AU Optronics Announces Its Latest Commercialized LCD TV Technologies

AU Optronics Announces Its Latest Commercialized LCD TV Technologies

June 13, 2006

The Ultimate Viewing Experience for the High Definition TV Era

    HSINCHU, Taiwan, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- With
the imminent arrival of the High Definition TV (HDTV) era,
AU Optronics ("AUO" or the " the
Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) emphasized its
leading role as the industry technology innovator by
introducing on Tuesday its latest commercialized
technologies for LCD TVs.  On the eve of the three-day FPD
(Flat Panel Display) Taiwan 2006 exhibit to be held in
Taipei June 14-16, AUO said it will demonstrate new HDTV
technologies throughout its 37" LCD TV platform.  The
four areas AUO's innovative designs will cover are:
Advanced MVA (AMVA) with low color washout and super high
contrast ratio, Simulated Pulsed Driving (SPD) technology
to solve the blurred motion problem with CRT-like 4ms
response time, HiColor technology with LED backlight to
achieve over 100% color saturation, and Image Processing
Technology featuring natural color images and clear depth
of view.

    * AMVA: A Fresh Visual Experience Featuring Low Color
Washout and High Contrast Ratio (>1200:1)

    AU Optronics successfully introduces the AUO Advanced
MVA Technology (AMVA), utilizing low color washout to
conquer the significant problem of color distortion with
traditional wide viewing angle technology.  This technology
creates more domains than conventional multi-domain vertical
alignment (MVA) LCDs and reduces the variation of
transmittance in oblique angles.  It productively improves
color washout and provides better image quality in oblique
angles than conventional VA LCDs.  Also, it has been widely
recognized worldwide that AMVA technology is one of the few
ways to provide optimized image quality through multiple
domains. 

    In addition, AMVA provides an extra-high contrast ratio
of greater than 1200:1 by optimized color-resist
implementation and a new pixel design.  The result is a
more comfortable viewing experience for the consumer, even
on dimmer images.  This high contrast technology can also
achieve wide viewing angles of up to 178 degrees.  AMVA,
which the Company believes to be the most competitive
solution in low color washout technology, has been applied
to AUO TV panels ranging from 32" up to 42", and
has attracted widespread attention among global brand-name
TV customers in the United States, Europe and Japan.

    * Simulated Pulsed Driving (SPD) Technology Provides
CRT-Like Image Quality

    The performance of motion picture response time is an
important requirement for LCD TVs.  Conventional LCDs use
hold-type driving methods that result in blurred images. 
AUO's Simulated Pulsed Driving (SPD) technology simulates
impulse-type displays with the adjustment of pixel driving
and scanning backlight to reach a CRT-like image quality in
motion picture response time. 

    The technology can greatly reduce motion blur, and
enable the image performance to reach optimal levels at 4ms
equivalent gray to gray (8ms MPRT). The technology is also
known as one of the few technologies ready for mass
production and can be applied both to WXGA (1366x768) or
Full HD (1920x1080) resolutions.

    * New HiColor Technology with LED Backlight for a
Richer-than-Life Color Experience

    AUO now builds on its successful 2005 development and
commercialization of the HiColor technology utilizing CCFL
backlight to reach 33% color saturation increase compared
with conventional LCDs.  This year AUO proves its
technology leadership by further developing the new HiColor
Technology with RGB LED backlight.  The new HiColor
Technology with LED backlight can reach 105% NTSC -- a 45%
increase from conventional 72% NTSC.  It also provides the
true natural performance of Red, Green and Blue and enables
brighter, richer, and more vivid display colors. 

    In addition, AUO has adopted specific techniques to
enhance the image performance of the LED backlight.  The
Color Management function can eliminate artificial colors
caused by inconsistent chromaticity between light source
and signal.  The Gamut Enhancement function enhances and
enriches colors.  The Flexible Color Temperature Setting
can change the intensity of the RGB LED to adjust the white
point of backlight and meet the requirements of different
applications with minimal luminance loss.  Other advantages
of LED backlights include instant light, low DC voltage,
shock and vibration safe, fast response time, low
temperature start, and an environmentally-friendly design
that is both mercury and lead free.

    * Image Processing Technology -Providing Sharp, Vivid
Images and Clear Depth of View

    AUO's Image Processing Technology integrates the input
image data management and the dynamic backlight control
solution.  The intrinsic image processing system circuit
can dynamically adjust the contrast, sharpness, hue, color
temperature, and color saturation to accommodate the image
contents. Non-linear image processing can accommodate
changes in the dynamics of human perception ideally used to
overcome an existing problem with LCD TVs where a motion
picture tends to loose its accuracy during darker states. 
AUO's Image Processing Technology enables vivid and sharp
images, enhances color saturation, details in gray levels
and contrast ratios, and retrieves natural colors. 
Customers can now enjoy the precise details of dark and
night scenes on movies.

    An added value of this technology is its energy and
environmental conservation abilities as its dynamic
backlight control function can automatically adjust the
CCFL brightness.

    AUO's Executive Vice President, Dr. Hui Hsiung, noted
AUO's recent breakthrough technologies in LCD TV would have
a major impact in the coming era of high definition TV.  The
four AUO commercialized TV technologies announced not only
ensure higher-quality LCD TV images -- already surpassing
CRT TVs or PDP -- but more importantly, they also mark a
significant milestone in the LCD TV market, giving AUO's TV
panels a unique position among other competitors.  Most
brand-name clients adopt AUO's advanced technology panels
on their high-end products, which help explain why AUO
successfully increased its TV panel market share rapidly in
just a short few years.  By gradually implementing these
leading technologies into its products, especially the
overall implementation upgrade to 37" from 32",
AUO hopes to help more customers to enjoy better image
quality in larger sized LCD TVs.  On top of that, AUO's
37" LCD TV panels provide both WXGA (1366x768) and
Full HDTV (1920x1080) specifications to fulfill the diverse
needs of the widest range of customers. 

    About AUO

    AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO") is the world's
third largest manufacturer* of large-size thin film
transistor liquid crystal display panels
("TFT-LCD"), with approximately 15.1%* of global
market share and generated revenue of NT$217.4billion
(US$6.75 bn)* in 2005.  TFT-LCD technology is currently the
most widely used flat panel display technology.  Targeted
for 40"+ sized LCD TV panels, AUO's next generation
(7.5-Generation) fabrication facility production is
scheduled for mass production in 4Q 2006.  The Company
currently operates one 6th-generation, three
5th-generation, one 4th-generation, and three
3.5-generation TFT- LCD fabs, in addition to four module
assembly facilities and AUO Technology Center specializing
in new technology platform and new product development. 
AUO is one of few top-tier TFT-LCD manufacturers capable of
offering a wide range of small- to large- size
(1.5"-46") TFT-LCD panels, which enables it to
offer a broad and diversified product portfolio.

    * As shown on DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area
TFT-LCD Shipment Report 
      dated June, 2006.  This data is used as reference
only and AUO does not 
      make any endorsement or representation in connection
therewith. 2005 
      year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of
NTD32.2039:USD1.

    Safe Harbour Notice

    AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the
"Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today
announced the following News Release.  Except for
statements in respect of historical matters, the statements
contained in this News Release are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S.
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking
statements were based on our management's expectations,
projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters
including, among other things, future revenues and costs,
financial performance, technology changes, capacity,
utilization rates, yields, process and geographical
diversification, future expansion plans and business
strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a
number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
can cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such statements, including risks
related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD
market, acceptance and demand for our products,
technological and development risks, competitive factors,
and other risks described in the section entitled
"Risk Factors" in our Form F-3 filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission on July
8th, 2005.

    For more information, please contact:

     Yawen Hsiao
     Corporate Communications Dept.
     AU Optronics Corp.
     Tel:   [phone] x3211
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  AU Optronics Corp.

New Technology Acquired by Element Six

New Technology Acquired by Element Six

June 13, 2006

    ASCOT, England, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Element
Six (E6) announces that it has acquired the assets and
intellectual property in order to fabricate a new material,
ScD, a unique cemented diamond-silicon carbide composite.
The Intellectual Property and know-how were purchased from
Skeleton Technologies AG of Switzerland and the
manufacturing plant has been acquired from Stockholm
Termobehandling AB. In order to benefit from E6's existing
powder metallurgy expertise and comprehensive diamond
research and production capability, the ScD fabrication
machinery will be installed in E6's industrial diamond
production facility in South Africa.

    ScD has already proven its use in a broad range of
applications. The high diamond content of ScD makes it an
ideal thermal management substrate for the higher powered
silicon-based electronic devices such as processors used in
Network Servers and industrial PCs. The diamond composite is
extremely wear-resistant and the manufacturing technology
lends itself to making three dimensional shapes for complex
wear parts and mining components. The inert nature of
silicon carbide and the biocompatibility of diamond will
enable the production of medical prosthetics such as hip
joints.

    E6 Technologies' Commercial Development Manager,
Christopher Ogilvie Thompson, said, "This acquisition
enables Element Six to be at the forefront of putting
diamond based thermal management systems into Network
Servers and then into many other high-powered electronic
systems. This will be the first of many applications for
this exciting new material. Diamond is the ultimate
engineering material and ScD is a cost effective material
enabling the electronic industry to make use of the extreme
properties of diamond. Element Six is delighted to be at the
forefront of assisting the electronics industry to launch
more powerful servers using diamond-based thermal
management systems."

    About Element Six

    Element Six is the world's leading supplier of high
quality industrial diamond and the complementary cubic
boron nitride (cBN) abrasive materials. These materials are
available both in their single crystal and polycrystalline
forms, for abrasive and non-abrasive industrial uses. The
Element Six group of companies operates internationally
with processing and manufacturing facilities in South
Africa, Sweden, Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands, China and
the Ukraine.  

    For more information, please contact:

     Chris J.H. Wort, Technical Manager, Element Six, 
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Element Six Ltd

Texas Instruments and Tata Elxsi Deliver 802.16e Demonstration System to Support Emerging Mobile WiMAX Infrastructure Market

Texas Instruments and Tata Elxsi Deliver 802.16e Demonstration System to Support Emerging Mobile WiMAX Infrastructure Market

June 13, 2006

Complete Signal Chain Solution Enables Quick Deployment of Advanced WiMAX Products

    LAS VEGAS, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas
Instruments Incorporated [NYSE: TXN] (TI) and Tata Elxsi
today announce their collaboration on an end-to-end base
band demonstration system for IEEE 802.16e infrastructure
products, enabling manufacturers to quickly roll out
flexible base station solutions targeting the mobile WiMAX
market. This new design combines both the hardware and
software required for system implementation, including a
fully integrated Media Access Controller (MAC), allowing
customers to incorporate the complete solution into their
own products. For more information, please visit
http://www.ti.com/wimaxwi. 

    The 802.16e mobile WiMAX standard was approved late
last year and most analysts expect certified products to be
available in 2007.  To meet this deadline and gain market
traction, manufacturers will need to quickly develop
products and work towards certification. 

    TI recently announced its own 802.16e infrastructure
solution for wireless applications, including software,
analog and RF products, to support the emerging mobile
WiMAX industry. Providing a digital solution that
integrates MAC capabilities completes the base station
solution. This offering from TI will allow existing
original equipment manufacturers (OEM) an easy path to
migrate to mobility solutions for WiMAX, while providing
new manufacturers a quick entry into the IEEE 802.16
market. The design will enable all physical layer
processing required for a 10 MHz, TDD, multi-antenna base
band solution with multiple input/multiple output (MIMO)
transmission across a breadth of air interfaces. TI's
robust portfolio of WiMAX products allows OEMs to offer a
wide variety of products that can be matched to service
providers' features requirements and deployment roadmaps.

