Ugandan attempts to con Australian millionaire

Douglas J. Rathbone is the Managing Director, Nufarm Australia Ltd, one of the world’s leading producers of crop protection drugs. He is an industrialist with vast experience in the agrochemicals, an international businessman, and one of the richest men on earth. He is also philanthropist.

Sometime between August and September this year, Mr. Rathbone received a request from a Ugandan named Namugenyi Christabell begging him to finance her course in nursing and midwifery. She presented supporting documents from the Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery and a list of her requirements. The total bill was US$ 20,000 (about Shs 33 million).

Before receiving this request, Rathbone had neither known Namugyeni nor heard from her. As a philanthropist, however, this was not the first time he had received calls for financial help from strangers. Touched by this e-mail, Douglas Rathbone decided that he will help Namugyeni.

From past experience Mr Rathbone knew that he needed to ascertain the authenticity of this request. He contacted Mr Andrew Mwenda, Managing Editor of The Independent magazine. The revelations Mwenda and his team dug up were shocking. Douglas Rathbone could have lost US$20,000 to Ugandan internet fraudsters.

A visit to the Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery revealed that the admission letter sent to Mr. Rathbone was a forgery. The layout of this letter, its logo, and the website provided for further reference (www.msonm.com), the names and signatures of the so called dean and principal of the institution, the postal address, e-mail addresses and phone numbers did not belong to the institution.

On the site are photographs of people purported to be members of its staff, information about courses offered, and a contact postal address together with a mobile phone number.

When The Independent called on one of the number, a female voice answered. She however hung up as soon as she was asked if this was the school of nursing. In another attempt, nobody could pick the phone.

At the genuine Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery, the administrators said the Namugyeni incident is not the first of its nature. Last year, seven people reported to the school ready to study, complete with fake letters of admission. The school, which is under the stewardship of the Ministry of Education and Sports, said it has lodged several complaints to the police about these incidents.

Mr. Rathbone’s experience is just the tip of the iceberg. Recently, a mobile phone technician was arrested in Kampala with networking equipment that had been stolen from MTN and allegedly used in internet, ATM, bank, and phone airtime fraud.

Cyber or internet fraud comprises use of one or more online services - such as chat rooms, e-mail, message boards, or websites - to either present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims or conduct fraudulent transactions.

It thrives on illegally acquired information of potential victims, who may be individuals or organisations.

Simeo Nsubuga, the Kampala Extra Region Police Spokesman says: “Fraudsters at times connive with the secretaries of busy people who leak information from their bosses’ inboxes to these fraudsters.”

In other cases the fraudsters collaborate with people who work in banks to give them clients’ account information.

Mr Nsubuga said a cyber-criminal was arrested after impersonating a bishop to get money from the bishop’s friend in the United States of America. He claimed the bishop’s wife was seriously injured in an accident and admitted to hospital. After a week, the bishop’s friend called the bishop in Uganda, to inquire about how the wife was doing. They discovered the fraud and, together with the police, trapped and caught the conman.

The local CID often works with the International Criminal Police Organisation, (Interpol) to investigate such crimes but Nsubuga says it is very difficult; it involves only two people without witnesses, is complicated by the distance between the two parties, and the victims often cannot travel to give evidence.

He also cites the weak laws that haven’t been amended to incorporate the ever changing technology. “We know the fax machines where these people send their messages from, but you can’t go and ask its operator that who sent and received such a message because that the law doesn’t oblige him/her to record the details of who receives what and who sends what,” he laments.

Simeo Nsubuga says fighting this crime is very complicated because under the Penal Code, the crime invites only a five year prison sentence and bail can also be sought from the magistrate’s court. He suggests that such crimes be tried only in the High Court.

The police may also lack incriminating evidence against the culprits because it lacks personnel competent in cyber crime.

Internet fraud in Uganda has steadily risen since 2005. In 2006, this form of crime had become so prominent that the police decided to train an elite squad to track it.

Meanwhile, cyber crime may appear distant when heard of but it’s actually next door and your money may no longer be as safe like you may think. To avoid falling victim, try protecting your personal information. If that fails, do what Mr Rathbone did – check the authenticity of that SMS, letter, email, fax, or website.

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Is satisfactiona direct predictor of nursing turnover

The theory of planned behaviour states that attitudinal variables (e.g. job satisfaction) only have an indirect effect on retention, whereas intentions have a direct effect.

This study uses secondary data from a longitudinal cohort of newly qualified nurses to test for the direct and indirect effects of job satisfaction (client care, staffing, development, relationships, education, work-life interface, resources, pay) and intentions to nurse on working as a nurse during the three years after qualification.

Methods: A national sample (England) of newly qualified (1997/98) nurses (n=3669) were surveyed at six months, eighteen months and three years . ANOVA and MANOVA were used for comparison of mean job satisfaction scores between groups; intentions to nurse (very likely, likely vs.

unlikely, very unlikely and unable to say at this stage); working (or not working as a nurse) at each time-point. Indirect and direct effects were tested using structural equation and logistic regression models.

Results: Intentions expressed at six months to nurse at eighteen months were associated with higher scores on pay and relationships, and intentions at three years were associated with higher scores on care, development, relationships, work-life interface, resources, and pay respectively.

Intentions expressed at eighteen months to nurse at three years were associated with higher scores on development, relationships, education and work-life interface. Associations with actual nursing were fewer.

Those working as a nurse had higher satisfaction scores for development (eighteen months) and relationships (three years). Regression models found significant associations between the pay and staffing factors and intentions expressed at six months to nurse at eighteen months, and between pay and intentions to nurse at three years.

Many of the associations between intentions and working as a nurse were significant. Development was the only job satisfaction factor significantly associated with working as a nurse and just at eighteen months.



Conclusions: Results partially support the theory of planned behaviour. Intentions expressed by nurses are stronger predictors of working as a nurse than job satisfaction.

Retention strategies should focus on identifying nurses showing early signs of departure with emphasis on developmental aspects, mentoring and support.

Author: Trevor Murrells, Sarah Robinson and Peter Griffiths
Credits/Source: Human Resources for Health 2008, 6:22

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Nursing home probe nets mixed results

A federal agency investigating allegations of unfair labor practices at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville has determined some of the complaints may have merit and others are unfounded.

The National Labor Relations Board launched its probe after 1199 SEIU filed several complaints accusing the nursing home of disciplining or harassing employees for their union activities. Workers voted to join the health care workers union in March. The union and management began negotiating a contract in May.

When the NLRB conducts an investigation and determines a violation may have occurred, it gives the parties time to settle matter. If there is no voluntary remedy, the NLRB issues a formal complaint and the case is heard by an administrative law judge.

"We have decided if the case doesn't settle, we will issue complaints on some of the allegations," said Rhonda Ley, the NLRB's regional attorney.

She would not discuss which allegations may trigger complaints.

Ross Andrews, a lawyer for 1199 SEIU, said the allegations include accusations that the nursing home denied weekend shifts to an employee because of her union activity and denied employees their right to have fellow union members present while being questioned by supervisors.

Andrews said the NLRB is prepared to issue complaints on most of the union's charges.

