Latest [PR Newswire] from SYS-CON NETHERLANDS

The Ensign Group Successfully Graduates Second Nursing Home From CMS Special Focus Program

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:21:03 EST

The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG) announced that its Pocatello Care & Rehabilitation Center in Pocatello, Idaho has successfully graduated from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Special Focus program.

European Nephrologists Share Insights on the Management of Renal Anemia and Hyperphosphatemia in Latest BioTrends Report

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:55:16 EST

BioTrends Research Group, Inc. released its third TreatmentTrends(TM): European Nephrology Report. This report runs parallel to two ongoing studies BioTrends conducts -- TreatmentTrends(TM): US and Canadian Nephrology. The report is based on the results of an on-line survey completed by 200 Nephrologists from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The focus is on the management of renal anemia and hyperphosphatemia.

More than 1,500 Eagles -- Each One with a Story: Eagles Made During PGA TOUR and LPGA Season Result in Record Donation to St. Jude

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:51:32 EST

It is a cold December day in Memphis, Tennessee and FedExCup Champion Vijay Singh, FedExCup Runner-up Camilo Villegas and LPGA star Morgan Pressel have gathered here -- but not to play golf. The impetus that has brought three of the biggest names in professional golf to Memphis is something much more important than any game of golf -- children battling cancer.

International Trade Commission Judge Rules in Favor of Spansion in Tessera Patent Lawsuit

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:33:17 EST

Spansion Inc. (Nasdaq: SPSN), the world's leading pure-play provider of Flash memory solutions, today announced that the Judge presiding over a patent lawsuit filed with the International Trade Commission (ITC) by Tessera Inc. has ruled in favor of Spansion and other technology companies, including Qualcomm Inc. and Motorola Inc. The Judge has issued an Initial Determination finding that Spansion's Flash memory products do not infringe the Tessera patents at issue.

President George W. Bush Receives 'International Medal of PEACE' That Coincides With PEPFAR Milestone on World Aids Day:

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:32:47 EST

Dr. Rick Warren Presents Award, Engages with President on U.S. HIV/AIDS Initiatives and Accomplishments at Home and Abroad During Saddleback Civil Forum on Global Health

Waxess USA Chooses Superior Communications for US Distribution of Its Unique Home Cellular Phone

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:27:01 EST

Waxess USA Inc. is pleased to announce the consummation of agreement with Superior Communications for the distribution of its Dual-Band, Dual-Mode Communication Terminal (or "D-Mode CT") to the United States wireless carrier market. The "D-MODE" Home cellular phone can save customers up to $500.00 a year by using an existing cellular package for Cordless Home telephone use.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF 'THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX'

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:17:31 EST

"THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX" arrives in theaters nationwide on Friday, December 19, 2008.

Jekyll Island Authority Approves Private Partnering Agreement with Linger Longer Communities

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:54:18 EST

In a called board meeting Monday, the Jekyll Island Authority approved a Private Partnering Agreement with Linger Longer Communities, establishing a public-private partnership intended to bring about revitalization and long-term sustainability of Jekyll Island. Linger Longer was selected by the Jekyll Island Authority in September 2007 as the revitalization partner, and has since worked with the Authority on a final Beach Village plan and a legal contract that establishes a long-term partnership.

Xbox 360 Registers Biggest Black Friday in Its History

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:53:48 EST

Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system kicked off the holidays with record- breaking console sales on one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year in the U.S. Retailers reported Xbox 360 console sales over the Black Friday weekend were on pace to beat previous years, outselling the PlayStation 3 by a three-to-one ratio and estimating a 25 percent increase from Xbox 360 Black Friday sales figures from 2007.

Click2Mail Helps Parents Send Frugal Tidings from Santa

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:44:31 EST

Click2Mail, a U.S. Postal Service affiliate, today announced its annual Christmas project for 2008 - Remind Santa - which allows anyone to have personalized, low-cost letters from Santa delivered by mail while supporting one of the nation's premiere holiday charities, Toys for Tots.

BowTie, Inc. Unveils New Interactive Video Feature for its Websites

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:36:31 EST

BowTie, Inc., the world's largest publisher of pet and animal magazines and websites, has unveiled the addition of a new interactive video platform for all the websites it hosts. This new platform allows visitors to upload video clips to share with site visitors, as well as view other user-generated clips.

