PR-inside.com Press Releases Free Services http://www.pr-inside.com/ Copyright 08 pr-inside.com pr-inside.com World News (PR-inside.com) LOS ANGELES (AP) - The former head of the University of California, Los Angeles' cadaver program and a businessman were indicted Friday on eight felony counts involving black market sales of donated human body parts in a scheme that allegedly cheated the university out of more than $1 million (¤650,000). Henry Reid, the former director of UCLA's willed body program, allegedly sold body parts to businessman Ernest Nelson, who then resold them to medical, pharmaceutical and hospital research companies. «As a result, Ernest Nelson was able to supply over 20 of his .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:13:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/former-head-of-ucla-cadaver-program-r593954.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/former-head-of-ucla-cadaver-program-r593954.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) CONCORD, North Carolina (AP) - Kyle Busch continued his dominance of NASCAR's top-tier series with a flawless qualifying effort Friday night to capture the pole for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Busch, the Sprint Cup series points leader with three wins and seven top-10 finishes in 11 races, was the last car to make a qualifying attempt. In a unique format that called for three laps on the 2.4-kilomter (1.5-mile) Lowe's Motor Speedway oval and a four-tire pit stop, Busch was the fastest in and out of pit road and finished in .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:12:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/busch-continues-hot-streak-grabs-pole-r593953.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/busch-continues-hot-streak-grabs-pole-r593953.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Candid revelations about the sexual prowess of stars like SIR MICK JAGGER, EWAN McGREGOR, JOHN MALKOVICH and DANIEL RADCLIFFE will feature in new tell-all HOLLYWOOD BABYLON: IT'S BACK. The book, which is slated for release next month (Jun08), reveals who is rumoured to be Hollywood's most well-endowed leading man and exposes a number of alleged scandals involving the world's most legendary stars. Authors Danforth Prince and Darwin Porter make outrageous claims in the expose, after tracking down those who came into contact with nude stars for their recollections. One art student who encountered Sir Sean Connery when he posed for a nude portrait .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:07:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/celebrity-book-alleges-shocking-star-r593952.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/celebrity-book-alleges-shocking-star-r593952.htm World News (PR-inside.com) YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - The official death toll from Myanmar's killer cyclone nearly doubled to 78,000 as aid workers shackled by the country's uncooperative military regime struggled to get even the most basic data about the needs of up to 2.5 million desperate survivors. Heavy rains lashed much of the area stricken two weeks ago, further hampering already-delayed relief efforts. Myanmar state television said late Friday the official death count from the May 3 cyclone was 77,738, with another 55,917 missing. The Red Cross warned that the lack of clean water may increase the .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:07:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/death-toll-doubles-in-myanmar-cyclone-r593951.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/death-toll-doubles-in-myanmar-cyclone-r593951.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) ATLANTA (AP) - A top U.S. swimming federation official said Friday he hopes a lawsuit accusing the American governing body of conspiring with Speedo will be resolved quickly so athletes can focus on the Beijing Olympics. Chuck Wielgus, executive director of USA Swimming, also disputed claims by California-based TYR Sport that the federation and its head coach, Mark Schubert, were trying to persuade American swimmers to switch to Speedo's revolutionary «LZR Racer» suit even if they have sponsorship deals with other companies. «While we cannot comment on pending litigation, it is important .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:05:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/top-official-with-us-swimming-federation-r593950.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/top-official-with-us-swimming-federation-r593950.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Rumours about a possible MICHAEL JACKSON Las Vegas spectacular have hit fever pitch after revelations the loan on the pop superstar's Neverland Ranch home has been bought by a Sin City heavyweight. Jackson prevented a foreclosure sale on his sprawling Santa Barbara ranch earlier this month (May08) when New York-based private equity group Colony Capital agreed to take over his debt on the property. But Michael Politz, the editor of website TheVegasEye.com, suggests there may be more to the deal than meets the eye, after revealing Colony Capital's founder, Tom Barrack Jr., also owns the Las Vegas Hilton. Vegas insider Politz says, 'Connect .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:04:58 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/jackson-loan-deal-sparks-vegas-show-r593949.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/jackson-loan-deal-sparks-vegas-show-r593949.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE has offered to pen and perform a one-off song for ELLEN DEGENERES and PORTIA DE ROSSI's wedding ceremony. The comedienne-turned-chat show host went public with plans to wed her longtime partner during a taping of her daily show, which aired on Friday (16May08). The big announcement came a day after California's same-sex marriage ban was overturned by Supreme Court judges, who declared the original ruling was unconstitutional. And Timberlake was among the first to congratulate the couple when he appeared on the show minutes later. Laughing off the suggestion that he should marry his girlfriend, Jessica Biel - and make the event .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:04:57 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/timberlake-to-pen-amp-perform-ellen-s-r593948.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/timberlake-to-pen-amp-perform-ellen-s-r593948.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Comedian RUSSELL BRAND is laughing about a recent U.S. immigration mix up that forced him to scrap a string of TV interviews and head home to Britain - but he felt like 'a common criminal' at the time. The funnyman made his return to America for an appearance on Thursday night's (15May08) Late Night with David Letterman and explained why he had to pull out of the show last month (Apr08). Brand was booked to promote his new movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but Letterman had to make last-minute plans when the actor was forced to board a plane back to the U.K. He .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:04:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/immigration-mix-up-left-brand-feeling-r593947.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/immigration-mix-up-left-brand-feeling-r593947.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - Soon after taking office, the next president will get advice about how to prevent a nuclear attack on the United States, researched and written by top experts on weapons of mass destruction. Over the next six months, a congressionally mandated commission will look at the federal government's collection of WMD programs to counter nuclear, biological and chemical arms that can kill great numbers of people at once. The panel is to recommend how to coordinate them. The commission was created by a 2007 law in response to the .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:03:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/new-commission-to-study-wmds-expected-r593946.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/new-commission-to-study-wmds-expected-r593946.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) INDIANA JONES director STEVEN SPIELBERG is keen to trade places with HARRISON FORD - because he has always fantasised about becoming an action hero. Spielberg, 61, has directed four instalments of the smash-hit film series returning to the set of the Ford action film for its latest instalment Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, 19 years after 1989's The Last Crusade. He says, 'I would like to, one time, feel what it's like to be Harrison (Ford) and run as hard as he does, fight as hard as he does.' The legendary moviemaker also admits he's impressed by 65-year-old .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:01:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/spielberg-s-dreams-of-becoming-indiana-jones-r593945.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/spielberg-s-dreams-of-becoming-indiana-jones-r593945.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) LOST star JOSH HOLLOWAY is so desperate to get off the show's TV island he's treated himself to a top-of-the-range fishing boat. The all-action actor and outdoorsman has splashed out on a 235 Conquest Boston whaler and uses it to impress the hardy crewmembers of Lost with his fishing skills off the coast of Hawaii, where the desert island series is filmed. He explains, 'Just a couple of weeks ago we went out and got 18 fish 32 miles out... which is not yachting... It's kinda like aggressive dirt biking. 'It's (me and) guys on the crew... and one of them is an .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:01:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/captain-holloway-buys-fishing-boat-r593944.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/captain-holloway-buys-fishing-boat-r593944.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) SILENCE OF THE LAMBS star BROOKE SMITH has adopted a baby girl from Ethiopia. The actress, who is Robert Redford's goddaughter, fell in love with the idea of adopting an African child on one of her many trips to the continent. It is the second daughter for Smith and her cinematographer husband Stephen Lubensky. They also have a five-year-old girl, called Fanny. .. Sat, 17 May 2008 03:01:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/actress-brooke-smith-adopts-r593943.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/actress-brooke-smith-adopts-r593943.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) SEX AND THE CITY star KRISTIN DAVIS can't even sip wine because she's an alcoholic. The actress, 43, admits she used love to drink wine but can no longer trust herself to stick to just one glass - so she prefers not to indulge at all. Davis tells U.S. tabloid the Globe she has been sober for 18 years and reveals therapy sessions helped her beat boozing. She says, 'I am an alcoholic. I know people who have abused alcohol and now they can have one (drink) and they're fine and I respect that. 