Business Wire articles from December 20 2005

Business Wire archives from December 20 2005

Company Profile for Allina Hospitals & Clinics.(Company Profile)
December 20, 2005... Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services. Our nearly 23,000 employees, 5,000 physicians and 2,500 volunteers are dedicated to meeting the lifelong health care needs of...

Freeport LNG Closes Supplemental Financing Package for LNG Regasification Terminal; Capacity Expansion Plans also Advanced.
December 20, 2005... HOUSTON -- Freeport LNG Development, L.P. announced today that it has closed a $383 million private placement note issuance with a group of nine institutional investors. The funds from the notes will be used together with previously...

Noront Options Mexican Project.
December 20, 2005... TORONTO -- The following corrects and replaces the release sent on December 19, 2005 @ 1553ET. The Cobalt assays value range should be from 230 parts per million (ppm) to 950 ppm (0.095% Cobalt) instead of 230 parts per million (ppm) to 950 ppm...

China's West-East Gas Pipeline Project Selects Nortel's IP Network Solution; Powering China's Longest Pipeline with Wired, Wireless IP Voice, Data, Multimedia Communications.
December 20, 2005... BEIJING -- China's landmark West-East Gas Pipeline Project (WEPP) has selected an IP-based converged networking solution from Nortel (NYSE:NT) (TSX:NT) to power high quality voice and multimedia communications, both wired and wireless, along...

Chartwell Technology Inc. Enters into Technology License Agreement with 1st Technology LLC.
December 20, 2005... CALGARY, Alberta -- Chartwell Technology Inc. (TSX:CWH), a leading software provider of gaming software systems to the online and remote gaming industry is pleased to announce that it has entered into a technology license agreement with Dr....

Eye Dynamics, Inc. Announces Merger With OrthoNetx, Inc. to Form AcuNetx, Inc.
December 20, 2005... TORRANCE, Calif. -- Eye Dynamics, Inc. (OTCBB:EYDY) today announced that its pending acquisition of OrthoNetx, Inc., a privately-held, Colorado-based leading provider of medical devices for osteoplastic surgery, is to be completed as previously...

The Home of Football's Hall of Fame Receives Another Star Performer; Big-League Player Bright Now! Dental Scores Touchdown in Canton.
December 20, 2005... CANTON, Ohio -- It's anything but a rookie play! Mere miles from Pro Football's tribute to excellence, Bright Now! Dental Inc. today announced the grand opening of a new dental office in Canton. A tribute to excellence in its own right, the new...

Robert A. Jones Selected as Acting Labor Commissioner.
December 20, 2005... SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) today announced the appointment of Robert A. Jones, chief counsel for the California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Labor Standards Enforcement...

News Conference on New Year's Safety for Pasadena's Rose Parade and Rose Bowl.
December 20, 2005... WHAT: Local emergency agencies will offer safety tips and instructions for visitors to Pasadena's Rose Parade and Rose Bowl WHEN: Thursday, December 22, 2005 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Rose Bowl,...

Entegris Confident of Patent Position; Plans Prompt Response and Vigorous Defense.
December 20, 2005... CHASKA, Minn. & MINNEAPOLIS -- Entegris, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENTG) today said that it is confident of its patent position relating to claims of patent infringement alleged by Pall Corp. (NYSE:PLL), in a lawsuit filed on Friday, December 16, 2005. The...

Quarterly Cash Distribution of $0.36 Declared by the Clough Global Allocation Fund.
December 20, 2005... DENVER -- Today, the Clough Global Allocation Fund (AMEX:GLV) declared its quarterly cash distribution of $0.36 per share for January 2006. The distribution will be payable on January 13, 2006 to shareholders of record on December 30, 2005. ...

Office of Thrift Supervision and Operation HOPE Highlight CRA Credit to Emphasize Volunteerism & Support for Disaster Relief in the Financial Industry.
December 20, 2005... WASHINGTON -- Leaders from the financial services industry and federal financial regulatory agencies participated in a roundtable discussion and press conference Friday to promote volunteerism by financial services industry professionals in the...

