Bodman: Insufficient oil production behind prices

The U.S. energy secretary said Saturday that insufficient oil production, not financial speculation, was driving soaring crude prices.

Secretary Samuel Bodman's comments on the eve of an energy summit in the Saudi port city of Jiddah set the stage for a showdown between the U.S. and conference host Saudi Arabia, which has largely blamed speculation in the oil markets for record prices.

The U.S. and many other Western nations have put increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, to increase production. Saudi officials have been hesitant to do so, arguing that soaring prices have not been caused by a shortage of supply.

Bodman …

New on DVD

MONSTER-IN-LAW (STAR)

(2005; Warner Bros.; 100 minutes)

Jane Fonda's first film role in 15 years, and the movie is a wasteof her time -- and ours. She plays a recently fired TV celebrity whogoes berserk when she discovers her son the surgeon (Michael Vartan)is going to marry a temp (Jennifer Lopez, with Fonda, right). Lopezremains serene and heroic as the Fonda character teeters "on theverge of a psychotic break." Wanda Sykes, as Fonda's assistant,steals scenes by being the movie's resident adult. The movie failsGene Siskel's test: Is this film more interesting than a documentaryof the same actors having lunch? Rated PG-13. (Roger Ebert) DVDspecial features: …

UNDER PRESSURE; Printmaking studies at Flying M

One way to get some insight into art is to study its studies. As people learn how to work with images and take advantage of a new medium, they inevitably uncover a lot of what constitutes art. You get to see what works and what doesn't. In the less finished work of students more of the actual work that goes into art and more of the difficult decisions that have to add up during its creation are closer to the surface. Sometimes I like to take a stroll through the halls of Boise State's Liberal Arts building and take a look at what the students there are creating.

Of course there are always degrees of finish in the work, and usually there are a few technically gifted students who are …

Obama hails 'extraordinary' moment with presidents

Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club. In an image bound to go down in history, every living U.S. president came together at the White House on Wednesday to hash over the world's challenges with the president-elect. There they stood, shoulder-to-shoulder in the Oval Office: George H.W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

"This is an extraordinary gathering," Obama said, looking plenty at ease in the humbling office that will soon be his.

"All the …

Wilson issues new battle cry in race for title Inverurie Locos captain Tommy Wilson today urged his team-mates to forget the heartbreak of last season.

Inverurie Locos captain Tommy Wilson today urged his team-mates to forget the heartbreak of last season.

Locos take on Aberdeen at Harlaw Park tomorrow night in their lastfriendly before the season kicks off on Saturday.

And after letting the title slip from their grasp on the last dayof the season last term, Wilson has urged his players to move on.

"We are dying to win the title after what happened," said Wilson.

"It was an awful feeling losing it on the last day. It was asickener.

"But we have to forget it and get on with it.

"We will have to play our best and earn the points - or else wewon't be up there."

The Garioch side lost the …

White excited about WVU hire

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

Marshall Coach Greg White considers Dan Dakich a great hire forWest Virginia University.

Relatively speaking, that is.

"His wife's maiden name is White - Jackie White," White said witha chuckle. "When we were up at Bowling Green this season I told her Ithought we were distant cousins."

White was joking, of course. But that also is an indication of howthe Marshall coach's once turbulent relationship with Dakich haschanged.

Dakich accepted the WVU head coaching job today. He was to beintroduced at an afternoon press conference.

"He and I have put our differences behind us," said White, who hasexchanged verbal barbs …

Poland issues arrest warrant for Stalinist-era prosecutor living in Britain

A Polish court issued a European arrest warrant Tuesday for Helena Wolinska, a Stalinist-era prosecutor now living in Britain who is accused of fabricating evidence in show trials in the 1950s.

Wolinska, 88, who has lived in England since 1972 and is a British citizen, is accused of masterminding the wrongful arrest and execution of Gen. Emil Fieldorf, a World War II-era Polish hero, and of the wrongful arrest of 24 others. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Wolinska dismissed the request for her extradition.

"I will not speak about this because it is not a criminal case, it is a political one," she said …

Insurgents try to storm Afghan government building

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A group of insurgents tried to storm a government building in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, setting off a firefight that killed at least five people, police said.

Gen. Dawlat Khan Zadran, police chief of Paktika province, said four insurgents attempted to take over a government building in Sharan, the capital of Paktika province, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Kabul.

Three attackers and two policemen were …

If Olmert steps down

HIS LIKELY SUCCESSORS: BARAK OR NETANYAHU

TZIPI LIVNI COULD DO WELL

THE ROLE PLAYED BY THE SHAS PARTY

ANALYSIS

The Olmert Scandal

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's political career has been dogged by scandal, the latest a criminal investigation of possible bribes from a Long Island businessman while Olmert held other offices. Olmert has proclaimed his innocence but said he'd resign if indicted.

Meanwhile, he wants to keep his job, he declared, because there is nothing he desires more than to "achieve a peace agreement with the Palestinians," a goal he feels "certain" is within reach.

The possibility of peace provoked threats from the …

Obama Seeks to Quell Flap Over Pastor

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over anti-American remarks by his former pastor, saying people are paying too much attention to a small number of "stupid" comments.

