Obrem Capital Management wants MDS to formally hire financial advisers to explore strategic alternatives. Obrem believes that significant shareholder value could be created through a spinoff or sale of one or several of MDS' business units. It also intends to recommend that MDS review its capital structure and pursue a "significant share-repurchase program." Obrem currently holds 6.24 million shares (5.1% of the total outstanding).

Third Avenue Management sent a letter to the company stating its opposition to the proposed acquisition of Bronco by Allis-Chalmers Energy (ALY). Third Avenue said the proposed merger with Allis-Chalmers undervalues Bronco's common stock and is not in the best interest of Bronco's shareholders. In January, Allis-Chalmers, agreed to pay $280 million in cash and $158 million in stock for a combined price of $16.33 a share for Bronco Drilling. Third Avenue Management said it believes that Bronco's shareholders will do better continuing to own Bronco as a stand-alone company, particularly in light of the improving fundamentals in the natural gas drilling market in the U.S. Third Avenue holds 6,166451 shares (23.47%).

A group including Inland American Real Estate Trust has considered different courses of action, including seeking a merger with RPT, making a tender offer for RPT shares, or seeking board representation. Inland American said it hasn't "reached any conclusion as to any of the...alternatives." Inland American and its affiliates reported ownership of 1,038,537 shares (5.6%).

Trans World Entertainment CEO Executive Robert Higgins and Riley Investment Management extended the terms of their nonbinding letter of intent to acquire Trans World to May 31. Riley and Higgins are proposing to acquire all of the company's outstanding shares for $5 each in cash. Higgins and his related entities currently hold 34,872,822 shares (46.5%) of Trans World. Riley holds 3,716,325 shares (11.9%).

Shamrock Activist Value Fund intends to nominate three candidates for Coinstar's board at the company's 2008 annual shareholder meeting. Shamrock, a California investment firm run by Walt Disney (DIS) founding-family member Roy E. Disney, has been asking Coinstar to make corporate-governance changes and de-stagger its classified board structure. Shamrock said its three nominees are Eugene I. Krieger, John M. Panettiere and Arik Ahitov. Shamrock currently holds about 3.7 million shares (13.39%).

Bristol Capital Advisors recently sent Advocat written notice of its intent to nominate two directors for election to the company's board at the 2008 annual meeting. In the notice, Bristol said it is nominating Paul Kessler and Richard McKilligan for election to the board. Bristol reported ownership of 294,834 shares (5.13%), after buying those shares from June 8, 2006, to Jan. 28, 2008, at $9.72 to $15.30 each

Sellers Capital raised its holdings to about 1.95 million shares (12.2%) from 1.9 million (11.9%) reported on Feb. 20. The investor previously reported its stake on a Schedule 13G, a form for passive investors.

Funds run by Mario Gabelli increased their stake to 2.95 million shares (6.71%), from 2.5 million (5.67%) reported in February.