China's family planning rules at issue in US asylum cases

Partners of Chinese women who were forced to have abortions are pressing the Supreme Court to make it easier to get asylum in the United States.

The Bush administration is resisting the male partners' efforts to get asylum, even though the Republican congressman who wrote a 1996 asylum law said it was intended to cover men as well as women who are victims of China's controversial family planning policy. There is no dispute that women can seek asylum under the law.

The justices will consider appeals by two men in the coming weeks.

U.S. courts have taken varying approaches to claims by Chinese men that they should be allowed to stay in the United …

Lottery

Here are the winning numbers drawn Monday:

WEST VIRGINIA Daily 3: 740 Daily 4: 9916 Cash 25: 2-3-4-6-20-23

OHIO Day Pick 3: 685 Pick 4: 9325 Ten-Oh: 2-11-16-17-18-22-25-27-36-37-46-49-50-60-62-66-69-71-76-79 Evening …

Contracting Successes

AMCOM's Contracting Professionals of the Quarter. A U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) Acquisition Center contracting team is recognized for its efforts in awarding a Program Executive Office Air and Missile Defense Common Hardware/Software-3 requirement. The 5-member team used various acquisition reform measures to successfully negotiate and award, in an unprecedented 45 days, a competitive hest-value, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, time and materials contract with a potential value of $2 billion over a 10-year period of performance. The AMCOM team placed special emphasis on encouraging and maximizing small-business participation. The winning proposal has a 29.1 …

China's Canton Fair suffers drop in attendance

China opened the final session of the Canton Fair _ the country's biggest trade show _ on Sunday amid complaints that attendance has been dismal because of the financial crisis clobbering the nation's biggest export markets in the U.S. and Europe.

The biannual event, which started 51 years ago in this freewheeling southern city, has long been a key barometer of global demand for Chinese goods. Foreign buyers traditionally flock to the event to haggle over an astounding array of goods _ everything from wrenches, bathroom sinks and copper tubing to solar panels, laptops, motorcycles and high-heeled shoes.

Final attendance figures will not be ready until the …

The Northwest Side home of Jacek Helenowski was announced recently as one ...

The Northwest Side home of Jacek Helenowski was announced recently as one of the greenest in the country by Rep. Mike Quigley and Green Building Council members. The "net zero" home uses no energy that it does not create, and it has a LEED certification of 119 out of 136 possible points. ABOVE: Helenowski shows hydroponic plants growing on the lower level. RIGHT: The green roof contains solar panels and a turbine windmill. | Al Podgorski~Sun-Times photosThe geothermal pool.The …

CNA takes units off the market

CNA Financial Corp., the second largest U.S. business insurer,dropped plans to sell its life insurance units because potentialbuyers were unwilling to meet its billion-dollar price.

The company, controlled by billionaire investor Laurence Tisch andhis family, has decided "not to sell these businesses for less thanthey are worth to CNA," said Bernard L. Hengesbaugh, chairman andchief executive.

In March, Chicago-based CNA hired Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette tosell its individual life, long-term care and retirement servicesunits to focus on its main …

Rights group says wanted Congo criminal walks free

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A former Congolese warlord accused of conscripting child soldiers walks freely and is serving in the Congolese military despite a warrant for his arrest, an international rights group said Wednesday.

Bosco Ntaganda was first indicted on war crimes charges in 2006 by the International Criminal Court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The court has accused Ntaganda of using child soldiers for fighting in Ituri, in northeastern Congo, from 2002 to 2003.

The United Nations also has implicated Ntaganda in the 2008 massacre in the village of Kiwanja in Congo's North Kivu province. More than 150 people were killed by rebels under Ntaganda's command, …

Cricket exposed to fixers by spread betting

The nuances and statistics that make cricket such a compelling game for millions around the world are exactly what make it so vulnerable to fixing by players.

Aside from taking bets on the results of matches, bookmakers offer odds on just about anything _ the number of catches in a game, the amount of time it lasts and, in the latest case, when bowlers will be penalized …

Army Materiel Command: Supporting the Warfighter

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, "The only thing constant is change itself." At Army Materiel Command (AMC), managing change to improve the way we do business, improve our support for the current and future warfighter and improve our ability to support tine changing needs of our customers is now a way of life. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness from technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection and sustainment. AMC supports soldiers from the time they arrive at basic training throughout their career, no matter where they are deployed or what they do. If a soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it or eats it, AMC …

Al-Qaida North Africa branch takes credit for Israel embassy attack in Mauritania

The North African branch of al-Qaida took credit for an attack on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania that wounded several bystanders, describing it as response to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, in a statement carried by militant Web sites Sunday.

Early on Friday, at least one gunman opened fire on the Israeli embassy in the Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott, setting off a gunbattle with guards that wounded three bystanders, including French citizens who had apparently been visiting a nearby restaurant and disco. No embassy staff were wounded.

"In this blessed raid that has been carried out by the champions of al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, …

Sealing The Nike Deal Is A Big Relief

Whatever happens in the next few months, I know I won't be underany huge financial pressure.

For that, I have to thank the contract I've just signed with Nike.

It's a big relief as it means I can just go out and concentrate onmy golf - which suits me fine.

The deal also allows me to be able to pay my coach, George Ryall,to join me on tour for a while. That's very important to me, too.

George flew out last weekend and we've already been working hardon a few things leading up to my second event on the US Tour, the AT& T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Maintaining a strong posture has been high on the agenda as hastrying out a few Nike drivers at …

HU analyzes ties between business and politics

DAUPHIN COUNTY

Former Hbg. mayor to instruct course

From the real world to the classroom, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology plans to provide its students with an innovative class that will explore the relationship between entrepreneurship and politics.

"Entrepreneurship historically has been thought of as just starting a business, but it should happen in different enterprises," university Provost and Executive Vice President Eric Darr said in describing the inspiration for the course. "The course will examine how it happens in the context of politics and running of a government."

The course, titled Entrepreneurship in Politi cs, willbe taught …

Mitchell hands Patel Illinois Amateur title; NU freshman becomes youngest champion of 77-year-old event

A wild finish produced the youngest champion in the 77-yearhistory of the Illinois Amateur last week, while preventingBloomington's Todd Mitchell from winning his third title.

Mitchell came to the final tee at Ironhorse Golf Club in Tuscolatied for the lead with Naperville's Ravi Patel, 18, before sufferinga monumental collapse. Holding honors on the tee, Mitchell put threeballs in the water before finding dry land and took a 9 to finish ina tie for sixth.

"I've seen that happen only once, and that was in a movie,"Mitchell said.

Patel, an incoming freshman at Northwestern after graduating fromNeuqua Valley High School, wound up winning by three strokes overPeoria's John Ehrgott and Winnetka's Blake Johnson.

Like the Illinois Open the week before at The Glen Club, theIllinois Am had to be shortened because of weather problems. It wasplayed at 54 holes for the first time since becoming a 72-holestroke-play event in 1963.

This year's tournament drew 650 entries, with statewidequalifying rounds whittling the field at Ironhorse to 138. Nextyear's tournament will be at Cantigny in Wheaton.

MISSING IN ACTION

Both the pros and amateurs will be missing a top player when the46th Radix Cup matches come to Oak Park Country Club on Wednesday.

University of Illinois coach Mike Small, who won the IllinoisOpen and was low club pro at the PGA Championship earlier thismonth, won't be in the lineup for the Illinois PGA team. And Patelwill be absent from the Chicago District Golf Association side,though the CDGA team will have Rob Grube among its 12 players.

Grube, a Stanford University standout from Hinsdale, was therunaway winner of the 2006 Illinois Am but opted not to defend histitle.

The IPGA lineup has Roy Biancalana, St. Andrews; Steve Dunning,Oak Park; Gary Groh, Bob O' Link; Jason Lee, Ridgemoor; DannyMulhearn, Glen Oak; Steve Murray, PrairieView; Brett Packee, COREGolf; David Paeglow, Kishwaukee; Kevin Rafferty, Flossmoor; BillyRosinia, Flagg Creek; Darren Stanek, Oak Club of Genoa; and MichaelTroy, Troy's Range. Small, preparing for the start of the collegeseason, will defend his IPGA Championship title starting next Mondayat Stonewall Orchard in Grayslake.

Joining Grube, Mitchell and Ehrgott on the CDGA team are MarkEsposito, Schaumburg; John Finnin, Balmoral Woods; Andy Gabelman,Oak Park; Rick LeHew, Weaver Ridge; Brad Marek, Mount Prospect;Michael Natale, Idlewild; Dave Ryan, Piper Glen; Steve Sawtell,Skokie; and John Wright, Oak Park.