    "At TI, we understand manufacturers' needs for
deploying products quickly to meet the demands of emerging
markets, like mobile WiMAX," said Sandeep Kumar,
worldwide strategic marketing manager with TI's
Communications Infrastructure group. "This 802.16e
system from TI and Tata Elxsi offers OEMs a sensible and
cost-effective alternative for quickly developing
infrastructure products while enabling them to customize
their solutions to best meet service provider demand."
The system will incorporate Mercury Computer's MTI-203
Advanced Mezzanine Card (AMC) for WiMAX, anchored with
three TI TMS320TCI6482 DSPs and a supporting compute node
to create a WiMAX infrastructure base band solution. The
MTI-203 AMC card can plug into Serial RapidIO based
Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (TCA) carrier
cards, as well as MicroTCA and AdvancedTCA chassis that
support Serial RapidIO (PICMG 3.5) across the backplane.
Advanced TCA systems, such as Mercury's leading edge
Ensemble2 system, allow `mix and match' across a variety of
different processing nodes and architectures to enable a
complete functional system.

    The software components, available as a part of this
demonstration system, will allow OEMs to select and
optimize specific pieces of the design in their own
implementation, reducing product development time and
allowing them to customize the software and add their own
intellectual property. This level of flexibility is
important to manufacturers who want to differentiate their
product offering from their competitors. 

    "We understand the challenges manufacturers face
when developing products for emerging markets, and the
difficulties of working with hardware and software
components from a variety of vendors to work together in a
optimized design," said Madhukar Dev, managing
director and chief executive officer Tata Elxsi. "In
order to jump start this market, TI and Tata Elxsi are
working towards an aggressive business model with this
system.  We hope to make it very easy for interested OEMs
to be able to use this hardware and software, and get to
production faster." 

    About Tata Elxsi

    Tata Elxsi Limited, the Product Design arm of the USD
22 Billion Tata Group, provides world class design services
and solutions across the product design lifecycle to
industry sectors such as automotive, consumer electronics,
media, semiconductor, scientific instrumentation,
networking and wireless, helping product manufacturers
reduce development costs and time-to-market.

    This is enabled by core technology and domain expertise
in VLSI design, DSP, Wireless, Multimedia, Networking and
Communication, a rich industry experience of over 15 years
and SEI CMMI Level 5 certified processes for hardware and
embedded software development.

    Headquartered in Bangalore, the company is supported by
a team of over 2000 engineers, technology and domain
experts, state-of-the-art global development centers in
Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram in India,
and a network of over 20 international offices including
USA, UK, Germany, France, Korea, Taiwan and Japan that
assures easy access to the company's global customers. 

    Tata Elxsi is a public stock company traded in the
Indian stock exchanges. For more information, visit
http://www.tataelxsi.com

    About Texas Instruments

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. In addition to
Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational
&Productivity Solutions business. TI is headquartered
in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales
operations in more than 25 countries. 

    Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com.

    Trademarks

    All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong
to their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Marcia Barnett
     Texas Instruments
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Nitin Pai
     Tata Elxsi
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Texas Instruments Incorporated

Texas Instruments 45-nm Chip Manufacturing Process Doubles Output per Wafer, Lowers Power and Boosts Performance

Texas Instruments 45-nm Chip Manufacturing Process Doubles Output per Wafer, Lowers Power and Boosts Performance

June 13, 2006

Consumers to See Improved Video Quality, Longer Battery Life in Portable Devices, More Applications Running Concurrently

    HONOLULU, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Before the
start of the prestigious 2006 Symposium on VLSI Technology,
Texas Instruments Incorporated (NYSE: TXN) (TI) unveiled
details of a 45-nanometer (nm) semiconductor manufacturing
process that leverages a "wet" lithography
process to double the number of chips produced on each
silicon wafer, increase processing performance and reduce
power consumption.  Through the use of numerous proprietary
techniques, TI will drive the capabilities of its
multi-million transistor, system-on-chip processors to new
levels, increasing performance by 30 percent while reducing
power consumption 40 percent.

    "TI's strength in chip manufacturing has resulted
in a cost-effective process that will deliver 45-nm
products, like mobile phone processors and DSPs, that
simultaneously address performance, power consumption and
transistor density," said Dr. Hans Stork, senior vice
president and chief technology officer, Texas Instruments.
"This gives our customers early access to faster,
smaller and lower power products and continues TI's track
record of delivering millions of units from high yielding
wafers ahead of the industry."

    TI estimates that its 45-nm process and SoC integration
capabilities will mean consumers will experience 30 percent
better video quality or have the ability to run parallel
applications such as a game with 3-D graphics and sound
effects, or conduct a video conference with email running
simultaneously on a mobile phone.  Other projections show
that TI's 45-nm SoCs will support 40 percent longer video
playback minutes and cell phone stand-by times 30 percent
longer than before.

    Emphasis on Lowering Power, Increasing Integration

    The convergence of communications and computing on
mobile devices, and the growing use of high performance
multimedia, gaming and productivity applications, has
pushed lower power consumption to the forefront of
semiconductor technology advancement.  

    TI's 45-nm process leverages SmartReflex(TM) power and
performance management technologies that combine
intelligent and adaptive silicon, circuit design, and
software to address these power management challenges.  TI
takes a system-level approach with SmartReflex technologies
to extend the capability across an entire 45-nm SoC design,
including adaptive hardware and software technologies that
dynamically control voltage, frequency and power based on
device activity, modes of operation and process and
temperature variation. 
   
    The new TI process also supports the revolutionary
DRP(TM) architecture to integrate digital RF functionality
in single-chip wireless solutions. This SoC approach to
wireless transmit and receive functions, allows TI to apply
its highly efficient CMOS manufacturing infrastructure to
reduce overall system cost, reduce power consumption and
free up board space.  Other integration options in the TI
45-nm design libraries include a host of analog components
such as resistors, inductors and capacitors that allow
further SoC integration of formerly stand-alone functions.

    Techniques Enhancing Performance, Density

    For the first time, TI will implement the use of 193-nm
immersion photo-lithography to accomplish density
improvements that competitors using dry lithography at
45-nm are unable to achieve.  The use of 193nm immersion
tools delivers the higher resolution and corresponding
smaller device features needed to maximize the benefits of
migrating to a new process.  193nm immersion tools work by
placing a thin layer of liquid between the lens and the
wafer to ease the process of transferring smaller circuit
designs.

    The company's work in this area has resulted in the
development of what it believes to be the smallest 45-nm
SRAM memory cells, occupying only 0.24 square microns, up
to 30 percent smaller than other 45-nm memory cells devices
announced to date.  Memory cells are often the first
development vehicle for new manufacturing technologies and
provide valuable data about transistor densities that will
be achieved on complete SoCs.  

    Other improvements in how many transistors TI's 45-nm
process can support on a chip can be attributed to the use
of an ultra low-k dielectric that achieves a k value of
2.5, and reduces interconnect capacitance by 10 percent. 
This will be TI's third-generation process technology to
use low k dielectrics for reducing capacitance and
propagation delays within a device's interconnect layers,
and boosting chip performance.

    Maximizing Design Flexibility, Optimization

    As with its previous generation process technologies,
TI will offer several optimized 45nm recipes to address the
unique requirements of each end product or application. 
Through adjustments to the transistors' gate length,
threshold voltage, gate dielectric thickness or bias
conditions, and others, circuit designers have a several
options for creating flexible, optimized designs.

    TI's low power 45-nm offering will extend battery life
in portable products, while offering the performance to
handle advanced multimedia functionality in a tightly
integrated design.  A mid-range process will support TI
DSPs and TI's high performance ASIC library for
communications infrastructure products.  TI's highest
performance 45-nm option supports MPU-class performance.

    A collection of strain techniques will enhance
transistor performance and minimize leakage for all three
process versions of the process, including TI's first use
of silicon-germanium in its strain application.  Finally,
TI is considering techniques to cost-effectively enhance
performance through use of a dual work function metal gate
at some point in its 45-nm technology roadmap.  Options
include the use of full-silicidation-of-polysilicon (FuSI),
or a combination of metal plus a silicide.  Currently being
explored for the highest performance process, TI believes
leveraging a metal gate with continued use of proven,
silicon nitrided dielectrics delivers the necessary power
consumption control without having to simultaneously move
to new, more complex high-k materials.  

    TI's 45-nm process will be manufactured on 300mm wafers
in the DMOS6 facility in Dallas, Texas.  The low-power ASIC
design library will be available by the end of this year,
with samples of the first SoC product delivered in 2007 and
initial production in mid-2008.

    About Texas Instruments

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements.  In addition to
Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational &
Productivity Solutions business.  TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales
operations in more than 25 countries.

    Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .

    Trademarks

    SmartReflex and DRP are trademarks of Texas
Instruments.  All other trademarks and registered
trademarks are property of their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Gary Silcott
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Tish LeBlanc
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Texas Instruments Incorporated

Asia Automotive Acquisition Corporation Announces Separate Trading of Common Stock and Warrants

Asia Automotive Acquisition Corporation Announces Separate Trading of Common Stock and Warrants

June 13, 2006

    NEW YORK, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Asia
Automotive Acquisition Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board:
AAACU) (the 'Company') announces that, as of today, holders
of the Company's units can separately trade the common stock
and warrants included in such units. The symbols for the
common stock, warrants and units are AAAC, AAACW and AAACU,
respectively. 

    Asia Automotive Acquisition Corporation is a blank
check company recently formed for the purpose of effecting
a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or
other business combination with an unidentified operating
business in the Asian automotive supplier industry.

    Any statements contained in this press release that do
not describe historical facts may constitute
forward-looking statements as that term is defined by the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any such forward-looking statements contained herein
are based on current expectations, but are subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ materially from expectations such as
material adverse events affecting the Company, the ability
of Company to satisfy the conditions for completion of the
business combination and those other risks and
uncertainties detailed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

     Mr. Ivan M. Peill, Vice President, Capital Markets
     Capital MS&L
     Tel:  [phone]
     Web:  http://www.asiadevelopmentcapital.com

SOURCE  Asia Automotive Acquisition Corporation

DuPont Titanium Technologies Announces a Price Increase for Titanium Dioxide Grades in the Middle East

DuPont Titanium Technologies Announces a Price Increase for Titanium Dioxide Grades in the Middle East

June 13, 2006

    WILMINGTON, Del., June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- DuPont
Titanium Technologies announced a price increase in the
Middle East for all DuPont titanium dioxide grades.

    Effective June 15, 2006, or as permitted by contract,
prices for all titanium dioxide grades will increase $150
per tonne in the Middle East.

    This increase is supported by market dynamics and
significant increases in raw material, energy, fuel costs,
as well as reinvestment economics to meet future customer
needs.  Other regional increases will be announced directly
within the local regions.

    DuPont Titanium Technologies is the world's largest
manufacturer of titanium dioxide, serving customers
globally in the coatings, paper and plastics industries. 
The company operates plants at DeLisle, Miss.; New
Johnsonville, Tenn.; Edge Moor, Del.; Altamira, Mexico; and
Kuan Yin, Taiwan; all of which use the chloride
manufacturing process.  The company also operates a plant
in Uberaba, Brazil, for finishing titanium dioxide and a
mine in Starke, Fla.  Technical service centers are located
in Uberaba, Brazil; Mexico City, Mexico; Mechelen, Belgium;
Kuan Yin, Taiwan; Ulsan, Korea; Wilmington, Del.; and
Shanghai, China, to serve the European, Middle Eastern,
United States, Asian and Latin America markets.

    DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a science company.  Founded in
1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries,
DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and
services for markets including agriculture, nutrition,
electronics, communications, safety and protection, home
and construction, transportation and apparel.

    For more information, please contact:

     Kimberlie A. Lantz
     DuPont Titanium Technologies
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  DuPont Titanium Technologies 

CROWNE PLAZA HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS INTO THE CHINESE IVY LEAGUE

CROWNE PLAZA HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS INTO THE CHINESE IVY LEAGUE

June 13, 2006

-- Newly constructed 309 room hotel brings a new luxury to Yangpu District
-- The place to meet for impeccable convenience, comfort and service for conference hosting

    SHANGHAI, June 13 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
InterContinental Hotels Group has boosted its presence in
the Shanghai market with the opening of the Crowne Plaza
Fudan Shanghai, a newly constructed 19 floor, 309 room
property in the rapidly developing Yangpu District of Puxi,
bringing a previously unheard of level of luxury and service
to the area.  With a prime location opposite Fudan
University, and well developed conference facilities, the
Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai is the place to meet in
Yangpu.
	
