News In Brief

BUT THEY'D BE OK AT PICNICS One thing about hot dogs, Andy Pratley has learned: You can't give 'em away. Because his fiance is on the Adrian (Mich.) College softball team and rarely had time for a meal after class, Andy cooked franks for her and her fellow players, fans, and anyone else at home games who was hungry. And all at no charge. That is, until the county health department found out. Now, he has been ordered to get a victualer's license, set up overhead protection and approved cooking equipment, and provide hand-washing facilities - or cease and desist. He chose the latter. Said a health officer: "The guy was trying to do something nice," but rules are rules.

TOO CLOSE TO HOME, EH? Britain's Secret Service, the very agency for which fictional superspy James Bond works, nixed plans for a chase scene for his new movie in front of its headquarters on the Thames River in London. But it was overruled by the Foreign Ministry, whose spokesman said, "After all Bond has done for Britain, it was the least we could do for Bond.

Five US hotels are rated among the best in the world

Gourmet magazine has released its third annual reader survey on the world's best hotels. The Halekulani in Honolulu - which won the No. 1 rating - was the only US hotel ranked among the top five. Four additional US hotels were chosen among the top 10. Moreover, the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas topped the voting for hotel-restaurant dining. The top 10:

1. Halekulani, Honolulu

2. The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand

3. Villa d'Este, Cernobbio, Italy

4. The Regent, Hong Kong

5. Hotel Ritz, Paris

6. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Fla.

7. The Boulders, Carefree, Ariz.

8. The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.

9. The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Ariz.

10. Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Charlestown, Nevis, West Indies

- Reuters