In a memo issued to Iroquois staff, Iroquois administrator Sonya Moshier said the NLRB dismissed allegations that Iroquois improperly disciplined two employees for neglect of resident care and allegations that the home denied union representation to two employees.

The NLRB has determined a trial is necessary to determine if some disciplinary actions and scheduling changes were appropriate, she said in the memo.

" . . . the NLRB has decided that a trial must be held so a judge can decide who is telling the truth," Moshier said.

The union contends Iroquois has continued to intimidate and harass workers since they voted to join the union. Iroquois says the union is waging a smear campaign against the nursing home as a bargaining tool.

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Students flood nursing programs

Marissa Perry was only 16 when she discovered her purpose in life.
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It's unfortunate, she says, that a drunken driver had to crash head-on into her car for that purpose to be made clear. But the months of therapy that followed instilled in her a calling.

Now 19, the 2007 Tate High School graduate is in her first semester at Pensacola Junior College earning a degree to be a registered nurse.

"I had to spend a lot of time in rehab," said Perry, who was injured while heading home from a baby-sitting job. "Being around nurses during that time made me respect what they do. I wanted to be able to give people the same care I was given."

Perry is just one of more than 500 nursing students who move about campus, work in simulation areas and study in classrooms at PJC's Warrington Campus, the home of the school's nursing program.

The University of West Florida offers a bachelor's degree in nursing, which is also gaining momentum.

Programs at both the UWF and PJC remain immensely popular with students.

Judy Bense, interim UWF president, said during a recent presidential address that the school turned has away about 360 nursing applicants over the past two years.

PJC turns away even more students annually.

"We have 1,273 applicants for 110 slots in January," said Marcia Williams, provost of PJC's Warrington campus. "We could take all 1,200 of them, but we don't have enough spaces in clinic for them to go to the hospitals and practice."
A popular field

With the promise of a starting salary upwards of $35,000, area college students are packing school nursing programs in the hopes of filling the national nursing shortage gap.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing says the nation is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and health-care needs grow.

But some local health-care officials say the number of nursing jobs awaiting area students may be decreasing. Some, in part, cite the slowing economy as a factor in more closely matching supply and demand.

Daphne Scordato, vice president of patient care services at Baptist Health Care, said the recent influx of new graduates found a little bit tighter job market than they found in the past.

"We were able to be a little more selective for the first time in years," she said.

But that doesn't deter students like Brandy Hines, 30, from signing up. Hines, a UWF nursing student, will finish her degree next spring.

"The program has prepared me as far as introducing me to all aspects of nursing, wherever I go from here," she said.

And though the need for additional faculty remains high, local nursing programs are filled to the brim with students — and they could take more, but area hospitals cap the number of students receiving clinical training at a given time.

PJC offers seven nursing programs, including a two-year registered nursing Associate of Science degree. The school also offers several advanced certificates for students who want to specialize in operating room or critical care nursing.

UWF alone graduates between 50 and 60 students with bachelor's degrees in nursing each year. PJC's numbers are even higher.

"On any given day we have somewhere between 450 and 500 nursing students in the pipeline somewhere," Williams said.
Tough job market

Scordato said market projections show that hospitals nationwide should experience a nursing shortage through 2010.

"We're pretty much on target with that except those projections may have not factored in the downturn in the economy," Scordato said. "Due to the economy the demand is catching up with the supply."

Nursing officials at area hospitals say they are well staffed at the moment.

"Right now we're in a very good situation, better than we've been in the past three years," said Gail Ewing, director of associate health and employment at Sacred Heart.

"This past year we've probably had an excess of 500 applicants a week," she said. "Probably 50 to 100 are nursing applicants.

"Our current needs are our critical-care areas," Ewing said. "Those positions require experienced nurses."

Heather Phillips, 21, a senior UWF nursing student, is optimistic about her job prospects after graduation.

"I've been really impressed with our cultural competency training," said Phillips who plans to serve on a mission trip after completing school. "Every course we've taken has introduced different cultures and what our response should be as nurses."

Perry feels confident that in two years when she completes her degree she won't have a problem finding a job.

"I feel pretty confident in being able to get a job pretty much right when I get my licence," she said. "It probably won't be where I want to build my career. But you have to work your way up to where you want to be."

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Hickory Creek nursing facility showed caring

The family of June Blaich would like to thank the employees, nursing staff, administration of Hickory Creek nursing facility for their dedication, knowledge, care giving and being kind to each and every one of us on behalf of my mother. She wasn't with you very long, but you picked up the pieces the other nursing facility neglected to detect of her health.
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The nurse at the other facility refused to help me put my mother in the car. The clerks were asked to help me. Little did I know I was transporting her myself to your facility with her having pneumonia. You picked right up on what was wrong with her and dealt with the circumstances. All of you work so hard to take care of your patients with love, kindness and understanding of your patients' needs. Words just can't sum up to how thankful we are she was in your hands.

Unfortunately she was with you only two weeks. You became part of our family in a short time. We are grateful she was in your care at the end of her life

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Jean And Ric Edelman Honoured By The American Journal Of Nursing

The American Journal of Nursing (AJN) announced that this year's AJN-Beatrice Renfield Caring for the Caregiver Award is being given to Jean and Ric Edelman, founders of Edelman Financial Services, for their commitment and generosity to nursing. The Award, recognizing individuals or organizations that have provided generous financial support for nurses and excellence in nursing practice, was presented on October 25 at the Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner, Virginia. AJN is the largest circulating nursing journal in the world, and is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, pharmacy and the pharmaceutical industry.

"The Edelman's generosity has been instrumental in our efforts to help create an environment of caring, learning and opportunity for nurses," said John Fay, vice president, Inova Health System Foundation. "While Jean and Ric frequently speak about how much they appreciate the daily role of nurses, we would like them to know how grateful we are to them for caring so much about us."

The commitment and generosity to nursing by the Edelmans began in 2004 when they donated $250,000 to the Inova Health System Foundation for the Edelman Nursing Career Development Center. More recently they contributed $1 million to expand the Center's services. During that time, Jean Edelman has represented and supported the Center by serving on the Inova Nursing Advisory Council for five years, volunteering at numerous nursing events and presenting at Inova nursing conferences. Ric Edelman, who with his wife founded Edelman Financial, has given presentations to the Center where he shared his expertise on financial planning with nurses to help them plan for secure futures.

The Edelman Nursing Career Development Center fosters the professional development of Inova nurses and nursing students, through staff development, conferences, mentorships, academic planning, scholarships and funding for continuing education. The Center provides Inova nurses with a place to go for career counseling, advice on certification and rejuvenation. In three years, more than 2,500 nurses have benefited. The Center also supports a summer camp for middle and high school students to explore career options in nursing.

The AJN-Beatrice Renfield Award

The AJN-Beatrice Renfield Award is named in honor of the late Beatrice Renfield who donated millions of dollars to various nursing programs and was a patron and trustee of the Beth Israel Medical Center and Visiting Nurse Service in New York City. Philanthropist Beatrice Renfield was committed to "caring for the caregivers" after witnessing the impact nursing care had on her husband, who had struggled for years with the debilitating effects of a stroke. As she became more familiar with the scientific underpinnings of nursing and the potential for research to inspire nurses, she supported several small studies by nurses at Beth Israel Medical Center, and later provided significant funding for clinical research initiatives at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and Yale University School of Nursing.