    The hotel's location across from Fudan University
places it in the centre of Shanghai's `University Town,'
famed as the Chinese Ivy League.  Quiet, leafy and green,
the tranquil surroundings give the Crowne Plaza Fudan
Shanghai a location unrivalled in Shanghai.  Though other
luxury hotels strive to occupy the centre of Shanghai's
hustle and bustle, the Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai, at just
fifteen minutes from the Bund, stays close to the heart of
the city while keeping a more sedate pace.   This gives
guests the same convenience to head downtown for
sightseeing or the Bund for dinner as it is to take a
tranquil walk along a tree-lined boulevard.

    "The Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai marks a new
concept of luxury accommodation for Shanghai," said
Shou Wei Guang, Chairman of the Board of Shanghai Fudan SIG
Academic Exchange Centre.  "It will cater not just to
the large number of academic and conferences hosted here,
but also to the many travelers who want truly luxurious
accommodations away from the noise and crowds of downtown
Shanghai.  We are confident in our partnership with the
InterContinental Hotels Group, whose powerful branding and
experience has allowed us to create an exceptional
venue."

    The hotel itself embraces its surroundings, with a
sprawling garden and glass-roofed lobby featuring massive
windows designed to capture the abundance of natural light
and welcome the beautiful scenery into the hotel.  The
Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai takes guests away from the
rat-race, promoting contemplation and relaxation in work or
pleasure.  Reflecting its positioning as the ideal
conference host in the area, the Crowne Plaza Fudan
Shanghai's main meeting and function areas are on the
second floor, easily accessible from the hotel lobby.

    "We are proud to add the Crowne Plaza Fudan
Shanghai to our portfolio fine hotels in Shanghai."
Said Edmond Ip, Chief Operating Officer for North Asia,
InterContinental Hotels Group, "As the third Crowne
Plaza hotel in the city, the Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai
will provide not only the luxurious accommodations and fine
services for which the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts
brand is famous, but is also further testament to the
InterContinental Hotels Group's powerful market dominance
and ongoing commitment to expanding and developing the
Chinese market."

    The Crowne Plaza Ballroom and the five meeting rooms on
the second floor have been designed with a pre-function area
overlooking the hotel entrance and garden, to bring in the
tranquility of the surroundings.  Each room is equipped the
latest state of the art audiovisual technology, providing an
ideal venue for meetings, banquets, and seminars.  The
Crowne Plaza Keys ensures a successful event by providing a
dedicated Crowne Meeting Director. The conference rooms are
extremely flexible, providing comfortable service for
meetings of 10-600 people.  Rounding off the facilities are
a full-service Business Centre and two additional meeting
rooms on the third floor.

    Having exceptional meeting facilities does not detract
from the quality of services and amenities for which Crowne
Plaza Hotels & Resorts are famous.  The Crowne Plaza
Fudan Shanghai boasts four Food & Beverage venues,
serving both Western and Chinese food.  While private rooms
are available for special functions, a unique feature is
that many of these venues, such as the show-kitchen Caf¨¦
Mix and the Terrace Bar offer al-fresco dining and drinks
on some of the hotel's many terraces.  For hosting private
events, the unique rooftop Chancellor's Club is an
exquisite and exclusive private dining and function area,
offering a wide range of facilities from meeting rooms and
lounge to two outdoor terraces overlooking the green campus
below.

    All guest rooms include large baths and separate
twin-head showers, cable and satellite TV, high speed
broadband access and large wardrobes.   The modern and
comfortable rooms range in size from a large 33.3 - 41.2 m2
for the standard rooms, to an impressive 106 m2 for the
three-bedroom Chancellor's Suite.   Guests on the Crowne
Plaza Club Floor profit from the Crowne Plaza's attentive
service and Club room benefits, including free local calls,
daily newspapers, late check out until 2pm and exclusive
access to the Crowne Plaza Club Lounge on the 19th floor. 

    Other services include secure car-parking for in-house
guests, gift shop, florist, beauty salon and Health Club. 
The third floor Health Club includes a fully equipped
modern gym, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, relaxation area
with pool table, and available massage therapists.  A large
indoor pool, available for house guests and members of the
Health Club, rounds off the amenities.  

    Note to Editors

    Crowne Plaza Shanghai is located at 199 Handan Road,
Yangpu District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China. The
hotel is on the Middle Ring Road right opposite the gates
of Fudan University just a 15 minute drive from Shanghai's
famous Bund.  The Hotel features 309 guest rooms including
34 suites, four Food & Beverage outlets and a fully
equipped Health Club. The Crowne Plaza Ballroom and 10
Meeting Rooms are complimented by a full service Business
Center offering comprehensive facilities that also caters
for social events. The renowned Crowne Plaza Meeting
Success program - which includes services such as a
dedicated Crowne Meetings Director and Two Hour Response to
all meeting inquiries, will firmly establish Crowne Plaza
Fudan Shanghai as The Place To Meet. 

    The Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai is owned by Shanghai
Investment Group (SIG) and managed by InterContinental
Hotels Group, the world's most global hotel company and the
largest by number of rooms, InterContinental Hotels Group
owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various
subsidiaries, more than 3600 hotels and 537,500 guest rooms
in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

    For more information, please contact:

     Sharon Fraser
     Director of Sales & Marketing
     Crowne Plaza Fudan Shanghai
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Sharona Tao
     Brand Public Relations & Communications Manager,
Greater China
     InterContinental Hotels Group
     Tel: [phone]
     Fax: [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  InterContinental Hotels Group

World's Largest Casino Selects Otis Elevator Company

World's Largest Casino Selects Otis Elevator Company

June 12, 2006

    FARMINGTON, Conn., June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Otis
Elevator Company, a unit of United Technologies Corp.
(NYSE: UTX), has been awarded a U.S. $9 million contract to
supply and install 29 elevators for a multimillion-dollar
expansion of the Foxwoods Resort Casino in southeast
Connecticut, U.S.A. 

    The U.S. $700 million expansion will add a new 29-story
hotel tower with 826 rooms, a spa, convention meeting space,
4,000-seat theater and parking garage to what is already the
world's largest gaming space in the world.
"We are pleased that Foxwoods has once again selected
Otis' superior technology and service for this impressive
expansion," said Otis President Ari Bousbib.

    The Otis units, including seven flat-belt
machine-roomless Gen2(R) elevators and nine high-rise
gearless elevators, will be installed in the hotel tower,
the parking garage and elsewhere in the expanded area.
Otis, which previously installed and now maintains the 125
units currently in operation on the Foxwoods campus, will
also service the new units.

    "We wanted to ensure that we chose the right
partner to provide the additional elevator service in our
exciting new resort casino at Foxwoods," said John
Rooney, executive director of resort development at
Foxwoods. "The elevators at Foxwoods are in continuous
use by our guests, and they must offer reliable, safe
operation. We have a strong relationship with Otis, and we
are confident we made the right choice for our expanding
casino resort."

    Otis Elevator Company is the world's largest
manufacturer and maintainer of people-moving products
including elevators, escalators and moving walkways. With
headquarters in Farmington, Connecticut, Otis employs
60,000 people worldwide, offers products and services in
more than 200 countries and territories, and maintains 1.5
million elevators and escalators worldwide. United
Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a
diversified company providing high technology products and
services to the building and aerospace industries.

    For more information, please contact:

     Tizz Weber
     Director, Communications of Otis Elevator Company
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Otis Elevator Company

AU Optronics to Signify New Movement of Technology and Products, with Full Range of Panel Sizes at The FPD Taiwan 2006

AU Optronics to Signify New Movement of Technology and Products, with Full Range of Panel Sizes at The FPD Taiwan 2006

June 12, 2006

    HSINCHU, Taiwan, June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the
"Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) schedules to
participate in The FPD Taiwan 2006 in Taipei from June 14
to June 16, introducing its latest products and
technologies. With this year's focus on LCD TV technology,
AUO will be showcasing its new-generation of LCD TV panels
with the focused features of low color washout, high
contrast ratio, wide viewing angle, sharpness, wide color
gamut and vivid color performance. On the agenda, for
large-sized panel applications, LCD TVs and Desktop PC
monitors in wide format and featured new AMVA technology
will be on display. For medium-small sized products, the
main limelight will be placed on car display as well as
mobile phone applications', including the world's first
commercialized AMOLED panel.

    During the exhibition, AUO will introduce the four key
technologies for High Definition TV (HDTV), including low
color washout, high contrast ratio and wide viewing angle
with Advanced MVA technology (AMVA), improved motion
picture quality with SPD technology, LED backlight module
with HiColor technology to achieve over 100% color
saturation, and Image Processing Technology featuring
natural color images as well as saturation enhancement.
These four breakthrough technologies for LCD TV products,
regarded as AUO's advantages to distinguish its LCD TV
products among the peers, will be showcased to the public
for the first time by means of 37" TV panels.

    In the medium-small sized product showcase area, the
main attention will be placed on the world's first
commercialized 2" AMOLED panel, the 2.8" LTPS
panel with VGA resolution, and Transflective MVA technology
qualified with better sunlight readability and high contrast
ratio 350:1 which made it the ideal solution for mobile
applications.  Another exhibition able to feature the
mobility is the 200-gram easily-carried 12.1" notebook
PC panel, installed with new 0.3mm glass thinness technology
and LED backlight.

    Main stream of AUO's products in 2006: large-sized
products place emphasis on wide screen, wide viewing angle
and saturation enhancement, while medium-small sized
products focus on high resolution

    -- LCD TV panel products all along the line are planned
to be equipped 
       with AMVA technology with low color washout and high
contrast ratio   
       above 1200:1, including the 42" panel, which is
on public display for 
       the first time in Taiwan.

    -- Some of high-level Desktop PC Monitor products have
been installed AMVA 
       technology. AUO projects that there will be a
tendency towards wide    
       screen and larger-sized panel using for Desktop PC
Monitor products. In 
       addition, the 19" panel with CCFL can reach 92%
of NTSC while the 
       20.1" panel with LED can raise the color gamut
to 104% of NTSC 
       standard. 

    -- As for the Notebook PC products, the future demands
will still focus on 
       wide screen. Meanwhile, high-level products will
begin to emphasize the 
       same-level requirement as LCD TVs', aiming to
demonstrate the 
       equivalent high-qualified characteristics. For
instance, the 17" 
       notebook PC panel is able to feature 500 nits
brightness, contrast 
       ratio of 700:1, 8ms response time and 72% of NTSC.

    -- AUO launches brand-new EcoTR technology for its
general display 
       products to increase sunlight readable capability
and super power 
       efficiency. 

    -- Following the demand of high resolution, AUO
launches LTPS panel for 
       its car display products to lead the market trend.

    -- High resolution and wide viewing angle will be the
next tendency for 
       the high-level mobile phone panels.
 
    AUO's full-ranged products at the FPD Taiwan 2006



    LCD TV          AUO will display its LCD TV panels from
the size of 26"
                    to 46", whereas the 46" panel
is the Full HDTV quipped
                    with 1920 x 1080 high-resolution
specification and the
                    32" to 42" panels are
installed AUO's AMVA technology
                    with advantages of high contrast ratio
of 1200:1 and low
                    color washout.                         
             
                                                           
             
    Desktop PC      AUO will display its 19",
20.1", 22" and 24" wide    
     Monitor        screen panels, whereas the 20.1"
and 24" WUXGA panels                                 
                    have been installed AUO's AMVA
technology which features 
                    high contrast ratio of 1000:1 and low
color washout.      
                                                           
             
                    The 19" WXGA panel features wide
viewing angle (180 /
                    180) with 5ms response time.           
             
