Laidlaw International, Inc. (NYSE:LI) announced today that it has entered into a merger agreement with FirstGroup plc under which FirstGroup will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Laidlaw International in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $3.6 billion, including the assumption of $800 million of debt.

Continuum Health Care Inc. ("Continuum" or the "Corporation") ("TSX-V: CCF") is pleased to announce that on December 13, 2006, the Rural Affordable Supportive Living ("RASL") Program, a program established by the Alberta government though Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Seniors, approved of a grant of $2,126,322 for the development of a ninety-six unit supportive living facility in High River, Alberta.

Lyxor Asset Management, Societe Generale's wholly owned subsidiary, announced today the listing on the SWX Swiss Exchange of the first and only Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) in Europe based on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Price index (TOPIX). This new ETF is a unique opportunity for Swiss investors wishing to get instant exposure to the Japanese market in a cost effective way.