Obama gave a sweeping speech on race last week in which he condemned incendiary remarks by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, but the words of the former pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago continue to dog the candidate. Reflecting the campaign's concern about the fallout, Obama used a question about religion at a town hall forum as an opportunity to address the issue.

"This is somebody that was preaching three sermons at …

Senate OKs $10 billion borrowing plan for state

The state Senate today handed Gov. Blagojevich his first majorlegislative victory by approving a $10 billion borrowing plan that hesays will lift the state out of its massive budget whole.

After the proposal failed earlier this week, it was resurrectedand passed 37-16. Thirty-six votes were needed for passage.

"We won't have to cut school aid," said Senate President EmilJones after the plan was passed. "We'll be able to pay our bills totake care of the citizens and the nursing homes of Illinois.

"Maybe you want to raise taxes, have the courage to say so," Jonessaid to critics of the plan. "Come to the floor of the Senate with aplan."

Senate Minority …

The Bottom Line Per ... Ray Barnard

The $9 billion Aliso Viejo, Calif.-based company that provides design, engineering, procurement and construction services signed a seven-year, $351 million deal with IBM in January to obtain so- called on-demand computer services - paying only for services used. About 250 Fluor employees will transfer to IBM over the next six months, while Barnard will continue to oversee another 350 to 400 I.T. employees.

Q. What assurances did you get that there will be a bottom-line benefit over the contract's life?

A. It's not just an outsourcing deal. I'm taking advantage of new on-demand services. It's infrastructure, networking, office mail, help-desk support. We're going …

Economy sours West's wild horse adoption market

When the U.S. Bureau of Land Management put more than 450 wild horses and burros up for adoption here last month, the dirt parking lot was filled with cars and trucks _ but very few horse trailers.

While wild horses still draw curious onlookers, the market for adopting them in Utah and across the West has cooled dramatically.

"The economy is playing a huge role," Jared Redington, who manages 70 hilly acres (30 hectares) at the base of the Oquirrh Mountains west of Salt Lake City that serve as a short-term Bureau of Land Management holding facility for horses and burros.

In 2002, more than 7,700 were adopted nationwide. Last year, as part of a steady decline, it was 3,700. And so far this fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, only 713 have been adopted, according to agency figures.

It's a discouraging development for an agency that relies on adoptions to help keep wild populations in check and is out of room at long-term holding facilities for unadopted horses.

"This is pretty grave but the BLM understands the gravity of the situation," said Paul McGuire, acting director of the wild horse and burro program in Nevada, which has more than 17,000 wild horses, the most of any state.

Under a 1971 law, the Bureau of Land Management manages around 33,000 wild horses in 10 Western states, mostly descendants of domesticated horses and burros that escaped or were set loose long ago.

Without any predators in the wild, horse populations can grow quickly, putting a strain on land designated by the Bureau of Land Management for habitat.

Each year, government agents take thousands of horses and burros off the range and put them up for adoption. More than 220,000 have been adopted since 1971.

But these days, even at rock-bottom prices _ $125 each and $25 more for a "buddy" _ the agency is struggling to find buyers.

"They can't afford the hay. That's what I hear the most," said Vicky Green, president of the Intermountain Wild Horse & Burro Advisors, a West Jordan, Utah-based organization that offers advice for those thinking about adopting horses.

The price for a ton of hay was about $110 when Green first started adopting wild horses 10 years ago. Since then, it's climbed to around $230 or $240. It's fallen recently, but not enough to make a difference with adoptions.

Feed costs aren't the only reason. There is also the rising price of fuel and the falling price for domesticated horses on the market, driven in part by the closure of the nation's horse slaughterhouses.

And with growing urban populations, there are fewer people with a place for a horse.

"When you look at the potential horse-owning population of the U.S., it is at best static if not shrinking," McGuire said.

That leaves the Bureau of Land Management in a tight spot.

The agency says there are nearly 6,000 more horses on the range than they'd like but they have little room to put the "excess."

The cost of holding 33,000 horses and burros _ which last year was more than $28 million _ is "spiraling out of control," according to Tom Gorey, a Bureau of Land Management spokesman in Washington, D.C.

The Government Accountability Office last fall said the Bureau of Land Management should consider euthanizing wild horses or selling off large numbers to cut costs.

Unchecked, the GAO said, the wild horse program budget could require $58 million this year and $77 million by 2012.

Madeleine Pickens, the wife of Dallas oil tycoon T. Boone Pickens, has proposed a wild horse sanctuary in Nevada. Others have recommended similar operations run by nonprofit organizations. Another option is ramping up a contraceptive program or finding other ways to reduce fertility in the wild.

Gus Warr, who runs the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse program in Utah, said he's hoping part of the adoption downturn is simply that winter adoptions tend to be sluggish.

In the tiny town of Delta, the Bureau of Land Management put 362 horses up for adoption in January. Genetic tests show the horses, members of the Sulphur Herd, are linked to those used by Spanish explorers hundreds of years ago.

Despite their lineage, only eight found new homes that day, though a dozen more have been adopted via the Internet since then. Adoptions have met with better success in warmer climates this winter, including Texas and Florida.