'I'd love to have a glass of wine, but what .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:58:56 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/kristin-davis-i-m-an-alcoholic-r593942.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/kristin-davis-i-m-an-alcoholic-r593942.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) GEORGE LUCAS has hatched plans to revive action hero INDIANA JONES for a fifth instalment of the movie series. Last year (07), Lucas joined forces with director Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford on a long-awaited fourth film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and he admits that the filmmakers have left the door open for another sequel. He says, 'I haven't even told Steven or Harrison (Ford) this. But I have an idea to make Shia (LeBeouf) the lead character next time and have Harrison come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:58:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/lucas-plans-for-fifth-indiana-jones-r593941.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/lucas-plans-for-fifth-indiana-jones-r593941.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) RUSH founder JOHN RUTSEY has succumbed to a lengthy diabetes-related illness and died at his home. He was 55. The Canadian rocker who played drums for Rush from 1968 to the mid-1970s, quit the band due to illness. He was replaced by the band's current drummer Neil Peart. Rutsey's family has confirmed he died on Sunday (11May08). .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:58:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/rush-drummer-rutsey-dead-at-r593940.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/rush-drummer-rutsey-dead-at-r593940.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Soprano ADRIANNE PIECZONKA will wear the $85,000 (GBP42,500) crystal tiara, necklace and earrings set created for opera legend MARIA CALLAS when she debuts in the revival of TOSCA in Los Angeles on Saturday night (17May08). Callas wore the jewellery when she played Tosca in Giacomo Puccini's opera in the 1950s. The items, made of almost 200 Swarovski crystals by the Atelier Marangoni in Milan, Italy, have stunned Pieczonka and her castmates. She tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, 'People were taken aback by how bright they (crystals) were during rehearsals... I hope it won't be a distraction to for the audience.' .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:55:58 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/soprano-tries-on-callas-tosca-jewels-r593939.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/soprano-tries-on-callas-tosca-jewels-r593939.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Rapper LUDACRIS and rocker TOMMY LEE are hoping to set a new world record for the biggest group shower as part of a new environmental awareness TV series. The odd couple is getting serious about all things green on upcoming U.S. show Battleground Earth - but they're taking time out to have a little fun in Las Vegas. Ludacris and Lee are inviting fans to join them at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino pool on 19 May (08) for a bid on the clean record. But the two hellraisers are keen to keep the shower a family affair - and they've asked that .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:55:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/ludacris-amp-tommy-lee-plan-shower-r593938.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/ludacris-amp-tommy-lee-plan-shower-r593938.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) LATEST: Music mogul ROBERT `MUTT' LANGE has spoken out about his split from country star SHANIA TWAIN, revealing the couple was 'growing apart'. Lange has filed for divorce from the singer after 15 years of marriage, and in a brief statement, the music producer admits the separation is 'unfortunate.' He tells People magazine, 'It's just an unfortunate thing that's happened... It's literally just a growing apart, that's all.' Reports suggest the split was as much of a shock to Twain as it was for her fans. A source says, 'She's devastated. She's getting through it with a very close-knit group of family and .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:55:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/lange-twain-split-is-unfortunate-r593937.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/lange-twain-split-is-unfortunate-r593937.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) LATEST: A former rape victim and an immigrant from communist Romania will be among those deciding whether or not RandB star R. KELLY is guilty of child pornography charges against him. The odd couple is part of the 12-person jury which was selected to oversee his upcoming trial on Thursday (15May08). The rape victim, who was one of the last jury members selected, convinced Judge Vincent Gaughan she would be able to put her own sexual experience behind her and offer fair judgment in the Kelly trial. Defense attorneys asked to have her dismissed, based on the rape, but Gaughan rejected the request, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:53:13 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/kelly-trial-jury-selection-completed-with-r593936.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/kelly-trial-jury-selection-completed-with-r593936.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) PETE WENTZ fuelled reports he will wed fiancee ASHLEE SIMPSON in a ceremony this weekend (begs17May08) when he stepped out for a wild night with her father and a band of male pals in Los Angeles on Thursday night (15May08). The couple is rumoured to be exchanging vows in Encino, California on Saturday (17May08). The Fall Out Boy bassist was joined at Los Angeles restaurant Mr. Chow by his bandmates, and Simpson's father Joe, Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden and an army of friends. Wentz was spotted sneaking out the back door as his friends all left by the entrance. Ashlee's older sister Jessica .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:53:08 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/wentz-throws-pre-wedding-party-r593935.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/wentz-throws-pre-wedding-party-r593935.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Rapper T.I. has become a dad again after his girlfriend TAMEKA 'TINY' COTTLE gave birth to a little boy on Friday (16May08). T.I. - real name Clifford Harris - chose the name Major for his newborn son, who is the second child for the couple. Harris and 32-year-old Cottle, an American singer/songwriter and former member of RandB group Xscape, are already parents to three-year-old King. This is the fifth child for the 27-year-old rapper. .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:52:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/t-i-welcomes-new-son-r593934.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/t-i-welcomes-new-son-r593934.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) - When Texas child welfare authorities released statistics showing nearly 60 percent of the teen girls taken from a polygamist sect's ranch were pregnant or had children, they seemed to prove what was alleged all along: The sect commonly pushed girls into marriage and sex. But in the past week, the state has twice been forced to admit «girls» who gave birth while in state custody are actually adults. One was 22 and claims she showed state officials a Utah birth certificate shortly after she and more .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:49:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/how-many-girls-from-texas-sect-r593933.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/how-many-girls-from-texas-sect-r593933.htm World News (PR-inside.com) BERKELEY, California (AP) - Robert Mondavi, the vintner who built his career and helped an iconic Northern California industry blossom by insisting that Napa Valley wines can compete with the best in the world, died in the valley Friday. He was 94. Mondavi died peacefully at his home in Yountville, Robert Mondavi Winery spokeswoman Mia Malm said. «It is hard to imagine anyone having more of a lasting impact on California's $20 billion-a-year wine industry than Robert Mondavi,» Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement. Mondavi, said the governor, was «a tireless .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:45:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/robert-mondavi-the-patriarch-of-california-r593932.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/robert-mondavi-the-patriarch-of-california-r593932.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - For all the money and competitive zeal of this year's presidential contest, Democrats and Republicans are having difficulty financing and organizing the independent groups that supplied so much outside muscle in recent presidential campaigns. A few independent groups already are active: Ads portraying Obama as weak on terrorism are circulating over the Internet. And messages from organized groups questioning McCain's commitment to veterans and government reform are posted on their Web sites. But, hindered by tougher regulatory enforcement, a drawn-out primary campaign and cease-and-desist signals from the two .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:42:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/outside-groups-plot-out-fall-political-r593931.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/outside-groups-plot-out-fall-political-r593931.htm World News (PR-inside.com) BEICHUAN, China (AP) - Rescuers pulled survivors from the rubble after they had been buried for four days as a strong aftershock triggered landslides near the epicenter of this week's powerful earthquake. The first foreign rescue workers were allowed on the scene Friday following Monday's magnitude 7.9 quake. Helicopters dropped leaflets urging people to «unite together» and providing survival tips. Officials have said the quake's final toll could reach 50,000. A day past what experts call the critical three-day window for finding survivors, rescuers pulled to safety a nurse who had been .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:41:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/survivors-pulled-from-rubble-4-days-r593930.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/survivors-pulled-from-rubble-4-days-r593930.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) DULUTH, Georgia (AP) - Scores from Friday's second round in the $5.5 million (¤3.55 million) ATandT Classic being played on the 7,311-yard, par-72 TPC Sugarloaf course: Jonathan Byrd 66-66_132 Kenny Perry 66-69_135 Ryan Palmer 66-69_135 Charles Howell III 67-69_136 David Toms .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:40:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/at-t-classic-scores-r593929.