The pros lead the Ryder Cup-style competition 30-13-2.

HONOR ROLL

Carmen Molinaro, who has run Buffalo Grove's two courses since1977, has been selected Golf Professional of the Year, the IPGA'shighest honor. Old Elm's John Kiriakopoulos was named the topassistant professional, Cog Hill's Kevin Weeks the top teacher andWilmette's Cortney Miller the leading junior golf instructor.

Also honored by the IPGA were Onwentsia's Bruce Carson, BillStrausbaugh Award; Bonnie Dundee's Jim Opp, Horton Smith Award;Flossmoor's David Ogilvie, Bill Heald Award; and Pine Meadow'sDennis Johnson, President's Plaque. Merchandiser awards will bepresented at a banquet on Nov. 1 to Twin Orchard's Andy Shuman(private clubs), Makray Memorial's Don Habjan (public courses) andOak Brook's Randy Bolstad (resorts).

THE CHAMPS

Prospect Heights' team won the ninth Traditions of GolfChallenge, played at Cascades Golf Club in Bloomington, Ind., forgroups involved in the Hook A Kid On Golf programs. The three-daycompetition included a four-man scramble, a rules and history testand overall etiquette.

COURSE SPOTLIGHT: BON VIVANT

Facts: This 36-hole facility has a big clubhouse and plenty ofpractice options. It's also the only area course with a croquetcourt. The Championship Course, reviewed here, measures 7,570 yardswith a par of 72, rating of 76.3 and slope of 135.

Fees: Championship Course -- weekdays, $23 for 18 holes, $13 fornine, $14 after 4 p.m; weekends, $33 for 18 holes, $16 for nine, $24after 2 p.m., $19 after 4. North Course -- weekdays, $15 for 18holes, $9 for nine, $12 after 4 p.m.; weekends, $24 for 18 holes,$12 for nine, $18 after 2 p.m., $14 after 4. Carts are $12 for 18holes, $7 for nine.

What's to like: The course has extraordinary length possibilitiesand its par-5s are physically and mentally challenging. I especiallylike the rows of bushes used to define most of the tees.

Room for improvement: While the greens are fine, conditioning issubpar on the fairways and some tees. Also, more yardage markers areneeded, especially on the par-3s.

Bottom line: Pricing is attractive at this unique facility, whichopened in 1979. The original clubhouse was destroyed in a fire, butthe new one is one of the area's best for a public course.

COMING UP:

Today: Illinois PGA Senior Masters, Onwentsia; CDGA Better Ballof Pairs, Ravisloe.

Wednesday: Radix Cup matches, Oak Park.

Friday: Weekly Challenge Tour, Highland Woods.

Aug. 27: CDGA Mid-Amateur, Coyote Run.

Aug. 27-29: Illinois PGA Championship, Stonewall Orchard.

Career Center Road (four miles south of Route 45), Bourbonnais,Ill., (815) 935-0400, www.bonvivantcc.com.

lziehm@suntimes.com

Pakistan to ask ICC to pick ex-ICL player Razzaq

Pakistan will seek approval from the ICC to include Abdul Razzaq as an injury replacement in its Twenty20 World Cup squad, which would make him the first player to return to international cricket after playing in the ICL.

The Pakistan Cricket Board selected Razzaq on Wednesday to replace the injured Yasir Arafat. The move will have to be ratified by the International Cricket Council.

Razzaq played in the Indian Cricket League, the first Twenty20 tournament to be formed but banned by the ICC. All ICL players were banned by their respective national boards, but several of them have recently been granted amnesty after severing links with the rebel league.

Razzaq was among several players granted amnesty by the Pakistan board.

Brazil judges suspends river project protested by hunger striking Bishop

Work on a massive river diversion project that a Brazilian bishop has been trying to stop with a hunger strike was halted Tuesday following a ruling by a federal judge.

Judge Antonio Souza Prudente, in an injunction late Monday night, ordered the government to suspend labor on the US$2 billion (euro1.4 billion) project to divert the Sao Francisco river, Brazil's fourth largest, as part of plan to irrigate the country's arid northeast.

Prudente accepted arguments by prosecutors that the National Water Resources Council had ignored several important technical criteria in approving the project. The injunction did not mention the hunger strike.

Work on the project had been halted Tuesday but the government was going to appeal the ruling, said a spokesman for the Attorney General's Office who declined to be named in line with office policy.

Bishop Luiz Flavio Cappio who is on the 15th day of a hunger strike said he planned to continue despite the judge's decision, because the government will likely be able to have the injunction thrown out in a higher court.

"We are very happy with the decision, it is a great sign of hope but we have not arrived at the end," Cappio said in a statement. But he said he was "determined to go ahead with the fast and prayer" until the project is stopped and the army engineers leave the sites.

The National Integration Ministry, which oversees the project, said it had not seen the judge's decision and would not comment until it had.

Cappio has said he was prepared to die if the government does not stop work on the project which critics say will do irreversible environmental damage and principally benefit large agribusiness interests and builders.

The government estimates the plan will benefit about 12 million people in the desperately poor region.

In 2005, Cappio ended a similar hunger strike after 11 days when the government promised to hold public debates on the project. He accuses the government of failing to honor its promise.

Since he began the hunger strike on Nov. 27, Cappio said he has lost over 4 kilograms (9 pounds). He continues to drink water and doctors said he was still in good health.

A MASTERS LOCK? Norman Might Finally Have Winning Combination at Augusta

Greg Norman is favored to win the 58th Masters.

So what else is new?

Norman has been the favorite of golf's four major championshipsone time or another since the mid-1980s, but has won only two BritishOpens.

Never has he won the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship or theMasters.

Norman's 14th visit to Augusta National Golf Club could be thecharm, however. A "new Norman" is expected at the first tee todaywhen the Masters starts its annual four-day run.

Second in two previous Masters and a top six finisher fivetimes, Norman is coming off the best 72-hole performance of hiscareer. Two weeks ago he beat the world's best golfers in ThePlayers Championship, touring the rugged but rain-softened TPC ofSawgrass course in Jacksonville, Fla., in a stunning 24-under-par.

Playing in eight tournaments world-wide in the first threemonths of 1994, Norman has already earned $789,673. And that came ontop of a 1993 in which he won four times, finished second in anotherfour tournaments and cashed $1,359,653.

Never has Norman been this hot. And the timing could beperfect to win the event he calls "the greatest golf tournament weplay and probably ever will play."

But, as most golf fans know, nothing is ever perfect with this39-year-old Australian. There has always been the "head factor" withNorman and it's evident again. Anticipation of the Masters alreadyhas him playing mind games with himself.

Last week, for the first time in three years, he skipped thePGA Tour stop at New Orleans. He didn't practice much, either.

Instead, he assembled a batting machine for his children at hisFlorida home and tried, usually without success, to hit 85 m.p.h.fastballs.

"I didn't think I needed to hit a lot of golf balls," Normansaid Wednesday. "If I looked for a need to practice, I might havecreated something I didn't need."

Like self-doubts. He's been gripped with them before, as shownby his shaky first rounds here. Though Augusta National is set upeasy for the first 18, Norman has opened over par nine times,including six of the last seven years.

Today's round could be the most important for Norman in hisquest for the coveted green jacket, which goes to the championSunday. Had Norman shot par in the first round of all his previousMasters he would be a three-time champion.

"Being favored is a big compliment," said Norman. "It doesn'tbother me. I put all the pressure on myself.

"This is the Masters championship. That's all I need to say.I've never hidden my feelings about this tournament. It's No. 1 onthe priorities of tournaments I want to win."

Norman's most disappointing loss came here in 1987, when LarryMize chipped in to beat him in a sudden-death playoff. That was justone in a series of miracle shots that deprived him of titles in the1980s, and they combined to send Norman into a funk in 1991 and 1992.

"When I went through those poor times those were the best timesof my life because I realized what I missed," Norman said. "Forevery negative there's a positive. I became analytical andprioritized what I wanted in my business affairs and practiceschedule. Then I had to see that my family didn't lose any more ofmy time and take care of Greg Norman himself."

He also got into reading, particularly about Chinese survivaltechniques.

Nick Price, one of Norman's top rivals here, believes theturning point was the 1992 Canadian Open.

"I noticed a big change in Greg when he won that," Price said."He took me from there to Milwaukee in his airplane and we were inthe cabin having a beer.