"We've got several more months of wet, sloppy, cold, unfavorable conditions," Warr said. "Once spring gets here, hopefully our adoptions will pick up."

___

On the Net:

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html

ANALYSTS' ACTION // BULLS

Notable stock ratings issued in the last week. (Trading symbols inparentheses.) Let's go shopping Limited Inc. (LTD) was raised to"buy" from "market perform" by analyst Dana Cohen at Donaldson Lufkin& Jenrette Securities Corp. The 12-month target price is $58 pershare. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) was rated "buy" in new coverageby analyst Ellen Schlossberg at William Blair & Co. AnnTaylor StoresCorp. (ANN) was raised to "accumulate" from "hold" by analyst StacyW. Pak at Prudential Securities. The 12-month target price is $42per share. Circuit City Stores (CC) was raised to "marketoutperform" from "market perform" by analyst Matthew J. Fassler atGoldman, Sachs & Co. Sharper Image Corp. (SHRP) was rated new "buy"by analyst Thomas A. Filandro at J.P. Morgan Securities. TommyHilfiger Corp. (TOM) was rated "market outperform" in new coverage byanalyst Margaret M. Mager at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Coming into focusFocal Communications Corp. (FCOM) was rated: "Buy" in new coverage byanalyst Jack B. Grubman at Salomon Smith Barney. The 12-month targetprice is $26 per share. "Buy" in new coverage by analyst Timothy N.Weller at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp. The 12-monthtarget price is $25 per share. Hop in the saddle Churchill DownsInc. (CHDN) was rated "buy" in new coverage by analyst David Wolfe atCIBC World Markets Inc. Bertie would approve Ask Jeeves Inc. (ASKJ)was rated: "Buy" in new coverage by analyst Keith E. Benjamin atBancBoston Robertson Stephens. "Outperform" in new coverage byanalyst Mary Meeker at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. "Buy" in newcoverage by analyst Daniel H. Rimer at Hambrecht & Quist. Localupgrades Anixter International Inc. (AXE) was raised to "buy" from"neutral" by analyst Lissa Bogaty at Salomon Smith Barney. ChicagoTitle Corp. (CTZ) was raised to "outperform" from "market perform" byanalyst John B. Keefe at Ferris Baker Watts. The 12-month targetprice is $48 per share. Sara Lee Corp. (SLE) was raised to "buy"from "hold" by analyst William F. Maguire at Wasserstein PerellaSecurities. The 12-month target price is $28 per share.ServiceMaster Co. (SVM) was raised to "buy" from long-term "buy" byanalyst Vivian Kuan at J.P. Morgan Securities. Tellabs Inc. (TLAB)was raised to "accumulate" from "maintain position" by analyst DavidHeger at A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc. UAL Corp. (UAL) was raised to"trading buy" from "market outperform" by analyst Glenn D. Engel atGoldman, Sachs & Co. Whittman-Hart Inc. (WHIT) was rated "accumulate"in new coverage by analyst Vincent A. Colicchio at SouthwestSecurities Inc. The 6- to 12-month target price is $28 per share.

Rocket crash lands just 12ft from house

A 14ft blue rocket broke up in flight and crash landed in twodifferent parishes near Wedmore.

A group of enthusiastic rocketeers fired from Cheddar Moor onSunday morning. However, a number of things went wrong with thedevice and the rear half ploughed into Martin Corkish's garden inClewer and the front parachuted into a Cocklake field.

Mr Corkish, 36, said: "I was working in the house on an extensionat 11am and heard whistling for a few seconds. Then there was amassive thump."

He believes the fin section was doing more than 100mph when ithit - hard enough to bury 4ft of itself in his garden.

He drove off in the direction it came from and found the firingrig a mile away at Canal Drove before telling the rocketeers it hadmissed his house, with his wife and two young children inside, by12ft.

Two miles from the launch site in Cocklake, the front half of therocket, with parachute, sailed down onto a farm.

Its plummet was seen by Wendy Major and son Chris but wasforgotten about until 3pm when it was time to get the cows in.

Chris, 16, a Cannington College agriculture student, said: "Whenwe got closer, we got worried because the rocket was beeping - Ithought it was a bomb and got away from it as quickly as possible."

The police responded and worked out the beeping was a radiotransmitter. The Civil Aviation Authority said the only aircraftpassing was a DC10 and the only thing it jettisoned was fuel overthe Atlantic.

A flight plan had been lodged for the rocket launch a month inadvance by the rocketeers, who also sought advice from air trafficcontrol and Mendip Gliding Club about local conditions.

However, even wind socks didn't predict freak winds that spun therocket 180 degrees the wrong way.

The team, which travels around the country in search of suitablelaunch sites, contacted the police to notify them of the astrayrocket.

Richard Brown, a spokesman for the group, said: "No-one couldpredict it.

"Both computers in each end of the rocket failed along with theparachute control.

"We are serious people doing a very technical hobby in aresponsible way. Unfortunately an accident happened but no-one wasinjured.

"It would be no different if a hot air balloon came down insomeone's garden."

He said things like this were rare and believed no-one had beenhit by a falling rocket. The group will not fire any more rocketsfrom the location.