The Clough Global Allocation Fund Declares Special Dividend and Long-Term Capital Gain.
December 20, 2005... DENVER -- The Clough Global Allocation Fund (AMEX:GLV) today declared a special dividend of $0.53 per share and a long-term capital gain of $0.14 per share. The special dividend and long-term capital gain are being paid in addition to the...

Nara Bancorp Declares $0.0275 Cash Dividend for the Fourth Quarter of 2005.
December 20, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- Nara Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:NARA), the parent company of Nara Bank, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.0275 per common share for the fourth quarter of 2005. The dividend will be payable...

Warm Meals Bring Holiday Joy: The Abbey Food and Bar Collects $10,000 for Holiday Meals for Local Non-Profit, Aid For AIDS.
December 20, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- The Abbey (www.abbeywesthollywood.com) has generously shown their support for Aid For AIDS by collecting $10,000 for holiday meals for Aid For AIDS clients. This wonderful gift from The Abbey will provide dinner to 229...

The Reaves Utility Income Fund Raises Regular Monthly Dividend.
December 20, 2005... DENVER -- The Reaves Utility Income Fund (AMEX:UTG), today announced an increase in its regular monthly dividend. The dividend will be raised 5.00% to $0.105 per common share per month. The increased dividend will provide an annualized yield of...

The Reaves Utility Income Fund Declares Special Dividend.
December 20, 2005... DENVER -- The Reaves Utility Income Fund (AMEX:UTG), today declared a special dividend of $0.255 per share. The special dividend is being paid in addition to its regular monthly dividend to help allow the Fund to meet its 2005 distribution...

Starbucks Opens Next Evolution of Hear Music(TM) Coffeehouse in San Antonio.
December 20, 2005... SAN ANTONIO -- Four photos from Starbucks Opens Next Evolution of Hear Music(TM) Coffeehouse in San Antonio are available on Business Wire's web site and AP PhotoExpress. Photo 1 (hearmusic1.jpg): Description: Ken Lombard making...

Development Trend Analysis of China's SMB ERP Market and Prediction of 2005-2006 Market Capacity Growth.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29615) has announced the addition of China ERP SMB Market Development 2005 to their offering SMB businesses involved in this study are high-level small and...

China Has Experienced Growth Rates Consistently of 20% over the Past Few Years in Their Exports of Hand Tools.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29680) has announced the addition of the Global Sources report: China Sourcing Report: Hand Tools to their offering. This Reports Provides: In-depth...

iRobot Earns Software Engineering Institute Certification; Independent Team of Assessors Awards CMM Level 3 Status, Validating Timely and Efficient Delivery of High-Quality Software for iRobot's Military Products.
December 20, 2005... BURLINGTON, Mass. -- iRobot Corp. (NASDAQ:IRBT) today announced its Government & Industrial Robots team has earned the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) Software Capability Maturity Model(R) (CMM(R)) Level 3 certification. Achieving the...

Clariant Repays Syndicated Term Loans.
December 20, 2005... MUTTENZ, Switzerland -- Clariant has prepaid its syndicated term loans. The move simplifies Clariant's debt liabilities, increases its issuing flexibility and significantly reduces the number of its bank lenders. It also enables the company to...

Ki-Bi Mobile Technologies Enters into Agreement with The Carphone Warehouse for Valentine's Promotion.
December 20, 2005... TEL AVIV, Israel -- Ki-Bi Mobile Technologies Ltd ("Ki-Bi" or "the Company") the mobile content distribution specialist today announces a deal with the UK's leading mobile retailer, The Carphone Warehouse ("CPW"). Under the terms of the...

Merck and the Indian Council of Medical Research Announce a Public-Private Partnership for GARDASIL(R) in India.
December 20, 2005... WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. -- Merck & Co., Inc. and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced today a collaboration to study Merck's investigational cervical cancer vaccine, GARDASIL(R) (quadrivalent human papillomavirus types 6,...

