September 20, 2003

Can I get one super sized? CNN - McDonald's to launch healthy adult Happy Meals 12:10:57 PM

The United Nations General Assembly today demanded that Israel not deport or threaten the safety of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, approving overwhelmingly a resolution by Arab and Non-Aligned countries after the United States vetoed of a similar text in the Security Council earlier this week. But unlike Council resolutions, Assembly decisions have no legally binding force. “If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions.” - Abba Eban on the UN 11:33:20 AM

If this is true.... Fun with fusion: Freshman's nuclear fusion reactor has USU physics faculty in awe 10:19:15 AM

CDs vs. DVDs. Interesting piece in the Denver Post about how the pricing strategies of CDs and DVDs differ and what that says about the music and movie bizs' response to the threat of piracy, downloading, etc. A snippet: Not until 20 years after the introduction of the CD in the United States did a record label announce across-the-board price cuts that acknowledged consumer anger at paying $19 for one decent Justin Timberlake song. Universal will now drop prices on many CDs to below $10, a breaking point many buyers seem to accept. In contrast, the movie studios saw the threat from pay-per-view cable and satellite in 1997, when DVDs first arrived here, and slashed prices immediately. DVDs started between $19 and $24; today hundreds of great titles are available in the $10 range. With "Pirates of the Caribbean" still taking in great business in theaters, a two-disc DVD version will arrive before Christmas for $18. Whole thing here. [Link via Frankin Harris] [Hit & Run] 8:41:17 AM

Phish Bassist Cleared Of Child-Endangerment Charges MTV - When Phish return to the New York area on November 28 for the first of eight shows planned to celebrate their 20th anniversary, bassist Mike Gordon will no longer have child-endangerment charges dangling over his head. 8:13:58 AM

Female Member of Iraqi Governing Council Targeted in Assassination Attempt Voice of America - A woman member of Iraq's governing council has been shot and seriously wounded in an apparent assassination attempt in Baghdad. 8:11:54 AM