                                                           
             
                    The company's 4:3 module will showcase
the 19" and the
                    20.1" panels with HiColor
technology. The 19" SXGA panel
                    with CCFL can reach 92% of NTSC while
the 20.1" UXGA 
                    panel with LED can raise the color
gamut to 104% of NTSC
                    standard.                              
             
                                                           
             
    Notebook PC     AUO will display its notebook PC panels
of 12.1", 13.3",
                    14.1" 15.4" and 17" in
wide screen format. The merely
                    510-gram 17" WXGA+ panel produced
by the company's G5 fab
                    is specified with characteristics at
500 nits high   
                    brightness, 700:1 high contrast ratio,
8ms response time
                    and 72% NTSC. This 17" WXGA+ panel
is regarded as the new
                    choice equivalent to LCD TVs by the
market.          
                                                           
             
    General Display AUO will display 6.5" and
12.1" panels, whereas the 
                    12.1" panel installed EcoTR
technology not only can 
                    increase sunlight readable capability
but can also be 
                    regarded as a green environmental
protection product with 
                    power efficiency.                      
                   
                                                           
             
    Car Display     AUO will showcase the wide format
6.5" LTPS panel with
                    the features of high resolution, ultra
600 nits high 
                    brightness and wide temperature range.
In addition, the
                    high resolution of 8" WVGA panel
is 800 x 480.       
                                                           
             
    Mobile Phone    AUO will display mobile phone panels
ranged from 1.6" to
                    22", including transmissive and
transflective panels. The
                    high-resolution 2.2" LTPS panel is
specified with    
                    characteristics at QVGA, wide viewing
angle          
                    (60/45/55/55), 65% NTSC and 350:1 high
contrast ratio,
                    while the 1.9" panel is featured
with 400 nits high  
                    brightness.                            
             
                                                           
             


    ABOUT AU OPTRONICS

    AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO") is the world's
third largest manufacturer* of large-size thin film
transistor liquid crystal display panels
("TFT-LCD"), with approximately 15.1%* of global
market share and generated revenue of NT$217.4billion
(US$6.75 bn)* in 2005.  TFT-LCD technology is currently the
most widely used flat panel display technology.  Targeted
for 40"+ sized LCD TV panels, AUO's next generation
(7.5-Generation ) fabrication facility production is
scheduled for mass production in 4Q 2006.  The Company
currently operates one 6th-generation, three
5th-generation, one 4th-generation, and three
3.5-generation TFT- LCD fabs, in addition to four module
assembly facilities and AUO Technology Center specializing
in new technology platform and new product development. 
AUO is one of few top-tier TFT-LCD manufacturers capable of
offering a wide range of small- to large- size
(1.5"-46") TFT-LCD panels, which enables it to
offer a broad and diversified product portfolio.
    
    * As shown on DisplaySearch Quarterly Large-Area
TFT-LCD Shipment Report 
      dated June, 2006.  This data is used as reference
only and AUO does not 
      make any endorsement or representation in connection
therewith. 2005 
      year end revenue converted by an exchange rate of
NTD32.2039:USD1.

    Safe Harbour Notice

    AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the
"Company") (TAIEX: 2409; NYSE: AUO) today
announced the following News Release. Except for statements
in respect of historical matters, the statements contained
in this News Release are "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the
U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S.
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking
statements were based on our management's expectations,
projections and beliefs at the time regarding matters
including, among other things, future revenues and costs,
financial performance, technology changes, capacity,
utilization rates, yields, process and geographical
diversification, future expansion plans and business
strategy. Such forward looking statements are subject to a
number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
can cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such statements, including risks
related to the flat panel display industry, the TFT-LCD
market, acceptance and demand for our products,
technological and development risks, competitive factors,
and other risks described in the section entitled
"Risk Factors" in our Form F-3 filed with the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission on July
8th, 2005. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Yawen Hsiao
     Corporate Communications Dept.
     AU Optronics Corp.
     Tel:    [phone] x3211
     Fax:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail] 

SOURCE  AU Optronics Corp.

TOM Online Inc. Buys Wireless Entertainment Firm Infomax

TOM Online Inc. Buys Wireless Entertainment Firm Infomax

June 12, 2006

Solidifies Wireless Internet Leadership Through Enriching Distribution Channels

    BEIJING, June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- TOM Online Inc.
(Nasdaq: TOMO; Hong Kong GEM: 8282), China's leading
wireless Internet company, announced today it has entered
into a definitive agreement to acquire a wireless
entertainment company Infomax.  Through the acquisition TOM
Online will gain access to Infomax's extensive TV
distribution network which reaches out to hundreds of
millions of Chinese households.  It is expected the
purchase will further strengthen TOM Online's leadership in
China's wireless Internet market.

    Following the acquisition, significant synergies
between Infomax and TOM Online are expected to be created
in the coming years.  TOM Online has proven and pioneered
the integration of TV and wireless media as a new way to
inform and entertain Chinese consumers with the purchase of
Treasure Base in 2004.  By combining TOM Online's own
industry leading service platform with Infomax's strong and
unique TV operator relationships and experience, the Company
believes the acquisition of Infomax will produce yet more
benefits in the areas of product diversification,
operational efficiency and content sharing.

    Through its unique relationships with TV operators and
other entertainment companies, Infomax has been providing
wireless interactive products and services to China's
national TV audience since 2003.  TOM Online management
believes the purchase presents tremendous synergy potential
for enhancing Infomax's existing product portfolio given TOM
Online's leadership in SMS, WAP, MMS, CRBT and IVR
services.

    Wang Lei Lei, TOM Online Chief Executive Officer, said:
"The achievements accomplished by TOM Online in the
wireless Internet market today are not only the results of
our ability to continuously innovate, they are also the
results of our solid working relationships with mobile
operators such as China Mobile. With that as a foundation,
we work hard to build the most comprehensive and
multifaceted distribution network in the SP industry, and
focus on formulating strategies to develop entertainment
and sports-related products.  In the TV media alone, we
have accumulated a vast amount of content cooperation
experiences through our partnerships with more than 200 TV
stations.  I believe, with the addition of Infomax, TOM
Online will be able to further enhance its TV distribution
network, which in turn will help promote the growth of our
entertainment services."   

    Besides TV alliances, TOM Online's extensive
distribution platform also brings together hundreds of
media partners from print, radio and the Internet, as well
as audio & visual distributors and handset
manufacturers.  Through its acquisition of service provider
Treasure Base in August 2004, TOM Online became the
exclusive wireless content partner of China's most watched
sports channel.  The acquisition of Infomax not only will
strengthen TOM Online's leadership position in the wireless
Internet market, it also demonstrates the Company's
confidence in the future growth of the industry.  

    TOM Online will acquire 100% of Infomax with the
maximum valuation capped at RMB 600.0 million (or
approximately US$ 75.0 million).  Valuation will be
calculated and based on 2.5x - 3.5x of Infomax's FY2006
earnings, and 3.0x - 4.0x Infomax's FY2007 earnings,
depending on Infomax's net profit levels in the respective
years.  The transaction is subject to customary closing
conditions including regulatory approvals but is expected
to close sometime in the later part of the 2nd quarter or
the 3rd quarter of 2006.

    Investor Conference Call

    TOM Online's management will hold an investor
conference all to explain the transaction and answer
questions from investors at 9: 00 p.m Hong Kong time on
12th June, 2006.

    Dial-in numbers:

    Australia: 1-800-504-629; Hong Kong: 852 2258-4000;
India: 000-800-852-1115; Singapore: 800-852-3237; United
Kingdom: 0800-068-9056; USA: 800-365-8460.

    Password: TOM Online

    The conference call will be accompanied by a slide
presentation on http://ir.tom.com .

    About TOM Online Inc.

    TOM Online Inc. (Nasdaq: TOMO, Hong Kong GEM: 8282) is
a leading wireless Internet company in China providing
value-added multimedia products and services.  A premier
online brand in China targeting the young and trendy
demographics, the company's primary business activities
include wireless value-added services and online
advertising.  The company offers an array of services such
as SMS, MMS, WAP, wireless IVR (interactive voice response)
services, content channels, search and classified
information, and free and fee-based advanced email.  As at
March 31, 2006, TOM Online is the only portal in China that
enjoyed a top three ranking in every wireless internet
service segment.

    About Infomax

    Infomax is a leading wireless entertainment company
that focuses on the development of interactive
entertainment products and services.  The company has been
providing wireless interactive products and services to
China's TV audience since 2003 through its successful
partnerships with mainstream TV operators and other media
companies.  Throughout that time, Infomax has accumulated a
vast amount of product development and wireless
entertainment operational experiences, and built up a
business that now reaches out to hundreds of millions of
Chinese households, making it one of the most influential
companies in the industry.  

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release of TOM Online Inc. (the
"Company"), contains statements that may be
viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.  Such forward-looking statements are, by
their nature, subject to significant risks and
uncertainties that may cause the actual performance,
financial condition or results of operations of the Company
to be materially different from any future performance,
financial condition or results of operations implied by
such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking
statements include, without limitation, statements that are
not historical fact relating to the financial performance
and business operations of the Company, the continued
growth of the telecommunications industry in China, the
expected benefit of any strategic alliances with other
companies and our ability to cooperate with our alliance
partners, the development of the regulatory environment and
the Company's latest product offerings, and the Company's
ability to successfully execute its business strategies and
plans, including its ability to expand its market share and
revenue through strategic alliances.

    Such forward-looking statements reflect the current
views of the Company with respect to future events and are
not a guarantee of future performance.  Actual results may
differ materially from information contained in the
forward-looking statements as a result of a number of
factors, including, without limitation, any changes in our
relationships with telecommunication operators in China,
the effect of competition on the demand for the price of
our services, changes in customer demand and usage
preference for our products and services, changes in the
regulatory policies of the Ministry of Information Industry
and other relevant government authorities, any changes in
telecommunications and related technology and applications
based on such technology, and changes in political,
economic, legal and social conditions in China, India, and
other countries where the Company conducts business
operations, including, without limitation, the Chinese
government's policies with respect to economic growth,
foreign exchange, foreign investment and entry by foreign
companies into China's telecommunications market.  Please
also see the "Risk Factors" section of the
Company's annual report for the year ended December 31,
2005 on Form F-20 (File No. 000-50631), as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

    For more information, please contact:

     Rico Ngai
     TOM Online Inc.
     Tel:    [phone] x6940
     Mobile: [phone]
     Skype:  ricoinrio

SOURCE  TOM Online Inc.

TI's New DaVinci(TM) Technology Development Kit Simplifies Design Effort for Next-Generation Video Applications

TI's New DaVinci(TM) Technology Development Kit Simplifies Design Effort for Next-Generation Video Applications

June 12, 2006

Unprecedented Tools Radically Improve Software Integration and System Visibility

    HOUSTON, Texas, June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Continuing to streamline the creation of innovative digital
video systems, Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) (TI) today
announced a new digital video software development kit
based on DaVinci(TM) technology.  The new software
development kit incorporates exceptional software
integration and system visualization technology with a full
Linux operating system to integrate and tune complex systems
quickly and efficiently.  For more information, please see
http://www.ti.com/dvsdkpr . 

    System designers will use the software development kit
to have even greater access to TI's DaVinci technology, the
industry's most powerful combination of video hardware and
software.  The new kit includes the eXpressDSP(TM)
Configuration Kit, TMS320DM644x SoC Analyzer based on
eXpressDSP Data Visualization Technology and MontaVista's
Linux to help reduce the application development cycle from
months to weeks.  Developers will use the kit to create and
tune optimized IP-set top boxes, video phones, video
security systems and other advanced digital video
applications.

    "To create our smart surveillance camera reference
design, we took advantage of TI's new software development
kit and DaVinci technology to achieve optimum system
performance and simultaneously shaved more than three
months off of our expected development time," said
Upendra Patel, chief technology officer, eInfochips. 
"The complete package consisting of multimedia codecs,
MontaVista Linux and framework components with DaVinci
technology enables us to deliver high performance and
feature-rich solutions addressing the needs of target
market segments."

