Sep 28--PRNewswire/AsiaNetVENTURE CAPITAL… LOS GATOS: Power management company, iWatt Inc, today announced the closing of its first round of equity, affirming $US 7.25 million in venture capital from a consortium led by California's Sigma Partners.SHARES RELEASED… TORONTO: Sun Life Financial Services of Canada will offer ten million common shares on the market to raise Cdn$300 million for the acquisition of Keyport Life Insurance Company and Independent Financial Marketing, the company said today.SPINAL TECHNOLOGY… MINNEAPOLIS: An "interbody infusion system" could be implanted without altering the curvature of the spine, according to a study published in the medical journal, Spine. The company behind the technology, Sulzer Spine-Tech, said that pain and function improved regardless of the extent of back curvature.CHINESE TRADE… HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Trade Development Council today said China's entry into the WTO in November would open up a vast range of business opportunities in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. International traders believe China's growth will be the biggest in the world and its market will match the U.S. in five years, the trade promotion agency said.STOCK REPURCHASE… HONG KONG: Semi-precious jewellery manufacturers, LJ International Inc, today said that they would repurchase one million of the company's shares. "We believe this stock repurchase program reflects our confidence in our business and is in the best interests of our shareholders," said Yu Chuan Yih, Chairman and CEO..BIZ DOMAIN… STERLING: Domain name registry, NeuLevel Inc, has rescheduled the launch of .biz for October 23, a company news release said. SUMO WRESTLING… CARLSBAD: Champion sumo wrestler, Akebono, will be honoured in a limited edition set of trading cards, issued by sporting memorabilia company, the Upper Deck Company, a media release said today.EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS: DETROIT: Automotive company, Covisint, today named Mr Michael P O'Rourke, 47, as senior vice president and general counsel. (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agencies distributing unedited, translated press releases for worldwide clients. Contact: www.asianet.com.au for full-text versions).