"He was more at peace with himself. He said he had gotten to astage `where I'm just going to enjoy my golf.' When he won theBritish Open last year, that squashed all the negatives that had gonethrough his mind."

There were a lot of those - playoff losses to Fuzzy Zoeller inthe 1984 U.S. Open and Mark Calcavecchia in the 1989 British Open,Mize's chip-in, Bob Tway's bunker shot at the 1986 PGA, Robert Gamez'holed 7-iron at Bay Hill and David Frost's bunker shot at New Orleansin 1990. They would wear on any athlete.

"I made a decision not to talk about that," Norman said. "I'velearned to deal with it. There's a gray twilight in between theecstasy of victory and the agony of defeat. I don't want to live inbetween."

If Norman does succeed this week, he'll be the tourney's sixthforeign winner in seven years. Germany's Bernhard Langer is thedefending champion.

"There's no dominant force in the game of golf country-wiseanymore. It's an international sport now," Norman said. "Plus, alot of guys you (the American media) call foreigners have spent adecade of our lives living here."

With that in mind, the only thing foreign about this Masterswould be a Norman victory.

Fortherecord

Bankruptcy filings

The following people filed petitions in U.S. Bankruptcy Court forthe Southern District for Oct. 25, 2004:

* David Chester and Tammy Jacqueline Jenkins, 1620 Ohio St.,Bluefield. Chapter 7. Assets: $118,227.54. Liabilities: $169,230.

* Bernard Ricky and Norma Jean Helmandollar, P.O. Box 385,Bramwell. Chapter 7. Assets: $78,225. Liabilities: $94,465.

* Claude David and Tammy Faye Gilman, P.O. Box 200, Lenore.Chapter 7. Assets: $14,040. Liabilities: $82,265.

* Bradley Scott Thomas, P.O. Box 696, East Bank. Chapter 7.Assets: $50,859.54. Liabilities: $61,210.

* Kimberly Ann Ziesemer, Route 6 Box 249 M, Charleston. Chapter 7.Assets: $8,824. Liabilities: $9,547.62.

* Frank Lindbergh and Carl Yvonne Pierson, P.O. Box 182, Bickmore.Chapter 7. Assets: $61,54. Liabilities: $38,755.

* Roy Taylor Freeman, P.O. Box 61, Orgas. Chapter 7. Assets:$20,861. Liabilities: $108,313.

* Charles Nelson Spaulding Jr. and Susana Spaulding, P.O. Box1162, Kermit. Chapter 7. Assets: $101,001. Liabilities: $68,834.

* Geneva Church, HC 7 Box 4, Thacker. Chapter 7. Assets: $24,000.Liabilities: $38,652.

* Paul Harwood Williams, 728 Dorsey Ave., Morgantown. Chapter 7.Assets: $2,687.50. Liabilities: $186,433.96.

* Paul Steven and Stephanie Ann Tate, 111 Mesa Drive, St. Albans.Chapter 7. Assets: $37,650. Liabilities: $69,698.18.

* Jason Christopher Grim, P.O. Box 295, Sandyville. Chapter 7.Assets: $6,736. Liabilities: $15,888.37.

* Shane Dotson, 48570 State Highway 194E, Majestic, Ky. Chapter 7.Assets: $24,100. Liabilities: $34,479.

* Christina Lynn Wright, P.O. Box 334, Sandyville. Chapter 7.Assets: $6,768. Liabilities: $23,011.84.

* Edward Booth Gillenwater Jr. and Judith Ann Gillenwater, 30Almost Heaven Drive, Giffithsville. Chapter 7. Assets: $121,888.78.Liabilities: $103,470.01.

* Jason Edward and Melissa Dawn Priddy, Route 4 Box 192,Hurricane. Chapter 7. Assets: $166,968.54. Liabilities: $165,768.26.

* Michael Dill and Carolyn Ann Carper, 1725 Little Left hand Road,Looneyville. Chapter 7. Assets: $91,018.3. Liabilities: $85,929.61.

* James Harry Keefer, 6496 Roosevelt Ave., Charleston. Chapter 7.Assets: $115,425. Liabilities: $123,687.82.

* Stephen Spencer Turnes, 5617 Kanawha Turnpike, St. Albans.Chapter 7. Assets: $98,085. Liabilities: $102,994.74.

* Ben Hoover II and Linda June Hoover, 109 Chestnut St., Dunbar.Chapter 7. Assets: $87,407.72. Liabilities: $98,107.81.

* Johnny Denzil and Rebecca Mary Tenney, HC 59 Box 2523,Craigsville, Ky. Chapter 7. Assets: $20,162.37. Liabilities: $37,000.

* Brian Keith and Roxan Bowers, P.O. Box 52, Racine, Ohio. Chapter7. Assets: $7,858. Liabilities: $30,114.44.

* Richard Gary and Tammy Jo Wilburn, 284 Little Horse Creek Road,Julian. Chapter 7. Assets: $28,986. Liabilities: $35,502.72.

* Laura Lynne Pauley and Kenneth Dale Pauley Jr., P.O.. Box 176,Sod. Chapter 7. Assets: $47,213.42. Liabilities: $41,706.96.

* Manuel Velazco Levario, 7A Dairy Road, Poca. Chapter 7. Assets:$121,243.67. Liabilities: $138,223.22.

* Russell Alvin and Catherine Lee Brown, 405 McKinley Ave.,Charleston. Chapter 13. No schedule filed.

* Carl Allen Matheny, 7445 Sissonville Drive, Sissonville. Chapter7. Assets: $33,650. Liabilities: $31,622.

* Beverly Lynn Casto, HC 36 Box 396 B, Charleston. Chapter 7.Assets: $8,237.35. Liabilities: $34,769.32.

* Donetta Ann Thomas, 5501 Washington Ave. SE, Charleston. Chapter7. Assets: $146,126.44. Liabilities: $105,865.05.

* James Lee Kirk, route 1 Box 80A, Sandstone. Chapter 7. Assets:$2,95.25. Liabilities: $39,395.

* Roland Mark and Sherry Marie Hatfield, P.O. Box 1097, Sophia.Chapter 7. Assets: $74,005.87. Liabilities: $105,878.78.

* Joyce Ann Wilson, P.O. Box 73, Hilltop. Chapter 7. Assets:$12,307. Liabilities: $37,465.99.

* Kelly Doreen Burford and Jerry Lee Burford, 164 Wildwood AcresDrive, Charleston. Chapter 7. Assets: $94,000. Liabilities: $98,954.

* Debra Dawn Moore, 37 East Drive, Cottageville. Chapter 7.Assets: $131,686.85. Liabilities: $71,405.03.

* Jenny Lou Miller, P.O. Box 762 1219 Lakeview Drive, Ravenswood.Chapter 7. Assets: $129,330. Liabilities: $143,651.95.

* Sylvester Tony Mozzella, Box 139, Upper Glade. Chapter 7.Assets: $26,167. Liabilities: $33,718.98

* Edwin Milton Mazzella, 500 S. Main St., Webster Springs. Chapter7. Assets: $11,275. Liabilities: $38,993.

* Karla Ann Goffaux, 2313 Sixth Ave., Charleston. Chapter 7.Assets: $123,509.96. Liabilities: $138,100.20.

* Anthony Allen and Andrea Joyce Capua, 66 Starcrest Circle,Logan. Chapter 7. Assets: $10,920. Liabilities: $44,547.92.

* Dennis Eugene Ferrell, P.O. Box 206, Whitesville. Chapter 7.Assets: $219,680. Liabilities: $99,236.

* Gerald Lee and Sally Dyann Stewart, 203 Vala St., Charleston.Chapter 7. Assets: $81,068.26. Liabilities: $114,006.53.

* Regan Alice Melton, P.O. Box 1100, Elkview. Chapter 7. Assets:$20,100. Liabilities: $25,629.81.

* Robert Daniel Butler Jr., P.O. box 1255, Burnside, Ky. Chapter13. Assets: $61,000. Liabilities: $50,500.

* Delbart Ray Roush, P.O. Box 32, Gallipolis Ferry. Chapter 7.Assets: $55,605. Liabilities: $38,400.

* James Eugene and Jerrie Louise Cottrell, Route 2 Box 193, PointPleasant. Chapter 7. Assets: $59,635.5. Liabilities: $87,619.

* Richard Lee and Sharon Lynn Rainey, Route 2 Box 191, PointPleasant. Chapter 7. Assets: $61,265.58. Liabilities: $57,282.47.

* Rebecca Lynn Smith, P.O. Box 2181, St. Albans. Chapter 7.Assets: $37,036.67. Liabilities: $76,241.41.

