Rapid Trade

CHC Ends Acquisition Talks - MSN Money

XM's Loss Widens; Feds Probe Its Marketing - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Stocks Find Footing on Bernanke Comments - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

American Stock Exchange Lists Bank of America 1.75% Index CYCLES … - PR Newswire (press release)

MGM Mirage profit up nearly 30 pct - Reuters

Tim Hortons Inc. Announces Strong First-Quarter Results; Revenue … - Business Wire (press release)

Feds probe XM, stock falls - Bizjournals.com

Wendy's reports flat earnings in first quarter - Centre Daily Times

Exxon Quarterly Profit 5th Highest Ever - Midwest City Sun

Exxon Quarterly Profit 5th Highest Ever - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Softwood deal in peril - National Post

CBC News

Softwood deal in peril National Post -1 hour ago WASHINGTON and VANCOUVER - Canadian and US trade officials pounded out a tentative agreement to end the bitter softwood lumber dispute yesterday, but some industry players have already lined up to oppose the deal. Reduction in quotas comes as surprise to OntarioGlobe and Mail On Lumber IssueWall Street Journal (subscription) New York Times -CBC News -London Free Press -CTV.ca -all 194 related

Business News IN BRIEF: Debenhams Bars Retail Investors - Black Enterprise

Business news briefs: 4/27/06 - Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Business news in brief from around New Jersey - Newsday

Business News& Notes - Falls Church News Press

Morning Business News - RTE.ie

Wednesday Newspaper Review - Irish Business News and International … - FinFacts Ireland

FinFacts Ireland

Wednesday Newspaper Review - IrishBusinessNewsand International… FinFacts Ireland, Ireland -23 hours ago By Finfacts Team. The Irish Independent reports that BANK of Ireland's private banking division expects to take in about 1bn from…

In other business news - Buffalo News

Business news in brief - Cincinnati Post

Business news in brief - Philadelphia Inquirer

Thursday Newspaper Review - Irish Business News and International … - FinFacts Ireland

Business news in brief - Manchester Evening News

In other business news - Buffalo News

Morning Business News - RTE.ie

Business News& Notes - Falls Church News Press

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - 8:40 PM HAST Tuesday - Pacific Business News

Business news in brief - Philadelphia Inquirer

Business News IN BRIEF: Debenhams Bars Retail Investors - Black Enterprise

Business news in brief - Cincinnati Post

Business news in brief from around New Jersey - Newsday

Wednesday Newspaper Review - Irish Business News and International … - FinFacts Ireland

FinFacts Ireland

Wednesday Newspaper Review - IrishBusinessNewsand International… FinFacts Ireland, Ireland -19 hours ago By Finfacts Team. The Irish Independent reports that BANK of Ireland's private banking division expects to take in about 1bn from…

Dow ends at 6-year high - ABC News

Reuters

Dow ends at 6-year high ABC News -1 hour ago Stocks ended higher on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials hitting a 6-year high, buoyed by stronger-than-expected earnings from companies such as top brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Stocks rise on latest batch of strong earningsThe Kindred Times Stocks rebound after two days of lossesKVOA.com Scotsman -newswire.co.nz -Reuters -all 109 related

NY's World Trade Center rebuild clears last hurdle - Reuters

Xinhua

NY's World Trade Center rebuild clears last hurdle Reuters -1 hour ago The rebuilding of New York's World Trade Center cleared its last major hurdle on Wednesday, setting up construction of the Freedom Tower and other buildings where the Twin Towers stood until Sept. Port Authority Takes Over Ground Zero's Freedom Tower (Update1)Bloomberg Silverstein surrenders FreedomAustralian Wall Street Journal (subscription) -Boston Globe -New York Daily News -Commercial Property News -all 209 related

CORRECTED: Commission, Microsoft in sharp court exchange - Reuters

Bucharest Daily News

CORRECTED: Commission, Microsoft in sharp court exchange Reuters -5 hours ago Microsoft told a court on Wednesday that a European Commission antitrust ruling shackled its ability to compete but a Commission lawyer rejected the charges as"absurd and frivolous. Microsoft opens new attack on EU rulingABC News Microsoft says EU antitrust undermines intellectual property…MarketWatch BBC News -Financial Express -ZDNet -CNET News.com -all 917 related

Shares Of Gardener's Centrica Jump On Gazprom Hopes - Forbes

ABCmoney.co.uk

Shares Of Gardener's Centrica Jump On Gazprom Hopes Forbes -1 hour ago London - You'd be forgiven for having thought that the British government was somewhat wary of Gazprom and its ambitions to swallow up 20% of the UK gas market. Gazprom repeats Centrica a potential target - reportScotsman Centrica shares jump as Gazprom bid hopes riseReuters Channel 4 News -Manchester Evening News -RIA Novosti -Zaman Online -all 93 related

