McDonald's and Nintendo, at last

Hunting Habits of Wolves Change Ecological Balance in Yellowstone
In 1995, 14 wolves from Canada were brought into the park by truck and sleigh in the dead of winter, held in a cage for 10 weeks and released. Seventeen were added in 1996. Now, about 130 wolves in 13 packs roam the park.

As Young Adults Drink to Win, Marketers Join In

The bar is packed, the floor is wet, and dozens of glassy-eyed young people are squeezed around tables trying to lob Ping-Pong balls into cups of beer.

Budweiser says Bud Pong does not promote binge drinking because official rules call for water to be used, not beer. Miller frowns upon beer pong, but condones its promotion by Miller distributors.

China Builds Its Dreams, and Some Fear a Bubble
This year alone, Shanghai will complete towers with more space for living and working than there is in all the office buildings in New York City. That is in a city that already has 4,000 skyscrapers, almost double the number in New York.

McDonald's and Nintendo in Wi-Fi Deal

Nintendo of America is expected to announce today that it will offer free wireless Internet access for its Nintendo DS portable game system at McDonald's restaurants. Customers will be able to play select DS games with other players around the world.

McDonald's offers wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, access to laptop users for a fee in 6,000 restaurants nationwide, but the free Nintendo arrangement will permit the DS machines to play without a laptop.

With New IPod, Apple Aims to Be a Video Star

Now Playing on a Tiny Screen

In the past year, media companies have begun experimenting with broadcasting original programming made specifically for mobile phones to increase awareness of their television shows and movies. And interest in such programming may grow further: last week, Apple introduced a video iPod, which, while not a mobile phone, is another test of consumers' interest in portable entertainment.

So far, efforts by media companies are modest, limited largely to games, ring tones and wallpaper. But interest is growing, particularly in "mobisodes," short series that are already popular abroad.

Chaos Grows in Darfur Conflict as Militias Turn on Government

States Protest Contributions to Drug Plan
The Bush administration notified states on Monday that they would have to pay billions of dollars to the federal government next year to help finance the new prescription drug benefit for people on Medicare.

Other news:

Trying to Get, and Keep, Care Under Medicaid

Treated for Illness, Then Lost in Labyrinth of Bills

MP3 Cubed Can Double as Fashion

Big Hitters Said to Want Piece of AOL

In Texas, Marriage Is on Ballot

Bush Criticized Over Emphasis on Religion of Nominee

Data on Marriage and Births Reflect the Political Divide