The annual award, created in 2003, honors a recipient selected from nominations submitted to the AJN by institutions across the country. The selection committee is composed of AJN editorial staff members, registered nurses in New York City, and representatives from the Beatrice Renfield Foundation.

"AJN salutes Jean and Ric Edelman for their steadfast efforts and support as philanthropic leaders in health care," said Diana J. Mason, PhD, RN, FAAN, editor-in-chief of the AJN. "Philanthropic efforts supporting nurses are relatively rare, yet those individuals and organizations who do make an effort can dramatically improve the quality of life for nurses and quality of care that patients receive."

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UNMC Prepares For New Nursing Building That Will Help The School Train More Nurses

Preparations have been made for a new building project at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha that will help the school train more nurses.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was recently held for the new Center for College of Nursing Sciences, next to the campus' current nursing facilities.

Plans for the 43,000-square-foot building include space for classrooms, research labs and faculty offices. It's expected to open in March 2010.

The $14 million project is being funded through private donations.

UNMC officials say the facility will allow the campus to enroll more nursing students.

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Council slated over handling of nursing home closure

RELATIVES and community leaders are calling for a public inquiry following a report which criticised East Lothian Council's handling of the closure of a troubled nursing home.
The Scottish Labour leader, Iain Gray MSP, has joined the calls, saying the council's lack of communication was "shocking", and that the report leaves significant questions unanswered.

Cockenzie House Nursing Home closed in April this year, after critical reports from the Care Commission. The council rejected owner Jim McDonald's offer to lease the home, and instead moved residents to other homes.

He had said he was unable to keep it open for financial reasons due to the ban on new admissions.

A local GP has said the stress and disruption could have contributed to the death of 21 residents leading up to and following the move.

The independent consultant, Peter Daniels OBE, former chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council, made eight recommendations in his report, including ensuring there are adequate staff in the adult social care department and changing the way the council gives contracts to private homes. He also called on the council to "urgently revisit" its communication strategy.

The review covers the period from 2001 until 2008. It involved face-to-face interviews with the owner and staff at Cockenzie House Nursing Home, relatives, doctors, NHS staff and the Care Commission.

Councillor Ruth Currie, the council's adult social care leader, said: "We will be making sure that the recommendations contained within the report are implemented as appropriate."

Mr Gray, who represents East Lothian, said "significant questions" had been left unanswered.

He said: "The Daniels report still leaves me wondering how it can be that East Lothian Council and the Care Commission between them could not find a solution whereby Cockenzie House residents continued to receive care without being moved.

"Why were residents moved to another nursing home with similar Care Commission concerns outstanding, and what was the impact on the wellbeing of residents who moved?

"I think relatives of residents are entitled to answers and further investigation. Services for the elderly in East Lothian seem to be descending into chaos."

Many relatives and community leaders said they were unsatisfied with the report. Local GP Dr Jonathan Turvill has already said there were an "unusually high" number of deaths around the time of the move, although it was impossible to say they were as a direct result of the switch.

Donald Sowden, of Port Seton, whose wife Dorothy, 83, was moved from Cockenzie House Nursing Home, said: "This is too little and too late. The damage is now done."

Although satisfied with his wife's care at her new home, Greenfield Park Nursing Home in Musselburgh, he said he would like to see a public inquiry.

"No-one has ever answered our questions about closing the home," he said. Reverend Robert Glover, who organised the Cockenzie House Action Group, said "A lot of people are very angry because councillors never visited the home when this was all happening. They refused to come to the public meetings. 'Ignorant' and 'arrogant' are the words that people are using."

Deputy council leader Stuart Currie, who represents Preston, Seton and Gosford, said he had decided it would be inappropriate to attend public meetings, as he could not disclose commercially sensitive information about the finances of the home.

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Compromise Reached on Nursing Center

THE survival of the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility in Yaphank may still be in jeopardy, but the parties who control the future of the nursing home, which Suffolk County owns, have at least agreed on a course of action.

Earlier this year, Steve Levy, the county executive, proposed cutting the nursing home from the county’s 2009 budget, saying it is losing $12 million annually. The plan was opposed by residents of the 264-bed center, the union that represents its 283 employees and some county legislators, including the presiding officer, William J. Lindsay.

After heated negotiations, Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Levy have reached a compromise. Still, there have been conflicts, including the cancellation of a news conference last month at which the two were supposed to announce an agreement and disagreement Wednesday over a new report by the Legislature’s Office of Budget Review on the costs to close the nursing home.

Mr. Levy said he has left it to the Legislature to find “real money” to finance the nursing home without a tax increase. He has also agreed to the Legislature’s issuing a request for proposals for a new management team to upgrade the nursing home’s operations.

Meanwhile, public hearings will be set to allow the county to issue a request for proposals to sell the center.

Mr. Levy said he had already pitched the sale to local medical facilities, including the Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation in New Hyde Park, which, he said, would consider a partnership with the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System to privatize the Foley nursing center.

Initial discussions indicated that they would keep all of the patients, Mr. Levy said, “so why would we not consider an arrangement with reputable local hospitals if they could preserve continuity of care?”

Mr. Lindsay, a Democrat from Holbrook, said he was concerned that new ownership would no longer accept the types of patients the nursing home has traditionally cared for.

According to an October report by the Budget Review Office, the Foley center has a high percentage of patients who need considerable and costly care and who are on Medicaid. County facilities generally lose money from Medicaid admissions, the report says. The Foley center has the highest Medicaid reimbursements in Suffolk, Mr. Lindsay said.

“My fear is, moving forward, the mission of our nursing home is going to change,” he said. “The mission has always been that we take the difficult cases that a lot of other for-profit or not-for-profits don’t want.”

But Mr. Lindsay said he agreed with Mr. Levy that the Foley center had been mismanaged.

“We’re not doing a good job on billing — you have to bill for every service provided,” Mr. Lindsay said. “On the revenue side, I think there is more money that could come in. On the expense side, some of the things we’re doing there are just incredibly stupid.”

Mr. Levy said Suffolk was not the only county struggling to keep its nursing home afloat. “There’s not a single public nursing home in the black,” he said. “The State of New York is seeking to get county nursing homes out of the business, giving millions of dollars in grants to downsize or close their facilities. With the advent of private institutions and Medicaid, the public nursing homes are no longer the places of last resort.”

Mr. Levy said that state law prohibits privatization unless every patient is cared for, and on Tuesday he guaranteed that all Foley patients would be able to remain in their beds if the home is sold or leased to an outside operator. “There’s a myth that people will be out on the street, which is nonsense,” he said.

Still, the October Budget Review Office report noted that no laws require that relocated patients be placed within a specified distance of their family home or former nursing home.

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Fresenius SE, Parent Company of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., Announces Date for Third Quarter Earnings

Fresenius SE, parent company of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: APCVZ - News), will announce third quarter earnings on November 4, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. CET/8:00 a.m. EST/ 7:00 a.m. CST. Fresenius Kabi is a business segment of Fresenius SE.

