Ex-death row inmate faces assault charge

Scotsman Kenny Richey, who spent two decades on death row in the United States, is due to face trial in a British court on assault and robbery charges, officials said Tuesday.

Richey, who was spared the death penalty last summer after striking a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors, was charged with breaking into the apartment of Robert McCall in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, and stealing his cell phone in July.

Prosecutors also accuse Richey of returning to the apartment a few days later, wearing a mask, and beating McCall with a metal rod, striking him in the head and knocking him down a flight of stairs.

Richey denies four charges, including …

Singing praises of Ve-su-su-suvio

Chicken Vesuvio fans didn't chicken out on me. Response to mycolumn of Nov. 28 in which I listed my three favorite places forchicken Vesuvio - La Cantina at Italian Village, New Rosebud Cafe andHouse of Bertini - generated enough mail to fill a coop.

Winner of a dinner for two at the Oyster Restaurant, 1801 W.Lawrence, is Sam Deane of Chicago. He also receives an autographedcopy of my book, Chicago's Food Favorites. Excerpts from his letterand others follow.

Mama mia, the chicken Vesuvio at Trattoria Bellavia, 3811 N.Harlem (286-5568) is the best. The large chunks of potatoes - goldenbrown and crisp - are almost a meal in themselves. The chicken ismoist, tender …

Bonser Is Masterful As Twins Nip Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS - Boof Bonser brought the Minnesota Twins a little bit closer in the tightening three-team race in the AL Central.

Bonser struck out five and allowed only five hits in seven strong innings, leading the Twins to a 2-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers that closed the gap in the standings to three games.

Torii Hunter had Minnesota's only RBI, a second-inning single, against Tigers starter Nate Robertson (12-12). But Bonser (5-5), the stone-faced, right-handed rookie with the peculiar first name, was good enough to give the Twins their second straight win over the division leaders.

The Chicago White Sox, who began the day a half-game behind them in the …

Cadbury 1H profit nearly triples

Candy and gum maker Cadbury PLC tripled its net profit in the first half of the year compared to the same period a year ago, with results boosted by a strong gain from its discontinued beverage business.

The company, which makes Cadbury chocolates, Trident and Dentyne gum, and Halls and Bassett's candies, said Wednesday that net profit was 313 million pounds ($513 million), compared to 113 million pounds a year earlier.

Revenue was up 13 percent to 2.8 billion pounds, or up 4 percent on a constant currency basis. The company confirmed its guidance that it expects full-year revenue growth at the lower end of a 4 percent to 6 percent range.

Cadbury's profit include a 234 …

Moms made these men mug for modeling prize

Mom made 'em do it.

So said two new male models who went up against professionals in a "Face of the '80s" contest Tuesday at Carson Pirie Scott.

"You know how it is with moms," sighed David Sinnigan, 26, aChicago construction worker who recently opened a home-improvementbusiness.

He just happens to be blessed with boffo looks. "I have foursisters, and if I ever come out in raggy clothes, they send me backto change."

Sinnigan, who threw in his lot with the professional pretty boysmore or less on a lark, was named first runnerup in the Chicago legof the national "Face of the '80s for Men" contest. …

Biomass Talk of Optimistic Show

In keeping up with current trends, this year's Oregon Logging Conference show prominently featured biomass. Looking forward, both attendees and exhibitors were optimistic about the future.

Organizers of the 72nd Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) estimate that over 4,000 people passed through the gates for its annual logging show, which was held in late February at the Lane County Convention Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene, Ore.

"We felt the mood at the show was more positive than our 2009 event," says Rikki Wellman, the show's manager. "Everyone seemed to be in an upbeat mood and according to a number of exhibitors, many of the people who attended the show were the decision …

Beckett solid in 5-1 win over Tampa Bay

Josh Beckett allowed a run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox won their 12th straight home game to take the AL East lead from Tampa Bay with a 5-1 win over the Rays on Wednesday night.

The scariest moment for Beckett came when his left foot appeared to slip as it landed on a pitch to Cliff Floyd in the sixth inning. Manager Terry Francona and assistant trainer Mike Reinold went to the mound to check on him. Beckett stayed in the game and struck out Floyd.

Beckett (6-4) left after throwing 92 pitches but was not injured, team spokesman John Blake said. He allowed seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks, the eighth time in 11 starts he walked one …