (Cover Story / Technology)

The major video game console makers continue the struggle to win dominance in the marketplace

Who Is Playing Games--and Why (Cover Story / Technology)

From Geek to Chic in 33 Years (Cover Story / Technology)

Three decades after video games invaded our space, it's finally hip to be square

Why Bush's Ban Could Be Reversed (Stem Cells)

As states push ahead with new research that the public seems to want, Congress is poised to expand the uses of federal funding beyond what the President's order allows

Stem Cells: Meanwhile, at the State Level: California Leads, but a Pack Follows (Stem Cells)

Meanwhile, at the state level of stem-cell research...

The Posse in the Pulpit

A look at "patriot pastors"

Exposed in Spokane, Washington

Mayor Jim West built his political resume battling gay rights--and did it all from inside the closet

The Gamble Of a Lifetime

EXCLUSIVE: At 77, Ariel Sharon is risking it all on his plan to give up the Gaza Strip settlements. Spend time with him at his home, and he'll tell you why

The Man Who Turned Sharon Into a Softie

Behavior: The Scent of a Man (Behavior)

What the brain and the nose tell scientists about sexual desire--and orientation--in the human male

Unmasking King Tut (Archaeology)

Modern technology puts a face on the famous Pharaoh and--curses!--lays to rest a 3,300-year-old murder mystery

My Most Difficult Choice (Health / First Person)

COX-2 inhibitors may fight cancer--or cause stroke. I'll risk the latter

Editing The Spies (Notebook)

The famous President's daily brief on security is in the midst of its biggest reform ever

Those Base-Closing Blues (Notebook)

Rumsfeld proposes closing 33 of the Pentagon's 318 major military bases

The Man Who Would Be Ratzinger (Notebook)

San Francisco Archbishop William Levada is chosen as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Airline Bailout: Are Pensions in Peril? (Notebook / Speed Read)

Speed Read: The airline bailout

52 Years Ago In TIME (Milestones)

Mon Dieu! The French Get Fat (Notebook)

French experts become increasingly concerned about the country's weight problem

No Taste, Not Filling (Notebook)

Moves to ban Alcohol Without Liquid in numerous states

Punchlines: May 23, 2005 (Punchlines)

Blogwatch: May 23, 2005 (Notebook)

Verbatim: May 23, 2005 (Notebook)

Milestones May 23, 2005 (Notebook)

Numbers: May 23, 2005 (Numbers)