* Edward Scheid Custer Jr. and Carolyn Killen Custer, 730 Elm St.,Barboursville. Chapter 7. Assets: $275,487.35. Liabilities:$174,728.43.

* Philip Dale Plybon, 1147 13th St., Huntington. Chapter 7.Assets: $10,157.22. Liabilities: $86,459.

* Timothy Charles Napier, 1027 Jackson Ave., Huntington. Chapter7. No schedule filed.

* Rocky Lane Gray, 2801 Emerson Ave., Parkersburg. Chapter 7.Assets: $35,215. Liabilities: $55,436.19.

* Thomas Jason Scarles, 1930 hill St., Rainelle. Chapter 7.Assets: $3,871.92. Liabilities: $36,900.

* Ronald Lee Clay, Box 171, Page. Chapter 7. Assets: $5,806.9.Liabilities: $61,995.

* Richard Ray and Alanda Kay Hurtado, P.O. Box 599, oak Hill.Chapter 7. Assets: $12,381. Liabilities: $21,635.

* Jackie Wayne and Anita Gail Goins, 302 Brethren Church Road,Beckley. Chapter 13. Assets: $136,602.25. Liabilities: $115,476.56.

* Laura Adams Short, 115 McTaggart Drive, Beckley. Chapter 7.Assets: $4,400. Liabilities: $22,010.43.

* Johnny Miles and Joy Lynn Williams, 12106 Coal River Raod,Whitesville. Chapter 7. Assets: $940. Liabilities: $57,329.26.

* Marriage applications

The following people applied for marriage licenses at the CountyKanawha Clerk's Office October 25, 2004

* Scottie Dow Cottrell, 27, and Desiree Rae Curry, 27, both ofCharleston.

* Paul Morgan Pattison, 30, and Lisa Renee Kinder, 26, both ofSanta Barbara, Calif.

* Divorce filings

The following people filed petitions in the Kanawha County CircuitClerk's Office, Oct. 25, 2004:

* Heather Dawn Fields from Jonathan O'Neil Sawyer Hudson.

* James Franklin Hughes from Lisa Renee Kobb Hughes.

* Carl Edward Means from Terry L. Means.

* Todd Beane from Gretchen Beane.

* Florence J. Fizer from John R. Fizer.

* Jean Aaron James from Paul Franklin James.

* Woodrow Wilson Whitlock from Rebecca Jane Whitlock.

* Jay Burford Jividen from Lisa Dawn Jividen.

* Penny R. Walker from Jeffrey B. Walker.

* Jeff A. Dotson from Kim E. Dotson.

* Property transfers

The following property transfers of $1,000 or more were recordedin the Kanawha County Clerk's Office October 25, 2004:

* Safa E. Papa to Ravindra P. and Anjali R. Malapur. Lot, LoudonDistrict. $189,500.

* Eugene K. and Sharma S. Yu to Gina E. Mazzi and RobinChristopher Smith. Lot, Charleston. $295,000.

* Dorothy Davila to Paul David and Kimberly Ann Fisher. Lot,Charleston. $12,000.

* Franklin D. and Dorothy Keeney and Deborah Kay Young and ClydeYoung to Christopher W. Rush. Lot, Malden District. $80,000.

* Suzanne Cunningham to Mary Lou Shinn. Lot, Charleston. $40,000.

Margaret Ellen Green and Diana Green to Edward Hilpert Quinnellyand Laura Chastine Quinnelly. Lot, Loudon District. $185,000.

* Majestic Land Company to Arthur and Virginia King. Lot, UnionDistrict. $426,000.

* Gwenlen Yvonne Short, Darlene Rae Samples, and Joan LouiseFacemyer, devisees under the last will and testament of Mabel Lanham,to Helen Kerns. Lot, Malden District. $60,000.

* Roi and Diane Carte Reed to Kenneth J. Yonkers Jr. and CarlottaP. Yonkers. Lot, Kanawha City District. $230,000.

* Jarrell E. Fulks to John E. and Deborah J. Pauley. Lot, LoudonDistrict. $148,000.

* Brent K. Kesner, Tanya K. Kesner, and Wanda Kesner to RichardPlymake Jr. and Angela Plymale. Lot, Charleston. $632,500.

* Joye E. Reynolds and Robert E. Reynolds to Ryan T. Roberts andEvelyn N. Roberts.

* Judith H. Mcunkin to Benjamin L. and Joellen Zacks. Lot,Charleston. $155,000.

* Harold L. Mullins to Sidney L. and Charlotte A. Mullins. Lot,Elk District. $1,500.

* Ireland J. Vinson Jr. and Linda V. Yanov, and Mary V. Clark toHarold C. and Kathleen Miesner. Lot, Charleston. $136,000.

* William D. Reese to Frank E. Borges. Lot, Loudon District.$38,000.

* Mark D. Reese to Frank E. Borges. Lot, Loudon District.$100,000.

* Weapon permits

The following concealed weapons permits were granted by theKanawha County Sheriff's Department

* Virgil Allan Adkins, South Charleston.

* Shelly Fitzgerald Beane, Charleston.

* James Lee Bell Sr., Sissonville.

* James Hobert Black, Pratt.

* Chad Marlo Cardinal, Charleston.

* Donald Lee Carpenter, Dunbar.

* Ralph Stanley Coleman, Charleston.

* Charles A. Gang, Charleston.

* Evan Cavender Given, Charleston.

* Lynn Montgomery Guinn, South Charleston.

Thomas Gary Hark, Charleston.

* Lowell J. Holston Sr., St. Albans.

* John Anthony Hoyer, Charleston.

* Christopher Allen Legg, Charleston.

* Norris Thomas Light, Miami.

* Samuel Nelson McGhee, St. Albans.

* Matthew Joseph Mynhier, South Charleston.

* Matthew Scott Plants, South Charleston.

* David Adams Puzzoli, Charleston.

* Robert Stephen Reed, Charleston.

* Deborah Kaye Richards, Charleston.

* Joe Lorentz Shelton, Charleston.

* John Matthew Smith, Charleston.

* Brian Patrick Spradling, South Charleston.

* Max Wade Stanley, Cabin Creek.

* Teresa L. Swoope, Charleston.

* William Howard Turner, Charleston.

* Calendar of events

Tuesday

AA: noon, Fellowship Home, 1107 Virginia St. E. New Life Group.

AA: 8 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 407 B St., St. Albans.Coal River Group.

AA: 8 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, Spring Hill Group.

AA: 8 p.m., St. Stephen's Catholic Church, Milton. Mud RiverGroup.

BAND: Charleston Metro Band practice, 7 p.m. at Kanawha CityRecreation Center. Prospective members welcome. For information,Rusty Patrick, 744-7870.

BRIDGE: Kanawha Valley Bridge Association, duplicate bridge, 7p.m. at YWCA, Quarrier Street. KVBA members, $2; non-members, $2.50.Free refreshments. Call 766-6203.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Support Group for women experiencing dating ormarital violence, 5:30 p.m. at YWCA, 1114 Quarrier St. Children'ssupport group meets at same time. Call 340-3549.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 1414Myers Ave., Dunbar, closed discussion.

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS: 8 p.m. at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church,3434 Teays Valley Road, Hurricane. Open.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT: Us Too, a prostate cancer support group,7 p.m. fourth Tuesday at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, St.Albans, in the crusaders's classroom.

TOASTMASTERS: Marvin Rook Chapter, Toastmasters, 6:30 p.m.Tuesday, South Charleston City Courtroom.

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly Chapter 400, Kenna, 6 p.m. atGrasslick Baptist Church, Pleasant Valley Road.

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 9:15 a.m., St. Peters UnitedMethodist Church, St. Albans, Forrestal and Pfaff streets. Forinformation, 727-1679.

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Pocatalico/Sissonville chapter,6:15 p.m., Activities Building of Pocatalico Community Church. Weigh-in, 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. For information, 984-9110.

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 6:30 p.m., Forrest BurdetteMethodist Church, Putnam Avenue, Hurricane. For information, 757-8393.

TOPS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly, Chapter 154, Alum Creek at MidwayElementary. Weigh-in 5:30 p.m., meeting 6:30 p.m. For information,call 756-3929.

TRAUMA SUPPORT: "Friends Among Strangers," support group forfamilies of trauma patients, 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the chapel at CAMCGeneral Division.

If you have a meeting or a special event for publication in thiscolumn, send the information to Calendar of Events, Charleston DailyMail, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. Items must bereceived in writing two days before the notice is to be run.