Mandelson welcomes signs of US farm trade move - Washington Post

Reuters

Mandelson welcomes signs of US farm trade move Washington Post -11 hours ago Europe's trade chief on Wednesday welcomed what he said were signs that the United States might be willing to offer more on agriculture in struggling World Trade Organization talks. EU sees chance of WTO accord this year slippingFinancial Express EU still aims to conclude WTO trade talksBusinessWeek NDTV.com -TODAYonline -ABC News -ic Liverpool -all 62 related

Director of Small Business Administration Resigns - New York Times

Washington Post

Director of Small Business Administration Resigns New York Times -22 hours ago WASHINGTON, April 25 - Hector V. Barreto, the embattled head of the Small Business Administration, said on Tuesday that he would resign and take over a Hispanic advocacy group that has supported some of President Bush's initiatives. Hector Barreto resigns as SBA chiefSan Jose Mercury News Bush names executive at Illinois firm to head SBAGovExec.com Houston Chronicle -Bizjournals.com -Los Angeles Times -Seattle Post Intelligencer -all 254 related

Why-oh-why would Billy Gates buy a company that puts ads in games? - IGN

Reuters Canada

Why-oh-why would Billy Gates buy a company that puts ads in games? IGN -1 hour ago April 26, 2006 - According to the Wall Street Journal Microsoft plans to pay $200 to $400 million for in-game advertising company, Massive. Redmond to Play Ad GameRed Herring Microsoft buys in-game advertising company MassiveXbox Circle Euro2day -TechNewsWorld -ADOTAS -Marketing Shift.com -all 51 related

Microsoft, Wallop and Karl Jacob - Seattle Post Intelligencer

Technology News Daily

Microsoft, Wallop and Karl Jacob Seattle Post Intelligencer -19 hours ago Microsoft is linking up with long-time entrepreneur Karl Jacob to develop a new technology company to take on MySpace and other social networking services. Microsoft to Build a MySpace Red Herring MS Spins Off Social Networking SiteBetaNews Wall Street Journal (subscription) -Macworld -VNUNet.com -all 37 related

Fed Districts Report Labor Markets Are `Tightening' (Update2) - Bloomberg

Washington Post

Fed Districts Report Labor Markets Are `Tightening' (Update2) Bloomberg -1 hour ago Labor markets across the US are “tightening'' and companies are having trouble passing along higher energy prices, a Federal Reserve report today showed. US stocks turn mixed late in day; Bernanke aheadMarketWatch Treasuries fall on lackluster auction, strong dataReuters CNN -BBC News -Wall Street Journal (subscription) -Washington Post -all 91 related

Mercury News sold to MediaNews - San Jose Mercury News

Seattle Times

Mercury News sold to MediaNews San Jose Mercury News -53 minutes ago McClatchy announced today that the Mercury News and three other Knight Ridder papers will be purchased by Denver-based MediaNews for $1 billion, with backing from Hearst, the owner of the San Francisco Chronicle. Times said to be near sale to MediaNewsContra Costa Times McClatchy to sell four newspapersLos Angeles Times Reuters -ABC News -Seattle Post Intelligencer -Wall Street Journal (subscription) -all 238 related

Oil Prices Slide for Third Straight Day - CBS News

News 14 Charlotte

Oil Prices Slide for Third Straight Day CBS News -1 hour ago Crude-oil futures eased for the third straight day Wednesday, falling below $72 a barrel after US government data showed motor-fuel demand weakening in what appeared to be a response to higher pump prices. Oil Futures Steady Under $73Washington Post Crude futures fall for 3rd straight dayBusinessWeek Globe and Mail -TMCnet -Business Times - Malaysia -MarketWatch -all 564 related

Wrap: Putin signals U-turn over mooted Siberian pipeline Baikal … - RIA Novosti

The Moscow Times

Wrap: Putin signals U-turn over mooted Siberian pipeline Baikal… RIA Novosti -8 hours ago MOSCOW, April 26 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that the East Siberia-Pacific Ocean oil pipeline should pass outside the drainage basin north of Lake Baikal, upsetting plans of the country's state oil pipeline monopolist. Putin: We must act to protect lakeCNN International Russia should switch energy focus to Asia-PutinReuters Euronews.net -Monsters and Critics.com -BBC News -MOSNEWS -all 90 related

Boeing First-Quarter Profit Rises 29% on Deliveries (Update2) - Bloomberg

News 14 Charlotte

Boeing First-Quarter Profit Rises 29% on Deliveries (Update2) Bloomberg -10 hours ago Boeing Co., the world's No. 2 commercial-jet maker, said first-quarter earnings rose 29 percent, helped by the biggest jump in airliner deliveries in five years. Commercial arm lifts Boeing profitsRTE.ie Boeing's Net Profit Increases 29% On Rise in Commercial DeliveriesWall Street Journal (subscription) MSNBC -Grand Forks Herald -Trading Markets -MSN Money -all 172 related

