Thursday, March 15, 2012

Animal bedding from pulp sludge

International Absorbents Inc. recently announced that it had signed an agreement with Newstech Recycling of Coquitlam, British Columbia, to process 55,000 tons of waste fiber annually into animal bedding. International had been processing about a third of Newstech's sludge previously. It is expected that the capacity required for the additional sludge will be operational by this …

Australia's A-League Soccer results

Results of weekend playoff matches in Australian soccer's A-League:

Major Semifinal

Central Coast 3, Newcastle 2, extra time

(Central Coast wins 5-4 on aggregate)

Minor Semifinal

Second Leg

Queensland 2, …

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Chief's GBP15m share benefit

Allied Domecq chief executive Philip Bowman could benefit by up toGBP15 million in share options if the Bedminster Down drinks companyhe heads is taken over, it has emerged.

Pernod Ricard, working with Jim Beam owner Fortune Brands, is indiscussions to buy Allied, owner of brands including …

Irving Robbin

Irving Robbin, 68, a jeweler who was named Retailer of the Yearthis year by the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, died Mondayin Hawaii.

Mr. Robbin, of Highland Park, was one of 15 jewelers nationwideto be honored for excellence by Rolex Watch Co. this year. He wasowner and president of Persin and Robbin Jewelers, 24 S. Dunton Ave.,which he operated for 30 years.

He was president of the National Ramah Commission, a Jewish campprogram, and president of its Wisconsin camp. He was a pastpresident of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Robbin was school board chairman and trustee for NorthSuburban Beth-El Synagogue in Highland Park, founder …

Actor Snipes asks for new trial in Fla. tax case

OCALA, Fla. (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Monday asked that Wesley Snipes' bond be revoked if a judge refuses to grant the "Blade" actor a new trial on tax-related charges.

Snipes' defense attorney asked for the new trial during a two-hour hearing in federal court. Daniel Meachum argued that two jurors had sent him e-mails recently claiming three other jurors had determined Snipes' guilt before the 2008 trial began.

Snipes faces three years in prison for his conviction on three tax-related counts. He was acquitted of a handful of other counts.

Snipes, star of the 1992 film "White Men Can't Jump," has been free on bond while appealing the conviction. He didn't attend …

New Vatican plan lets Anglicans convert easier

The Vatican announced a stunning decision Tuesday to make it easier for Anglicans to convert, reaching out to those who are disaffected by the election of women and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church's conservative ranks.

Pope Benedict XVI approved a new church provision that will allow Anglicans to join the Catholic Church while maintaining many of their distinctive spiritual and liturgical traditions, including having married priests.

Cardinal William Levada, the Vatican's chief doctrinal official, announced the new provision at a new conference.

In the past, such exemptions had only been granted in a few cases in certain countries. The new …

Balloon Fest Puts a Twist on Party Entertainment

Festival of Balloons 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday

Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W. Bryn Mawr, Rosemont $3; children under 12 free (708) 696-1234 You've seen them at kids' parties, malls, circuses and streetcorners: folks trained to twist balloons into wiener dogs, flowersand other shapes.

To the untrained eye, this might seem to be the thinnest ofarts, barely even a craft. Yet watching balloon entertainers' handspull, bend and knead latex tubes of pink, red and blue into bulbycritters does have a certain fascination - especially for the young.

And say what you will, balloons can teach life lessons. Apreschooler quickly learns about the fragility of existence …