Fresenius Kabi acquired the Schaumburg, Illinois-based APP Pharmaceuticals on September 10, 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, Fresenius acquired the outstanding common stock of APP for $23.00 in cash per share (the "Cash Purchase Price") plus a Contingent Value Right (CVR) that could deliver up to an additional $980 million, or $6.00 per CVR in cash, pending achievement of certain financial targets (payable in Q2 2011).

Holders of CVRs and other interested parties may listen to the Fresenius earnings call at www.fresenius.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the Fresenius Web site following the live presentation.

About Fresenius SE

Fresenius is a health care group with international operations, providing products and services for dialysis, hospital and outpatient medical care. In 2007, group sales were approximately EUR 11.4 billion. On June 30, 2008 the Fresenius Group had 117,453 employees worldwide. For more information visit the company's website at www.fresenius.com.

About Fresenius Kabi

Fresenius Kabi is the leader in infusion therapy and clinical nutrition in Europe and in its most important countries of Latin America and Asia Pacific. Fresenius Kabi's core product range includes infusion solutions for fluid substitution, blood volume expansion and parenteral nutrition, as well as products for enteral nutrition. Furthermore, the company provides concepts for ambulatory health care and is focused on managing and providing home therapies. With its philosophy "Caring for life" and a comprehensive product portfolio, the company aims at improving the quality of life of patients all over the world. On June 30, 2008 the company had 18,323 employees. In 2007, Fresenius Kabi achieved sales of EUR 2,030 million and an operating profit of EUR 332 million. Fresenius Kabi AG is a 100% subsidiary of the health care group Fresenius SE.

About APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

APP is a fully-integrated pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets injectable pharmaceutical products with a primary focus on the oncology, anti-infective, anesthetic/analgesic and critical care markets. The company offers one of the most comprehensive product portfolios used in hospitals, long-term care facilities, alternate care sites and clinics within North America and manufactures a comprehensive range of dosage formulations.

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Rigel to Host Update Conference Call

Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK - News) announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of US$.14 per share on all of the outstanding common stock of the Company held of record as of the close of business of the Company's transfer agent on January 2, 2009. The dividend will be paid on January 30, 2009.

Also, Torchmark's Board reaffirmed its continued authorization of the Company's stock repurchase program in amounts and timing that Company management, in consultation with the Board, determines to be in the best interest of the Company. Torchmark has repurchased its common stock every year since 1986 except for 1995, the year following the acquisition of American Income Life. Since 1986 the Company has repurchased 159.2 million shares for a total cost of US$3,965 billion.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These prospective statements reflect management's current expectations, but are not guarantees of future performance. Accordingly, please refer to Torchmark's cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements, and the business environment in which the Company operates, contained in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and any subsequent Forms 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and on the Company's website at www.torchmarkcorp.com on the Investor Relations page. Torchmark specifically disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement because of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Torchmark Corporation is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for "middle income" Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct response, and exclusive and independent agencies. Torchmark has several nationally recognized insurance subsidiaries. Globe Life And Accident is a direct-response provider of life insurance known for its administrative efficiencies. American Income Life provides individual life insurance to labor union members. Liberty National Life, one of the oldest traditional life insurers in the Southeast, is the largest life insurer in its home state of Alabama. United American is a consumer-oriented provider of supplemental health insurance.

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Pediatrix to Present at Oppenheimer's 19th Annual Healthcare Conference

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., (NYSE:PDX - News) today announced that it is scheduled to make a presentation on Monday, November 3, 2008, at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, to investors attending the Oppenheimer 19th Annual Healthcare Conference in New York, NY.

The presentation by Pediatrix’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger J. Medel, M.D., will be broadcast through a live audio Webcast and will be available for replay at www.pediatrix.com.

About Pediatrix

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. is the nation’s leading provider of neonatal, maternal-fetal and pediatric physician subspecialty services and recently expanded to include anesthesiology services. Pediatrix physicians and advanced practitioners are reshaping the delivery of care within the maternal-fetal, neonatal intensive care and pediatric cardiology subspecialties, using evidence-based tools, continuous quality initiatives and clinical research to enhance patient outcomes and provide high-quality, cost-effective care. Founded in 1979, its neonatal physicians provide services at more than 250 neonatal intensive care units, and in many markets they collaborate with affiliated maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric cardiology physician subspecialists and pediatric intensivists to provide a clinical care continuum. Combined, Pediatrix and its affiliated professional corporations employ more than 1,200 physicians in 32 states and Puerto Rico. Pediatrix is also the nation’s largest provider of newborn hearing screens. Additional information is available at www.pediatrix.com.

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'Get Screened' Video Contest Throws a Spotlight on the Importance of Colorectal-Cancer Screening

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center today announced a video contest called "Get Screened" -- a creative challenge to movie makers to help shine a spotlight on the importance of colorectal-cancer screening. The contest is part of the Hutchinson Center's ongoing awareness campaign -- "Your colon. Your life. Your call." -- to increase colon-cancer screening rates and reduce deaths from the disease in Washington state.

Colon cancer is the third most-commonly diagnosed cancer and the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. An estimated 49,960 Americans, including 940 Washington state residents, will die of the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Most of these deaths could be prevented if the disease were caught early. We're launching this video contest to help increase awareness about the importance of early detection and motivate people to get screened," said Lee Hartwell, Ph.D., president and director of the Hutchinson Center.

The contest is open to movie makers age 18 and older. Film or video submissions must be either 30 seconds or 60 seconds in length and can be in any style or genre, including animation, drama, still art, imagery, comedy or documentary. Entries will be judged on five criteria: originality, creativity, concept, information and overall presentation. All entries are due by Jan. 15, 2009.

The top 15 entries will be posted to YouTube.com in February and the public will be allowed to view each finalist's submission and to post comments. Each finalist will be evaluated by a panel of celebrity judges.

In mid-March five winning entries will be announced: one grand prize ($2,500), two first-runners-up ($1,000) and two second-runners-up ($500). The winning videos and finalists will also be posted on the campaign Web site and be screened at a public event.

The winning videos will incorporate some or all of the following messages:

* Getting screened for colon cancer can save your life
* The risk of colon cancer increases around age 50
* Ask your doctor about the importance of colon-cancer screening
* Encourage anyone you know around age 50 to get screened for colon cancer

Screening and early detection are crucial because people with colon cancer may be asymptomatic for many years, and precancerous lesions or polyps may take 10 years to transform from benign to malignant. If routine screening via colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy detects a precancerous polyp, it can be removed immediately.

For more information about the contest, please visit http://www.endcoloncancernow.org/video/

In addition to the contest rules, the site provides a tool for calculating one's risk for colon cancer and information about the latest recommended screening options and guidelines, among many other life-saving resources.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit fhcrc.org.

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3SBio Inc. Announces Preliminary Third Quarter 2008 Results

3SBio Inc. (Nasdaq: SSRX - News; "3SBio" or "the Company"), a leading biotechnology company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products primarily in China, announced today that it expects to recognize a one-time impairment charge of approximately RMB19.0 million (US$2.7 million) in the third quarter 2008 and affirmed its 2008 full year guidance.