Philippine president calls for Southeast Asian cooperation to ensure rice supply

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called Wednesday for cooperation among Southeast Asian countries to ensure adequate rice supplies and stable prices.

Addressing a meeting of farmers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in southern Cagayan de Oro city, Arroyo urged the regional bloc to work on improving productivity through research and development of new high-yielding varieties.

The Philippines is the world's top rice importer while Thailand and Vietnam are among the biggest exporters. All are members of ASEAN, along with some of the world's other top rice-consuming nations _ Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore.

"We realize that we must spend considerable time ... not just resolving the situation in our individual countries, but dedicating ourselves to the regional and global discussions on what must be done for emerging nations such as ASEAN on the vital issue of food security," Arroyo said.

Prices of rice and other food staples have been rising around the world, sparking violent protests in some countries.

Arroyo called the rice crisis a "wake up call" for all countries to find joint solutions.

World Bank Managing Director Juan Jose Daboub warned Tuesday in Singapore that global poverty levels could surge over the next three years due to rising food costs, which are on average more than 2 1/2 times higher, compared with early 2002.

Daboub also predicted that the price of rice, which recently broke a record US$1,000 (euro650) per metric ton, won't ease.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said last week the country will continue to buy rice on the international market to build local inventories in preparation for typhoon season. The Philippines has contracted 1.7 million tons to fill a 10 percent domestic production gap.

Yap said the state grains agency, the National Food Authority, still needs to import around 675,000 tons of rice as buffer stocks for the last quarter of the year.

Arroyo said ASEAN countries should work with the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute to help improve rice production.

"We must work together, in the Philippines and in ASEAN, to improve agronomic practices, to enhance the ability to utilize rice varieties more effectively and also to promote rice breeding because many want to plant hybrid rice," she said.

Arroyo will discuss food security cooperation and improving rice production and distribution during talks with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who will make an official visit to the Philippines on Thursday and Friday.

Eye on Small Business: Designing with cultural flair

Jason Smith has a passion for design and the arts.

You can see that when you walk into his company Fathom: wooden floors, recessed lights, a charcoal-gray wool couch, silver-and-glass desks, and orange and indigo iMac computers.

Formerly Fathom Design Group, the 3-year-old agency is at 308 N. Second St., Harrisburg. The design and communications agency creates custom logos, designs Web sites, writes press releases and prepares annual reports, to name a few services.

Inside Fathom's building, the company features Fathom Gallery. The free gallery, which opened May 11, has an exhibition called "Lifelines" by company creative assistant Elisa Cathleen Lauer. "Lifelines," a reflection of Lauer's life, displays collages made of ticket stubs, business cards, bookmarks and museum floor plans.

The exhibition is the company's first step to bring more culture to downtown Harrisburg.

Fathom's second step, Streetmusic@Fathom, will be a free, weekly music series that will begin in July. Fathom is looking for talented artists for the series, said Smith, the company's co-owner and creative director.

Smith said he decided to promote culture because he likes the energy of Harrisburg and wants Second Street to be a destination spot not just a thoroughfare.

The gallery and music series will also improve his young company's image, he explained.

"People are going to hear about Fathom, and that's always good for us," Smith said. "We want to affect the culture of Harrisburg."

Steve Neiman credits Smith for promoting culture and said he doesn't see how a business can grow without giving back to its community.

"I think it's a responsibility," he said about contributing to the community.

Neiman, chief executive officer of Neiman Group, added that part of his contribution to Harrisburg is donating money to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Neiman Group is a Harrisburg-based advertising agency that offers broadcast, print and trade advertising and integrated communications services.

When Fathom is not promoting culture, it's helping clients.

The agency reported revenue of between $350,000 and $400,000 in 2001. Its clients include fund-raising consulting firm Holliman Associates in Newport, Perry County, and law firm Goldberg, Katzman & Shipman, Harrisburg.

To help serve his clients, Smith created Fath om Collective, a group of free-lancers.

The collective consists of graphic designers, architects, Web programmers and public-relations specialists, Smith said. If members of the collective want to work at Fathom's office, they can work in small rooms called "pods" that Smith designated for them.

Smith said he can't afford to pay his 20 free-lancers full time, but he still wants to work with talented people. He added that he considers the free-lancers "affiliates," not free-lancers, because of his close relationship with them and because he pays them a commission. Most freelancers do not get commissions at companies like his, he said. The agency has four full-time employees.

Smith's need for talent and quality earned the company four Polly Bond Awards in April. The National Association of Episcopal Communicators presented the awards in Washington, D.C. Fathom won the awards in the specialized print category for a brochure, booklet, advertising campaign and postcardmailer series.

Before Smith started Fathom, he was a creative director at Morehouse Communications Inc., Lower Paxton Township.

He and his wife Molly started the company, first called Smith Group, in their home. The kitchen was the employee lounge, Smith said. Then, in 2001, he bought a building for $200,000 that was previously Wesley's, an upscale men's clothing store.

Since Smith liked Wesley's interior design, he didn't renovate the building that much, said Jane LeVan, director of client relations. LeVan said another advantage is that the building is right on Harrisburg's thriving "Restaurant Row." "We kind of got lucky," she said about finding the building.

Timberlake, Myers to team up

Justin Timberlake has joined the cast of the new Mike Myerscomedy "The Love Guru," taking the role of a professional hockeyplayer named Jacques Grande.

Timberlake and Myers were part of the voice ensemble for "Shrekthe Third."

Myers will play Pitka, who gains fame in the world of self-helpand spirituality.

Verne Troyer, Myers' "Mini-Me" sidekick in the Austin Powersmovies, plays Coach Cherkov, and Jessica Alba plays the team'sowner.

The movie, which will begin shooting next month, is scheduled toopen June 20, 2008.

Ameritech pushes merger

Ameritech Corp. executives on Friday launched a public relationsbattle to get state and federal regulators to approve its merger withregional phone rival SBC Communications, even as shareholders gavethe deal their support.

Nearly 95 percent of Chicago-based Ameritech's shareholdersvoted to approve the $56 billion merger, a day after shareholders ofSan Antonio-based SBC approved issuing additional stock for the deal.

Ameritech would become a subsidiary of SBC if the buyoutreceives regulatory approval next year, with shareholders owningabout 42 percent of SBC stock.Ameritech Chairman Richard Notebaert applauded the overwhelmingshareholder support for what he says would be the creation of anational carrier able to compete on a global scale. But much of histime at the special meeting was devoted to deriding those seeking toderail the deal."This idea of regionalization is something that is in the past,"he said after the meeting. "It doesn't fit into the future. Whatcustomers need today is the ability to choose from four, five or sixnational providers, not just two."The merger faces opposition from an unusual coalition ofbusinesses and consumer groups that have been partly financed bylong-distance companies. They have run anti-merger televisionadvertisements in several Midwestern states and intensely lobbiedregulators.Notebaert called the ads an attempt to deceive consumers with"false and misleading scare tactics concocted by competitorsdedicated to protecting their own bottom line."Consumer groups strongly oppose the spate of telecommunicationsmergers that has been sweeping the industry since Congress relaxedrestrictions in the industry in 1996. They argue service and costshave gotten worse.Long-distance companies oppose the mergers of regional phonecompanies until those companies make it easier for competitors tooffer local phone service.Federal regulators say they're taking a hard look at whether themerger - and a $52 billion deal that would combine Bell AtlanticCorp. and GTE - would be in consumers' interests. If bothcombinations are approved, nearly two-thirds of local phone lineswould be controlled by just two companies.The Ameritech-SBC combination must be approved by the FederalCommunications Commission, the Justice Department and regulators inIllinois and Ohio.The outcome could determine how much consumers pay foreverything from local and cellular phone service to cable televisionand high-speed Internet connections.Notebaert, as he has in the past, contended Ameritech has openedits five-state territory to competition. But large long-distancecompanies contend the terms are too stiff to make money.He also said the proposed "national-local" strategy of thecombined SBC would foster competition and lead to lower prices forconsumers. The companies hope to offer bundled packages of local,long-distance, cellular, Internet and cable services in 30metropolitan areas outside of their combined territories.