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/at-t-classic-scores-r593929.htm World News (PR-inside.com) LIMA, Peru (AP) - A panel of human rights activists «ethically and morally» condemned 24 European corporations Friday at a symbolic trial parallel to a biennial Latin America-European Union summit in Peru. The panel, known as the Permanent People's Tribunal, accused the corporations of abuses including environmental contamination, labor exploitation and the careless sale of dangerous agrochemicals while operating in Latin America. The 24 companies include Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Spanish oil company Repsol YPF and Germany's Bayer AG. Only one company attended the hearings _ Norway's Camposol SA, which was accused of labor .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:39:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/rights-groups-condemn-24-corporations-in-r593928.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/rights-groups-condemn-24-corporations-in-r593928.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) DULUTH, Georgia (AP) - Jonathan Byrd took advantage of soft fairways and receptive greens at TPC Sugarloaf on Friday, shooting his second straight 6-under 66 to take a three-stroke lead in the ATandT Classic. Byrd, seeking his fourth victory on the U.S. golf tour, shared the lead with Kenny Perry, Ryan Palmer and two others when the second round began. The course was drenched with more than 2.5 centimeters (an inch) of rain Thursday and, though no precipitation fell in the second round, overcast conditions kept the sun from drying off the fairways .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:38:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/byrd-shoots-second-straight-66-to-r593927.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/byrd-shoots-second-straight-66-to-r593927.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrat Barack Obama lumped Republican John McCain in with the unpopular Bush administration on Friday for advancing a «naive and irresponsible» foreign policy, attempting to turn the tables in a presidential election battle in which his own national security credentials have been challenged. Obama took on McCain a day after accusing President George W. Bush of calling him an appeaser during a trip to Israel by criticizing those who believe in negotiating with «terrorists and radicals.» The White House denied the comments were meant for Obama, but McCain .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:37:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/political-storm-over-bush-comments-spills-r593926.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/political-storm-over-bush-comments-spills-r593926.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) LEXINGTON, Kentucky (AP) - Eight Belles's doping test was negative, horse racing officials said Friday, showing no traces of steroids in the filly who was euthanized moments after finishing second in the Kentucky Derby. Eight Belles and the other 19 horses in the May 3 Kentucky Derby were also tested for improper medication levels, as was the entire field in the Kentucky Oaks, won by Eight Belles' stablemate Proud Spell. All of the medication tests came back negative, the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority said. Eight Belles broke her ankles in both of her .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:34:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/doping-test-for-filly-eight-belles-r593925.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/doping-test-for-filly-eight-belles-r593925.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A military judge wants to hear from the Supreme Court before starting the first war crimes tribunal at the Guantanamo Bay prison. The judge hearing the case against Osama bin Laden's former driver ruled Friday that the trial should be postponed six weeks, to July 14. Navy Capt. Keith Allred said he wants to wait until the Supreme Court rules on whether Guantanamo detainees have a right to challenge their detention in U.S. civil courts. Allred says the Supreme Court decision is expected by June 30 and could affect .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:33:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/us-delays-guantanamo-war-crimes-trial-r593924.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/us-delays-guantanamo-war-crimes-trial-r593924.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - In President George W. Bush's insinuation that Barack Obama wants to appease terrorists, Democrats heard troubling echoes of 2004, when Republicans portrayed candidate John Kerry as irresolute and weak on national security. Determined to end the similarities there, Obama and his allies counterattacked Friday with a multipronged response that was as fast and fierce as Kerry's response to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads was slow and uncertain. Early in the 2004 presidential campaign, Kerry had made his Vietnam War experience, during which he was awarded medals .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:25:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/analysis-learning-from-swiftboat-obama-r593923.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/analysis-learning-from-swiftboat-obama-r593923.htm World News (PR-inside.com) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Though Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz are keeping a tight lid on their nuptuals, it's looking like a wedding is imminent. Aerial photos posted Friday at several celebrity Web sites, credited to the Insight News and Features paparazzi photo agency, purport to show the Simpson family home near Los Angeles dotted with large white party tents. People.com reported that Wentz and Simpson's father, Joe Simpson, had dinner Thursday night at celebrity eatery Mr. Chow before celebrating the Fall Out Boy bassist's bachelor party. The Web site posted photos, also .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:22:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/reports-photos-indicate-that-ashlee-simpson-r593922.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/reports-photos-indicate-that-ashlee-simpson-r593922.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) CHICAGO (AP) - Alfonso Soriano homered in his first two at-bats, Geovany Soto and Mark DeRosa also homer and the surging Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-4 Friday for their seventh win in eight games. Soriano connected on the first pitch from Tom Gorzelanny for his third leadoff home run in four games. Soriano launched a three-run shot in the second inning that made it 6-0, giving him five homers this week and eight this season. Chicago won its 10th straight overall against the Pirates, including 7-0 this year. Soto capped a three-run .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:20:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/soriano-homers-twice-soto-and-derosa-r593921.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/soriano-homers-twice-soto-and-derosa-r593921.htm World News (PR-inside.com) CHEYENNE, Wyoming (AP) - The shortage of workers at Ted Blair's three hotels near Yellowstone National Park is so severe that Blair himself might soon be busing tables and stripping beds. Less than a month before the start of the summer travel season, Blair and other hotel owners are scrambling to find low-wage employees because Congress dramatically reduced the number of guest-worker visas during last year's immigration debate. «We will keep running,» Blair said. «We have to _ even if the management has to make beds. The labor shortage is so severe that some .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:15:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/visa-rules-create-labor-shortage-for-r593920.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/visa-rules-create-labor-shortage-for-r593920.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) HOOVER, Alabama (AP) - Andy Bean and Monday qualifier Mike Goodes shot 7-under 65s on Friday to share the first-round lead in the U.S. senior golf tour's Regions Charity Classic. Leading money winner Bernhard Langer was two strokes back on the 7,503-yard Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge course. A two-time winner this year on the 50-and-over tour, Langer tied for 15th Sunday in The Players Championship on the regular U.S. men's Tour. Without an exemption, Goodes had to qualify for the tournament on Monday in North Carolina and matched his .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:14:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/bean-goodes-unlikely-leaders-after-first-r593919.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/bean-goodes-unlikely-leaders-after-first-r593919.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) ATHLETICS DOPING PENALTY: Former world record holder Montgomery sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison WHITE PLAINS, New York _ Former 100-meter world record holder Tim Montgomery is sentenced to 46 months in prison Friday for his part in a multimillion-dollar fake-check scheme. BC-NA-SPT-ATH--MONTGOMERY-FRAUD. Has moved. By Jim Fitzgerald. DOPING BAN: Chambers hands over BALCO letter, will challenge Olympic ban LONDON _ British sprinter Dwain Chambers will challenge his lifetime Olympic doping ban in a bid to compete in this summer's Beijing Games. BC-EU-SPT-ATH--DOPING-CHAMBERS. Has moved. BEIJING: Double-amputee runner Pistorius wins appeal to compete for .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:09:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/world-sports-at-0000-gmt-r593918.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/world-sports-at-0000-gmt-r593918.htm World News (PR-inside.com) In the May 14 AP editorial roundup, an editorial about Barack Obama's presidential campaign and race was erroneously attributed to The Independent, Massillon, Ohio. The editorial was a reprint from The Register-Mail in Galesburg, Illinois. The excerpt said As Barack Obama gets closer to becoming the first black candidate to receive a major party nomination for president, America's racial lines grow more pronounced. Obama's effort to keep his race from being a campaign issue has failed. From Bill Clinton's dismissal of Obama as another Jesse Jackson (a black candidate who can win states .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:05:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/correction-editorial-roundup-r593917.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/correction-editorial-roundup-r593917.htm World News (PR-inside.com) Today is Saturday, May 24, the 145th day of 2008. There are 221 days left in the year. Highlights in history on this date 1612 - Denmark takes the Swedish port of Elfsborg in the Kalmar War, and keeps it for five years while waiting for tribute from Sweden. 