Preliminary Third Quarter 2008 Selected Unaudited Financial Results

The Company's financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2008 have not been finalized and are subject to completion of its normal quarter-end closing procedures. Therefore, the preliminary selected unaudited financial data set forth below may be subject to adjustment. As a consequence, actual results could differ materially from the expected results provided.

For the third quarter 2008, 3SBio expects total net revenues of approximately RMB68.2 million (US$10.0 million), representing an increase of 21.6% over the third quarter 2007. For the same period, 3SBio expects to recognize a one-time impairment loss of approximately RMB19.0 million (US$2.7 million). This impairment loss was related to a US$3.0 million aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Credit Linked Notes due on January 21, 2009 (the "Notes") held by the Company. As a result, net income for the third quarter 2008 is expected to be approximately RMB1.9 million (US$0.3 million), or US$0.01 per ADS.

The Notes, issued by UBS AG, Jersey Branch (the "Issuer"), are linked to credit of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Lehman Brothers") and mature on January 21, 2009, subject to certain conditions. Subsequent to Lehman Brothers' Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, 3SBio was notified that a credit event under the terms of the Notes had occurred. As a result, the Company expects to recognize an impairment loss of approximately RMB19.0 million (US$2.7 million) after determining the fair value the Notes to be approximately RMB2.0 million (US$0.3 million) based on the value of the cash redemption for the Notes offered by the Issuer based on results from the ISDA settlement auction for Lehman Brothers' credit default swaps held on October 10, 2008.

There are no other similar Notes in the Company's investment portfolio, which is primarily made up of investment grade bonds with an expected aggregate fair market value of approximately RMB58.7 million (US$8.6 million) as of September 30, 2008. In addition, as of the end of the third quarter 2008, the Company had an expected cash balance of approximately RMB675.4 million (US$99.5 million) and generated an expected operating cash flow of approximately RMB43.0 million (US$6.4 million).

Management Commentary and Outlook

Following a thorough assessment of its investment portfolio and treasury and cash management infrastructure, the Company has taken immediate and appropriate steps to implement additional risk management measures, including the formation of an Investment Advisory Committee. In addition, 3SBio has engaged Mr. Bo Tan as a consultant to advise on capital markets initiatives and oversee the Company's treasury functions. Mr. Tan has extensive experience in private equity, equity research and commercial practice in the pharmaceutical industry. Previously, he served as the Executive Director and a member of the Investment Committee for Bohai Industrial Fund Management Company, a private equity fund in China. Earlier in his career, he spent six years in the pharmaceutical industry with Eli Lilly & Company and EMD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in North America and went on to serve as a China healthcare and consumer analyst at Lehman Brothers Asia and Macquarie Securities in Hong Kong.

In addition, Kevin Teo will return to his role as the Company's Director of Finance, no longer serving as Chief Financial Officer of 3SBio. Mr. Teo will continue to be responsible for the Company's accounting and controlling functions. Mr. Tan will facilitate the search for an experienced and qualified replacement Chief Financial Officer for 3SBio.

Dr. Jing Lou, Chief Executive Officer of 3SBio, commented, "While we continue to benefit from robust growth opportunities and increased demand for our products, we recognize the need to be especially prudent in the current macro environment. We are actively working to better manage our mark-to-market valuation levels and preserve our treasury and cash assets. We have formed an Investment Advisory Committee and are pleased to welcome Bo Tan to join our efforts in risk management and other initiatives. I am confident that the collaboration between these two parties will better align our investment portfolio allocations for the best interest of our shareholders."

"Despite the one-time impairment charge that adversely affected our bottom-line for the third quarter, 3SBio remains fundamentally strong. On the operational front, we continue to demonstrate market leadership within our core product areas and our pipeline drugs are on track for SFDA submission. From a financial perspective, we continue to deliver top line growth with a strong balance sheet and sufficient free cash flow. As we maintain our strategic focus and execute on our growth initiatives, we are confident in our ability to meet our full year total net revenue guidance of US$34 to US$35 million."

Conference Call

3SBio senior management will host a conference call at 5:00 am (Pacific) / 8:00 am (Eastern) / 9:00 pm (Beijing/Hong Kong) on Monday, November 3, 2008 to discuss details of its pre-earnings announcement. The conference call may be accessed by calling (US) +1 480-629-1990 / (UK) +44 (0) 20 7190 1596 / (HK) +852 3009-5027, Passcode: 3938278. A telephone replay will be available shortly after the call until November 17, 2008 at (US) +1 303 590 3030/ (UK) +44 (0)20 7154 2833, Passcode: 3938278#; and (HK) +852 2287 4304, Passcode: 137110#.

A live webcast of the conference call and replay will be available on the investor relations page of 3SBio's website: http://bbs.3sbio.com/en/News/xShowInfo_nnnn1.aspx?ID=129 .

Statement Regarding Unaudited Financial Information

The unaudited financial information set forth above is subject to adjustments that may be identified when audit work is performed on our year-end financial statements, which could result in significant differences from this unaudited financial information.

Currency Convenience Translation

For the convenience of readers, certain RMB amounts have been translated into US dollars at the rate of RMB6.7899 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate for US dollars in effect on September 30, 2008 for cable transfers of RMB per US dollar as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

About 3SBio Inc.

3SBio Inc. is a leading, fully integrated biotechnology company focused on researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing biopharmaceutical products, primarily in China.

For more information, please visit 3SBio on the web at: http://www.3sbio.com .

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon 3SBio management's current expectations, and actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause 3SBio's actual results to differ from what the company currently anticipates may include adjustments as a result of the completion of our closing procedures for the third quarter 2008; competition from other domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies; the expected market growth for pharmaceutical products in China; market acceptance of 3SBio products; expected hospital or patient demand for our products; the completion of 3SBio's ongoing clinical trials as planned; receipt and timing of regulatory approvals for 3SBio's new products and uses; 3SBio's ability to expand its production, sales and distribution network and other aspects of its operations; its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property; changes in the healthcare industry in China, including changes in the healthcare policies and regulations of the PRC government and changes in the healthcare insurance sector in the PRC; and fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China. For additional information on these and other factors that may affect the 3SBio's financial results, please refer to the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov . 3SBio undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

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Tens of Thousands View DressLikePalin Web Site

More than 62,000 viewers have viewed the http://www.DressLikePalin.com website this week, scores offering their views on other uses that could have been made for the $150,000 the Republican National Committee famously spent on the wardrobe for Gov. Sarah Palin.

The internet game sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, presents its suggestions on alternatives to the spending spree for what CNA/NNOC Executive Director Rose Ann DeMoro calls the real Marxist in the Presidential race -- "the Neiman Marxist adorned in that fetching $150,000 wardrobe,"

The same $150,000 could buy 15,000 nurses scrubs, for example. The $22,800 the RNC spent on makeup alone would pay for 224 mammograms, 651 flu shots, or provide a supply of cholesterol lower Lipitor for one person for nearly 14 years.