GRIDIRON GURUS

South Charleston vs. GW Grafton vs. Magnolia Williamstown vs.Madonna South Florida at WVU Louisville at Rutgers Pitt atConnecticut Buffalo vs. Ball State Florida vs. Alabama Virginia Techvs. Boston College Missouri vs. Oklahoma East Carolina at TulsaCincinnati at Hawaii Army vs. Navy Southern Cal at UCLA Villanova atJames Madison Richmond at Appalachian State Cowboys at SteelersDolphins vs. Bills Jaguars at Bears Buccaneers at Panthers

Jack Bogaczyk (12-8, 189-91) S. Charleston Grafton WilliamstownWVU Rutgers Pitt Ball State Florida Virginia Tech Oklahoma TulsaCincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State Steelers DolphinsBears Panthers

Tom Aluise (12-8, 180-100) GW Grafton Williamstown WVU RutgersConnecticut Ball State Florida Boston College Oklahoma TulsaCincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State Steelers DolphinsBears Panthers

Jacob Messer (11-9, 180-100) S. Charleston Grafton WilliamstownSouth Florida Rutgers Pitt Ball State Florida Virginia Tech OklahomaTulsa Cincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State CowboysDolphins Bears Panthers

Mike Dailey (13-7, 179-101) GW Grafton Williamstown WVU RutgersPitt Ball State Alabama Virginia Tech Oklahoma Tulsa Cincinnati NavySouthern Cal J. Madison Appy State Steelers Dolphins Bears Panthers

Rich Stevens (12-8, 179-101) S. Charleston Magnolia WilliamstownWVU Rutgers Pitt Ball State Alabama Boston College Oklahoma TulsaCincinnati Army Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State Cowboys DolphinsJaguars Panthers

Derek Taylor (11-9, 178-102) S. Charleston Grafton WilliamstownWVU Rutgers Pitt Ball State Florida Virginia Tech Oklahoma TulsaCincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State Steelers DolphinsBears Panthers

J.T. Simms (10-10, 176-104) GW Grafton Williamstown WVU RutgersConnecticut Ball State Alabama Virginia Tech Oklahoma TulsaCincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State Steelers BillsBears Buccaneers

Mike Casazza (14-6, 160-120) S. Charleston Grafton WilliamstownSouth Florida Rutgers Pitt Ball State Florida Virginia Tech OklahomaTulsa Cincinnati Navy Southern Cal J. Madison Appy State SteelersDolphins Bears

Iowa city finds something stuck in pipes

CARROLL, Iowa -- City officials are perplexed over the discoveryof mysterious chunks of flesh that have been clogging up city waterlines. A month ago, city officials sent a hunk of meaty-fatty tissueto the Iowa Natural Resources Department for identification.

As they wait for those results, three similar chunks of fleshymaterial were found on Thursday in another water main during routineflushing, Public Works Director Randy Krauel said.

A city worker discovered the blockage when a diffuser on a firehydrant became clogged, Krauel said. Additional flushing removed twoother chunks from water mains, he said.

"Again, we're really not sure what it is," he said. "The pieceskind of looked like the first one. There was no hair and no realbone. There were varying degrees of the substance, whatever it is."

He speculated that the flesh likely belonged to an animal thatcrawled into a water main somewhere. The new chunks also were sent toa state lab for identification.

Krauel said drinking water was not affected by the blockages andis safe to drink. Chlorine levels have been temporarily increased. AP

OPEC ends Cairo meeting without new output cuts

OPEC ended a hastily convened meeting in Cairo Saturday without announcing new output cuts, despite the steep drop in crude prices and the threat it poses to member governments' national budgets.

The oil producing group's president, Chakib Khelil, said OPEC is concerned about the weakening world economy and its impact on oil prices. The group, however, will likely wait until a meeting in Algeria on Dec. 17 to decide whether to cut additional crude supplies from the market.

Khelil said oil ministers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries "agreed to take any additional action on 17th of December to balance oil supply and demand and achieve market stability."

His comments came after the group convened what it called a consultative meeting in Cairo to take stock of market situations and to asses whether members were complying with a 1.5 million barrel per day output cut announced Oct. 24 in Vienna, Austria.

Khelil said preliminary market data indicated members were complying with the earlier cuts.

Saudi Arabia's king said in an interview published Saturday in a Kuwaiti newspaper that the price of oil should be $75 a barrel, much higher than it is now, but the conclusion of the Cairo meeting with no announcement on output indicated no measures would likely be taken until OPEC meets again next month.

Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi went into Saturday's meeting saying OPEC would "do what needs to be done" to shore up falling oil prices when the group meets in Algeria, but for now it was "too early."

Naimi, whose country is the world's largest oil producer, said the bloc needs to wait until the Algeria meeting to assess the impact of earlier production cuts.

The cut announced in Vienna has so far failed to stop the price drop, and the cartel abruptly convened the Cairo gathering on the sidelines of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries' meeting.

The price of crude stood at about $147 a barrel in mid-July. On Friday, the U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery was trading at about $54 per barrel.

The price drop and the wider financial meltdown threatens to cut deeply into OPEC member states' government budgets.

"We believe the fair price for oil is $75 a barrel," Saudi King Abdullah was quoted as saying in Saturday's edition of the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Seyassah. He did not say how the price could be raised.

The king was echoed by Qatar's Oil Minister Abdullah Bin Hamad al-Attiya, who told the Arab news channel Al-Arabiya that prices needed to rise to guarantee investment in the oil sector.

"The price between 70 to 80 (dollars a barrel) is the one encouraging in investment and developing new or current oil fields," he said. "It falls below 70 (dollars), the investment would freeze, which will lead to a crisis in supply in the future."

Nigerian Oil Minister Odein Ajumogobia also said they would be "very happy" with oil at $75.

Kuwait's oil minister, Mohammed al-Aleem, warned the market is oversupplied, and he didn't rule out the need for OPEC to cut production further. But he, too, said he believed there was no need for OPEC to make a decision in Cairo on cutting output.

"We believe a decision could be taken ... but I think it will happen in Algeria," he said, before the start of Saturday's session.

Al-Aleem said current prices could undercut investment in future projects and were not good for either producers or consumers.

The recent price drop has left OPEC price hawks Venezuela and Iran clamoring for further reductions of at least 1 million barrels a day. Both countries need crude at about $90 per barrel to meet spending needs aimed in part at propping up domestically unpopular regimes.

Other OPEC members, such as Nigeria and Ecuador, face budget problems too, making them reluctant to implement more cuts that might shrink revenue further.

The Saudis are better positioned to cope with the drop in prices. The International Monetary Fund estimates Riyadh needs crude in the range of about $50 per barrel for 2008 fiscal accounts to break even.

The statements by the king, however, indicate that normally dovish Saudi Arabia is ready to see the price rise, indicating cuts will eventually take place.

OPEC itself, along with the International Energy Agency, has significantly revised down its projections for demand growth in 2009.

Meanwhile, global crude inventories are growing, as evidenced by a U.S. government report showing a surprisingly large 7 million barrel build in stocks last week in the world's largest energy consumer.

OPEC's last round of cuts would put its total production at about 30.5 million barrels per day, according to the IEA. That is about 500,000 barrels per day higher than the forecast call on OPEC crude in much of 2009.

A Nov. 24 New York-based Oppenheimer & Co. research report says that for oil to rebound to $65 a barrel, OPEC would need to cut crude production by more than 3 million barrels per day from its September levels _ a move it called highly unlikely.

___

Associated Press Writer Hadeel al-Shalchi contributed to this report.

Clinical Trials and EHRs: Incentive to Integrate

EHRs can save health care money, improve care, and facilitate research.

Clinical trials should play a much bigger role in the decision to purchase electronic health records (EHR) software. One incentive for practices is that participation in clinical trials has the potential to net a profit of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. Using EHR data in clinical trials is a win for physicians, patients, the companies conducting clinical trials and the entire health care system.

While there are many factors that go into an EHR software purchase, clinical trial participation deserves more consideration because:

* Participating in these trials is easier through an EHR than through traditional paper means;

* Using EHR data solves many of the major problems that clinical trials face; and

* Purchasing an EHR creates a big ROI for physicians who decide to participate in clinical trials.

EHR Software Facilitates Clinical Trial Participation

According to Synergyst Research, only 10% of licensed physicians participate in clinical trials. Major reasons include the extra burden that research and information collection place on a practice's time, staff and resources. Extra paperwork and onerous regulations are involved, not to mention training staff on how to properly complete forms and follow protocol. The average practice would find it difficult to find the resources to create a new department devoted to clinical trial participation.

Those using EHRs, however, stand a better chance of being able to adapt to the needs of a study. There are several that EHR software can make the clinical trial process faster, more efficient and more accurate:

* Identify potential opportunities: EHR vendors whose software integrates with clinical trial providers will have access to trials, studies, and registries that your practice is eligible to participate in.

* Identify number of potential trial subjects: The search function in an EHR database allows users to quickly identify how many patients are potentially eligible for a clinical trial. From there, the clinical trial provider can determine if a practice would be a good partner.