Calypso Wireless Successfully Completed Acquisition of Sleipner to Deliver Calypso Dual Mode WiFi-GSM-GPRS VoIP Smart Cellular Phones.
December 20, 2005... MIAMI LAKES, Fla. -- Calypso Wireless, Inc. (PINK SHEETS: CLYW), a leader in advanced wireless telecommunications technology announced today that Calypso Wireless Inc, has completed and closed the one hundred percent acquisition of Sleipner...

CapMark Services Offers RMC, ISG Novasoft's Leading Compliance Solution, to Financial Services Clients.
December 20, 2005... HORSHAM, Pa. -- Contact information should read: For GMAC Commercial Mortgage Corporation Joyce Patterson, 215-328-3842 Joyce_Patterson@gmaccm.com or Kulesa Public Relations Angelique Faul, 513-233-2994 angelique@kulesapr.com...

A Look at the Applications That Are Driving Sales and Growth in the Korean and Hong Kong Markets.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29716) has announced the addition of the Pyramid Research report: Asia-Pacific Market Perspective / Vol. 5, Issue 14, November Edition to their offering ...

A Review of the Major Developments in the UAE's Thriving Construction Industry, Including Forecasts for 2005, 2006 and 2007.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29795) has announced the addition of United Arab Emirates (UAE) Building Construction Industry -- An Overview to their offering. We are the Market Leader...

Retalix Partners with Belltech to Provide Retalix Solutions in Argentina, Chile and Peru; Partnership with Chile-Based IT Provider Delivers POS, Store Operations and Replenishment Solutions to South Cone Retailers.(Company Profile)
December 20, 2005... RA'ANANA, Israel -- Retalix(R) Ltd. (NASDAQ:RTLX) announced today that it has entered into a partnership with Belltech, a technology and services company based in Chile, to market and support Retalix POS, store operations and replenishment...

Photo Violation Technologies Corp.: New Parking Meter Provides Every Way to Pay and Takes Your Picture if You Don't!
December 20, 2005... VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- PhotoViolationMeter(TM) Makes Parking Fair for All Users Photo Violation Technologies Corp. ("PVT"), a leader in technologically innovative parking meter solutions, is pleased to announce the launch of its...

OMX Exchanges: Changes to Stockholm Stock Exchange's Most Traded and ATTRACT40 Segments.
December 20, 2005... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- The Stockholm Stock Exchange's Most Traded and ATTRACT40 segments are to be updated as of January 1, 2006. Four new companies will be traded in the Most Traded segment of the A List. The ATTRACT40 segment of the O List will...

The Government in Cameroon Restarts the Privatization Of Camtel.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29710)has announced the addition of the Pyramid Research report: Africa & Middle East Market Perspective / Vol. 5, Issue 17, December Edition to their offering....

Freight Rail Capital Expenditures on the Rise for 2006, an Advisory from Industrialinfo.com.
December 20, 2005... HOUSTON -- Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). When the topic of rail spending is broached, most automatically think back on the hundreds of recent articles and debates they have...

Medialink: The Busy Bar Code, Bar None.
December 20, 2005... With the busiest shopping day of the year approaching, the bar code is busier than Santa's elves. But change is coming that will make shopping easier. A new technology with radio-frequency identification called EPC will help stores keep track...

Medialink: Holiday Cookies in Little Time.
December 20, 2005... Nothing says Christmas like a big batch of holiday cookies. But with just days left for shopping, decorating and holiday parties, who has the time for holiday baking? A recipe for success is to look for simple shortcuts to your holiday...

Desert Sun Increases Measured & Indicated Resources to 2.3 Million oz of Gold and Inferred Resources to 3 Million oz At Jacobina.
December 20, 2005... TORONTO -- Deep drilling at Jacobina Mine confirms depth extent DESERT SUN MINING CORP. (TSX:DSM)(AMEX:DEZ) has completed an updated mineral resource estimate incorporating new drilling results for all zones at its Jacobina Mine on the...

Berkshire Partners Invests in Aritzia LP.(Company Profile)
December 20, 2005... VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Aritzia LP, a leading retailer in women's apparel in Canada, has announced a partnership with Boston-based private equity firm Berkshire Partners LLC. Berkshire's significant investment will enable Aritzia to...