The incident was a new one for PC Pete Wills. He said it was oneof those things that had gone horribly wrong and he had been intouch with the Health and Safety Executive, aviation authority,traffic control and the United Kingdom Rocketry Association.

Walter Palmer, pro wrestling champ

Walter Palmer, 77, a Chicago professional wrestling champion whobattled Gorgeous George and the Mad Russian during wrestling's first"golden age" in the 1940s and '50s, died July 10 at his home inTucson, Ariz., following a severe stroke.

Born in Austria, Mr. Palmer came to Chicago when he was a yearold with his family and learned to wrestle while attending Crane HighSchool.

He went to college intending to become a doctor, but theDepression and pressure to support a young family changed thoseplans. He quit college and instead became one of the foremostprofessional wrestlers of his era, eventually developing histrademark, the "spinning toe hold."

During the 1930s, Mr. Palmer worked his way up the ranks,wrestling in small towns in the Midwest and Texas. Undefeated for asix-year period during the 1940s, he won the National WrestlingAlliance's Midwest heavyweight title in 1942.

"He was always known as a clean wrestler; he never wrestleddirty," said his granddaughter Kim Albeck.

His daughter Gail Palmer-Mildenburg remembers falling asleep onhis shoulders as he talked to fans. "He was well-liked andrespected," she said. "He was a very serious family man who kept usprotected."

Wrestling across the country as well as at the Chicago Stadium,the old Coliseum and the Rainbo Arena at Clark and Lawrence, Mr.Palmer held the championship belt until he broke a leg during a matchin 1947.

In 1948, he lost a bout to Gorgeous George before 11,000 peopleat the Chicago Amphitheater.

By the 1950s, Mr. Palmer was winding down his wrestling careerand focusing on his business, Aerial Maintenance, a firm thatperformed upkeep on water towers, steeples and smokestacks. Despitestiffness from years in the ring, he often climbed up and did thework himself.

A former resident of the Northwest Side, Des Plaines andLincolnwood, he retired in 1989 and moved to Arizona in 1991.

Other survivors include another daughter, Phyllis Palmer; abrother, Bill; a grandson, and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be from noon to 3 p.m. today at the ColonialFuneral Home, 8025 W. Golf Rd., Niles, followed by burial at AllSaints Cemetery, 700 N. River Rd., Des Plaines.

Gay means normal on Rosie's love-filled boat

ALL ABOARD!

ROSIE'S FAMILY CRUISE

Rating 3 1/2

7 p.m. Thursday on HBO, with repeats at 3:30 p.m. Sunday and 2:45p.m. April 12.

- - -

A woman holds her baby and tears up because she's on a cruise shipwith other people like her, where people don't give her grief aboutthe person she loves. "Are you crying?" her eldest son asks. "Yeah,"his mom says. "Just happy."

A couple on the same cruise hold hands, and they make a phone callto shore, to a nurse who tells them she's sorry but their pregnancytest is negative. The couple hug, devastated, and cry.

These workaday Americans have one thing in common. It's not thatthey're gay and have children, exactly, but that they are outcasts,to an extent, of an America that rejects their full legal rights tomarry and raise families.

So for a few days, 500 gay families go on this cruise, organizedby Kelli and Rosie O'Donnell, filmed and billed documentary-style,and called "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise."

For the passengers, being on the ship is not an action so much asa reaction to those Americans who shun them, even a reaction to theparents who disrespect that they've fallen in love with someone andare raising children, either by their own pregnancies or adoption.

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE

I suspect some viewers will be totally shocked at the content of"All Aboard!" There are no lovemaking scenes. The HBO documentary isso clean it could play on network TV. What will surprise some is thatgay parents look just like straight parents. They rock their babiesto sleep. They tell their kids to brush their teeth.

They look normal, for lack of a better word. The O'Donnells havemade possible this one little piece of calm, fact-based, fly-on-the-wall viewing, directed without pandering sentimentality by ShariCookson.

I wasn't expecting "All Aboard!" to be compelling. What couldpossibly be so intriguing about regular people on a cruise? As ithappens, though, the filmmakers follow a handful of typical adultsand teenagers, their joys and heartbreaks. It's actual reality TV, asopposed to what we've become accustomed to.

There's an amazing interview in which a gay man talks about how hetold his pastor he was having kids, and the pastor replied positivelyhow that would "bring more love into the world." The man can barelytell his story because he's crying from knowing how blessed he is: "Ihonestly believe God was saying, 'You can have this baby.' "

Another passenger turns to a partner and says, "I can kiss youwhenever I want" on this cruise. Imagine being afraid of kissing yoursoulmate on a public street.

Some passengers aren't gay, but are the children of gay parents. A17-year-old adoptee says she has more confidence because of the fulllove of her two dads. Another girl says her mom's partner "has beenmore of a parent to me than my father ever was. And she has shown mewhat it is to have two parents who love you."

Some people may presume, without even watching "All Aboard!," thatit projects a false impression of gay families. They are, of course,wrong.