Tentative agreement reached between Catalyst and PPWC

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:31:46 EST

CROFTON, BC, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - The Pulp and Paper Workers of Canada (PPWC), Local # 2 and Catalyst Paper announced today that a tentative agreement has been reached on the renewal of the collective agreement at the Crofton Division. The deal addresses the twin priorities of an $80 per tonne target in labour costs and the PPWC Industry Pattern Agreement.

Notice and Access: What Have the Early Adopters Learned?

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:30:02 EST

Denver-based public companies discuss the eProxy process

Neovasc Inc. Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Results

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:29:47 EST

Germany.info Begins Christmas Season With Interactive Advent Calendar

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:22:00 EST

German Christmas traditions are beloved in Germany and the United States alike, with Christmas markets, families gathering around Advent wreaths and children opening the first windows of Advent calendars marking the beginning of the holiday season.

Latin America Grows in Popularity as Trade Partner as Opportunities in Traditional Markets Shrink

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:14:30 EST

According to a 2008 survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit, undertaken on behalf of Atradius, the leading global credit insurer, the countries of Latin America continue to be attractive markets for businesses looking for opportunities to expand their sales, as their traditional markets are becoming increasingly crowded. Key findings include:

Consumers Benefit from a Frenzy of Around-the-Clock Online Shopping

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:13:45 EST

Barbadian Descendent Eric Holder Favored to Head United States Justice Department

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:09:16 EST

President Elect Barack Obama Selects Holder for Attorney General Position

Suncor Energy reports repair work underway at oil sands upgrader

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:08:16 EST

CALGARY, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Suncor Energy Inc. reports that repairs are underway following a minor fire at one of the company's two oil sands upgraders north of Fort McMurray. The fire occurred November 26 during start-up of a vacuum unit following completion of planned maintenance. There were no injuries and the fire was extinguished within minutes.

Pearl Necklaces Defy Recession Budgets: Holiday Luxury Pearls Still Affordable at PearlParadise.com

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:07:01 EST

Pearl necklaces are making news this Christmas, says Jeremy Shepherd. "Forget stock prices and real estate," says Shepherd, a man who sells more pearls online than any retailer in the world.

Remedy Announces New Account Supervisor

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:05:45 EST

Kelly LaClair has joined Remedy as account supervisor. LaClair will be responsible for developing brand strategy and executing marketing programs for Remedy clients.

Clinical Trial Results on the Sleep-Promoting Effects of Vanda Pharmaceuticals' Circadian Regulator Tasimelteon (VEC-162) Published in The Lancet

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:01:17 EST

Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: VNDA) reports publication in The Lancet, one of the world's leading medical journals, results of clinical trials of its novel circadian regulator, experimental compound tasimelteon (VEC-162). The publication by Rajaratnam et al(1) is entitled "Melatonin agonist tasimelteon (VEC-162) for transient insomnia after sleep-time shift: two randomised controlled multicentre trials." Results are reported from two clinical trials that demonstrate the sleep-promoting effects of tasimelteon, a novel circadian regulator that acts by resetting the body clock. The internal body clock is a complex molecular machinery that governs the rhythm of many body functions, the most well described of which is the sleep-wake cycle.

Planet Organic Health Corp Announces Q1 Results

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:00:16 EST

EDMONTON, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Planet Organic Health Corp (TSX Venture Exchange - POH), Canada's leading natural products retailer announces their financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Sales for the quarter were $30.0 million compared to $25.7 million in 2007, an increase of 16.7%. EBITDASX was $1.2 million compared to $1.8 million in 2007, a decrease of $0.6 million, and cash flow from operations increased by $0.15 million over 2007.

The Gymboree Corporation to Present at J.P. Morgan 2008 Small and Mid Cap Conference

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:58:01 EST

The Gymboree Corporation (Nasdaq: GYMB) announced that its Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Blair Lambert, and Vice President of Finance, Jeffrey Harris, will present at the J.P. Morgan 2008 Small and Mid Cap Conference, which will be held at the J.P. Morgan Conference Center in New York on Friday, December 5, 2008, at 10:15 a.m. ET.