Sprint 1st-Qtr Profit Falls; New Customers Disappoint (Update5) - Bloomberg

Reuters

Sprint 1st-Qtr Profit Falls; New Customers Disappoint (Update5) Bloomberg -7 hours ago Sprint Nextel Corp., the third- largest US wireless services company, reported disappointing first-quarter profit as it added fewer customers than analysts estimated. Sprint net down, operating earnings upCNET News.com Merger costs weigh on Sprint Nextel in 1QBusinessWeek MSN Money -Houston Chronicle -Trading Markets -Multichannel News (subscription) -all 146 related

Energy Woes Lead to Global Cooperation - ABC News

ABC News

Energy Woes Lead to Global Cooperation ABC News -Apr 25, 2006 Chinese President Hu Jintao, left, stands with President Bush during an arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, April 20, 2006, in Washington. Go West, Old MenNew York Times Since when are our oil woes the fault of China?Houston Chronicle Kansas City Star -TMCnet -E/The Environmental Magazine -TruthNews.com -all 22 related

Corel makes debut, dips - Globe and Mail

Ottawa Business Journal

Corel makes debut, dips Globe and Mail -45 minutes ago OTTAWA - Shares of Corel Corp. slipped Wednesday in the software maker's trading debut on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The stock fell 15 cents, or about 1 per cent, to close at $15.85 (US) Wednesday. Corel Cuts IPO PriceRed Herring Corel shares slide 2 percent in market debutReuters Canada Ottawa Citizen -MSN Money -Calgary Sun -all 86 related

Oil falls as refining picks up - Globe and Mail

Washington Post

Oil falls as refining picks up Globe and Mail -2 hours ago Oil and gas prices slipped in New York Wednesday after a weekly government report showed that US refineries increased their gasoline and crude output, easing concerns about a supply crunch ahead of the summer driving season. Oil Falls a Third Day as Bush Moves to End Gasoline DisruptionBloomberg Oil drops as US refiners boost fuel outputReuters Houston Chronicle -Business Day -CNN -London Free Press -all 366 related

March durables orders, new home sales surge - Reuters

News 14 Charlotte

March durables orders, new home sales surge Reuters -24 minutes ago New orders for US-made durable goods and sales of new homes surged more than expected in March, reports showed on Wednesday, boosting expectations the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates beyond May. US Economy: Durable Goods Orders, Sales of New Homes SurgeBloomberg Durable-Goods Orders Soar 6.1%, Helped by Strong Aircraft DemandWall Street Journal (subscription) RTE.ie -AXcess News -Trading Markets -all 157 related

Chrysler Expanding Its Ethanol Model Line
DaimlerChrysler AG pledged to build 500,000 ethanol-fuel vehicles annually, or a quarter of its U.S. production, by 2008, as automakers try to address concerns over heavy foreign oil consumption and high gas prices.
Sholnn Freeman

At NASA Hearing, Silence on Earmarks
Most administration officials are on their best behavior when they appear before Congress, but NASA Administrator Michael D. Griffin, despite reasonable skills as a forehead-knuckler, is much better known for telling blunt truths.
Guy Gugliotta

Mercantile Bankshares Profit Slips From Q4
Mercantile Bankshares Corp., a Baltimore bank holding company that has more than 70 branches in the Washington area, said its first-quarter profit was squeezed by intense competition and a worsening interest-rate environment.
Terence O'Hara

Preschool Space Is at a Premium
Each winter, when the Valley Drive Preschool in Alexandria holds its annual enrollment open house, it draws the parents of far more toddlers than the school has room for. In recent years, the problem has gotten so bad — with parents spending the night outside the school to try to snag a slot –…

Tara Bahrampour

Boeing Nears Settlement on Investigations
Boeing Co. is nearing a settlement with federal prosecutors to resolve investigations into the illegal hiring of an Air Force official and use of a rival's proprietary documents in a competition, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

Renae Merle

New Home Sales Rebound Strongly in March
WASHINGTON — Sales of new homes soared in March by the largest amount in 13 years, reflecting a rebound from bad weather in February. But the median price of the homes sold last month actually declined, providing evidence that the nation's five-year housing boom is slowing.
MARTIN CRUTSINGER

2 Firms Claim Conspiracy in Analyst Reports
Are Biovail Corp. and Overstock.com Inc. promising companies victimized by unscrupulous investors illegally conspiring with stock analysts and journalists? Or are they troubled firms whose executives have turned to wild conspiracy theories to divert attention from underlying business problems?
Brooke A. Masters

Big Projects Advance in Montgomery
Two major Montgomery County developments moved closer to reality yesterday: One would bring luxury living and a high-end spa to North Bethesda and the other, thousands of new homes and businesses to Gaithersburg.
Nancy Trejos and Michael S. Rosenwald

Nidec to Make a Partial Amendment to Its Articles of Incorporation
KYOTO, Japan, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Upon resolution by the Board of Directors held today, we are pleased to notify the shareholders of change in part of the Articles of Incorporation, which is to be discussed at the 33rd annual general meeting of shareholders scheduled for June 22, 2006.