    New capabilities streamline video system development

    The eXpressDSP(TM) Configuration Kit, included in the
new software development kit, allows system developers to
integrate discrete software modules and combine them into a
single executable output for the system, avoiding months of
tedious manual integration.  By making it possible to
easily create custom bundles of codecs for specific
applications, the configuration kit simplifies code reuse
and gives developers time to focus their engineering
efforts on adding features and value to their products. 
The configuration kit integrates TI's video, imaging,
speech and audio codecs, as well as custom codecs that
comply with TI's eXpressDSP(TM) Digital Media (xDM)
algorithm standard, TI's codec engine framework,
DSP/BIOS(TM) real-time kernel and TI's DSP/BIOS Link
inter-processor communication technology.

    The unparalleled DM644x SoC Analyzer in the software
development kit is the first single tool to provide
complete system visibility, enabling developers to identify
bottlenecks that were previously impossible to identify. 
The minimally invasive tool aids in analyzing and
identifying problems by capturing and graphically
displaying system interaction, load distribution,
bottlenecks in data throughput and other types of behavior.
 As the tasks run on both the DSP and ARM cores of the
TMS320DM644x processors the analyzer captures and displays
the data on a single timeline providing a complete system
view of the application, eliminating the tedious process of
manually collecting and comparing data on each core before
optimization begins.

    Finally, the software development kit also helps
developers reduce system test time with a robust,
digital-video optimized Linux OS offering for the DaVinci
technology-based DM644x processors.  The platform includes
a proven, system-tested Linux board support package from
MontaVista(TM) that has been optimized for video
applications.  Developers using the platform will license
and receive support for the MontaVista distribution and
DevRocket integrated development environment directly from
TI, which will give them access to the industry's vast
store of Linux-based resources.

    "TI's DaVinci technology, with best in class
performance, was the natural choice to use in our digital
media adaptor product and reference design," said
Alain Molinie, chief executive officer, Awox.  "The
processor enables multiple applications on a single
hardware device, provides comprehensive expansion
connectors with minimal glue logic and is tailored
specifically for digital video applications.  DaVinci
technology, based on a full software process for encoding
and decoding multimedia files, makes our reference design
future proof, while the MontaVista Linux allowed for rapid
development and reduced time to market."

    Pricing and availability

    The digital video software development kit based on
DaVinci technology will be available from TI in 3Q 2006. 
The TMDSSDK6446-L platform, with introductory pricing at
$6,995, includes the tools and features discussed in this
release and addresses the needs of developers who are
already invested in TI development tools.  For those
undertaking new DaVinci technology designs, the
TMDSSDK6446-3L, with introductory pricing at $10,995, also
includes an emulator and the Code Composer Studio(TM)
Integrated Development Environment, version 3.2, in
addition to the tools and features discussed in the
release. The software development kit requires a target
platform, and TI offers the digital video evaluation module
(DVEVM) for this purpose.  For more information about TI's
DaVinci technology offerings and to find about the DaVinci
Technology Technical Seminars in your region, see
http://www.thedavincieffect.com . 

    About Texas Instruments

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements.  In addition to
Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational &
Productivity Solutions business.  TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales
operations in more than 25 countries.

    Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN.  More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .

    Trademarks

    DaVinci, eXpressDSP, DSP/BIOS and Code Composer Studio
are trademarks of Texas Instruments.  All registered
trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective
owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Lisa Ferrara
     Texas Instruments
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Sarah Bodenman
     GolinHarris
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Texas Instruments Incorporated

C O R R E C T I O N -- Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area/

C O R R E C T I O N -- Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area/

June 12, 2006

    In the news release, "Otis Elevator Establishes
Itself in TEDA" issued on Friday, June 9 by Tianjin
Economic-Technological Development Area over
Xinhua-PRNewswire, we are advised by the company that the
first paragraph, second sentence, should read "The
base, with a total investment of USD75 million" rather
than "The base, with a total investment of USD7.5
million" as originally issued inadvertently.  The full
corrected release follows:

Otis Elevator Establishes Itself in TEDA

    TIANJIN, China, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
Ground Breaking Ceremony for the arrival of the largest
global elevator manufacturer and service provider Otis
Elevator in TEDA will be held on June 9, 2006.  The base,
with a total investment of USD75 million will complete
construction in 2007, and will serve as the world most
advanced and efficient elevator manufacturing base for
Otis.

    Charles Vo, president of Otis North Asia expressed that
the TEDA Base for Otis Elevator will become the world's
leading whole elevator and parts center. Its products will
serve China and the overseas market.  Upon completion, Otis
products and technologies will be designed and manufactured
in China and exported worldwide.  This move will change the
traditional mode that China imports advanced technologies
from western world.

    Tianjin Binhai New Area where TEDA (Tianjin
Economic-Technological Development Area) is located has
been included in national development strategy, serving as
an engine that drives the development of the economy in
north China.  Thus far, more and more world level
manufacturers that focus on independent R&D have landed
here, which will not only further advance TEDA's position as
a modern manufacturing base, but also drive the economic
growth of surrounding regions.

    About Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
(TEDA)

    Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA)
was established in 1984 with the approval of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China.  It is one of
the first state-class economic-technological development
areas in the country. 

    TEDA is located in the center of a larger area
bordering Bohai Sea and the east of the Asia-Europe Land
Bridge, thus serving as the gate to the two super cities of
Beijing and Tianjin, and the throat connecting the northeast
of China.  By the end of 2005, 4,067 foreign companies have
landed in TEDA.  Of the Fortune 500 companies, 57
multinational companies, from 10 countries and regions,
including such well-established multinational giants as
Motorola, Samsung and Toyota, invested in 123 enterprises
in TEDA.  In 2000, "Fortune" listed TEDA as one
of the most highly recommended economic areas in China.  In
2002 UNIDO listed TEDA as one of the most dynamic areas of
China together with Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Shanghai
Pudong and Xi'an High-tech Park.

    For more information, please visit:
http://www.investteda.org .

    For more information, please contact:

     Ding Lei
     Tel:   [phone] 

     Xu Hui 
     Tel:   [phone],

SOURCE  Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

Pharsight and FDA Collaborate on Critical Path Initiative to Implement State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Model-Based Drug Development

Pharsight and FDA Collaborate on Critical Path Initiative to Implement State-of-the-Art Infrastructure for Model-Based Drug Development

June 12, 2006

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Pharsight Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: PHST), a leading
provider of software and strategic services designed to
optimize clinical drug development, today announced that it
has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development
Agreement (CRADA) with the Food and Drug Administration's
(FDA) Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).

    Under the terms of the CRADA, Pharsight will
collaborate with FDA using Pharsight software for the
analysis, visualization, storage, reporting and review of
pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data. Pharsight will make
available a comprehensive suite of software tools,
including Pharsight Knowledgebase Server(TM) (PKS(TM)), PKS
Validation Suite(TM), WinNonlin(R) Validation Suite(TM),
Drug Model Explorer(TM) (DMX(R)) and Pharsight Trial
Simulator(TM). FDA will use the Pharsight tools to review
clinical trial data, especially for clinical pharmacology
and clinical safety reviews, and will provide feedback to
Pharsight.

    The collaboration directly supports the FDA's Critical
Path Initiative, which advocates increased use of
drug-disease modeling and simulation to improve the
efficiency of the drug product development process.  The
purpose of the collaboration is to develop PKS into a
repository for the data needed for modeling and simulation,
support Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium
(CDISC) data formats, and interact with other FDA
databases.  Pharsight will utilize the FDA's feedback from
the collaboration to further develop and customize PKS to
meet industry analysis requirements, and further develop
DMX to support Agency-sponsor interactions for the
visualization and communication of model-based product
profiles.

    "This collaboration between Pharsight and FDA
supports the Critical Path initiative to improve the
productivity and efficiency of the drug development
process," said Shawn O'Connor, president and chief
executive officer of Pharsight. "With the increasing
costs of new drug development, the FDA recognizes the
importance of utilizing innovative technologies, including
Pharsight's data management and modeling and simulation
tools, to accelerate review and increase the number of new,
safe and effective therapies available to patients."

    "This agreement is concrete evidence of the FDA's
commitment to the Critical Path Initiative," said Dr.
Robert Powell, Head of Pharmacometrics in FDA's Office of
Clinical Pharmacology.  "We believe these tools will
help us in applying model-based drug development skills to
regulatory decisions, recommendations and knowledge
sharing. Building the various model types (disease,
placebo, dropout, drug efficacy/safety) requires software
tools to acquire, preserve and share data and models in our
high-speed environment. Data standardization such as CDISC
(cdisc.org) and software tools are an important foundation
for our work. We are looking forward to evaluating and
employing these tools and we encourage further innovation
in this area."

    About Pharsight Corporation 

    Pharsight Corporation develops and markets products and
services that help pharmaceutical and biotechnology
companies improve their decision-making in drug development
and commercialization. By integrating scientific, clinical
and business decision criteria into a dynamic, model-based
methodology, Pharsight helps its customers optimize the
value of their drug development programs and portfolios
from discovery to post-launch marketing and any point in
between. Pharsight uses computer-based drug-disease models,
dynamic predictive market models, clinical trial simulation
and advanced valuation models to create a continuously
evolving view of its customers' development efforts and
product portfolios. This enables decision makers to make
explicit value-driven trade-offs throughout the development
and commercialization process. Pharsight Corporation is
headquartered in Mountain View, California. Information
about Pharsight is available on the World Wide Web at
http://www.pharsight.com . 

    Safe Harbor 

    This press release contains forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements
regarding Pharsight's anticipated software product
development and performance. Actual results may differ
materially from Pharsight's expectations due to a variety
of factors, including general market and business
conditions, uncertainties involved in pharmaceutical drug
development, changes in Pharsight's research and
development focus or operating strategies, the failure to
develop new products and services or to keep pace with
technological advancements, delays in the release of new
products and services, the failure of the market for
Pharsight's products and services to develop as expected,
and changes in government regulation of the pharmaceutical
industry. Further information on potential factors that
could affect actual results is included in Pharsight's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on February 13, 2006. All
forward-looking statements are based on information
available to Pharsight as of the date hereof, and Pharsight
assumes no obligation to update such statements, whether as
a result of new developments or otherwise. 

    NOTE:  Pharsight, Pharsight Knowledgebase Server, PKS,
PKS Validation Suite, Drug Model Explorer, DMX, WinNonlin,
WinNonlin Validation Suite and Trial Simulator are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Pharsight
Corporation. 

    For more information, please contact:

    Investors contact: 

     Douglas Sherk or Jennifer Beugelmans, 
     EVC Group
     Tel: [phone]

    Media contact:

     Steve DiMattia, 
     EVC Group
     Tel: [phone]

     Web:  http://www.pharsight.com

SOURCE  Pharsight Corporation

World's Leading Plastic Surgery Society Releases First-Ever International Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Tourists

World's Leading Plastic Surgery Society Releases First-Ever International Guidelines for Plastic Surgery Tourists

June 12, 2006

    NEW YORK, June 12 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS),
representing nearly 1,500 of the world's leading board
certified aesthetic plastic surgeons in 73 countries has
launched its new website with the publication of the first
ever comprehensive international guidelines for consumers
traveling for plastic surgery procedures -- commonly
referred to as Plastic Surgery Tourism. 
http://www.isaps.org 

    The ISAPS guidelines, in development for nearly one
year, reflect a growing consumer trend and were created to
address the thousands of inquiries ISAPS has received from
consumers, medical professionals, the media and
governmental organizations. 

    Dr. Joao Carlos Sampaio Goes of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the
current President of ISAPS, championed these breakthrough
guidelines as well as the new ISAPS website.
"Consumers around the world have looked to ISAPS for
over 30 years for the most accurate and reliable
information about qualified plastic surgeons and advice
about up-to-the-minute procedures.  Now, for the first
time, there is a worldwide standard for consumers to
reference when traveling for aesthetic plastic
surgery." 