1822 - South American rebels commanded by Antonio Jose de Sucre defeat Spanish royalists on the slopes of volcano Cerro Pichincha in Ecuador. The rebels occupy nearby Quito the following day. 1830 - The first passenger railroad in the United States begins service between Baltimore and Elliott's Mills, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:04:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/saturday-may-r593916.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/saturday-may-r593916.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) QUEBEC CITY (AP) - Rick Nash broke a 3-3 tie midway through the second period and Mike Green added another goal with seven seconds remaining, leading Canada to a 5-4 victory over Finland on Friday and into the ice hockey World Championship final. The victory was Canada's 17th straight at the World Championship and sent it to a Sunday match against Russia, one victory away from a second consecutive title. Dany Heatley, Ryan Getzlaf and Jamal Mayers gave Canada a 3-2 lead 8:31 into the second before Anton Stralman's second goal tied it .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:03:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/canada-beats-sweden-5-4-to-advance-r593915.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/canada-beats-sweden-5-4-to-advance-r593915.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.salix.com - Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (NASDAQ:SLXP) today announced that the Company has received an approvable letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for balsalazide tablet studied as a treatment of mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis in patients 18 years and older. 'Late this afternoon Salix received a communication from the FDA that the Balsalazide Tablet NDA is approvable,' stated Bill Forbes, Pharm.D., Vice President, Research and Development, and Chief Development Officer. 'Salix will work diligently with the FDA over the next several days to compile a complete response to this approvable letter, which Salix believes will consist of .. Sat, 17 May 2008 02:02:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/salix-pharmaceuticals-receives-approvable-letter-r593914.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/salix-pharmaceuticals-receives-approvable-letter-r593914.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://investor.ea.com - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that Kathy Vrabeck, President of EA Casual Entertainment, will participate in the Video Game Panel at the Wedbush Morgan 6th Annual MAC: Management Access Conference on May 22, 2008 in New York, NY. During the course of this event, Electronic Arts may disclose material developments affecting its business and/or financial performance. An audio webcast will be available on Electronic Arts' website at http://investor.ea.com through May 29, 2008. -0- Thursday, May 22, 2008 Panel Discussion at 9:15 am PT / 12:15 pm ET http://investor.ea.com Please note the presentation time is subject to .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:55:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/ea-s-president-of-casual-entertainment-to-r593913.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/ea-s-president-of-casual-entertainment-to-r593913.htm World News (PR-inside.com) BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) - A delegation of Burundian rebels arrived in the country's capital Friday for talks on how to implement a stalled peace agreement after renewed fighting last month. National Liberation Force spokesman Pasteur Habimana and government representative Hassa Mossi blamed each other for fighting in April that killed at least 17 people. At one point, the capital of Bujumbura came under attack from rebel mortars, and rebel fighters reached the city's outskirts. «We are not ready to have a cease-fire but we need to sit down and talk,» said Habimana. .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:50:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/burundian-rebels-arrive-in-capital-for-r593912.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/burundian-rebels-arrive-in-capital-for-r593912.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.itrweb.com - Information Technology Resources, Inc. (ITresources) announced its merger with Partners Consulting Services, Inc., a privately-held national IT organization specializing in IT staffing, ERP Implementations and Identity Management Solutions. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Partners Consulting has been in business for over 25 years. Partners Consulting Services merged last year with CPSG, an Oracle Certified Partner. The combined organizations now have over 500 consultants with operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles/Orange County Metro, Pittsburg, San Diego and San Francisco. 'I'm excited about the synergy that this merger creates - a nationwide presence, a strong .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:50:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/itresources-merges-with-partners-consulting-r593911.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/itresources-merges-with-partners-consulting-r593911.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) NEW YORK (AP) - As President George W. Bush wrapped up a meeting with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Friday, the country's oil minister announced the desert kingdom had opened its taps and was pumping an additional 300,000 barrels of crude a day. Back in Washington, the Bush administration bowed to congressional pressure and agreed to temporarily stop filling a key government oil stockpile, potentially increasing supply even further. One day, two moves designed to allay concerns about an overheated oil market that's squeezing drivers and inflating the prices of all sorts .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:44:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/oil-prices-spike-to-record-near-r593910.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/oil-prices-spike-to-record-near-r593910.htm World News (PR-inside.com) FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique (AP) - A jury in Martinique has found a man guilty of murder after he set his ex-girlfriend on fire in front of town hall three years ago. The public violent act occurred early in the evening and shocked residents and police in the normally quiet capital of Fort-de-France. Patrick Mariello was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors were seeking at least 30 years. Authorities testified that Mariello showed up at a police station on June 13, 2005, to say he had set his ex-girlfriend's car on fire. The charred body .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:42:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/martinique-jury-finds-man-guilty-of-r593909.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/martinique-jury-finds-man-guilty-of-r593909.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.frost.com - Frost and Sullivan hosted its prestigious European Best Practices Awards Banquet last night, 15 May, 2008 in London, sponsored by Bosch Rexroth. Top performers from diverse fields ranging from automation, electronics, energy and power systems to aerospace, defence and environmental and building technologies were honoured at the event. This much anticipated and highly competitive Awards Banquet recognised companies for innovative developments, outstanding performances and business achievements - in essence, for establishing best practice standards that competitors are striving to emulate. Among Europe's industry leaders who were commended at the Banquet are SEW-EURODRIVE, ELUTIONS, DSM Engineering Plastics .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:38:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/frost-amp-sullivan-recognised-european-r593908.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/frost-amp-sullivan-recognised-european-r593908.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) QUEBEC CITY (AP) - Defending champion Canada advanced to the title game at the ice hockey World Championship with a 5-4 semifinal win over Sweden on Friday. Canada will face Russia, which advanced to the final with a 4-0 shutout of Finland. It's the first time the two ice hockey powers have met for the gold medal at this tournament. The Canadians broke a 3-3 tie in the second period on a goal from Rick Nash. Mike Green gave Canada some needed breathing room with a power-play goal with seven seconds left in the period and .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:36:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/canada-beats-sweden-5-4-to-advance-r593907.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/canada-beats-sweden-5-4-to-advance-r593907.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) PERTH, Australia (AP) - Western Force conceded four tries and a 22-point deficit before rallying to beat the ACT Brumbies 29-22 in Friday's Australian Super 14 derby. Flyhalf Matt Giteau inspired the comeback, scoring a solo try, having a hand in two others and kicking three conversions and a penalty to guide Force to its first win over an Australian team this season. Both teams went into the last-round encounter with 6-6 records and on 28 competition points, out of contention for the semifinals. With the result, Force will finish eighth and the Brumbies .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:35:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/force-score-29-unanswered-points-in-r593906.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/force-score-29-unanswered-points-in-r593906.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Exit polls show President Leonel Fernandez could win a third term on Friday and capture enough votes to avoid a run-off. Fernandez obtained 56 percent of votes based on interviews with almost 19,000 voters at 100 stations across the country, said Andrew Claster, vice president of Washington-based Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates. Construction magnate Miguel Vargas captured 39 percent of votes and populist candidate Amable Aristy got 4 percent, he said. The poll has a margin of error of less than plus or minus 1 percentage point, and .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:34:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/exit-polls-show-dominican-republic-president-r593905.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/exit-polls-show-dominican-republic-president-r593905.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) x-clinched second-round berth. Note: Three points for a win (W); two for an overtime/shootout win (OW); one for an overtime/shootout loss (OL) Friday, May 2 At Quebec City Czech Republic 5, Denmark 2 Russia 7, Italy 1 At Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada 5, Slovenia 1 United States 4, Latvia 0 Saturday, May 3 At Quebec City Sweden 6, Belarus 5 Switzerland 4, France 1 At Halifax, Nova Scotia Finland 5, Germany 1 Slovakia 5, Norway 1 Sunday, May 4 At Quebec, City Russia 5, Czech Republic 4, OT Italy 6, Denmark 2 At Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada 7, Latvia 0 United States 5, Slovenia 1 Monday, May 5 At Quebec City Switzerland 2, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:33:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/ice-hockey-world-championship-r593904.