KIDS ARE UNAFFECTED

Last year, an evidence-based Tufts University study found thatchildren of gay parents ended up no different from children ofstraight parents; they have the same levels of self-esteem; they'reno worse behaviorally or emotionally; they're not smarter or dumber;they're not any more or less stressed nor isolated by peers. They'renot any straighter or gayer.

That study reflected previous studies. Still, a small if loudamount of Americans keep coming up with excuses to sustain theirdisdain for gay families. They should listen to the straight girlpassenger who says she was lured into a fight or two in middle schoolafter kids taunted her and called her mom a "dyke."

Later, she says, she learned to say back to them that she lovesher parents, then walk away.

If only the taunters would learn the same restraint, they couldlive more of their own lives, instead of trying to dictate everyoneelse's. And then, a documentary like "All Aboard!" would become,blissfully, a relic of hard times.

WHAT ELSE IS ON:

TONIGHT

"Bonds on Bonds" (7 p.m., ESPN2): A weekly behind-the-scenesprofile of Bonds, done with the cooperation of the big, beefy, quitemuscle-y home run champ.

"Sons & Daughters" (8 and 8:30 p.m., WLS-Channel 7): One of TV'sfunniest new comedies gets back-to-back episodes tonight. Prospectsfor the show look bleak with the news that cast member (and formerChicagoan) Gillian Vigman has signed up for a Tom Cavanagh pilot forCBS. If "Sons" gets renewed for the fall, she can't be on the CBSshow. It would be too bad for ABC to give up on this surprisinglygood "Arrested Development" ripoff.

"Pepper Dennis" (8 p.m., WGN-Channel 9): You've seen the billboardads all over town. Now it finally begins, Rebecca Romijn's role asfast-talking, ambitious Chicago TV reporter Pepper Dennis. The hourcomedy -- which isn't filmed here -- has its funny moments, if you'rein the mood for an unrealistically glamorous "oe look at TVjournalists who flirt, fall in mud puddles and uncover politicalcorruption. "Pepper" tries to be something like "Ally McBeal" in itsromantic cuteness and wacky in the vein of old black-and-white comedymovies about journalism. It's slicker, more ambitious and has morechuckles than expected. Romijn is especially appealing. Brooke Burnsalternates between charming and acting-too-hard as her sister. Theshow just needs more consistently toned acting and a reliably fastpace.

"Wrigley Field: Beyond the Ivy" (9 p.m., WTTW-Channel 11): The2001 documentary, narrated by William Petersen, gets its first run onlocal TV.

"King of Cars" (9 and 9:30 p.m., A&E): An oddball Vegas carsalesman gets his own reality show. In the first episode, he wantshis sellers to unload 40 vehicles in a day. In the second, the worstseller has to dress up like a showgirl.

WEDNESDAY

"The Amazing Race" (7 p.m., WBBM-Channel 2): The reality show nowairs here. The previous occupants, low-rated sitcoms "Out ofPractice" and "Courting Alex," do not. But CBS says they might comeback.

"Heist" (8 p.m., WMAQ-Channel 5): The new "' cops-and-robbersdrama moves back an hour to take on "American Idol" and "Lost." Thatreturns "Law & Order" to its rightful time slot at 9.

"Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures" (8 p.m., WTTW-Channel11): In an hour documentary, Jacques' son and his mates study theHawaiian archipelago.

Source: Doug Elfman

e-mail: delfman@suntimes.com

U.S., Poland Upbeat on Missile Defense

WARSAW, Poland - Negotiators voiced optimism Thursday that they could reach agreement for Poland to host part of a U.S. missile defense system. A Polish official said a deal could come in the next several months.

"This meeting today brings optimism to us because many of our observations and reflections are shared and were responded to by our American partners," said Polish deputy foreign minister Witold Waszczykowski.

John Rood, U.S. assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation, called Thursday's second round of talks "very constructive and fruitful."

A first round of talks was held last week focusing on so-called status of forces issues, meaning the legal status of the base and its personnel, how they are treated and what their legal responsibility would be on Polish territory.

The next round is slated for late June in Washington, Waszczykowski said, adding that Warsaw would present "concrete proposals." He predicted that an agreement could come in early fall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that he remains firmly opposed to the U.S. plan to place parts of a missile defense shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, two former Soviet satellite countries in eastern Europe.

Washington insists that the system is not aimed at Russia, and would in fact be ineffective against Russia's huge stockpile of missiles. Instead, the system would protect most of Europe from missiles launched from Iran, which the U.S. says is pursuing nuclear weapons.

"Poland shares many of America's assessments of global threats," Waszczykowski said. "Combatting missile programs deserves Poland's full attention."

Meanwhile, the presidents of 16 European countries were to meet in southeastern Czech Republic on Friday and Saturday to discuss the planned missile system and Kosovo.

The U.S. missile defense system plan was "a possible topic for discussion," Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Wednesday.

---

Associated Press writer Ryan Lucas in Warsaw contributed to this report.

National Council elected in Bhutan in move toward full democracy

Vote-counting was still being completed but Bhutan's chief electoral commissioner declared the election of a first National Council in the remote Himalayan kingdom country a success.

"We are happy with the turnout of voters," Kunzang Wangdi said Monday. "It went off peacefully without any hitch."