    The Guidelines were developed under the direction of
American plastic surgeon, Dr. Malcolm Paul, Clinical
Professor of Surgery, Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery
Institute, University of California, Irvine. "These 
easy-to-understand recommendations are the absolute first
stop before anyone should consider traveling from home for
plastic surgery," noted Dr. Paul.
    
    Here are some of the key guidelines for plastic surgery
travelers:

    1. What is the surgeon's training?  A gynecologist
performing a breast augmentation or a dermatologist doing a
face lift are not appropriate choices.

    2. Is the plastic surgeon certified? The ISAPS website
lists the names and addresses of nearly 1,500 certified
plastic surgeons in 73 countries.
    3. Is the surgery center or clinic certified? Ask for
certification information and who the certifying body is.

    4. Does your personal health insurance cover you
outside your country? Most health insurance providers do
not cover individuals for surgery performed outside their
own country. Consider obtaining extra coverage.

    5. What about aftercare? Patients should stay in the
area where the surgery was performed for at least one week,
depending on the procedure. Find out in advance where you
will stay and if this facility is prepared to care for your
post operative needs. 

    6. What about complications? What doctor will care for
you at home if you have complications and, who will pay for
secondary or revision procedures?

    7. Do the key personnel at the surgeon's office speak
your language fluently? If you cannot be understood fully,
be prepared for complications.

    8. With whom are you communicating? You should be
talking directly with the doctor's staff and the doctor. A
travel agent should only make travel and accommodations
arrangements.

    9. Is the surgeon a member of recognized national and
international societies? ISAPS membership is by invitation
and is granted only after extensive screening. 

   10. Have you checked for references? Ask for names and
contact information of patients who have recently had a
similar procedure and contact them about their experience
with the surgeon, their staff, aftercare facilities and
post-operative follow up. 

    Commenting on the new ISAPS website, ISAPS
president-elect Dr. Bryan C. Mendelson of Melbourne
Australia, remarked, "Information that was once only
available to a few is now readily accessible to consumers
in virtually every country. The ISAPS guidelines for
plastic surgery travelers provide consumers with vital and
perhaps even life-saving yardsticks to gage if the doctor
they choose for their plastic surgery is appropriately
trained and certified for the procedure they are
considering." 

    We appreciate your including the ISAPS website as a
reference. 

    To obtain complete information:  http://www.isaps.org

    EDITORS' ADVISORY:  

    For media covering this story, contact us to reach an
ISAPS spokesperson in your country.  Please let us know if
you are on deadline.  Contact Tony Staffieri at
[e-mail]. 
 
    The ISAPS Biennial Congress takes place in Rio de
Janeiro on August 1-5, 2006. To attend the Congress, media
credentials must be issued in advance. To attend, receive
updates from the Congress, and/or to be added to the ISAPS
permanent media list for regular updates and advisories,
kindly contact: Tony Staffieri at
[e-mail]. 

    For more information, please contact:

     Tony Staffieri 
     The International Society 
     Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ISAPS)

Otis Elevator Establishes Itself in TEDA

Otis Elevator Establishes Itself in TEDA

June 09, 2006

    TIANJIN, China, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The
Ground Breaking Ceremony for the arrival of the largest
global elevator manufacturer and service provider Otis
Elevator in TEDA will be held on June 9, 2006.  The base,
with a total investment of USD7.5million will complete
construction in 2007, and will serve as the world most
advanced and efficient elevator manufacturing base for
Otis.

    Charles Vo, president of Otis North Asia expressed that
the TEDA Base for Otis Elevator will become the world's
leading whole elevator and parts center. Its products will
serve China and the overseas market.  Upon completion, Otis
products and technologies will be designed and manufactured
in China and exported worldwide.  This move will change the
traditional mode that China imports advanced technologies
from western world.

    Tianjin Binhai New Area where TEDA (Tianjin
Economic-Technological Development Area) is located has
been included in national development strategy, serving as
an engine that drives the development of the economy in
north China.  Thus far, more and more world level
manufacturers that focus on independent R&D have landed
here, which will not only further advance TEDA's position as
a modern manufacturing base, but also drive the economic
growth of surrounding regions.

    About Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area
(TEDA)

    Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA)
was established in 1984 with the approval of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China.  It is one of
the first state-class economic-technological development
areas in the country. 

    TEDA is located in the center of a larger area
bordering Bohai Sea and the east of the Asia-Europe Land
Bridge, thus serving as the gate to the two super cities of
Beijing and Tianjin, and the throat connecting the northeast
of China.  By the end of 2005, 4,067 foreign companies have
landed in TEDA.  Of the Fortune 500 companies, 57
multinational companies, from 10 countries and regions,
including such well-established multinational giants as
Motorola, Samsung and Toyota, invested in 123 enterprises
in TEDA.  In 2000, "Fortune" listed TEDA as one
of the most highly recommended economic areas in China.  In
2002 UNIDO listed TEDA as one of the most dynamic areas of
China together with Shenzhen, Suzhou, Wenzhou, Shanghai
Pudong and Xi'an High-tech Park.

    For more information, please visit:
http://www.investteda.org .

    For more information, please contact:

     Ding Lei
     Tel:   [phone] 

     Xu Hui
     Tel:   [phone]

SOURCE  Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area

Texas Instruments DSP Powers Grandstream Networks' GXP-2000 Enterprise IP Phone

Texas Instruments DSP Powers Grandstream Networks' GXP-2000 Enterprise IP Phone

June 09, 2006

Extended Functionality of TMS320C5501 DSP Gives SIP Phone Superior Voice Clarity, Enhanced Security Protection

    HOUSTON, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to
accelerate the IP multimedia device market, Texas
Instruments Incorporated (TI) [NYSE:TXN], announced today
that its high performance, low power TMS320C5501 digital
signal processor (DSP) was selected by Grandstream Networks
for the GXP-2000, a next generation enterprise SIP phone. 

    Grandstream chose TI's TMS320C5501 DSP because of its
high performance for advanced digital signal processing and
affordable cost.  The C5501 DSP allows Grandstream to offer
superb voice clarity, enhanced security protection for
device provisioning and private communications, and all the
popular PBX phone features on its GXP2000 enterprise IP
phone product, including transfer, forward, do not disturb,
hold, mute, 3-way conference, intercom/paging, shared line
presence, call park/pick up, speed dial, full duplex
hands-free speakerphone, etc, at a much lower price level
than competition. Optimized for communication devices,
music effectors and portable medical devices, the
TMS320C5501 fixed-point DSP is based on the TMS320C55x(TM)
DSP generation CPU processor core. The C55x(TM) DSP
architecture achieves high performance and low power
through increased parallelism and total focus on reduction
in power dissipation. 

    "We are very excited about working with TI and
using their industry leading DSP that powers our innovative
VoIP products. By leveraging the powerful processing
capabilities, extended features and relatively low cost of
TI's DSP, Grandstream is able to design and deliver
advanced IP voice and video products with high quality,
rich functions at unrivaled price points," says David
Li, CEO of Grandstream Networks, Inc. 

    Grandstream's GXP-2000

    Grandstream's GXP-2000 is a next generation enterprise
SIP phone that offers great features at a great price.
GXP-2000 features dual 10/100M Ethernet ports that can be
configured in switch or router mode, headset jack,
adjustable large 130x64 graphic LCD (with support for
multiple languages), four line indicators (each of which
can be configured using independent SIP account), seven
programmable speed dial keys with further expandability to
support up to 112 additional programmable keys via add-on
key expansion modules, various popular voice codecs
including G.711, G.723.1, G.729A/B, GSM, G.726, and G.722
(wideband), multi-party conferencing, intercom, call
forward, call transfer, BLF (Busy Lamp Field), shared line
appearance and call pickup, full duplex speaker phone with
acoustic echo cancellation, AES based SRTP and ZRTP for
secure voice communications, XML, SIMPLE, and LDAP to allow
easy integration with other applications. GXP-2000 comes
with built-in Power-over-Ethernet (802.3af) and a universal
power supply. With MSRP of only $119, GXP-2000 presents a
tremendous value to corporate users.

    About TMS320C5501 DSP

    The C55x DSP CPU provides two multiply-accumulate (MAC)
units, each capable of 17-bit ¡Á 17-bit multiplication in a
single cycle. A central 40-bit arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
is supported by an additional 16-bit ALU. Use of the ALUs
is under instruction set control, providing the ability to
optimize parallel activity and power consumption. These
resources are managed in the Address Unit (AU) and Data
Unit (DU) of the C55x CPU.The C55x DSP generation supports
a variable byte width instruction set for improved code
density. The Instruction Unit (IU) performs 32-bit program
fetches from internal or external memory and queues
instructions for the Program Unit (PU). The Program Unit
decodes the instructions, directs tasks to AU and DU
resources, and manages the fully protected pipeline.
Predictive branching capability avoids pipeline flushes on
execution of conditional instructions. 

    The C5501 DSP peripheral set includes a UART, watchdog
timer, and an I-Cache. Two full-duplex multichannel
buffered serial ports (McBSPs) provide glueless interface
to a variety of industry-standard serial devices, and
multichannel communication with up to 128 separately
enabled channels. The host-port interface (HPI) is an 8-bit
parallel interface used to provide host processor access to
16K words of internal memory on the C5501 DSP. The HPI
operates in multiplexed mode to provide glueless interface
to a wide variety of host processors. The DMA controller
provides data movement for six independent channel contexts
without CPU intervention. Two general-purpose timers, eight
dedicated general-purpose I/O (GPIO) pins, and analog
phase-locked loop (APLL) clock generation are also
included. 

    Additionally, Grandstream leverages TI DSP for its
H.264 IP video phone, the GXV-3000, a next generation
advanced IP video phone based on SIP standard. GXV-3000
features the latest H.264 real-time video codec with
blazing performance, an advanced high resolution camera
sensor, and a razor thin 5.6-inch TFT color LCD with
stunning picture quality.  GXV-3000 is optimized for
evolving video and imaging standards by Texas Instruments'
TMS320DM643 digital media processor that delivers more
performance, spurs faster frame rates and higher
resolutions and supplies real-time streaming video with
advanced audio and video quality.

    DSP Support

    The C5501 DSP is supported by the industry's
award-winning eXpressDSP(TM) software and development
tools, Code Composer Studio(TM) Integrated Development
Environment (IDE), DSP/BIOS(TM), kernel, Texas Instruments'
algorithm standard, and the industry's largest third-party
network. The Code Composer Studio IDE features code
generation tools that include a C Compiler, Visual Linker,
simulator, RTDX(TM) technology, XDS510(TM) emulation device
drivers, and evaluation modules. The C5501 DSP is also
supported by the C55x DSP Library, which features more than
50 foundational software kernels (FIR filters, IIR filters,
FFTs, and various math functions) as well as chip and board
support libraries. 

    About TI

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real-world
signal processing requirements.  In addition to
Semiconductors, the company's businesses include Sensors
& Controls, and Educational & Productivity
Solutions.  TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has
manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25
countries.

    Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN.  More information is located
on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com.

    About Grandstream

    Grandstream Networks is a leading designer and
manufacturer of innovative and highly affordable IP
multimedia (voice/video-over-IP) devices for broadband
networks. Built upon unique and proprietary technology,
Grandstream's products deliver market leading superb voice
and video quality, rich functionalities, high level
compliance with industry standards, and most importantly,
ultra-affordability and extraordinary values to consumer
and corporate users. Grandstream Networks is a private
company located in Massachusetts with offices in Los
Angeles, Dallas and Shenzhen, China. 

    Trademarks

    TMS320C55x ,  C55x, eXpressDSP, Code Composer Studio,
DSP/BIOS, RTDX and XDS510 are trademarks of Texas
Instruments. All trademarks and registered trademarks are
the property of their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Sarah Gonzales
     Texas Instruments 	
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Tim Frost
     GolinHarris
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Texas Instruments Incorporated

TI Introduces 2.25-MHz Dual-Output DC/DC Converters with Digital Control

TI Introduces 2.25-MHz Dual-Output DC/DC Converters with Digital Control

June 09, 2006

High Efficiency Step-Down Converters with One-Pin EasyScale(TM) Interface Enable Dynamic Voltage Scaling in Portable Electronics

    DALLAS, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Texas Instruments
Incorporated (TI) (NYSE: TXN) introduced today two
dual-output, step-down DC/DC converters with a patented
one-pin serial interface technology that allows simple
digital voltage scaling.  The 95-percent efficient,
2.25-Mhz devices help extend battery life in cell phones,
portable media players and other portable electronics, as
well as portable industrial and medical equipment. See: 
http://www.ti.com/sc06110 .  