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/ice-hockey-world-championship-r593904.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - City of West Hollywood Fran Solomon, Deputy to Councilmember John Heilman 323-848-6460 or Corri Plank, Deputy to Mayor Pro Tempore Abbe Land 323-848-6460 or Tamara White, Public Information Officer 323-848-6431 City of West Hollywood: -0- WHAT: In response to the California Supreme Court's ruling to legalize same-sex marriage, the West Hollywood City Council will consider directing the City Manager to work with Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky's office to gain authorization for the City of West Hollywood to be a designated location for the issuance of marriage licenses. The item is co-sponsored by Mayor Pro Tempore Abbe Land .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:28:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/west-hollywood-city-council-to-consider-r593903.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/west-hollywood-city-council-to-consider-r593903.htm World News (PR-inside.com) NEW YORK (AP) - As Israel marked the 60th anniversary of its independence Friday, Americans of Palestinian descent rallied near the United Nations to mark six decades of displacement from the sliver of land uneasily shared by Jews and Arabs. «Our country died 60 years ago,» said Salah Zalatimo, 28, who blames the current Israeli-Palestinian faceoff on «minority extremists on both sides. During the 1948-49 war over the creation of the Jewish state, hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs fled or were driven from their homes _ estimates range from 650,000 to .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:21:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/at-un-palestinian-americans-mark-r593902.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/at-un-palestinian-americans-mark-r593902.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain's campaign is asking staff members to disclose all previous lobbying ties following the resignation of two officials linked to a firm that worked for Myanmar's military junta. A memo from McCain's campaign manager, Rick Davis, also instructs staff to make certain they are no longer registered as lobbyists or foreign agents. It was issued following the resignations of Doug Goodyear, who was to run the Republican National Convention, and Doug Davenport, a regional campaign director for the mid-Atlantic states. Both worked for DCI Group, a consulting firm .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:19:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/mccain-asks-staff-to-disclose-lobbying-r593901.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/mccain-asks-staff-to-disclose-lobbying-r593901.htm World News (PR-inside.com) CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - A Venezuelan opposition leader is demanding that President Hugo Chavez explain accusations of close ties between his government and Colombian rebels. Opposition leader Manuel Rosales says the Venezuelan leader has not adequately responded after the international police agency Interpol endorsed the authenticity of computer files that Colombia says it seized from a rebel camp. The documents indicate Chavez's government sought to finance and arm the leftist rebels. And Interpol says its forensic tests found Colombia did not tamper with the documents. Chavez calls it a «big lie» and insists .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:17:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/venezuelan-opposition-leader-demands-that-r593900.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/venezuelan-opposition-leader-demands-that-r593900.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Federal law gives MySpace.com immunity from a lawsuit over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl by a man she met on the social networking Web site, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit that a Texas girl's family filed against MySpace and its parent company, News Corp. The family said MySpace did not protect young users from sexual predators. The appeals court ruled that the Communications Decency Act of 1996 bars such lawsuits against Web-based services .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:16:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/court-federal-law-grants-immunity-to-r593899.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/court-federal-law-grants-immunity-to-r593899.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) QUEBEC CITY (AP) - Sergei Fedorov scored midway through the first period and Russia beat Finland 4-0 on Friday to advance to the final of the ice hockey World Championship. Danis Zaripov, Alexei Morozov and Maxim Sushinsky also scored for Russia, which avenged a 2-1 semifinal loss to the Finns at last year's World Championship in Moscow. Evgeny Nabokov made 23 saves for the shutout. In the final on Sunday, Russia will meet the winner of a semifinal later Friday between Canada and Sweden. It is the Russians' first trip to the final since 2002, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:15:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/russia-advances-to-world-ice-hockey-r593898.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/russia-advances-to-world-ice-hockey-r593898.htm World News (PR-inside.com) LONDON (AP) - The British military acknowledged Friday that one of its Super Hercules transport planes was destroyed after being hit by insurgent bombs _ more than a year after it said there was no immediate indication of hostile action. The captain of the C130J aircraft was blinded by the explosive flash as he attempted to land at an airstrip in southeastern Iraqi province of Maysan on Feb. 12, 2007, according to a report into the incident published on the Ministry of Defense's Web site. Hit by two sets of bombs, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:10:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/uk-military-transport-aircraft-destroyed-r593897.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/uk-military-transport-aircraft-destroyed-r593897.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - Exit polls show that Dominican President Leonel Fernandez could secure a first-round electoral victory. A Washington-based pollster says Fernandez has obtained 56 percent of votes based on interviews with almost 19,000 voters across the country. The polling firm of Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates says the main challenger has obtained 39 percent of votes. Dominican officials have not issued any results and are still counting ballots from the polls, which closed at 6 p.m. (2200 GMT) Friday. Voters were interviewed at 100 stations across the country. The .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:09:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/exit-polls-show-dominican-president-has-r593896.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/exit-polls-show-dominican-president-has-r593896.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) HOOVER, Alabama (AP) - Scores from Friday's first round of the $1.7 million (¤1.1 million) Regions Charity Classic, a U.S. PGA Champions Tour event being played on the 7,503-yard, par-72 (36-36) Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Ross Bridge course: Andy Bean 33-32_65 Mike Goodes 31-34_65 Bernhard Langer 33-34_67 Bob Charles .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:08:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/regions-charity-classic-scores-r593895.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/regions-charity-classic-scores-r593895.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.uesaz.com - Santa Cruz County residents are expected to pay about 14.5 percent more for electric service from UniSource Energy Services (UES) beginning June 1 due to higher energy prices and other expenses. An increase in the cost of buying power for customers, which UES passes along without any markup, is expected to boost average residential bills in Santa Cruz County by 13 percent, or about $11 per month. That increase will be partly offset by a reduction of 1 percent, or $0.82 per month, in UES' distribution rates in Santa Cruz County. Beginning June 1, UES also .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:04:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/higher-power-costs-new-fees-for-r593894.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/higher-power-costs-new-fees-for-r593894.htm World News (PR-inside.com) LIMA, Peru (AP) - European and Latin American leaders sought to unite against poverty, global warming and high food prices on Friday, but their summit was clouded by a feud between Colombia and Venezuela. The gathering came just a day after Interpol vouched for the authenticity of documents implicating Venezuela's Hugo Chavez in supporting Colombian rebels, which prompted Chavez to issue impassioned denials. Peruvian President Alan Garcia opened the summit with an appeal for the nearly 60 leaders or top officials to set aside petty issues and focus on setting clear strategies in .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:03:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/latin-america-europe-summit-shadowed-by-r593893.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/latin-america-europe-summit-shadowed-by-r593893.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.uesaz.com - Mohave County residents are expected to pay about 19.5 percent more for electric service from UniSource Energy Services (UES) beginning June 1 due to higher energy costs and other expenses. An increase in the cost of buying power for customers, which UES passes along without any markup, is expected to boost average residential rates in Mohave County by nearly 14 percent, or about $11 per month. An increase in UES' distribution rates will add another 3 percent, or $2.70 per month, to those bills. Beginning June 1, UES also will begin collecting new fees to support .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:03:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/higher-electric-rates-new-fees-for-r593892.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/higher-electric-rates-new-fees-for-r593892.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.winn-dixie.com/ - Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., Jacksonville Robin Lake Miller, 904-370-7715 904-327-1445 (cell) robinmiller@winn-dixie.com or St. John and Partners Patrick McSweeney, 904-596-2085 904-923-4871 (cell) patrickm@sjp.com Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ:WINN) announced today its shoppers will now be able to present their Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) cards at any checkout when purchasing over-the-counter health and wellness items. Upgraded software will allow the checkout system to identify qualifying products, charge them to the HSA or FSA account, and then automatically subtract that amount from the total owed for all other purchases. Formerly, customers using HSA/FSA cards to purchase these items .