TPG Ventures Names Simba Gill, Ph.D. as Venture Partner and Entrepreneur in Residence.
December 20, 2005... SAN FRANCISCO -- TPG Ventures, a leading healthcare and high-tech venture firm, today announced that Simba Gill, Ph.D. has joined the firm as a Venture Partner and Entrepreneur in Residence on the Life Sciences Team, effective in January, 2006....

FUSA Expands European Coverage.
December 20, 2005... SEATTLE -- FUSA Capital Corporation (OTCBB:FSAC), www.searchformedia.com, a provider of proprietary Internet-based video and audio search engine solutions for consumers and digital content providers, today announced that www.searchforvideo.com...

Volvo: Truck deliveries January-November 2005.
December 20, 2005... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Total deliveries of trucks from the Volvo Group's (NASDAQ:VOLVY) (STO:VOLVA) (BSE:VLV) three truck companies increased 13% through November this year, compared with the year-earlier period. Deliveries from Mack rose 46%,...

Anders Boos Nominated to Take over as Chairman of Observer AB at Annual General Meeting 2006.
December 20, 2005... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Observer AB Chairman Orjan Hakanson has notified the company's Nominating Committee that he will not stand for reelection at the Annual General Meeting on March 28, 2006. The Nominating Committee will recommend that the...

Celanese Emulsions to Work with New Agent and Distributor in Poland.
December 20, 2005... DALLAS -- Celanese Emulsions, a business of Celanese Chemicals (NYSE:CE)(FWB:CZZ), today announced a new agent and distributor for its Celanese Mowilith(R) and Vinamul(R) polymer emulsions in Poland. As of January 1, 2006, the company will...

Comment from Skandia.
December 20, 2005... STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Old Mutual today announced that acceptances have been received for 62.5% of Skandia's (STO:SDIA) (LSE:SFS) shares through its offer. The acceptance period has been extended until 12 January 2006. Skandia's board...

IT Hardware Costs This Year in Ireland is Expected to Exceed EUR 1Billion Compared with the Total Spending in the IT Sector of EUR 2.2Billion.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29494) has announced the addition of Can Utility Computing Future Promises Deliver Value Today? to their offering. This report analyses the findings of a...

Yipes Enterprise Services Selects Zhone's GigaMux 50 Optical Access Platform for Enterprise Ethernet Applications; GigaMux 50 Expands Service Provider's Ability to Offer Low-Cost Fiber-Based Ethernet Services to Enterprise Subscribers.
December 20, 2005... OAKLAND, Calif. -- Zhone Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZHNE), the first company dedicated to developing the full spectrum of next-generation local loop infrastructure solutions, today announced that Yipes Enterprise Services, Inc. (www.yipes.com),...

In the Chinese Display Modules Industry Exports for 2005 Are Expected to Increase to 57 Million Units Worth US$648 Million.
December 20, 2005... DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c29739) has announced the addition of the Global Sources report: China Sourcing Report: Display Modules to their offering This Reports Provides: ...

DTS Demonstrates DTS-HD Master Audio for First Time at CES 2006; First Public Demonstration of High Definition Video Content Played with 7.1 Discrete Channels of High Definition Audio.
December 20, 2005... AGOURA HILLS, Calif. -- At the 2006 CES (Consumer Electronics Show), DTS, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTSI) will premiere DTS-HD Master Audio, the company's high definition surround sound solution for next-generation high definition media. This marks the...

Progress Proposes 3,500 Megawatts of New Power Generation in Florida, an Advisory from Industrialinfo.com.
December 20, 2005... HOUSTON -- Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Currently, Progress Energy Florida has 6,100 megawatts (MW) of power production and is evaluating projects that could grow production...

Middle East Boosts Refining Capability at Home and Abroad on Back of Major Crude Production Increase Plans, an Advisory from Industrialinfo.com.
December 20, 2005... HOUSTON -- Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Middle Eastern countries continue to take the initiative in planning new oil refining and processing capacity both in their home...