Those viewing the internet game are invited to present their own opinions on how the $150,000 could have been better spent. Among the comments:

-- I would make a donation to my local university's scholarship fund.
-- I would buy my mother a new home for which she very much needs.
-- Shelter for thousands of homeless across the country.
-- A college education for my daughter.
-- I would pay off my credit card, save for 2 kids to go to college, give
some to charity, and whatever is left, stuff in my mattress.
-- I could get married....
-- Food for the food bank for 5 years...
-- A house or perhaps donate to a transplant hospital. My husband needs a
kidney and I don't think he will get one with Medicare only!
-- Health care for families where the parent(s) work at WalMart.
-- I would be able to pay off my house and half of my student loans, which
cause me to live pay check to pay check.
-- A modest home and property where my husband and I could retire.
-- 150,000 would make a really great computer lab in the local public
school or library.
-- I'd start a foundation for at-risk high school students.
-- A house and I would pay for health insurance for myself & daughters
since I am currently self employed and do not have
insurance...partially because I worry if I ever used it they would
cancel it anyway.
-- Dr. visits for as many as possible!
-- I'd give it all to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a food bank.
-- I would buy back my neighbor's house who lost it to foreclosure due to
predatory lending.
-- I would give the $150,000 to the Mother, Child, and Adolescent HIV
program for which I work. That money could keep a child on medication
for 12.5 years. Most of our families live on less than $10,000 per
year!
-- I'd buy healthcare coverage for a month for, yikes, just 10 or 11
families ...
-- I would by 15000 warm winter jackets for the homeless at about 10
dollars each.
-- A nice school outfit for a foster child with a very limited budget.
-- Dental care for myself and all my other self-employed, self-insured
workers.
-- I would pay off medical bills. One from a thoractomy from two years ago
for me, one also from two years ago and my son was uninsured because he
had a "pre-existing condition" from when he was born nine years ago.
Someone decided since I was induced due to toxemia that he was
premature. Now I have to pay $5,000 for his broken arm because someone
decided it was bad that he needed speech therapy at 3 yrs old, he was
"premature" at 8 1/2 months and takes Ritalin...
-- Textbooks for inner city children.
-- Membership in Environmental organizations opposed to Drilling in the
Alaskan natural Wildlife Preserve.
-- Five full time case workers at our local domestic violence program, for
a year, with benefits.
-- Food for refugees in Darfur.
-- My husband just had to close his business after 22 years of hard
work--I would have used the money to help him keep his business or to
help my two sons finish college. I also would have my husband use the
time off to get his bachelor's degree. He went to trade school and was
a successful business owner (like Joe the plumber) until "W" got hold
of this country and ruined it. It is too bad Sarah is not a nurse-we
all could think of millions of humanitarian ways to spend that kind of
money.
-- Pay for the experimental cancer treatment that would help my daughter
live longer.
-- Her boots cost almost as much as my rent! Good thing I get food Stamps!
-- I would donate it to the children's cancer community my non-profit that
helps families with a child with cancer.
-- Body armor for ALL our troops overseas.
-- The Lobbyist Lunch Special for Two at Jack Abramoff's favorite
restaurant.

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American Media Inc. Names Chris Lockwood, Mike Carlson, and Allan Donnelly to Lead Editorial Teams at Enthusiast Group of Fitness Titles

David J. Pecker, Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc.(AMI), today announced that Chris Lockwood, Mike Carlson, and Allan Donnelly have joined the editorial staffs at Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Muscle & Fitness Hers magazines, reporting to Laya Clark and Chris Scardino, Executive Vice Presidents & Co-Publishing Directors of AMI's Enthusiast Group. The Group includes these three publications, their web sites, Mr. Olympia, and other related events and brand extensions.

In making the announcement, Mr. Pecker said, "One week after naming Laya Clark and Chris Scardino to head our Enthusiast group, we've completed our team by bringing in Chris Lockwood as editor-in-chief of Muscle & Fitness with Mike Carlson as his #2, and promoting Allan Donnelly to be executive editor of Flex. This gives us the most forward thinking, authoritative editorial staff of any publication that targets serious fitness enthusiasts."

Mr. Clark said, "Chris is one of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on the subject of fitness and nutrition and his vision for Muscle & Fitness will make it the primary source for cutting edge information in these areas. With Mike Carlson as executive editor, we now have two of the most sought after editorial talents in the industry together at one magazine."

Mr. Scardino added, "As senior editor at Flex, Allan showed us he was ready for bigger and better things. Flex has always been the voice of the hardcore bodybuilding community and Allan will give that voice greater resonance than ever."

Mr. Lockwood holds an M.S. in Sports Science and is in the process of obtaining his PhD from Oklahoma University in Exercise Physiology. He has been a contributor to Muscle & Fitness since 1998 and has also held executive positions or served as a consultant to a variety of sports nutrition companies including GNC and Weider Nutrition. Mike Carlson most recently launched and served as editor-in-chief of Real Fighter, one of the first magazines to recognize the MMA explosion, and has also been senior editor on the GNC publications Get Active and Physical. Mr. Donnelly has been with Flex since 2006 and had been an editor for Men's Fitness and a writer at Muscle & Fitness.

Mr. Clark said that he and Mr. Scardino are currently conducting a search for an editor-in-chief at Muscle & Fitness Hers who will report to Mr. Lockwood.

Collectively, Muscle & Fitness, Flex and M&F Hers reach over 8 million readers a month. They are the leading titles for serious fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders.

About American Media, Inc.

American Media, Inc. is the leading publisher of celebrity journalism and health and fitness magazines in the U.S. These include Star, Shape, Men's Fitness, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, and The National Enquirer. In addition to print properties, AMI manages 14 different web sites. The company also owns Distribution Services, Inc., the country's #1 in-store magazine merchandising company.

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Grand Canyon University Sending Clear Message: We Have Room for Nurses!

In light of heightened news coverage of limited capacity for nursing students at the state universities, Grand Canyon University (GCU) wants prospective nursing students to know that there's plenty of room, and financial aid is readily available.

"To put it simply, we have the capacity, and we can meet the demand," said GCU CEO Brian Mueller.

GCU has an academically rigorous nursing program, focusing on pre- and post-licensing, with a major focus on continuing education. The University offers fast-track nursing programs and an expanded curriculum in health sciences to serve prospective students interested in pre-med, pre-vet, pre-pharmacy and allied health professions including medical technology and radiation therapy. The University's nursing program was recently recognized by Nursing Online Educational Database (NOEDb) as having the number two online nursing program in the country. It is also ranked number seven on the list of most popular nursing schools by Payscale.com.

Over the past few years, Grand Canyon University has developed innovative programs to help nursing students obtain bachelor's and master's degrees within the hospital setting, working collaboratively with hospitals to increase capacity and help hospitals offer a higher caliber of care. In the face of continued decreases from state universities and cutbacks in nursing faculty, private institutions such as GCU are thriving and leveraging the lack of space in state universities' nursing programs to build their own programs.

"Our universities have a choice in which programs they cut. Arizona is already facing a public health crisis with our alarming shortage of registered nurses. I can't believe nursing being put on the block during this time of incredible shortage," said Fran Roberts, Grand Canyon University Vice President of Strategic Business Alliances for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

"As a private institution, we're equipped to work with our state leadership to increase our capacity for new nurses and we are not dependent on the state's budget to do this. We stand ready to move quickly," Roberts said.

