SYDNEY, Aug. 18 --AsiaNet/InfoQuest MICREL INC... SAN JOSE: Micrel Inc. has launched the MICRF009, a QwikRadioLow-Power UHF Receiver aimed at the automotive, industrial andconsumer markets. http://www.micrel.com LINEAR TECHNOLOGY... MILPITAS, Calif: Linear Technology Corporation, a providerof high-performance linear integrated circuits, announced thatthe United States International Trade Commission (ITC) hasvoted to institute an investigation into whether MonolithicPower Systems is violating Section 337 of the U.S. TariffAct. http://www.linear.com FANNIE MAE... WASHINGTON, D.C.: Fannie Mae will redeem the principalamount of six securities issues amounting to a total of US$400million on various dates at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued interest. http://www.fanniemae.com GENTRIS CORP... RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C: Gentris Corporation, a providerof pharmacogenomic testing, today announced the signing of apreferred vendor and master services agreement with QuintilesTransnational Japan K.K., a service provider to thepharmaceutical industry in Japan. http://www.gentris.com QBE INSURANCE... SYDNEY: QBE Insurance Group today announced a recordoperating profit after tax of $320 million for the half year to30 June 2004, up 33 per cent on the same period last year. http://www.qbe.com/group/reports.html (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agencies distributing unedited, translated news releases for worldwide clients. Visit www.asianetnews.net for full-text versions.)--InfoQuest (SP)--