* Patient enrollment: The EHR has the capability to implement trial-specific screening requirements into new patient records to determine their eligibility for a study. The EHR will also have the ability to identify patients who meet the exact requirements of a study.

* Study execution: During the trial, the EHR can create trial-specific data fields that can be populated during routine patient encounters. Conflict alerts can also be created to notify providers of actions that violate a study's protocol.

* Data submission: The EHR will be able to submit information to EDC software without having to convert the data. This eliminates redundant data entry and increases accuracy of the data.

By using an EHR to do much of the patient identification and information collection, many of the previously mentioned obstacles no longer exist. If a practice purchases EHR software that doubles as an electronic data capture (EDC) system for clinical trials, then it is way ahead of the curve in terms of efficiency and accuracy.

Clinical Trials Are Important to the Future of Health Care

We all know the alarming cost and time required to bring a new drug to market, not to mention the 75% failure rate. This mediocre productivity leads to increased health care costs and patient suffering as drug approval is delayed. If clinical trials could be completed more quickly using EHR software, it wouldn't just be drug companies that benefit. Sick patients waiting on essential treatment would be treated more quickly, health care costs would be reduced, and the conclusions reached from the data gathered would be more robust.

Get a Stronger Return on Your EHR Investment

The chief areas of return on investment (ROI) on EHR purchase include: reducing the need for transcription services; improving insurance claim coding; reducing paper supply costs; and improving chart management.

These are all good, but we believe the profit from participating in clinical trials is just as great a benefit. For example, soon after the Holston Medical Group (HMG) in Kingsport, TN, began using an EHR in 1996, the company began participating in clinical trials using the data from their EHR HMG's EHR influenced their involvement in clinical trials in three major ways.

First, HMG is able to quickly query their EHR database to see which patients qualify for particular studies. Next, the scope of patient information contained within their EHRs helps improve accuracy when screening patients for clinical trials. Finally, HMG's EHR is web-based, which means that its doctors always have access to the latest patient information, no matter where the doctor is located.

As clinical trials become more protracted and expensive every year, it's inevitable that drug companies will turn to those organizations that can quickly and accurately assess patient data More than likely, those organizations will be using EHR software.

[Author Affiliation]

Chris Thorman blogs about medical technology at Software Advice, a web site that reviews software for EHRs. This commentary is adapted from Chris' blog: Electronic Health Records and Clinical Trials: An Incentive to Integrate.

Wedding bell Blues: Strus, Johnston monologues explore reality of romance

Four years ago, at Steppenwolf Theatre's Garage, actress-writerLusia Strus performed her breathtaking monologue, "It Ain't No FairyTale" -- a piece that could have converted even the most cynicalsouls in the audience into believing that marriage was worth a try.After all, here was a story told by a woman who was certainly noinnocent -- even if she viewed the marriage of her Old World parentsas a model of true romance -- about her decision to finally walk downthe aisle with the man of her dreams. And though filled with a senseof wonder and terror, she was about to walk the walk, with theaudience right alongside her at every nervous step.

"Wedding vows are not civilized," Strus reminded us in her uniquegravel-and-smoke voice. "They are primal and base and nottraditionally romantic."

Flash forward. The marriage vows were taken, as promised. But asday follows night, a troubled relationship ensued. And within twoyears so did a divorce. Now, Strus is back to both reclaim theoriginal dream and chronicle the ensuing nightmare as she presentsher updated monologue as part of Neo-Solo, the Neo-Futurists' eight-week, four-installment series of solo performers. Sharing the programwith Strus will be Chloe Johnston, who has created a piece with acountry music twang -- "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes" --inspired by a romantic idyll in the life of Sara Carter, a member ofthe original Carter Family group.

Without giving away too much of Strus' story, let's just say thetrouble began when she and her husband moved to Las Vegas, where theybuilt a little addition to their large house for her husband'smother. In the process, Strus found herself dealing with a troubledman. She also found herself commuting four hours by car to LosAngeles, where she hoped to get work in television and film.

"Yesterday's honesty is today's b.s.," said Strus, with hercharacteristic deep-throated laugh. "But I've learned a lot along theway. One thing I know: You divorce a different person than youmarried. As for what happens in the interim, that's what this show isabout. What I can tell you is that I meant it when I stood up thereand took those vows. But by the end I knew I couldn't take one moreday, let alone a lifetime. I had to get out while the getting wasgood. And believe me, all this has tempered my previous opinionsabout other people's relationships, and what I thought was the 'ease'of their divorces."

Yet Strus insists she is neither jaded nor cynical about marriage,even now.

"I am still in awe of those who can live together," she said. "Isaw it work for my parents. They were married for 20 years when myfather died at the age of 60, leaving behind my mother, who was only45. She never remarried. And her name is on the cemetery plot next tohis; she is spoken for in the afterlife. I think there is somethingalmost metaphysical about those marriages that succeed, somethingmaybe unnatural. And of course people have myriad reasons why theystay together, or have to stay together."

While performing "It Ain't No Fairy Tale," Strus, who recentlyrecovered from a broken leg (a freak accident that occurred while shewas walking her dog), also is rehearsing for the Chicago ShakespeareTheatre production of "Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2," which she willperform here, and then as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company'smarathon summer festival at Stratford-upon-Avon. She is playing therole of Mistress Quickly, the tavern hostess with a soft spot for thehard-drinking, high-spirited Sir John Falstaff.

Following those performances in England, Strus plans to set off onher own for a tour of Eastern Europe -- Prague, Budapest, Cracow andthe Ukraine, where she will rent an apartment in Kiev and conductinterviews for a work-in-progress about the nuclear disaster atChernobyl that occurred 20 years ago this month.

Now, for Chloe Johnston's performance piece: She eschewedautobiography and instead found inspiration in a highly acclaimedbook she read a year or so ago -- Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone?:The Carter Family and Their Legacy in American Music.

"The original Carter group was made up of A.P. [Alvin Pleasant],his wife, Sara (who was June Carter's aunt), and Sara's cousin,Maybelle," explained Johnston. "And I became intrigued by aparticular incident in Sara's life. It was during the 1930s, when shefell in love with a younger man, Coy Bays, who just happened to be acousin of A.P.'s."

"This was a time when the Carters were famous in their way, butthere was none of the private life exposure that celebrities facetoday. To avoid scandal, Coy's mom just packed up the whole familyand took them to California."

Sara eventually divorced A.P. And over the course of six years shewrote many letters to Coy, though she never heard back from him.Then, as Johnston explained it: "One day when she was at a radiostation on the Mexican border she stepped up to the microphone beforesinging 'I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes,' and said: 'This songgoes out to Coy Bays'."

Sorry, but you have to tune in for the rest of the story.

Note: Coming up in the Neo-Solo series will be performances by IanBelknap (Apr. 27-19 and May 4-6); Scott Hermes and Caitlin Savage(May 11-13 and 18-20); and Dina Connolly and Meagn Stielstra (May 25-27 and June 1-3).

- - -

'NEO-SOLOS' AT THE NEO-FUTURISTS

- 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday and April 20-22. (Additionalperformers and dates to follow.)

- Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland

- Tickets, $15 (and pay what you can on Thursdays)

- (773) 275-5255

Rev. Jackson leads a multi-cultural march for parity in all Illinois school districts

Rev. Jesse Jackson has accomplished a number of triumphs in his 40 years of service as a civil rights leader, but he said that none brings him more joy than helping those with little opportunities get access to a college education.

But the in the state of Illinois, that objective can be difficult to achieve under the current education funding system based on property tax assessments.

The non-parity of schools between the wealthy and poor in Illinois will be the focus of a multi-racial march and rally on Saturday to demand fairness in education, Jackson told the Chicago Defender Thursday.

"The present tax structure builds into it a structure of inequality," Jackson said. "Those who have a strong tax base have a strong education base, and those who have a lower tax base have a weaker education base."

Jackson said his coalition on Saturday, led by his Rainbow/PUSH organization, will focus on pushing Illinois House Bill 750, which would decrease the emphasis in property taxes and put more focus on collecting income taxes.

The end result would be a $2 billion increase in funding for education and would promote equality in all Illinois school districts.

The house bill is championed by Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budge Accountability, an Illinois fiscal policy think tank.

According to Martire, people whose incomes fall into the lower 60 percent will actually pay less in taxes overall, while others above that mark will likely pay more - although their net tax increase would be small, he said.