Bruker Daltonik GmbH, PANATecs GmbH and the University of Goettingen Announce a Development Cooperation for New Molecular Diagnostic Assays for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
December 20, 2005... BREMEN, Tuebingen and GOETTINGEN, Germany -- Bruker Daltonik GmbH, the University of Goettingen and German biotech company PANATecs GmbH today announced a new development collaboration in protein biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostics...

Superior Galleries Expands Its Board of Directors and Appoints Beverage Industry Executive Mitch Stoltz to the Board.
December 20, 2005... BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Superior Galleries, Inc. ("Superior") (OTCBB:SPGR) today announced that effective December 15, 2005, the Board of Directors approved the expansion of Superior's Board from five to seven members and it has appointed...

Understanding Intelligent Design and Evolution: Whatever the Outcome of the Dover Trial, Metanexus Institute Advocates a New Look at Science Education -- For All Ages.
December 20, 2005... PHILADELPHIA -- Whatever the outcome of the trial on Intelligent Design in Dover, PA, the controversy obscures more important issues at stake at the boundaries of science and religion. While the Judge's decision is important, it is incidental...

IDC Forecasts Continued Double-Digit PC Market Growth in 2006.
December 20, 2005... FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The appeal of low-cost and portable PCs will continue to drive double-digit growth of the personal computer market in 2006, despite fewer PC replacements and slower economic growth, according to the latest forecast from...

Monroe Capital Provides $12.5 Million to Black Warrior Wireline Corp.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- Monroe Capital LLC announced the funding of a $12.5 million junior secured term loan to Black Warrior Wireline Corp. (OTC:BWWL.PK). Monroe Capital's term loan, in conjunction with a $50 million senior credit facility from GE Capital,...

St. Luke's Episcopal Health System Selects Picis to Automate its Emergency Departments; Agreement includes main Texas Medical Center Campus and three additional sites.
December 20, 2005... WAKEFIELD, Mass. -- After reviewing proposals from approximately ten healthcare software companies, officials at St. Luke's Episcopal Health System in Houston, Texas, selected the Ibex PulseCheck(R) emergency department information system...

Docucorp Announces Marketing Alliance with Systems and Software.
December 20, 2005... DALLAS -- Docucorp International(R) (Nasdaq:DOCC), a leading provider of Customer Communication Management (CCM) solutions, announced today that it has signed a marketing agreement with Systems & Software, Inc., a leading Customer Information...

Targus Launches PartnerVantage(TM) Reseller Program; Dedicated Solution Provider Program for Targus Resellers.
December 20, 2005... ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Targus Inc., maker of the world's best-selling notebook cases and accessories, today announced the launch of its PartnerVantage(TM) program, designed to enhance the sales and marketing tools available to Targus resellers...

National Medicare Campaign Debuts in Palm Beach County to Educate Medicare Beneficiaries about New Prescription Drug Benefit; Vans, Teams of Educators and Latest Computer Tech Will Help People with Medicare in Palm Beach County.
December 20, 2005... WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- My Medicare Matters(TM), a new, comprehensive national education program to help people with Medicare and their families understand the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, launches its efforts in Palm Beach County...

As Medicare Drug Coverage Begins on January 1st, NEBCO's Rolls Swell with New Clients.
December 20, 2005... WARWICK, R.I. -- Bucking National Trends, Hundreds of Companies, Thousands of Enrollees Change Their Current Drug Benefit; Retirees Flood Call Center with Questions National Employee Benefit Companies (NEBCO) is doing the unexpected: they...

Station Casinos and the Greenspun Corporation Enter into Agreement to Develop Hotel and Casino in Aliante Master Planned Community.
December 20, 2005... NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE: STN--"Station") and The Greenspun Corporation today announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop Aliante Station, a hotel and casino in Aliante, a 1,905-acre master-planned...

Honda Ridgeline Named 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year.
December 20, 2005... LOS ANGELES -- MOTOR TREND magazine, the world's automotive authority and part of the PRIMEDIA Consumer Automotive Group, today announced the selection of the Honda Ridgeline as the 2006 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year. "The Honda Ridgeline...