Thousands of Bhutanese went to the polls Monday to elect the National Council, which is the final stage before general elections that will end nearly 100 years of absolute monarchy.

The vote caps a whirlwind year of transformation for the tiny kingdom since the monarch declared in December 2006 he was abdicating in favor of his 26-year-old son and ushering in democracy.

In this small trading town near the border with India, dozens of people dressed in their green, blue and red checked traditional robes, lined up at a local school to cast their votes.

The National Council will act as an upper house after parliament is elected in February.

"I did not have much idea about democracy, but we have had educational programs on radio and television so now I know," said Sagay Zangmo, a 32-year-old woman who runs a small business in the town. "Here I am, the first vote in my life," she said.

More than 300,000 people were due to cast votes for 15 of the council's 20 elected representatives. Five more will be elected at the end of January _ a delay caused by a lack of candidates _ and five others will be appointed by the king.

International observers from India, the United States, Australia and the United Nations were monitoring the polls to ensure a smooth process, said Wangdi.

The path toward parliamentary elections started when former King Jigme Singhye Wangchuck announced he was handing over power to his Oxford-educated son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck.

Make everyday your family's Black history day

Make Everyday Your Family's Black History Day

Black History for any child begins at home. The family is a unique power system -- an alignment of people related by alchemy of blood or adoption, shared history, identity, values and fate. Black families have often struggled against seemingly insurmountable odds to raise their children with a full, positive, empowering sense of self, and today there are fortunately a wide variety of books available to assist parents, educators and caregivers in meeting the needs of our children.

For centuries, African American parents who were fortunate enough to keep their children, struggled against the full weight of the law to educate them, and many paid a high price to do so. What was it that these enslaved Africans knew about the value of literacy that would have them take such risks? I think they knew that literacy was, and still is, emancipatory and empowering.

Reading to our children these days is often a gift that we take for granted. The plethora of available books written for black children, a choice that just decades ago was unavailable, will hopefully turn the trend and get more parents reading to their children. There are a number of books like J. Patrick Lewis' Freedom Like Sunlight: Praisesongs for Black Americans (Creative Editions, October 2000) that speak directly to black children about our astonishing and wonderful history, working to engender pride in our heritage. With the wealth of books available to titillate your child's mind, teach them about their past, and share new ideas about dreams for their futures, every day is a day to share a little bit of Black History with the whole family.

[ KUP'S COLUMN ]

Political satirist Mort Sahl was in town to hype a benefitreception for Israel's Magen David Adom on Sept. 15 at the NorthShore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie. Two very funny comedians--my grandson David Kupcinet and Aaron Freeman--will provide comicrelief.

WHILE IN TOWN, Mort and his wife, Kenslea, along with politicoDavid Wilhelm and wife DeeGee, the Merchandise Mart's Lisa Andersonand Dean Balice of Wilhelm & Conlon, all dined at LaScarola anddiscussed politics, of course.

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL Lisa Madigan and jazz vocalist MelodySwink are co-chairing the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention's"Art of Peace" gala reception benefit Sept. 10 at Club Moda, the eveof the anniversary of 9/11, the worst day of terrorism on Americansoil.

ILLINOIS SENATE President Emil Jones and Linda Renee Baker, formerDepartment of Human Services secretary, were recently feted at theIllinois Coalition for Equal Justice dinner at McCormick & Schmick'srestaurant. The duo received the "Champion of Justice" award fortheir support of legal aid services for poor people. Cook CountyChief Judge Tim Evans made the presentation.

"SOME ENCHANTED Evening" is the theme of the fund-raising eventfor the DePaul College of Law's Family Law Center on Sept. 18 at BobChinn's Crabhouse downtown. This party is for singles 50 and over,and Aldermen Burt Natarus and Bernard Stone (both single) are specialguests.

THE BULLS' Jalen Rose is hosting an all-star weekend kicking offthis Friday to raise funds for his Jalen Rose Giving Back Foundation.On Friday, Jalen will personally host a youth empowerment summitalong with Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan at the HaroldWashington Library Center. On Saturday, Ced-ric the Entertainer willperform live with comedian Earthquake at the Auditorium Theatre at 8p.m. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.

ASHANTI, hot R&B/hip-hop vocalist, will perform during halftime atthe NBA-sanctioned game at the United Center on Sunday for thefoundation. Among the guests will be the NBA's Scottie Pippen, TysonChandler and Chris Webber.

EATIN' & relaxin': Elton Brand, a former Bull now with the L.A.Clippers, dined hearty at Ditka's. ... Man about town Bunky Cushingand some of his fashionista diva friends, including Hazel Barr,lunched at the elegant RL. At another table, businessman Jack McHughwith restaurateur extraordinaire Steve Lombardo. ... Singer FrankStallone (Sly's brother) was in town recently to promote his latestalbum, "In Love In Vain," and dined with Hilton Chicago publicistLynda Simonetti at Rosebud on Rush.

CROONER Jimmy Damon can currently be heard on local TV in twocommercials. Damon is appearing in a ComEd spot, and his voice andmusic are being used for Giordano's pizza.

