PASADENA, California -- NASA's Mars Exploration rover Opportunity is heading back out to the Red Planet's surrounding plains nearly a year after descending into a large Martian crater to examine exposed ancient rock layers.

"We've done everything we entered Victoria Crater to do and more," said Bruce Banerdt, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.  Banerdt is project scientist for Opportunity and its rover twin, Spirit.

Having completed its job in the crater, Opportunity is now preparing to inspect loose cobbles on the plains. Some of these rocks, approximately fist-size and larger, were thrown long distances when objects hitting Mars blasted craters deeper than Victoria into the Red Planet. Opportunity has driven past scores of cobbles but examined only a few.

"Our experience tells us there's lots of diversity among the cobbles," said Scott McLennan of the State University of New York, Stony Brook. McLennan is a long-term planning leader for the rover science team. "We want to get a better characterization of them. A statistical sampling from examining more of them will be important for understanding the geology of the area."

The permanent diaconate is to be restored in Ireland.  The permanent diaconate in many parts of North American was restored in the 1970s.  Bishops in Ireland have decided to restore the diaconate there too. 

Minneapolis, Minnesota–August 21, 2008: The board of directors of Medtronic, Inc. [NYSE:MDT], today approved a cash dividend of $0.1875 per share of the company's common stock.  Medtronic has paid a dividend for 32 consecutive years and on June 26, 2008, announced an increase of 50 percent in the dividend payment to shareholders, with a commitment to return 40 to 50 percent of free cash flow to shareholders in dividends or share repurchases.

The dividend is payable on October 24, 2008, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 3, 2008.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 25, 2008. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Atlanta, Georgia, August 21, 2008: The Home Depot [NYSE:HD], the world's largest home improvement retailer, today announced that its board of directors declared a second quarter cash dividend of 22.5 cents per share. The dividend is payable on September 18 to shareholders of record on the close of business on September 4. This is the 86th consecutive quarter the Company has paid a cash dividend.

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,259 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China. In fiscal 2007, The Home Depot had sales of $77.3 billion and earnings from continuing operations of $4.2 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange [NYSE:HD] and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

SOURCE The Home Depot

Pembroke, Bermuda, August 25, 2008: Tyco International Ltd. [NYSE:TYC; BSX: TYC] today delivered a notice of redemption of its $19,050,000 remaining principal amount of Series B 3.125 percent Convertible Senior Debentures due 2023 (the "Series B Convertible Debentures") and its $351,000 remaining principal amount of Liquid Yield Option Notes(TM) due 2020 (Zero Coupon-Senior) (the "LYONs"). The redemption date for both the Series B Convertible Debentures and the LYONs is September 26, 2008.

New York and Dayton Beach, Florida, August 26, 2008: Today International Speedway Corporation [NYSE:ISC] and American Express [NYSE:AXP]announced that the American Express® Card is now accepted at all ISC events and properties across the country. American Express Cardmembers will be able to enjoy the speed and convenience of paying with the American Express Card to watch their favorite drivers compete at the sport's most popular racetracks, including the legendary Daytona International Speedway® -- home of the Daytona 500® -- and Homestead-Miami Speedway(SM) -- home of the Ford Championship Weekend. American Express Cards are also accepted at The Daytona 500 Experience(SM), the Official Attraction of NASCAR® in Daytona Beach, and online for event tickets on RaceTickets.com