    TI's new TPS62400 synchronous, dual-channel switcher
with integrated FET technology supports up to 400mA of
output current on the first output and up to 600 mA on the
second output over an input voltage range of 2.5 V to 6 V. 
The converter features TI's one-pin EasyScale(TM) serial
interface, which allows the device to adjust the output
voltage dynamically during operation. The patented feature
allows the TPS62400 to support dynamic voltage scaling when
powering TI's TMS320C5000(TM) digital signal processors
(DSPs) and OMAP(TM) processors used in smart phones, PDAs
and other portable equipment.   

    In addition to the TPS62400, TI introduced the TPS62420
dual step-down converter, optimized for portable industrial
and medical equipment that deliver up to 600 mA on the
first output and up to 1,000 mA on second output. Both
devices operate in a power-save mode at light-load currents
and can be placed in a shutdown mode that reduces the power
consumption to less than 1.2 ¦ÌA. 

    Single-Chip Power Solution 

    The TPS62400 and TPS62420 save valuable board space,
while providing extremely efficient power conversion
without the need for external compensation. To save board
space, each device comes in a small, 10-pin 3 mm x 3 mm QFN
package, and a 2.25-MHz fixed frequency allows a portable
designer to implement small inductors and capacitors.

    Key Features of the TPS62400/420:

    * 95 Percent Efficiency at 2.25-MHz Operation
    * Input Voltage Range from 2.5 V to 6 V
    * Dual-Output Current 400 mA and 600 mA
    * Adjustable Output Voltage from 0.6 V to Vin
    * One-Pin EasyScale(TM) Serial Interface for Dynamic
Output Voltage Adjustment
    * 32-¦ÌA Typical Quiescent Current
    * Power Save Mode at Light Load Currents
    * 180¡ã Out-of-Phase Operation
    * One Percent Output Voltage Accuracy in PWM Mode  

    Available Today

    The TPS62400 and TPS62420 is currently shipping in
volume production.  Suggested retail pricing is $2.70 in
1,000-piece quantities. Evaluation modules of the devices,
application notes and TI's comprehensive portfolio of power
management ICs are available through http://power.ti.com . 

    About Texas Instruments

    Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP
and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world
signal processing requirements. TI is headquartered in
Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales
operations in more than 25 countries. 

    Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol TXN.  More information is located
on the World Wide Web at:  http://www.ti.com .

    Please refer all reader inquiries to:  Texas
Instruments Incorporated
                                           Semiconductor
Group, SC-06110
                                           Literature
Response Center
                                           14950 FAA Blvd.
                                           Fort Worth, TX 
76155
                                           1-800-477-8924

    Trademarks

    EasyScale, TMS320C5000 and OMAP are trademarks of Texas
Instruments. All registered trademarks and other trademarks
belong to their respective owners.

    For more information, please contact:

     Matt McKinney	
     Texas Instruments	
     Tel:   [phone]		
     Email: [e-mail]

     Jacqi Moore		
     GolinHarris		
     Tel:   [phone]		
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Texas Instruments Incorporated

World Cup Fever Goes Digital and Mobile in China

World Cup Fever Goes Digital and Mobile in China

June 09, 2006

Online mPulse Survey by MindShare and Pulse Group Tracks Asian World Cup fever

    SINGAPORE, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- A recent
online 5-country survey revealed China is set to catch a
strong dose of World Cup fever, with 95% of respondents
preparing to follow the tournament, of which 32% plan to
track results on their mobile phones.  On average Chinese
fans plan to watch over 11 nights of matches on television,
and 84% plan to visit sports websites for World Cup news. 
The games will also be followed closely in Singapore (84%),
Malaysia (82%), Australia (63%) and Thailand (59%).

    World Cup goes digital in Asia

    Since World Cup 2002, penetration of digital media,
including the internet and mobile phones, has increased
substantially across the region, and fans intend to use
both to track the matches.  More than half of the
respondents are likely to visit websites to follow their
teams.  Official World Cup websites were cited as the most
likely destinations in Singapore (67%), Malaysia (71%),
Thailand (46%) and Australia (57%), but Chinese fans are
most likely to head to other sport websites (84%). 

    A surprising number of Asian fans are preparing for
'World Cup information on the go' using their mobile
phones, ranging from 32% in China, to 14% in Singapore and
Malaysia, 10% in Australia and 7% in Thailand. 

    "The only thing Asians are more passionate about
than the World Cup is their mobile phone, so it's not
surprising to see so many fans starting to track their
teams in real-time, on-the-go," said James Chadwick,
MindShare Asia-Pacific Insights Director.  "It's just
another reminder that we need to think beyond traditional
marketing and media."
 
    You'll never walk alone in Asia

    Although their teams may not have qualified this time,
fans across Asia have picked favourite teams to support. 
Many Chinese will be supporting the hosts Germany,
Singaporeans favour England, and many Thais will be
adopting underdogs Australia.  Australian fans of course
will be firmly behind their team, which has reached the
World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years, and 80% of
Australians fans will be cheering for the Socceroos.

    For more information, please contact:

     Mr. Jamie Lord - Marketing & Business Development
Director MindShare
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]  

     Mr. Kym Wong - CMO Pulse Group
     Tel:   [phone]     
     Fax:   [phone] 
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  MindShare; Pulse Group

Malaysian Victims of Shanxi Bus Crash Return Home

Malaysian Victims of Shanxi Bus Crash Return Home

June 09, 2006

    Kuala Lumpur, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 11
Malaysian tourists involved in a bus crash in Shanxi, China
will be returning to Penang today via a Boeing 737 chartered
by International SOS on behalf of four insurance companies -
American Home Assurance Company, Malaysia; American
International Assurance Company, Limited (Malaysia); Aviva
Insurance Berhad and Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance (M)
Bhd. International SOS is the official assistance provider
of these insurance companies.

    Depending on their injury type, some patients were
flown back on stretchers fitted into the aircraft cabin
while the rest were seated. An International SOS medical
team comprising six intensive-care unit (ICU) doctors and
three nurses escorted the patients on their journey home.
They are expected to arrive in Penang on 9 June, at
approximately 0200 hours.

    The Boeing 737 was specially medicalised to function as
an air ambulance with a full range of mobile intensive care
equipment, while seats were re-configured to fit
stretchers.  This allows International SOS' medical teams
to provide medical care to patients with serious injuries,
throughout the medical transportation.

    International SOS also assisted the families of the
deceased with the cremation of three deceased victims and
the repatriation of mortal remains for one deceased
victim.

    Upon receiving the call for help on the evening of 3
June, a day after the incident occurred, International SOS
immediately mobilized medical and logistics personnel to
Shanxi from Kuala Lumpur and Beijing on behalf of the
insurance companies. The first response team, comprising a
doctor and a Chinese-speaking operations coordinator
arrived in Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi the following
morning.  

    Working with the local treating doctors and hospitals,
the first response team ascertained the location of each
victim and obtained preliminary medical reports. Their
immediate task was to assess the medical conditions of the
victims and develop a plan of action for the victims to
receive appropriate medical care and onward repatriation to
Malaysia.

    A second International SOS team comprising three
intensive care unit doctors, a nurse and three operations
specialists were also mobilized to boost up the resources
in Tai Yuan and render assistance to victims as well as
their families, some of whom had flown in from Penang to
Tai Yuan.

    About International SOS

    International SOS has global operations in over 60
countries, spanning five continents. The company provides
clients with a comprehensive portfolio of medical and
security services to ensure that people travelling and
working internationally have access to immediate help.
International SOS' services range from 24-hour medical
advice, referrals to qualified doctors and hospitals as
well as provision of emergency medical and security
evacuations when there is a critical illness, accident or
civil unrest. 

    Last year, the company handled over 370,000 assistance
cases, including more than 10,000 medical evacuations.

    More information about International SOS, please refer
to http://www.internationalsos.com

    For more information, please contact:

    Singapore
     Grace Ngoh
     International SOS 
     DID:    [phone]
     Mobile: [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]

    Beijing
     He, Jingbin
     Beijing International SOS
     Tel:    [phone] ext 293
     Fax:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]

SOURCE  International SOS

u-blox Launches AssistNow(TM) A-GPS Service Framework

u-blox Launches AssistNow(TM) A-GPS Service Framework

June 09, 2006

(A photograph can be downloaded from http://www.u-blox.com/news/assistnow.jpg )

    THALWIL, Switzerland, June 9 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
u-blox AG, a leading GPS technology and solution provider,
today introduced AssistNow(TM), a complete Assisted GPS
("A-GPS") service package that brings instant
positioning to any u-blox GPS-enabled device with mobile
phone connectivity.

    The new technology cuts a GPS receiver's Time To First
Fix ("TTFF") to seconds by providing the receiver
with assistance data that practically eliminates download
times of data originating from the satellites. AssistNow
enables applications that provide on the go, accurate and
reliable location information with minimal installation and
maintenance efforts. From enhanced personal navigation
services, that can be consulted on the fly from a PDA or a
mobile phone, to complex, multi-user/terminal management
systems for vehicles, goods or staff, the range of
potential applications is broad.

    "GPS users increasingly require accurate
positioning data in real time, either to pinpoint a
location in an emergency situation or to manage their
business assets more effectively," said Karsten Tietz,
VP Sales EMEA at 
u-blox. "Our new off the shelf AssistNow service
addresses these needs by providing a GPS position
immediately when you need it."

    Standard GPS operation requires a minimum of four
satellites to transmit their precise orbital position data,
called Ephemeris, to the GPS receiver. However, bad signal
conditions can hinder, or even prevent, the data from
downloading. A-GPS provides assistance data, such as
Ephemeris, Almanac, as well as accurate time and satellite
status, which boosts acquisition performance enabling
instant positioning, even under difficult signal
conditions.

    AssistNow accesses positioning data from a network of
u-blox GPS receivers deployed globally, called the
AssistNow Global Reference Network, which collects data
from satellites and sends it to a dedicated AssistNow Root
Server. This server calculates the assistance data and
instantly transmits it to customer user terminals or a
client's proxy server.

    Customers who opt for the AssistNow Direct Service
package get direct access to the AssistNow Root Server. All
a customer needs is a TCP/IP Internet connection, such as a
GPRS wireless network connection, to enable the data flow
between the terminals and the AssistNow Root Server
providing the data. u-blox operates and maintains the
server, and provides the GPS receivers for the user
terminals.

    Alternatively, customers with a large number of mobile
devices, may choose the AssistNow Proxy Server framework,
where the customer is provided with the necessary software
to operate a proxy server on his/her own premises, which
receives periodic data updates from the AssistNow Root
Server and handles all assistance data requests locally.

    To find out more about AssistNow, visit 
http://www.u-blox.com/technology/assistnow/

    About u-blox

    u-blox is an international company headquartered in
Switzerland, with sales organizations in the Americas,
Europe and Asia. Founded in 1997, u-blox develops leading
positioning technology, products and services based on the
Global Positioning System (GPS) for the automotive and
mobile communications markets. For more information, please
visit http://www.u-blox.com .
    
    For more information, please contact:

     Georg zur Bonsen
     Product Management
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Alicia Montoya
     Marketing Communications
     phone: [phone] 
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  u-blox AG

Case IH and Ferrari to Share Spotlight at Grand Prix Events in Canada and U.S.

Case IH and Ferrari to Share Spotlight at Grand Prix Events in Canada and U.S.

June 08, 2006

    RACINE, Wis., June 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- For the
first time, agricultural equipment industry leader Case IH
will share the spotlight with Ferrari at two Formula 1
racing events in North America this summer.  