Infineon, Schering, Praktiker, Balda: German Equity Preview - Bloomberg

ON24 Signs Master Services Agreement With Cotton&Company
SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — ON24, the premier webcasting and video communication solutions provider, today announced that it has signed a Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Cotton&Company.

TOUSA Files Universal Shelf Registration
HOLLYWOOD, Fla., April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Technical Olympic USA, Inc. (NYSE:TOA) announced today that it filed a $344.02 million universal shelf registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 24, 2006. The shelf registration covers, among other things, debt securities, common stock, preferred stock and warrants to purchase such securities. TOUSA can still issue up to $405.98 million of securities under its effective universal shelf registration statement (File No. 333-122451).

Nidec Revises Upward Year-End Dividend Forecast
KYOTO, Japan, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Nidec Corporation (the"Company") (NYSE:NJ) (Tokyo, Osaka:6594) resolved at a meeting of its Board of Directors today to revise upward its year-end dividend forecast for the year ended March 31, 2006.

Molecular Pharmacology Announces Shareholder Approval to Acquire Drug Development Company Following Special Meeting of Shareholders
LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Molecular Pharmacology (USA) Limited (OTCBB:MLPH) is pleased to announce that at the special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation held on April 21, 2006 (the"Meeting"), the shareholders of the Corporation approved the acquisition of all the shares of Molecular Pharmacology Limited an Australian corporation from PharmaNet Group Limited (the"Acquisition"), as previously announced in the press release of the Corporation dated December 5, 2005 and as described in the Notice of Meeting and Management Information Circular of the Corporation dated March 31, 2006, available on www.sec.gov.

Northrop Grumman Reports First Quarter 2006 Results
LOS ANGELES, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) reported first quarter 2006 income from continuing operations of $357 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, compared with $398 million, or $1.08 per diluted share, for the same period of 2005. First quarter 2005 income from continuing operations included an after-tax gain of $45 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, from the sale of TRW Automotive common stock. First quarter 2006 sales decreased to $7.2 billion from $7.5 billion in the first quarter of 2005, due to lower sales in the company's Ships business.

Ocwen Financial Corporation Schedules Conference Call - 1st Quarter 2006 Results
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Ocwen Financial Corporation (NYSE:OCN) will hold its conference call on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. (ET) to review the Company's operating results. These events will follow Ocwen's 1st Quarter 2006 earnings release. The press release will also be available on the Ocwen Financial Corporation Shareholder Relations website at www.ocwen.com.

China Gold Corp. Announces Appointment of New Director to the Board of the Company
GUANGNING, China, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — China Gold Corp. (Pink Sheets:CGDC) is a Nevada Corporation engaged in gold and minerals exploration and development of gold and mineral properties in China. The company is pleased to announce the appointment of Helen H. L. Tsin to its board of directors.

PlacementTracker Publishes Q1 2006 PIPE Market League Tables
SAN DIEGO, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Sagient Research Systems, a leading publisher of independent research for the financial services and institutional investment communities, today announced that Rodman&Renshaw, LLC ranked as the No. 1 investment bank in the PIPE market in the first quarter 2006 for total number of transactions. Nite Capital Management, LLC topped the list of most active institutional investors during the first quarter 2006.

Harsco Chairman and CEO Reaffirms Company's Continuing Growth Outlook at Annual Stockholders Meeting
HARRISBURG, Pa., April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Addressing Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) stockholders at the Company's Annual Meeting, Harsco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Derek C. Hathaway today reaffirmed the Company's improving outlook for continued growth into 2006 and beyond.

RSM EquiCo Capital Markets Advises LeBus Oil Field Service Co. On Its Acquisition by Basic Energy Services Inc.
COSTA MESA, Calif., April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — Basic Energy Services Inc. (NYSE:BAS) has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of LeBus Oil Field Service Co. of Overton, Texas.

Pay-Per-Click Advertising Prices Approaching Limits, finds Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization, SEMPO
TORONTO, April 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) — While four out of five advertisers say they could afford an increase in pay-per-click advertising prices, the vast majority can only absorb increases of 30% or less. These are the findings of a survey by the Search Engine Marketing Professional Association (SEMPO) that were announced today at the Search Engine Strategies 2006 Conference&Expo in Toronto, Canada.