WMAQ-CHANNEL 5 reporter Dick Johnson has landed a cameo spot inthe "Barbershop 2" movie currently shooting here. They will tape hissegment in the station's newsroom in another week or so.

MICHAEL GARBIN, executive chef at the Union League Club ofChicago, was recently inducted into the very prestigious AmericanAcademy of Chefs, an affiliate of the American Culinary Federation.

LEGENDARY singer Sonny King and comic Rick Michel will perform atII Jack's restaurant on Friday and Saturday. ... Comic Shelly Bermanwill be at Zanie's on North Wells on Sept. 3.

CONDOLENCES to Betty Magness, a top exec at the clerk of theCircuit Court's office, on the death of her mom, Eunice Alexander.The service is Monday at the Grant Memorial AME Church.

BIRTHDAY people: Steve Martin, Sherman Wolf, attorney Scott Hodes,Jim Sheerin, Magic Johnson, Halle Berry and Nick Kladis. On Friday:Ben Affleck, Princess Anne and Bernie Neistein. On Saturday: Madonna,Angela Bassett, Carol Braun, attorney Patrick Giordano, Eydie Gormeand Tim Hutton. On Sunday: Robert DeNiro and Sean Penn. On Monday:Christian Slater, Robert Redford and Tom Falkenthal.

Software Firm Snaps Up Payroll Bureau

Longwell Green payroll software company QTAC Solutions has boughtLawrence Hill firm CRM Payroll Bureau.

QTAC Solutions provides the software that calculates NationalInsurance and income tax deductions for individuals' pay, while CRMPayroll Bureau, which has been renamed The Payroll Bureau at QTAC,prepares pay slips and payments for employees.

Peter Prater, managing director of QTAC, said: "The acquisitionwill enable QTAC to remain on track as one of the fastest growingindependent companies in the payroll sector." QTAC Solutions wasfounded in 1994 after Mr Prater came up with the idea for thesoftware while working as a contractor for a chartered accountant.

Now the company, which has a workforce of 12, supplies itssoftware to more than 3,000 customers, including the Inland Revenueand UK chartered accountants.

The payroll marketplace is dominated by leader Sage, but Mr Pratersaid: "I think there is always going to be room for a small nichemarket company." The Payroll Bureau@QTAC currently handles thepayroll for more than 4,000 employees in about 25 companies.

Clients include a charity and Countryside Properties, whichemploys over 1,000 staff.

CRM Payroll's Bureau manager Debbie Cousins will manage thebureau, which has three members of staff, from QTAC's Longwell Greenoffices.

Plane crashes in Alabama after takeoff, killing 4

An Alabama sheriff says four people have died after a small plane crashed shortly after takeoff about 40 miles north of Birmingham.

Walker County Sheriff Mark Tirey identified three victims as car dealer Bobby Crump, his wife, Jan, and their son, Matthew, a University of Alabama student. The fourth victim was family friend and fellow student Lauren Brue, 19, of Iowa. Authorities don't know what caused the crash.

Tirey says the plane was bound for the Alabama coast it went down about 8 a.m. Sunday in a wooded area not far from the Walker County Airport in Jasper.

According to Federal Aviation Administration records, the plane was a twin-engine Beechcraft BE-55. Crump was a licensed pilot.

Federal investigators were sent to the scene.

Romania foreign minister guilty of discrimination

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romania's anti-discrimination board has ruled that the country's foreign minister was guilty of discriminatory remarks about the Roma, or Gypsy population.

The board's chairman Csaba Astalosz said Friday the minister will receive the mildest sanction, a recommendation, and not a warning or a fine.

In February, Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi said "we have some physiological, natural problems of criminality among some of the Romanian communities" in France, "especially among the Roma."

The ministry denied that the comments had a racist tone, saying Baconschi tried to imply there was a certain "natural" rate of criminality within any group of immigrants.

Romania has an estimated 1.5 million Roma, most of them living in poverty and facing discrimination.

ANIMAL DOCTOR

Q. My 3-year-old male cat throws up for five days every four tosix weeks.

I took him to a veterinarian, who said there are no obstructionsin his bowel. I see no hairballs in his vomitus or stool. I brushhim every day even though he is very feisty.

He weighs 15 pounds and eats canned and dry food. I usePet-o-malt, a medication for hairballs, but it does not help. He isa house cat. What can I do?I.L., ChicagoA. As I have mentioned in previous columns, your cat's symptomsare typical of cats with hairballs, even though you don't see them.It may be difficult to see hair in the stool, as it takes on thecolor of the stool. You may have to break open the stool to find thehair.The irritation to the stomach is there from the hair, whicheventually causes him to throw up. There are several otherreasons for this behavior that will cause the same symptoms: eatingplants, grass, paper or anything that may irritate the stomach.You could ask your doctor to check his blood, which may showliver, pancreas or other organ dysfunction.As long as he eats well and feels good, I wouldn't worry toomuch about his throwing up, especially if he eats the vomitus - whichis normal, so let him do it.If Pet-o-malt doesn't help, ask your veterinarian for anotherproduct that may help. Sometimes I suggest using plain, notmedicated, petroleum jelly. Use at least one tablespoon and repeatevery seven to 14 days. Most cats don't seem to mind the taste; infact, some cats like it.Send questions for veterinarian Sanford Blum to: ChicagoSun-Times, Features Dept., 4th Floor, 401 N. Wabash, Chicago, 60611.This column also can be found at www.suntimes.com

Eyeball To Eyeball Three 24-hour news channels are jostling for eyeballs in Kolkata. And the challengers are determined to outrun the market leader.