IBM Acquires Bowstreet, Inc. to Help Customers Quickly Create Portals that Integrate Existing Business Applications.
December 20, 2005... ARMONK, N.Y. -- IBM today announced the acquisition of Bowstreet, Inc., a Massachusetts-based provider of portal-based tools and technology that helps companies bring together corporate applications, documents, databases and other enterprise...

Xechem Settles Antitrust Lawsuit Against Bristol-Meyers Squibb for $4.2 Million.
December 20, 2005... NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Xechem International, Inc. (OTC BB: XKEM) Xechem International announced today that it has settled its antitrust lawsuit against Bristol-Meyers Squibb Co. for $4.2 million. Court files reveal that the case against...

Bonaventure Identifies Major Gold-Bearing Shear Zone at Cottonwood Property.
December 20, 2005... RENO, Nev. -- Geochemical Drilling at Cottonwood Property Find Similarities to Getchell Mine Bonaventure Enterprises Inc. (TSX VENTURE:BVT)(OTCBB:BVTEF) has received assay results for shallow geochemical drill holes at the Cottonwood...

StarTek Inc. Completes Sale of Supply Chain Management Services Platform.
December 20, 2005... DENVER -- StarTek Inc. (NYSE:SRT) announced today that it has completed the sale of its Supply Chain Management Services platform to Tennessee-based DPL Corporation Southeast (DPL) for $5.75 million. StarTek Inc. received approximately $4.7...

Stellent Receives ''Positive'' Rating in Records Management Report from Top Industry Analyst Firm.
December 20, 2005... EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Stellent, Inc. (Nasdaq:STEL), a global provider of content management solutions, announced today it received a "positive" rating in Gartner, Inc.'s "MarketScope for Records Management, 2005"(1)(a) report. Gartner...

J. Ray McDermott to Fabricate Additional Structures for Saudi Aramco.
December 20, 2005... HOUSTON -- McDermott International, Inc. (NYSE:MDR) ("McDermott") announced today that subsidiaries of J. Ray McDermott, S.A. ("J. Ray") have been awarded additional work by Saudi Aramco to fabricate, transport, and install 16 additional...

Cyber Defense Sub Techsphere to Fly Antenna Technology on Airship-Satellites for New Generation Communications.
December 20, 2005... ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. & ATLANTA -- Techsphere Systems International, Inc. (TSI) a wholly owned subsidiary of Cyber Defense Systems, Inc., (OTCBB: CYDF), announced today the signing of an Exclusive Agreement with RTI International (RTI). The...

Exclusive Resorts Adds 28 New Luxury Mountain Vacation Residences; Company Expands Presence in Premier Ski Areas of Vail, Deer Valley, Lake Tahoe and Whistler.
December 20, 2005... DENVER & WASHINGTON -- Exclusive Resorts, the leader in the rapidly growing luxury residence club category, today announced its significant expansion in four North American mountain destinations: Vail, Colorado; Deer Valley, Utah; Lake Tahoe,...

CryptoLogic Wins Gold for World's Top Casino Software.
December 20, 2005... TORONTO -- Top Casino Software Award voted on by more than 27,000 players CryptoLogic Inc. (TSX:CRY)(NASDAQ:CRYP)(LSE:CRP) has been recognized with the Top Casino Software Award in Gambling Online Magazine's 2005 Reader's Poll Awards,...

Zacks Buy List Highlights: Patterson-UTI Energy, AstraZeneca PLC ADR, Payless Shoe Source and StanCorp Financial Group.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases another list Zacks Rank Buy Stocks. Everyday on Zacks.com, four stocks are selected based on how well they match the criteria for the four main schools of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum and...

SonoSite's MicroMaxx System Gains Exceptional Customer Approval Rating.
December 20, 2005... BOTHELL, Wash. -- SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, said today that an independently conducted, random survey of MicroMaxx(TM) system customers showed that nearly all customers (97%) surveyed are highly...