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:02:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/winn-dixie-makes-it-easier-for-customers-r593891.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/winn-dixie-makes-it-easier-for-customers-r593891.htm Sport (PR-inside.com) WHITE PLAINS, New York (AP) - Former 100-meter record holder Tim Montgomery's once-celebrated life continued its long downward spiral Friday when a judge sentenced the former Olympic champion to nearly four years in prison for dealing in fraudulent checks. The judge also warned Montgomery, 33, that the evidence against him «does not appear to be flimsy» in an ongoing case in the state of Virginia, where he is accused of selling heroin. A conviction there would carry a minimum mandatory five-year sentence. Montgomery, wearing a white T-shirt and baggy pants, lamented the .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:02:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/former-sprint-record-holder-montgomery-sentenced-r593890.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/former-sprint-record-holder-montgomery-sentenced-r593890.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - SMSC (Nasdaq: SMSC) today announced that, as inducement to entering into employment with the Company, an aggregate of 59,565 stock option and restricted stock grants were granted and valued based on the closing price per share of SMSC common stock on May 15, 2008 to 24 individuals with the titles ranging from customer service representative to divisional vice president. This notice of the aforementioned employment inducement stock option and restricted stock grants was made in accordance with Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350. About SMSC: Many of the world's most successful global technology companies rely upon SMSC as a .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:01:57 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/smsc-announces-stock-option-and-restricted-r593889.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/smsc-announces-stock-option-and-restricted-r593889.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - Robert Mondavi, the pioneering vintner who helped put California wine country on the map, died at his Napa Valley home Friday. He was 94. Mondavi died peacefully at his home in Yountville, California, Robert Mondavi Winery spokeswoman Mia Malm said. He was 52 and a winemaking veteran in 1966, when he opened the winery that would help turn the Napa Valley into a world center of the industry. Clashes with a brother that included a fistfight led him to break from the family business to carry out his ambitious .. Sat, 17 May 2008 01:01:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/robert-mondavi-the-patriarch-of-california-r593888.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/robert-mondavi-the-patriarch-of-california-r593888.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - Fitch assigns an underlying 'A' rating to Sacramento Municipal Utility District's (SMUD or the district) approximately $510 million, 2008 series U electric revenue refunding bonds (senior lien). Fitch also affirms SMUD's $1.5 billion parity electric revenue bonds and $431.4 million subordinated electric revenue bonds at 'A'. The Rating Outlook is revised from Positive to Stable. The Rating Outlook revision reflects anticipated tightening of financial protection metrics over the next four years due to higher projected capital expenditures, increased future debt financing requirements, and likely slower electricity sales growth. The fixed rate 2008 bonds are scheduled to price May 29, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:59:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/fitch-rates-smud-s-510mm-series-u-r593887.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/fitch-rates-smud-s-510mm-series-u-r593887.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.czn.net - Citizens Communications Company (NYSE:CZN) is scheduled to participate in the upcoming Lehman Brothers Worldwide Wireless and Wireline Conference in New York, New York. Citizens is scheduled to present Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 1:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The scheduled presenters are Maggie Wilderotter, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Donald R. Shassian, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Lehman Brothers will be providing an audio-webcast of the Citizens Communications Company presentation which will be available for the live event as well for replay, at the following URL: http://cc.talkpoint.com/LEHM002/052808a_jw/default.asp? entity=Citizens (Due to its length, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:57:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/citizens-communications-company-to-r593886.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/citizens-communications-company-to-r593886.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) PHOENIX (AP) - If US Airways and United Airlines decide to combine, they'll bring along a number of reluctant employee groups that would rather remain separate. US Airways pilots on Friday joined a chorus of criticism about a possible tie-up. The US Airline Pilots Association said United parent UAL Corp. is financially weak, and that mixing the carriers is a bad idea. Chicago-based UAL lost $537 million (¤346.5 million) in the first quarter. «With mounting losses, and a dismal balance sheet, UAL may not be the best dance partner for US Airways,» USAPA .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:57:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/us-airways-pilots-union-says-united-r593885.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/us-airways-pilots-union-says-united-r593885.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.univision.com - Univision Communications Inc., Miami Lara Migliassi, 305-640-3711 marketingcomm@univision.net The Univision Television Network announced today it will be the exclusive U.S. broadcaster of two simultaneous historic humanitarian concerts in partnership with ALAS (America Latina en Accion Solidaria - Latin America for Solidarity), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the children of Latin America. Unprecedented in scope for the region, the 'Concierto por los ninos' concerts, to be held in the capitals of Argentina and Mexico on Saturday, May 17th, will feature a veritable pantheon of today's biggest Latin music superstars in hopes of generating new levels of awareness and .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:51:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/univision-to-broadcast-historic-alas-r593884.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/univision-to-broadcast-historic-alas-r593884.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The California Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage in the state will not be the last word. California voters will almost certainly hold a referendum on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in November, and for the first time anywhere in the United States, the vote will have a direct and immediate effect on gay couples waiting to tie the knot. The amendment needs a simple majority to pass, and if the voters reject gay marriage, their decision will supersede the high court's Thursday ruling that made California the .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:50:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/progress-of-gay-rights-movement-to-r593883.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/progress-of-gay-rights-movement-to-r593883.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SAN ANTONIO (AP) - When Texas child welfare authorities released statistics showing nearly 60 percent of the teen girls taken from a polygamist sect's ranch were pregnant or had children, they seemed to prove what was alleged all along: The sect commonly pushed girls into marriage and sex. But in the past week, the state has twice been forced to admit «girls» who gave birth while in state custody are actually adults. One was 22 and claims she showed state officials a Utah birth certificate shortly after she and more than .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:48:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/texas-checking-how-many-sect-girls-r593882.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/texas-checking-how-many-sect-girls-r593882.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Yahoo Inc. is seeking to conceal large portions of a shareholder lawsuit alleging the Internet company's board improperly thwarted Microsoft Corp.'s $47.5 billion (¤30.6 billion) takeover offer, raising shareholder questions over the motives for the secrecy. In a letter sent Friday to the judge overseeing the case in Delaware, a lawyer for the shareholders argued Yahoo is trying «to whitewash embarrassing documents» because the company thinks the information will damage the board's efforts to repel a challenge by activist investor Carl Icahn. Angered by the board's handling .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:46:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/yahoo-s-fight-to-conceal-large-portions-r593881.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/yahoo-s-fight-to-conceal-large-portions-r593881.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's main stock index climbed to its fourth record of the week on Friday as the nation's currency reached a nine-year high against the dollar. Local news media predicted a second ratings agency would soon upgrade Brazilian debt. The Sao Paulo stock exchange's Ibovespa index rose 1.78 percent to close at 72,767 points, breaking the 72,000-point mark for the first time. The index soared above 71,000 points for the first time Thursday. Sao Paulo's Valor newspaper speculated that Fitch Ratings may soon upgrade Brazilian debt to investment grade, .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:45:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/brazil-s-main-stock-index-rises-above-r593879.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/brazil-s-main-stock-index-rises-above-r593879.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - Insituform Technologies, Inc. David A. Martin, 636-530-8000 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer or Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Matthew Sherman / Dan Katcher 212-355-4449 Insituform Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq Global Select Market: INSU) today noted Water Asset Management (WAM)'s last-second SEC filing admitting that it was a short-seller of Insituform and has made misleading statements about one of its director nominees throughout the proxy contest. WAM's disclosure, in which it finally corrects the misleading information it has provided to stockholders throughout the proxy contest, arrives on the last business day before the Company's May 19, 2008 Annual Meeting of .