    Ferrari team cars will feature prominent Case IH decals
during the Grand Prix of Canada in Montreal, June 25; and
the U.S. Grand Prix in Indianapolis, July 2.

    "This is a great opportunity for Case IH to share
the global stage with world-renowned Ferrari," says
Mario Ferla, president, Case IH.  "Both are readily
identified by their powerful products and with their
signature red color, as well as for setting the standard of
excellence in their respective industries." 

    "We are elated that Fiat, Ferrari's majority
owner, has for the first time allowed its logo to be
replaced on the Prancing Horse's Formula 1 cars.  This
sends a strong message about the importance of Case IH,
also a member of Fiat Group," Ferla notes.

    The Formula 1 Ferrari team is led by Michael
Schumacher, the seven-time world drivers' champion, and
Felipe Massa.  The Ferrari Formula 1 team has won a record
14 Constructors' Championships, including six consecutive
titles during 1999-2004.  

    "Since the Ferrari brand and Formula 1 race team
have long traditions of distinction, it's fitting that Case
IH -- with its own proud heritage -- will be a part of the
2006 racing season," Ferla says.

    Case IH is a global leader in agricultural equipment. 
With headquarters in the United States, Case IH has a
network of dealers and distributors that operates in over
160 countries.  Case IH provides agricultural equipment
systems, flexible financial service offerings and parts and
service support for professional farming operations through
a dedicated network of professional dealers and
distributors.  Productivity enhancing products include
tractors; combines and harvesters; hay and forage
equipment; tillage tools; planting and seeding systems;
sprayers and applicators; and site specific farming tools. 


    For more information on Case IH visit us on the World
Wide Web at http://www.caseih.com .

    For more information, please contact:

     Anne Stillman or Ellen LaRose
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

     Gualberto Ranieri
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Case IH

A New World Record: The World's Largest Photo Mosaic Built Up By Buongiorno!

A New World Record: The World's Largest Photo Mosaic Built Up By Buongiorno!

June 08, 2006

    MILAN, Italy, June 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Buongiorno
and NABA Enter The Guinness World Record With the World's
Largest Photo Collage: 20,400 Pictures Covering a 141
Square Meters Area, Representing the Smiling Logo of
BLINKO, Buongiorno's Consumer Brand, That With a Smile and
in a Blink of an Eye Brings Information and Entertainment
Personalization Services to All Mobile Users.

    Buongiorno and NABA enter today the prestigious
Guinness World Record with the world's largest photo
collage; the size of the huge mosaic is breathtaking: an
area of 15m x 9.40m x 2m, totalling 141 square meters,
covered by 20,400 individual digital pictures stacked
singularly.

    Starting today and for a whole week, it will be
possible to buy on a charity auction on eBay (
http://www.ebay.it ) the most significant panels of the
mosaic signed by some Italian celebrities.

    The starting price is 1 Euro, and the proceeds will be
handed over to Spazio Prevenzione, a nonprofit organization
active in the field of cancer prevention and early
diagnosis.

    Buongiorno and NABA, authors of the project, and in
order to break this peculiar record, have gathered the
endless number of pictures sent from all over the world,
and coordinated the 700 NABA students to create a unique
mosaic representing the smiling logo of BLINKO, the new
global Buongiorno brand.

    The Guinness record attempt started in September 2005,
and for over 8 months, more than 29,000 people of all ages
snapped with their digital cameras and mobile phones the
funniest close up pictures of themselves and their friends,
and sent those pictures, which were later used by NABA
students, to http://www.blinko.it .

    The initiative of the record coincided with the world
launch of BLINKO, aiming at getting together all consumer
products and services of Buongiorno, the multinational
active in the field of multimedia contents for telephony
and digital channels, in an integrated and global approach.
In fact, all mobile personalization services (ringtones,
wallpapers, multimedia games, community chat and much more)
provided by Buongiorno are now identified under the new and
catching brand, in line with the trend of the proposed
services and the linguistic codes of their young and
youthful clients.

    For more information, please contact:

     Monica Montefusco
     Global PR & Events Manager
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Buongiorno and NABA

GEECF/XETRA: GLI: Seventh USD$8,500,000 Sale to China.

GEECF/XETRA: GLI: Seventh USD$8,500,000 Sale to China.

June 08, 2006

    NASSAU, Bahamas, June 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Global
Environmental Energy Corp (Bahamas) (Trading Symbols:
Deutsche Bourse GLI (DE: GLI)- USA (OTC Bulletin Board:
GEECF)) subsidiary Biosphere Development Corp., has
concluded its seventh Chinese Biosphere Process(TM) System
sale for USD$8,500,000. 

    The system was sold at a price of USD$8,500,000 payable
upon delivery to Suizhou in Hubei Province. 

    This sale increases Biospheres' 2006 Chinese sales
target of 30 systems to 37 systems at USD$8,500,000 each or
USD$314,500,000. 

    Having secured the approval of the People's Government
of Suizhou to deploy the Biosphere system for power
generation at Suizhou Biosphere Asia Pacific Company
Limited (ASIA PACIFIC) has confirmed that the total project
investment at Suizhou will be USD$11,250,000 (90,000,000
RMB) to include all local civil and engineering work at the
new facility.

    In addition to revenue derived from system sales,
Biosphere will participate in the operating profits from
the Suizhou project through its shareholding in Hong Kong
based ASIA PACIFIC. 

    Global is a Bahamian Company publicly traded on stock
markets in Germany and the United States. Biosphere is a
subsidiary of Global. Global maintains a web site at
http://www.gli-geecf.com , which provides relevant in depth
current company information, news releases, and free access
to "Real Time Level II Quotes" charts and SEC
filings to Global shareholders.

    This press release contains forward-looking information
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of
the 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those
sections. 


    For more information, please contact:

     Global Environmental Energy Corp
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

SOURCE  Global Environmental Energy Corp 

Xinhua Finance Makes Second Payment for Acquisition of Chinese Advertising Group, Ming Shing International Limited

Xinhua Finance Makes Second Payment for Acquisition of Chinese Advertising Group, Ming Shing International Limited

June 08, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, June 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Xinhua
Finance Limited ("Xinhua Finance") (TSE Mothers:
9399; OTC: XHFNY), China's unchallenged leader in financial
information and media, today announced details of the second
consideration payment to be made to the original
shareholders of Ming Shing International Limited
("Ming Shing") pursuant to the share purchase
agreement ("Agreement") signed in December 2005.


    As announced in the press release of January 12, 2006,
further purchase consideration for Ming Shing will be
payable depending on Ming Shing's financial performance
during 2005, 2006 and 2007. 

    Xinhua Finance is pleased to announce that Ming Shing
has reported net income for 2005 of US$3.96 million. 
Accordingly, the original shareholders of Ming Shing will
be entitled to an additional payment of US$ 27.53 million,
consisting of US$13.77 million in cash and 18,105 of Xinhua
Finance shares pursuant to the Agreement. 
	
    Details of the issuance:

     1. No. of shares issued: 18,105 shares
     2. Issue price per share: US$760.32 (JPY 84,947). 
Price is based on average 
        closing share price for fifteen trading days up to
and including 
        June 5, 2006.
     3. Total amount of the issue price: US$13,765,517
     4. Amount to be added to share capital: HK$20 per
share
     5. Date of issuance: June 8, 2006
     6. Use of proceeds: The shares are part of
consideration of the shares of 
        Ming Shing that were acquired in January 2006.

    About Xinhua Finance Limited
    Xinhua Finance Limited is China's unchallenged leader
in financial information and media, and is listed on the
Mothers board of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (symbol: 9399)
(OTC ADRs: XHFNY).  Bridging China's financial markets and
the world, Xinhua Finance serves financial institutions,
corporations and re-distributors through four focused and
complementary service lines: Indices, Ratings, Financial
News and Investor Relations.  Founded in November 1999, the
Company is headquartered in Shanghai with 21 news bureaus
and offices in 18 locations across Asia, Australia, North
America and Europe. 

    For more information, please visit
www.xinhuafinance.com . 

    More information:

    Xinhua Finance
    Hong Kong / Shanghai
     Ms. Joy Tsang
     Tel:   [phone],
[phone]    
     Email: [e-mail]
                           
    Japan 
     Mr. Sun Jiong
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

    Taylor Rafferty (IR Contact)
    Japan 
     Mr. James Hawrylak
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

    United States
     Mr. Brian Rafferty
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Xinhua Finance Limited

SMIC Shanghai Closed a US$600 Million Syndicated Term Loan

SMIC Shanghai Closed a US$600 Million Syndicated Term Loan

June 08, 2006

    SHANGHAI, China, June 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation
("SMIC") (NYSE: SMI; SEHK: 0981) today announced
that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Semiconductor
Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation
("SMIC Shanghai"), has successfully closed the
5-year US$600 million secured term loan facility (the
"Facility") with a consortium of international
and PRC banks. 

    ABN AMRO Bank N.V., Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited,
Bank of Communications, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ,
Ltd., China Construction Bank, DBS Bank Ltd., Fubon Bank
(Hong Kong) Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of
China and Shanghai Pudong Development Bank were the
coordinating arrangers and China Construction Bank acted as
the facility and security agent for the Facility.  The
Facility is guaranteed by SMIC.

    Dr. Richard R. Chang, Chief Executive Officer of SMIC,
said, "This represents SMIC's debut in the
international syndicated loan markets and we are very
pleased that we have received overwhelming support from a
large number of international and PRC banks. In total,
eighteen banks, including ten international and eight PRC
banks from eight different countries/regions have
participated in this Facility.  This Facility, one of the
largest syndicated loans closed in China so far this year,
was significantly oversubscribed - having received a total
commitment of close to US$850 million.  This Facility will
provide significant benefits to SMIC Shanghai and will
support SMIC Shanghai's future growth through improved loan
pricing, more flexible loan covenants and extended
maturity." 

    Mr. Mike Netterfield, Managing Director, Co-head
Technology Banking - Asia Pacific, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. said,
"The success of this Facility reflects the positive
view and confidence that the banking community has on SMIC
and its future development as the largest semiconductor
manufacturer in China.  The Facility is the largest
corporate syndicated loan in China so far this year."

    Mr. Stephen Ho, Managing Director and Head of
Communications, Media & Technology, DBS Bank Ltd, said
"We are very pleased to bring this deal to successful
fruition. This syndication has attracted strong interest
from a diversified group of domestic and international
banks. We believe that this Facility has provided SMIC with
greater financial flexibility for its future
expansion."

    About SMIC

    SMIC (NYSE:SMI; SEHK:981) is one of the leading
semiconductor foundries in the world and the largest and
most advanced foundry in Mainland China, providing
integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing service at 0.35um to
90nm and finer line technologies. Headquartered in
Shanghai, China, SMIC operates three 8-inch fabs in
Shanghai and one in Tianjin, and one 12-inch fab in
Beijing, the only one of its kind in Mainland China. SMIC
has customer service and marketing offices in the U.S.,
Italy, and Japan as well as a representative office in Hong
Kong. For additional information, please visit
http://www.smics.com .

    Safe Harbor Statements(Under the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)

    Certain statements contained in this press release,
such as statements regarding how the facility will provide
significant benefits to SMIC Shanghai and support its
future growth, and SMIC's future development as the largest
semiconductor manufacturer in China, may be viewed as
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors (including without limitation the results of future
collaboration between SMIC and ARM), which may cause actual
events, and/or the actual performance, financial condition
or results of operations of SMIC to be materially different
from any future performance, financial condition or results
of operations implied by such forward-looking statements.
Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties
and other factors is included in the Company's annual
report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on June 28, 2005
and such other documents that SMIC may file with the SEC or
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited from time to time.

    For more information, please contact:

     SMIC ¨C Shanghai
     Reiko Chang
     SMIC
     Tel:   [phone] x10544
     Email: [e-mail]

     SMIC - Hong Kong
     Calvin Lau
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Mei Fung Hoo 
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Semiconductor Manufacturing International
Corporation