Zacks Sell List Highlights Lear, Pier 1, Cognos, and Cyberonics.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases details on a group of stocks that are currently members of the exclusive Zacks #5 Rank List - Stocks to Sell Now. These stocks are currently rated as a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): Lear Corporation (NYSE:LEA) and...

Silver Spring Networks Successfully Deploys Smart Meter Network at Westario Power Services, Inc.
December 20, 2005... SAN MATEO, Calif. -- Silver Spring Networks, innovators of open, standards-based, utility networking technology, announced today that they have successfully deployed a smart meter network pilot project for Westario Power Services, Inc. This...

Zacks Return On Equity Strategy Highlights: Assurant, Inc., Freescale Semiconductor Inc., Lamson & Sessions Co., and The Pantry.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- One of the quickest ways to gauge whether a company is creating assets or gobbling up investor's cash is to look at their Return On Equity (ROE). The fast moving ROE Profit Track screening strategy from Zacks.com has generated...

Zacks.com Announces That John Reese Highlights the Following Stocks: D. R. Horton, Chevron Corp., and U.S. Bancorp.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- Jon Reese updates investors on recent economic news. He also profiles D. R. Horton (NYSE:DHI), Chevron Corp. (NYSE:CVX), and U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB). John Reese is the editor of the Validea Hot List newsletter. Click here for the...

Zacks.com Announces That the Following Companies Will Release Earnings This Week: Bed Bath & Beyond, FedEx, Joy Global, AAR Corp. and General Mills.
December 20, 2005... CHICAGO -- Zacks.com releases its exclusive Weekly Earnings and Sector Update written by Dirk Van Dijk, Director of Research for Zacks Equity Research. In addition, the following companies will report earnings this week: Bed Bath & Beyond...

First Consulting Group (FCG) Provides Fourth-Quarter 2005 Business Update.
December 20, 2005... LONG BEACH, Calif. -- First Consulting Group (NASDAQ:FCGI): --Implementing Cost Reductions and Process Improvements Focused on Improved Profitability in 2006 --Severance and Office Closure Related Expenses Incurred During Fourth...

Advanced Biotherapy Appoints Daniel Levitt, MD, Ph.D., Former President of Research and Development at Protein Design Labs, Inc., to Scientific Advisory Board.
December 20, 2005... WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- Advanced Biotherapy, Inc. (OTCBB:ADVB) announced today that Dr. Daniel Levitt, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs of Dynavax Technologies (Nasdaq:DVAX), has joined the Company's...

FactSet Research Systems Revenues Rise 21% for First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2006.
December 20, 2005... NORWALK, Conn. -- FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE: FDS), a major supplier of computer-based financial and economic data to the investment community, today announced results for its first quarter of fiscal 2006. For the quarter ended...

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Breaks its Record Again for Largest Auction Week in North America.
December 20, 2005... VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, (TSX:RBA)(NYSE:RBA) announces it beat last week's record for the Company's largest ever North American auction week. For the week of December 12-16, 2005, Ritchie Bros. had gross...

Survey of Individual Investors: CPAs and Certified Financial Planners Garner Highest Trust Ratings While Financial Television and Radio Show Hosts Rank Lowest.
December 20, 2005... BOCA RATON, Fla. & CALABASAS, Calif. -- AFA Financial Group, LLC: --When owners of a primary residence or rental real estate were asked how concerned they are about a real estate crash within the next six months that will have a major...

Stratagene Responds to Damages Awarded in Third Wave Case.
December 20, 2005... LA JOLLA, Calif. -- Stratagene Corporation (Nasdaq:STGN), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of specialized life science research and diagnostic products, announced today that the federal judge overseeing Third Wave Technologies Inc. vs....

Samaritan Announces Issuance of Updated Research Report by Taglich Brothers.
December 20, 2005... LAS VEGAS -- Samaritan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMEX:LIV) a developer of innovative drugs, announced today that Taglich Brothers issued its updated research report. The updated rating lists Samaritan as "neutral" and concludes, "At current prices,...