Medvedev to tour Silicon Valley, seek investors

Russia's Dmitry Medvedev visits Silicon Valley for the first time on Wednesday, eager to reinvent his country's outmoded, oil-dependent economy _ and lure talent and money from the high-tech capital.

Two years into his presidency, the 44-year-old, tech-savvy Kremlin chief still lives in the shadow of his predecessor Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, but that hasn't stopped him from strenuously pursuing pet projects, the most grandiose of which is the creation of Russia's own Silicon Valley outside Moscow.

But to succeed, Medvedev knows he needs to attract some of the best minds and investors in the United States to a project that many Russian businessmen are …

Toyota affiliate opening plant

A truck manufacturer controlled by Toyota is apparently going totake over the former Walker Systems Inc. plant near Williamstown andcreate hundreds of jobs.

An economic development announcement has been scheduled for Mondayat the plant site in Wood County. State officials have been trying tokeep the deal under wraps.

However, Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A. Inc. received a businesslicense from the state on Monday. The company listed its WestVirginia address as 1000 Innovation Drive, Williamstown - the addressof the former Walker Systems plant.

Matt Turner, Gov. Joe Manchin's press secretary, said Manchin,Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Williamstown Mayor Jean Ford …

Chrysalis considers possible sale or acquisitions

Shares in British music publisher Chrysalis Group PLC rose more than 5 percent Wednesday after the company said it is assessing options to boost value to shareholders, including a sale of the business or possible acquisitions.

The options include remaining as a leading independent music company, potential acquisition opportunities, …

Marcum, Fielder keep torrid Brewers rolling

Shaun Marcum pitched seven shutout innings, Prince Fielder homered for the third time in four games and the Milwaukee Brewers won their sixth in seven games, 6-0 over the Pirates on Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.

Marcum (2-1) was perfect through four and kept the Pirates off-balance with his changeup, allowing only four singles with four strikeouts and a walk. Acquired in an offseason trade with Toronto to bolster Milwaukee's rotation, Marcum lowered his ERA to 2.55 through three starts.

Johnson stifles Braves

Josh Johnson took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before rookie Freddie Freeman doubled with one out, and the Florida Marlins beat the Braves 5-1 in …

House votes to ban dial-a-porn services

WASHINGTON The House on Tuesday approved a ban on pornographictelephone message services, rejecting arguments that the measure isunconstitutional.

The ban, which was approved earlier in the Senate, was includedin an $8.3 billion education bill passed 397-1. Final Senate actionon the package was expected today.

The bill renews all major federal elementary and secondaryeducation programs and authorizes new programs to prevent dropoutsand help high school students with weak skills.

Adoption of the tough anti-pornography provision was a victoryfor conservative lawmakers, who claim thousands of children have beenpsychologically hurt from calling so-called …

Calif. Wildfires Force More to Flee

SAN DIEGO - Thousands more residents were ordered to evacuate their homes Tuesday, bringing the number of people chased away by the wind-whipped flames that have engulfed Southern California to at least 270,000.

The dozen wildfires have burned more than 700 homes and set 245,957 acres - 384 square miles - ablaze, and the destruction may only be the start for the region. Tuesday's forecast called for hotter temperatures and more explosive Santa Ana gusts.

The blazes bedeviled firefighters as walls of flame whipped from mountain passes to the edges of the state's celebrated coastline, spreading so quickly that even hotels serving as temporary shelters for evacuees had to be …

Paraguay striker Santa Cruz signs for Man City

Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz has been reunited with manager Mark Hughes after joining Manchester City from Blackburn.

Santa Cruz signed a contract with Man City on Monday in a deal that is reportedly worth 18 million pounds ($30 million).

"It was really important that we signed him because it's an area of the squad that we have needed to address for some time," Hughes said. "The qualities Roque brings will be of great benefit. His ability in the air and his physical presence are things we have been missing. But he also has technical ability and good pace for a big man. He is a very good player and one I know well from our time at …