Student advisors are readily accessible to work with prospects to ensure they have the adequate pre-course work completed, and that any and all financial assistance options are researched.

"Students who are interested in pursuing a healthcare career shouldn't have to wait to start caring. As spring enrollment deadlines approach we want prospective students to realize that there are options beyond the state universities -- and that there is plenty of room in our programs," Roberts said.

GCU has established partnerships with local, regional, and national healthcare institutions to place its students in the workforce while obtaining their clinical and didactic education. Partnerships include St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Banner Healthcare, Abrazo, Scottsdale Healthcare, Carondelet Health Network, the Hospital Council of Southern Arizona, John C. Lincoln Health Network and AMN Healthcare and others.

More information about spring classes is available at http://conhs.gcu.edu/ or by calling 888.226.7320.

About Grand Canyon University

Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a traditional regionally accredited, private, Christian university offering campus-based and online bachelor's and master's degree programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts. The Phoenix-based school is ranked as having one of the top online education programs by OEDb (Online Education Database). With an enrollment of approximately 16,500 students, GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. For more information visit http://www.gcu.edu.

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San Diego Hospice Targets Better Access to Quality Healthcare During National Hospice Month in November

For many Americans living with a serious, progressive illness, the goal is to remain and die at home -- not in a hospital, nursing home or other facility. But statistics show that nearly 75 percent of all deaths occur in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

However, 90% of hospice care patients do remain in their homes to realize their wish. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that patients on hospice care live longer and better lives.

In San Diego County, only half the individuals who could benefit from hospice care and palliative medicine receive it. As part of their mission, and as the focus for National Hospice Month in November, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine urges healthcare professionals and consumers to learn about the many benefits that hospice care can provide to seriously ill patients and their family members.

"Every individual and their family who could benefit from hospice care that doesn't is a missed opportunity to radically change their experience for the better," said Jan Cetti, President and CEO of San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine. "There are far too many of them."

San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine was established as the original hospice program in San Diego County in 1977. Today, the organization has become one of the 10 largest and most well respected not-for-profit hospices in the nation. One thousand patients ranging from children to seniors receive care in the region every day. In addition, San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine offers bereavement support to 11,000 community members and advanced education and research programs in palliative medicine for 1,400 physicians and clinicians each year.

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders commended San Diego Hospice and The Institute for Palliative Medicine for its ongoing leadership. "San Diego's science and medical communities are part of the foundation of our economy. The research, education and innovations they provide create jobs and link our region with the world. San Diego Hospice and Institute for Palliative Medicine is an important member of this business sector. Now, on behalf of all San Diegans and during National Hospice Month, it is my pleasure to recognize the hands-on care and other benefits that the organization offers to our region."

"We exist to make a difference: to relieve suffering, to restore dignity and to teach other medical professionals and organizations how to make a difference in their own communities," said Cetti. "I'm extremely proud of our employees and volunteers who are devoted to what they do. Our work brings constant reminders that every moment of life is a fragile miracle to be cherished. We're honored to be involved with people at such a special and critical time in their lives."

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Easy Ethnic Election

With the country's mind on the election and the economy, there isn't much time to think about what to eat, let alone cook an entire gourmet meal. Kohinoor Foods can help people take their minds off everyday stress with their delicious and easy gourmet Indian cuisine that can be made in minutes. Kohinoor makes cooking easy with their gourmet Heat & Eat line, allowing everyone to have a healthy, flavorful meal that is also affordable.

With an already established foothold in the shelf stable, ready-to-eat food category with their line of microwaveable Heat & Eat Curries, Rice & Curry Meals, Rice Treats, Curry Pastes and Simmer Sauces, Kohinoor brings a range of traditional, gourmet quality, mouth-watering, ready-to-eat Indian delicacies and carefully prepared accompaniments to homes across America. Distinguishing themselves as the foremost experts on authentic Indian and Asian cuisine offerings, Kohinoor's gourmet line provides instant access to restaurant quality, healthy ethnic fare in mere minutes.

Increasingly popular with the budget-conscious gourmands are Kohinoor's Heat & Eat Curries, a line of tasty and ready-to-eat restaurant quality meals -- perfect at election time when times are stressful and cooking is not at the top of the list. Bursting with a healthy mixture of garden fresh vegetables, vegetarian-based protein and rice, Kohinoor Heat & Eat Curries are the perfect addition to every health and budget conscious diet. Unlike many ready-to-eat food products, Kohinoor Heat & Eat Curries are all-natural and contain no artificial ingredients, flavors or colors, preservatives or harmful monosodium glutamate (MSG) -- just pure, delicious authentic Indian Basmati rice, vegetables and spices.

Kohinoor Heat & Eat Line includes:

-- Kohinoor's Pindi Chana Masala: Mildly spiced, highly nutritious blend
of whole chick peas, ginger, garlic, cumin, and other delectable spices

-- Yellow Dal with Peas Pulao: A simple, authentic preparation of Indian
basmati rice that compliments a range of curries made of lentils and
vegetables cooked with aromatic herbs and spices

-- Aloo Palak: Delicious mild blend of spinach gravy and chunks of potato

-- Dal Mahkani: Black lentils and red kidney beans cooked in a mild creamy
sauce of tomatoes, garlic, onion and ginger

-- Kashmiri Rajma: Red kidney bean curry flavored with coriander,
cinnamon, cumin and bay leaves


About Kohinoor Foods

Kohinoor is the leading producer of premium gourmet packaged food in India and is the best-selling brand in the country. Prepared in a state-of-the-art fine food production facility, Kohinoor is shipped around the globe to bring the authentic flavors of traditional Indian cooking to consumers in over 25 nations. Committed to sharing the principles of family values, Kohinoor makes both fiscal and in kind donations in support of Mother Teresa's Orphanages throughout India.

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Houston-Area Couple Gives Thanks Early This Year With Arrival of Quintuplets at The Woman's Hospital of Texas

When Bill and Kelly Phillips first met over a game of dominoes at Texas A&M, they could never have predicted just how full their lives together would be. The Phillips are giving thanks for five new bundles of joy after Kelly delivered quintuplets at The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) in Houston this past week.

The quintuplets were delivered via C-section on October 25 by Dr. Brian Kirshon, OB/GYN and Maternal/Fetal Medicine specialist with Houston Perinatal Associates, P.A. -- a specialty group at Woman's. Although contractions began at only 18 weeks, Kelly didn't deliver until 33 weeks into her pregnancy -- a remarkable accomplishment since the average gestation for quintuplets is 27.4 weeks. In fact, Kelly's pregnancy duration nearly equaled that of the longest gestation for quintuplets on record: the Wilson quints, born at 34.3 weeks.

"When we found out we were having not one but five babies, we were in shock but once we were through the first trimester and started picking names, we were ecstatic," said Kelly Phillips. Kelly spent her final month of pregnancy at the Antepartum unit at Woman's, even receiving a surprise party from the nurses once she hit her 32nd week -- a benchmark for the babies' development. "This has been such an exceptional experience all the way around and the remarkable care and attention we've received from everyone at Woman's has only added to our joy," said Phillips.