"People that claim that this is a too big of a tax have no concept of the Illinois economy," Martire said. "All the attacks against this bill are nonsense. They're not based on any data. But nobody really wants to talk about the facts, they want to talk emotionally about the taxes."

Jackson said that Gov. Rod Blagojevich and gubernatorial Republican candidate Judy Baar Topinka should debate this issue in low-income communities and offer a solution for fairness in education funding.

"Education is the key to economic growth, to college access," Jackson said. "It's the key to healthcare, it's the key to a long life expectancy.

"I think we as a people can no longer settle for second-class education. If that was wrong in 1954, it's wrong in 2006. We march to raise people's consciousness, and the struggle will not be over with the march."

Jackson also pointed out the importance of having an airport on the South Side of Chicago to help spur money for the education and community growth.

"There is no economic generator on the South Side," Jackson said. "If you have an airport, that will bring a Fed-ex, which will bring other businesses and restaurants, which will spur home building. And that will increase the property tax base."

The march will start at noon at the Federal Plaza, at Dearborn and Adams streets, and culminate at the Thompson Center, located at Randolph and Clark streets.

Members from the Chicago Teachers Union, Judge Greg Mathis, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-2nd) and other dignitaries are expected to join the march and rally.

Medill News Service contributed to this report.

[Sidebar]

"I think we as a people can no longer settle for second-class education. If that was wrong in 1954, it's wrong in 2006.We march to raise people's consciousness, and the struggle will not be over with the march."

- Rev. Jesse Jackson

[Author Affiliation]

by Demetrius Patterson

Defender Staff Writer

US House committee postpones Toyota hearing

A congressional hearing into Toyota's massive recalls has been postponed because of a snowstorm expected to hit the U.S. capital beginning Tuesday.

A House oversight panel says it hopes to hold the Toyota hearing on Feb. 23. Lawmakers are expected to hear testimony from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Toyota Motor North America Chairman chief executive Yoshi Inaba, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator David Strickland and two safety experts.

Toyota has recalled 8.5 million vehicles globally to fix floor mats that can trap gas pedals, faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position and problems with the brakes. The company announced a recall Tuesday of the 2010 Prius and other hybrids over brake problems on bumpy roads.

Brewers 5, Cubs 2

Brewers 5, Cubs 2

CUBS AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

S.Castro ss 4 1 1 1 0 1 .306

Barney 2b 4 1 0 0 0 0 .288

Ar.Ramirez 3b 4 0 1 0 0 1 .311

Je.Baker 1b 2 0 1 1 1 0 .283

b-C.Pena ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 .225

Soto c 3 0 0 0 1 1 .232

Byrd cf 4 0 1 0 0 0 .291

A.Soriano lf 4 0 0 0 0 2 .242

Re.Johnson rf 3 0 1 0 1 0 .347

R.Lopez p 2 0 0 0 0 1 .095

a-Colvin ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .140

Samardzija p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

R.Ortiz p 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

d-DeWitt ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 .258

Totals 33 2 5 2 3 6

Milwaukee AB R H BI BB SO Avg.

C.Hart rf 4 2 2 0 1 1 .274

Morgan …

Judges hail ruling on full disclosure

Cook County judges generally applaud the Illinois SupremeCourt's adoption of a far-reaching financial disclosure rule forjudges in the wake of the Operation Greylord investigation of courtcorruption.

There was some concern, however, that the new rule is anoverreaction to the federal undercover investigation.

"It's like trying to kill a mouse with a cannon," said CircuitJudge Richard J. Fitzgerald, presiding judge of the Criminal Court.

But, he added, "I'm sure we can live with it."

Under the new rule enacted this week and taking effect Aug. 1,judges must provide detailed finanical accounting of their assets andfinancial dealings, as well as the …

From the editor.(International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)(Editorial)

Aside from its formal membership of National Adhering Organizations, IUPAC also actively maintains relationships with other international organizations whose "aims and activities are in harmony with those of the Union" (IUPAC Statutes). Currently, there are 30 such organizations which vary broadly in scope and reach. For a quick glance at these IUPAC associates, see .

Examples include:

* The Chemical Heritage Foundation, whose mission is to develop and maintain world-class collections of materials that document achievement in the chemical sciences.

* The International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development, whose …

PLASTIC GRASS, BALLOONS CAN BE HAZARDS.(LIFE & LEISURE)

Byline: HELOISE

DEAR HELOISE: I would like to warn your readers of the dangers of plastic Easter grass. Years ago, my sister's cat ate a piece of it, and it caused major trauma to the cat's intestinal tract. This cherished family pet had to undergo very expensive emergency surgery.

I'd hate to think that this could also happen to a child. Ever since, I have made my Easter grass by shredding wrapping paper. It looks great, and I have a larger selection of colors.

Thanks for all of your helpful hints. I read your column every day. -- Carol Scheibe, via e-mail DEAR CAROL: The plastic grass you mentioned also is used in gift bags and baskets, so it can …

EZH2 is a marker of aggressive breast cancer.

2003 DEC 1 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- EZH2 is a marker of aggressive breast cancer. According to a study from the United States, "The Polycomb Group Protein EZH2 is a transcriptional repressor involved in controlling cellular memory and has been linked to aggressive prostate cancer.

"Here we investigate the functional role of EZH2 in cancer cell invasion and breast cancer progression. EZH2 transcript and protein were consistently elevated in invasive breast carcinoma compared with normal breast epithelia," wrote C.G. Kleer and colleagues, University of Michigan School of Medicine.

"Tissue microarray analysis, which included 917 samples from 280 patients, …

Setting the Slang

Betcha don't know the original definition of a "comer." Back in 1879, the Oxford English Dictionary said a comer was a crab. Why? "A crab ...is always very poor to begin with; but he eats everything he gets hold of, which fattens him up some. Then he is called a comer."

By 1913, the plumped-up crab definition gave way to "a person who shows great progress or potential," according to "Hatchet Jobs and Hardball: The Oxford Dictionary of Political Slang." Editor Grant Barrett spent hour upon hour reading to create the book, which came out in paperback this month.

"The best slang consistently comes out of the blogs," he said. "Wonkette has a penchant for creating new terms. …

Corelli, Franco

Corelli, Franco , outstanding Italian tenor; b. Ancona, April 8, 1921. He studied naval engineering at the Univ. of Bologna; in 1947 he entered the Pesaro Cons, to study voice; dissatisfied with the academic training, he left the Cons, and proceeded to learn the repertoire by listening to recordings of great singers. He made his operatic debut at the Spoleto Festival in 1952 as Don Jose; then sang at the Rome Opera in 1953 and at Milan's La Scala in 1954; he appeared at London's Covent …

Deutsche Bank cuts Bulgari rating to "hold".

(ADPnews) - Oct 19, 2009 - Analysts at Deutsche Bank have revised down the recommendation on Italian luxury jeweller Bulgari SpA (BIT:BUL) to "hold" from "buy".

The …

INEQUITIES PUT SQUEEZE ON THE ELDERLY AND MIDDLE CLASS.(Local)

Byline: Ralph Martin

You know who's getting it socked to them in our country? The middle class and elderly, that's who.

If you're poor, help awaits you. If you have money, no problem. But if you're caught in the middle - or happen to have been born in the wrong year - good luck, and try and keep those checks from bouncing.

Let's look first at age discrimination, something fostered down in our nation's capital. A match factory in Greenport, Columbia County, recently went kaput. No surprise. Fewer people are smoking and those who do seem to be flicking disposable lighters.

Among the people put out of work were a 56-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman. The guy figures it's the end of the line. How …

Screen performance monitor.(New Products)(Brief Article)

Sweco

The SentryScan is a patent-pending warning system that notifies operators of poor screen performance by using microwaves to detect most breaks, holes or tears in a separator's wire-mesh screens. This early warning enables processors to avoid the costs associated with reprocessing off-spec product, contamination of down stream equipment and product recalls. The device emits a proprietary low-power microwave signal, which is blocked by woven metal …

Jeremy Sisto cops role as detective on `Law & Order' as NBC series returns for its 18th season

When Jeremy Sisto got his first glimpse of the updated "Law & Order" opening, there he was, in a courthouse setting alongside his castmates, just like so many who had come before him.

Sisto hums a few bars of the "Law & Order" theme, and recalls with a laugh: "There I am, walking with the others. And I thought, `What's HE doing there?!'"

Maybe it was just time. The 33-year-old actor has already played Jesus and Julius Caesar, a teen who fell for Alicia Silverstone in "Clueless," and, recently in "Waitress," Keri Russell's loutish husband.

Last season, he tracked down abductees on the …