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:45:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/insituform-says-wam-s-last-second-admission-r593880.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/insituform-says-wam-s-last-second-admission-r593880.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - Uranium Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: URRE) ('URI'), a uranium exploration, development, mining and production company, announced today the closing of a negotiated private placement transaction with institutional investors for shares of its common stock. The sale raised $14,304,300. The net proceeds of the offering are for the acquisition, permitting, exploration and development of additional properties in Texas and for general corporate purposes. URI sold 3,295,920 shares of its common stock to a select group of institutional and accredited investors at a price of $4.34 per share which represented a 10 percent discount to the last sale price on May .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:40:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/uranium-resources-inc-completes-private-r593878.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/uranium-resources-inc-completes-private-r593878.htm World News (PR-inside.com) SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) - President Leonel Fernandez was favored to win a third term on Friday, despite concerns over long-serving politicians in this Caribbean nation with a painful history of rule by strongmen. The former New Yorker is expected to easily capture the most ballots among 5.7 million registered voters. His main challenger _ construction magnate and former Public Works Minister Miguel Vargas _ hopes to keep him from getting more than 50 percent and force a second round. As polls closed at 6 p.m. (2200 GMT) across the Caribbean .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:40:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/dominicans-decide-whether-to-give-president-r593877.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/dominicans-decide-whether-to-give-president-r593877.htm Entertainment (PR-inside.com) Los Angeles, CA --- 'Let's Go Today,' the current single release from Thadeus Project, continues its steady climb to the top of the charts --- and not just one chart. The fourth single from the popular Simple WisdomCD, is currently # 10 on the Top 30 Mainstream Chart at the Independent Music Network. According to the May 16 issue of New Music Weekly Magazine, Thadeus Project is on four of their national charts. 'Let's Go Today' made its debut at #39 on the Hot AC Main Chart and on the Top40 Indie Chart, it is at #16. The Hot Top .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:40:16 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/thadeus-project-continues-steady-climb-r593876.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/thadeus-project-continues-steady-climb-r593876.htm World News (PR-inside.com) RENO, Nevada (AP) - A hepatitis C outbreak affecting more than 80 people and exposing tens of thousands more was caused by workers reusing syringes at a Las Vegas clinic, federal health officials said Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report bolsters earlier conclusions by state and county officials, which led to the biggest public health notification operation in U.S. history. State health officials contacted the CDC on Jan. 2 after two people treated at the now-closed Endoscopy Center of Southern Nevada were diagnosed with acute hepatitis C. The practice of reusing .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:38:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/health-officials-reuse-mishandling-of-r593875.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/health-officials-reuse-mishandling-of-r593875.htm Computer & Technology (PR-inside.com) Naperville, IL, May 2008 - Avidweb Technologies Inc., a provider of recruiting and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), announced the release of its newest feature 'Mass Email Candidates'. The new feature will enable recruiters and HR professionals to communicate with a targeted group of their candidates. Furthermore, each email is recorded in each candidate's history record to automatically track who was included in the campaign. 'With MatchHire's fully integrated mass email system, not only can recruiters and HR professionals send targeted email campaigns regarding their company news, products and services' said Yahya Abutaleb, CEO of Avidweb Technologies Inc. 'Now they can .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:38:51 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/effective-communication-with-candidates-is-r593874.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/effective-communication-with-candidates-is-r593874.htm World News (PR-inside.com) NEW YORK (AP) - A nurse survived eight days in the wreckage of a Turkish hospital destroyed by an earthquake in 1992. A newborn was rescued after more than a week in the rubble of Mexico City's 1985 quake. Now, in China, rescuers are pulling out victims days after they were buried by a powerful earthquake. How long can people survive trapped under piles of rubble A week or more under the best circumstances, some experts say. That means the victim is not seriously hurt, was in good condition to begin with and the .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:37:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/survival-of-quake-victims-depends-on-r593873.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/survival-of-quake-victims-depends-on-r593873.htm Business (PR-inside.com) http://www.generalmills.com - General Mills Foundation on behalf of General Mills China has committed $500,000 (approximately RMB 3.5 million) to the American Red Cross to support the earthquake response efforts led by the Red Cross Society of China. General Mills has operations in the Sichuan Province of central China. 'We were relieved to learn that our employees are safe, and our hearts go out those who have been impacted by this disaster,' said Chris Shea, president, General Mills Foundation. 'We want to provide immediate help because we know that rebuilding lives takes time.' About General Mills General .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:32:53 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/general-mills-donates-500-000-to-aid-r593872.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/general-mills-donates-500-000-to-aid-r593872.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - Cumulative Capital Corporation ('Cumulative') announced today that it has issued a term sheet to finance InterventionTreatment.com. The funds will be used to increase Intervention Treatment's Global mission of providing Intervention and Treatment resources to corporations and individuals affected by addiction in all its forms. Intervention Treatment is currently one of the fastest growing online resources for those affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Cumulative has recently developed financial strategies for investment in 'green' or 'socially responsible' companies and Intervention Treatment is an organization founded with the principles of social responsibility. About Intervention and Addiction Treatment: Since .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:31:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/cumulative-capital-corporation-finances-internet-r593871.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/cumulative-capital-corporation-finances-internet-r593871.htm World News (PR-inside.com) VERACRUZ, Mexico (AP) - A group of men pretending to be federal police agents helped six alleged drug-trafficking hit men escape from a Mexican prison Friday. Veracruz state prison director Zeferino Tejeda said prison officials told authorities that a group of men dressed as federal police and carrying official documents walked into the prison and said they had orders to move the six men to Mexico City. Prison officials said they discovered later that it was all a setup. Officials are searching for the fugitive prisoners, and authorities are investigating further to ensure no .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:30:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/men-dressed-as-federal-police-help-r593870.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/men-dressed-as-federal-police-help-r593870.htm World News (PR-inside.com) LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) - Courting the support of gun owners, John McCain told the National Rifle Association on Friday that Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton would both undermine their rights. «If either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama is elected president, the rights of law-abiding gun owners will be at risk my friends _ and have no doubt about it,» the Republican nominee-in-waiting told a crowd of several thousand attending a convention of the influential lobbying group representing gun owners. McCain acknowledged he has been no darling of gun-rights advocates, having .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:28:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/mccain-courts-gun-owners-in-speech-r593869.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/mccain-courts-gun-owners-in-speech-r593869.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Classified ad Web site Craigslist is denying online auctioneer eBay's allegation that it unfairly diluted eBay's stake in it and says its board was acting to protect the company. Craigslist, based in San Francisco, filed a response in Delaware's Court of Chancery on Thursday to the lawsuit eBay filed last month. The filing says founder Craig Newmark and Chief Executive Jim Buckmaster did some of the things eBay sued over, like creating a new shareholder rights agreement. But it said those moves are protected by laws that give directors .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:26:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/craigslist-answers-ebay-allegations-saying-r593868.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/craigslist-answers-ebay-allegations-saying-r593868.htm Telecommunications (PR-inside.com) Created as a tailor-made service for consumers, BananaCall will provide completely customizable calling card plans for any destination worldwide. The high-quality services are supported by BananaCall's own carrier division, thus insuring the most affordable rates on the market. With 8 products to choose from, BananaCall gives you the chance to combine all the features of a normal calling card to get the perfect plan for your calling needs. According to your calling habits, you can add or remove the maintenance or connection fees or choose between different types of rounding. The rate is determined by the features of your phone card. The .