Burress's Conduct Not the Norm for Athletes

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:55:00 EST

Peter Grandich, managing member of Trinity Financial, Sports & Entertainment Management Company (http://www.TrinityFSEM.com), is on a mission to promote the good things that professional athletes do.

Weatherford Announces Conference Call

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:51:30 EST

Weatherford International Ltd. (NYSE: WFT) today announced that it has scheduled a conference call for Monday, January 26, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. eastern, 9:30 a.m. central. The purpose of the conference call is to discuss results for the company's fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008. The call will be open to the public.

Continental Airlines Reports November 2008 Operational Performance

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:43:01 EST

Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) today reported a November consolidated (mainline plus regional) load factor of 77.3 percent, 2.8 points below the November 2007 consolidated load factor, and a mainline load factor of 77.8 percent, 2.6 points below the November 2007 mainline load factor. In addition, the carrier reported a domestic mainline November load factor of 80.6 percent, 2.5 points below the November 2007 domestic mainline load factor, and an international mainline load factor of 75.0 percent, 2.4 points below November 2007.

Lois Pope Presents Check for $5 Million to American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:42:31 EST

Media Advisory: Nissan to Unveil NV2500 Commercial Vehicle Concept in Live Webcast

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:41:02 EST

Please join Nissan on December 4, 2008 for a live webcast unveiling the new NV2500 Commercial Vehicle Concept. This vehicle provides a glimpse into a future vehicle developed specifically for the United States.

ANA598 Receives Fast Track Designation From the FDA for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:38:15 EST

Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDS) today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to ANA598 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. ANA598 is Anadys' investigational hepatitis C non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitor. Anadys is currently enrolling patients in a Phase Ib study evaluating ANA598 for the treatment of patients chronically infected with HCV.

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund Declares Monthly Distribution Pursuant to Level Distribution Policy

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:34:30 EST

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) declared its monthly distribution pursuant to the level distribution policy today as follows:

Sutter Health Invests Hundreds of Millions in Employee Pension

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:34:30 EST

In the face of one of the most severe economic downturns ever to face the nation, the Sutter Health Board of Directors has approved an investment of up to a half-billion dollars to fully fund the Sutter Health Retirement Plan. Employee pension plans, which are often heavily invested in stocks and bonds, have been among the biggest casualties of the nation's worsening economy. Although conservatively invested, the Sutter Health Retirement Plan has not been immune.

John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund Declares Quarterly Managed Distribution

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:33:30 EST

John Hancock Bank and Thrift Opportunity Fund (NYSE: BTO) declared its quarterly distribution pursuant to the fund's 10% managed distribution policy today as follows:

John Hancock Investors Trust Declares Quarterly Distribution

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:33:15 EST

John Hancock Investors Trust (NYSE: JHI) declared its quarterly distribution today as follows:

John Hancock Income Securities Trust Declares Quarterly Distribution

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:27:47 EST

John Hancock Income Securities Trust (NYSE: JHS) declared its quarterly distribution today as follows:

Volunteers to Plant 6,000 Longleaf Pines Along Gulf Coast in Three States

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:27:46 EST

Thousands of new longleaf pine seedlings will be planted this week as part of an effort to restore the natural habitat along the Gulf Coast, thanks to the TREE2 outreach arranged through an Ohio-based business in partnership with educators and volunteers.

John Hancock Closed-End Funds Declare Monthly Distributions

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:25:46 EST

Three John Hancock closed-end funds declared their monthly distributions today as follows:

John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Global Shareholder Yield Fund Declares Quarterly Distribution

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:24:31 EST

This dividend equates to an annualized yield of 18.69 percent, based on the fund's closing market price as of November 28, 2008.

John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II Declares Increased Monthly Distributions and Capital Gain Distributions

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:20:01 EST

John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund will increase its monthly distribution to $0.055 per share up from $0.048 per share effective with the Fund's next distribution payment on December 31, 2008. The increased distribution is payable to holders of record on December 15, 2008 with an ex-dividend date of December 11, 2008.

NiSource Completes Sale of Northern Utilities and Granite State Gas Transmission to Unitil Corporation

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:08:46 EST

NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) today has completed the previously announced sale of Northern Utilities Inc. and Granite State Gas Transmission Inc. to Unitil Corporation for $160 million plus $41.6 million for working capital, including approximately $33.9 million of natural gas storage inventory.