One doesn't usually associate Kolkata with battles for marketshare. But a no-holds-barred dogfight raging in this metropolis isshaping up as a riveting thriller; and only the very brave or veryfoolish are wagering on the final outcome.

It began quietly in June, 2005, when the ABP Group, which controlsStar News, launched Star Ananda, the first 24-hour Bengali newschannel. But its monopoly was challenged within months by two newplayers. In an uncanny replay of a similar battle in the English newsspace, Suman Chatterjee, the high profile Executive Producer of StarAnanda and a veteran ABP hand, broke away with a large team-including another group veteran, noted film maker Aparna Sen-to formKolkata TV, a rival 24-hour news channel, with funding from thepromoters of Xenitis Group (of Amar PC fame). This was accompanied bya multi-crore rupee, high decibel ad campaign-on billboards andkiosks-in Kolkata, its suburbs and even in far-flung districts.Result: it generated viewership of 25 per cent within a week oflaunch in March, 2006. This has since settled at 15 per cent. SaysShantanu Ghosh, Chairman, Xenitis Group: "We have the best people inthe trade. This gives our channel a different look and feel." Each ofthese channels is playing the differentiation game. To cash in on theelection fever, Kolkata TV has flown in psephologists MaheshRangarajan and Yogendra Yadav to analyse the ongoing state electionsand score brownie points over its rivals.

Star Ananda is targeting the upwardly mobile Bengali. "We havepositioned ourselves as an expression of the Bengali on the move. Wereflect their urges, aspirations and their impatience at the rate ofchange. Star Ananda, thus, mirrors the new vibrancy of the Bengali-speaking people," says the spokesperson of the channel.

Chobbish Ghanta, a joint venture between Zee News and AakaashBangla, a Bengali TV channel, is the third player in the battle. SaysLaxmi Narayan Goel, Director, Zee News and Zee-Aakaash News:"Chobbish Ghanta will offer viewers unbiased and in-depth news andcurrent affairs programmes. Ours is a complete news channel with anational, rather than a regional, character, and that's whereChobbish Ghanta differs from the competition."

But what are they really fighting over? The size of the ad pie forBengali news channels is Rs 35-50 crore per annum. And here, ABP'smarketing clout gives Star Ananda a head start. The group, though, isnot offering any combo offers and is treating it as a standalonechannel for now. The Zee-Aakaash combine is doing likewise. "Unlessthe new brand is established, advertisers ask for free slots whilebooking slots in the existing channels. We will do it, but onlylater," says a spokesperson. Kolkata TV, which is a standalonechannel, is reportedly offering heavy discounts to attractadvertisers. Media buyers say it is still too early to say whichchannel offers the best exposure.

For now, it seems Star Ananda is clinging to its first moveradvantage; its pedigree also makes it a clear favourite to maintainits lead. But the challengers are no pushovers. It's early days yet.And the months ahead will throw up a clearer pointer to the directionof this battle.

Plzen draws 1-1 with Borisov in Champions League

PRAGUE (AP) — Renan Bressan scored a second-half equalizer to give BATE Borisov a 1-1 draw with Viktoria Plzen in their Champions League opener on Tuesday.

Striker Marek Bakos gave Plzen a 1-0 lead in first-half stoppage time, converting the first chance for the tournament newcomer.

With the visitors pressing for an equalizer in the second half, Bressan collected a through pass by Filipp Rudik in the 69th minute and steered the ball between the legs of Plzen goalkeeper Marek Cech.

The draw gave both teams a point in Group H. Barcelona and AC Milan also shared the points in the other group game.

"I'm a little bit disappointed," Plzen coach Pavel Vrba said after the Champions League debut. "We were leading and BATE scored only due to our only mistake."

Plzen applied early pressure, with David Bystron heading over the crossbar four minutes into the match from a cross by Pavel Horvath.

BATE was solid in defense and threatening on the counterattack through Mateja Kezman. The Serbian striker, who previously played for Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven, just missed the target with a right-foot shot from the edge of the area in the 22nd and again just shot wide eight minutes later.

A long-range drive by Aleksandr Volodko forced Plzen goalkeeper Marek Cech into a diving save in another chance.

But Plzen took the lead just before the break when Bakos tapped in a precise cross by Petr Jiracek from the right to make it seven goals in Champions League play this season following six in three qualifying games.

Kezman finally found the back of the net in the 59th but the goal was disallowed for offside. At the other end, BATE goalkeeper Aleksandr Gutor denied Vaclav Pilar with a sharp save in the 63rd.

After Bressan's equalizer, Plzen substitute Jakub Hora had a shot blocked and fired over the bar in the final minute.

The match was played at the Slavia Prague stadium because the arena in Plzen is under reconstruction.

BATE hosts Barcelona next on Sept 28 while Plzen travels to Milan.