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:25:07 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/bananacall-is-a-brand-new-online-r593867.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/bananacall-is-a-brand-new-online-r593867.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) LANSING, Michigan (AP) - A striking United Auto Workers local at a key General Motors Corp. factory ratified a new contract with the company Friday afternoon and will resume production on Monday. UAW Local 602 said on its Web site its members voted 73.5 percent in favor of the new deal. It will end a strike that began April 17 at the Delta Township plant near Lansing that makes the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. About 3,300 employees work at the factory making the popular crossover vehicles. Some will return to .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:24:55 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/gm-workers-approve-local-contract-to-r593866.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/gm-workers-approve-local-contract-to-r593866.htm Advertising & Marketing (PR-inside.com) Let us introduce another unique company from the diamond industry that may interest the readers of this page: The Rothem Collection is a direct source of GIA certified loose diamonds and formerly sold only to diamond dealers or diamonds wholesalers. Since 1942, the Rothem Collection has remained a family-owned company specializing in the manufacture of fine engagement jewelry with special emphasis on diamonds. Producing superior quality diamond rings, engagement settings and other fine diamond jewelry has always been our primary focus which is why we insist on only the highest quality loose diamonds. All of our products are shipped direct from .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:24:15 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/no-middle-man-diamond-jewelry-r593865.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/no-middle-man-diamond-jewelry-r593865.htm Travel & Leisure (PR-inside.com) Rail travel is being seen both as a greener alternative and a more leisurely way to travel and, with this in mind, city break specialist, Cities Direct is introducing a selection of rail itineraries into its multi-centre programme. For example, head to Italy and enjoy three nights each in Venice, Florence and Rome on an 11-night rail itinerary which costs from £949 in July inclusive of return Eurostar travel from London to Paris, nine nights' three-star hotel (Apostoli Palace in Venice, Hotel Delle Nazioni in Florence and Hotel Adriano in Rome), two overnight sleeper train journeys (Paris/Venice and Rome/Paris), plus rail .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:23:24 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/cities-direct-introduces-multi-centre-rail-r593864.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/cities-direct-introduces-multi-centre-rail-r593864.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A federal appeals court has ruled that MySpace.com is immune from a lawsuit over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl by a man she met on the social networking Web site. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision Friday upholds the dismissal of the lawsuit. The Texas girl's family had sued MySpace and its parent company, News Corp., claiming that MySpace did not protect young users from sexual predators. The court says federal law bars such lawsuits against Web-based services like MySpace. It also noted that the girl, identified .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:22:33 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/court-federal-law-grants-immunity-to-r593863.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/court-federal-law-grants-immunity-to-r593863.htm Organizations & Institutions (PR-inside.com) A lady, named Kathy from Virginia has a dream...A dream to raise $25,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. She plans to do this one lunch at a time. That may sound like a large sum of money, but Kathy has figured out a way to make it more manageable. A person can save about $5 by 'brown bagging' their lunch instead of going out to eat at a fast food restaurant. If 5,000 people do that once, and each person donates the $5 to the PBTF, then there's $25,000 right there. Her plan is called Brown Bag For A Cure? It .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:21:51 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/brain-tumors-are-killing-our-children-r593862.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/brain-tumors-are-killing-our-children-r593862.htm Finance (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - Construction of new homes increased by the biggest percentage in more than two years in April, a rare spot of good news amid the worst downturn in U.S. housing in more than two decades. Analysts, however, played down the increase, noting that all the strength came from the volatile apartment sector. They said the painful housing slump is far from over as a record flood of foreclosures continues to add to the sizable stockpile of unsold homes. The Commerce Department reported Friday that housing construction rose by 8.2 percent in .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:19:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/us-housing-posts-surprising-rebound-in-r593861.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/us-housing-posts-surprising-rebound-in-r593861.htm World News (PR-inside.com) WASHINGTON (AP) - In President George W. Bush's hint that Barack Obama wants to appease terrorists, Democrats heard troubling echoes of 2004, when Republicans portrayed John Kerry as irresolute and weak on national security. Determined to end the similarities there, Obama and his allies counterattacked Friday with a multi-pronged response that was as fast and fierce as Kerry's response to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads questioning his miilitary record and patriotism was slow and uncertain. And while the Democrats' first-day responses focused on Bush's speech this week in Israel, Friday's reactions .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:18:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/analysis-obama-reacts-quickly-to-bush-r593860.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/analysis-obama-reacts-quickly-to-bush-r593860.htm World News (PR-inside.com) CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) - A Russian supply ship docked to the international space station on Friday, delivering more than 2 tons of food, water, equipment and scientific experiments. The three men aboard the space station monitored everything from inside. Russian and U.S. space officials said the docking went smoothly. The unmanned Progress cargo ship blasted off from Kazakhstan two days earlier. Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to lift off May 31 with an even bigger delivery for the space station: a massive laboratory from Japan named Kibo, which means «hope. Two Russian cosmonauts .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:17:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/russian-supply-ship-docks-to-space-r593858.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/russian-supply-ship-docks-to-space-r593858.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - AVANT Immunotherapeutic (NASDAQ: AVAN) today announced that it has postponed its first-quarter 2008 financial results call due to a delay in filing its Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008. The delay is necessary for management to finalize certain technical accounting matters related to the recently completed AVANT-Celldex merger. The Company will finalize its filings and reschedule the call as soon as is practicable. About AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. AVANT Immunotherapeutics, Inc. is a NASDAQ-listed company discovering and developing innovative vaccines and targeted immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer, infectious and inflammatory diseases. AVANT focuses on .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:17:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/avant-announces-temporary-postponement-of-r593859.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/avant-announces-temporary-postponement-of-r593859.htm World News (PR-inside.com) UNITED NATIONS (AP) - France criticized Myanmar's military junta on Friday for refusing to allow a French navy ship with 1,500 tons of relief supplies for victims of Cyclone Nargis to deliver the food and medicine directly by small boats and helicopters to the devastated Irrawaddy Delta region. France's U.N. Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said the ship would be in international waters within sight of the Irrawaddy Delta on Saturday, and he warned that the military government's refusal to allow aid to be delivered to people in need or in danger «could .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:16:52 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/france-criticizes-myanmar-for-refusing-to-r593857.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/france-criticizes-myanmar-for-refusing-to-r593857.htm World News (PR-inside.com) YINGXIU, China (AP) - A powerful aftershock knocked out roads and communications in some of the most quake-ravaged parts of central China on Friday, as emergency crews rescued more than 30 people who had survived up to 100 improbable hours trapped in the ruins. With the official death toll at more than 22,000, an air force unit reached Yinchanggou, a scenic spot in the mountains north of the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu, finding landslides had swept away rustic small hotels. «There are several hundred hotels, including farmer homestays, probably 800 in .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:15:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/strong-aftershock-rattles-china-quake-r593856.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/strong-aftershock-rattles-china-quake-r593856.htm Business (PR-inside.com) - Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A+' rating to the following Village of Romeoville, Illinois' (the village) general obligation (GO) bonds: --$10.8 million GO bonds, series 2008A; --$36.1 million GO (Capital Appreciation) bonds, series 2008B. The bonds are scheduled for competitive sale on May 28, 2008. The bonds represent a GO of the village, payable from an unlimited ad valorem tax levied on all taxable property within the village. Proceeds from the series 2008A and 2008B bonds will be used to finance the construction of a new village hall/police station and two fire stations. In addition, Fitch affirms .. Sat, 17 May 2008 00:06:54 GMT http://www.pr-inside.com/fitch-rates-romeoville-illinois-46-9mm-r593854.htm http://www.pr-inside.com/fitch-rates-romeoville-illinois-46-9mm-r593854.htm