With the health of her five babies as her priority throughout the pregnancy, Kelly began limiting her activities and lowering her stress levels once she made it through her first trimester. She followed Dr. Kirshon's instructions to the letter, all the while maintaining the power of positive thinking and prayer to keep her babies safe and strong in utero. The result: John, Becca, Ali, David and Kate ranging in weight from 3 lbs. 3 oz. to 4 lbs. 12 oz. and growing steadily in Woman's Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

"It's a tremendous feat for the Phillips' quintuplets to get to 33 weeks gestation and have such exceptional birth weights," said Kirshon. "That is certainly a testament to what a remarkable patient Kelly is and her absolute commitment to her babies' health and well-being."

Bill and Kelly join a very select group of parents with high order multiples. According to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, the number of quintuplets and other higher order births in 2005 totaled only 68 nationwide, and in Texas, only 0.1 percent of live births were triplets or larger. Woman's delivers more than 9,000 babies each year, including a high number of multiples; quintuplets, however, remain a rarity.

"It's not every day that quints are delivered, but our team has the experience and know how to care for multiples -- even high order multiples like these babies," said Dr. Jayne Finkowski, a Neonatologist with Medical Center Neonatal Associates, P.A. -- a specialty group at Woman's. "All five are doing exceptionally well and are being cared for in our Level II NICU where we will monitor their progress until they are ready to be released."

While the Phillips may not yet be "Jon & Kate Plus 8," -- TLC's hit series -- they are well on their way. With an 18-month-old at home, the latest additions to the family expand their kid count to six: three boys and three girls. While it will likely be a tight squeeze in their three bedroom home in The Woodlands, Texas, when they bring the babies home, both parents agree there is more than enough room in their hearts for all of their children. To keep track of the Phillips' family, visit their blog online at Phillipsmultiples.blogspot.com.

About the Woman's Hospital of Texas

Established in 1976, The Woman's Hospital of Texas (Woman's) is a nationally recognized, specialty hospital in the Houston area dedicated exclusively to the care of women and infants. Woman's staff, including cutting-edge Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and one-on-one labor and delivery nurses, are dedicated to excellent, personalized service and education. Woman's helps women at every stage of life get well and stay healthy. Since 2007, U.S. News & World Report ranked Woman's in their top 50 hospitals nationwide for gynecologic care. The Woman's Hospital of Texas. Every Woman. Every Baby. www.womanshospital.com

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Cook to a Tea

Full-flavored, Single Origin Dilmah Tea is the ideal complement to crisp autumn mornings and frosty winter evenings -- for sharing with friends or drinking while curled up with a book. What could be more pleasing and relaxing than the rich and satisfying hand picked "tea lover" classics from the Dilmah Gourmet Series -- Earl Grey, English Afternoon, English Breakfast, Ceylon Supreme? It's also a festive way to spice up the holidays with baked treats made with the wonderfully authentic flavors of Dilmah.

Dilmah's Holiday Seasonal Baking Recipe

Oatmeal Tea Muffins

3/4 cup milk
3 contents of Dilmah Teabags (Preferably the English Breakfast Tea or
Ceylon Supreme from Dilmah's Gourmet Series)
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 cup raisins


In a small saucepan, heat milk just to the simmer. Off heat, add the teabags, submerging them completely. Set mixture aside to cool. When cool, remove teabags, squeezing them to remove liquid. Adjust rack to lower third of oven and preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease and flour 12 muffin cups. In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the oats and brown sugar. In a small bowl, combine the steeped tea milk, oil, and eggs. With a rubber spatula, make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the liquid mixture. Stir the ingredients together just to moisten and combine. Do not over mix or the muffins will be tough and coarse in texture. Spoon thick batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each one 3/4 full. Bake 20 minutes or until muffin springs back when lightly pressed in center. Cool on wire rack for about 5 minutes before carefully removing from pan. Serve warm, if desired.

"As the weather turns cooler, tea lovers everywhere relish the delights of full-bodied classics like the varieties offered in the Dilmah Gourmet Series," said Merrill J. Fernando, founder of Dilmah and widely acknowledged as the patriarch of the Ceylon tea industry. "Each of Dilmah's classic teas -- Earl Grey, English Afternoon, English Breakfast, Ceylon Supreme -- is created according to tradition and from decades of experience."

"My father had a dream to bring back the age-old growing, harvesting and curing techniques which had been squeezed out of the tea industry in favor of 'fast track' processes," Mr. Malik Fernando commented. "At the same time, he wanted to reward his growers and their families with a better deal for their work while investing in the community to make tea growing more sustainable. By packaging at source and through the activities of the MJF Foundation, we like to say that Dilmah goes beyond fair trade -- we call it 'Ethical Trade'."

Product Availability

Dilmah 100% Pure, Single Origin Ceylon Tea is now available at over 1,000 retailers throughout the Eastern Seaboard and Southeast, including Stop & Shop, Giant Food of Maryland, Hannaford Bros., Giant Food Stores of Carlisle, Sweetbay Supermarkets, Top's Market, Shoppers Food, Jungle Jim's, Acme Markets (Ohio) and Online at Amazon.com and teadog.com.

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NO on Prop 8 Campaign Slams Dishonest Mailer Targeting African-American Voters

The NO on Prop 8 campaign today condemned an official Proposition 8 mailer clearly targeted to African-American voters that completely misrepresents and lies about Sen. Barack Obama's position on Proposition 8. In fact, the Obama campaign felt compelled to release a new statement tonight making it absolutely clear that he and Joe Biden oppose Prop 8 in the strongest terms.

The mailer, from the Proposition 8 campaign, twists Sen. Obama's comments about marriage to suggest support for the unfair initiative -- when just the opposite is true. In a June 29 letter to the Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, Sen. Obama wrote that he opposes the "divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution."

The mailer drew a strong reaction from San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.

"It is despicable that the Yes on 8 campaign would send out a last minute mailer to the African-American community in a clear attempt to mislead voters about Senator Barack Obama's position on Proposition 8," said District Attorney Harris. "The leadership of this campaign should issue an immediate retraction and apology for this transparent attempt to deceive the public."

The Obama letter reads in part:

"As the Democratic nominee for President, I am proud to join with and support the LGBT community in an effort to set our nation on a course that recognizes LGBT Americans with full equality under the law...And that is why I oppose the divisive and discriminatory efforts to amend the California Constitution, and similar efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution or those of other states. For too long, issues of LGBT rights have been exploited by those seeking to divide us. It's time to move beyond polarization and live up to our founding promise of equality by treating all our citizens with dignity and respect. This is no less than a core issue about who we are as Democrats and as Americans."

Tonight, in response to the mailer, the Obama campaign released the following statement:

"Senators Obama and Biden have made clear their commitment to fighting for equal rights for all Americans whether it's by granting LGBT Americans all the civil rights and benefits available to heterosexual couples, or repealing 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,'" said a statement issued by campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt. "Senator Obama has already announced that the Obama-Biden ticket opposes Proposition 8 and similar discriminatory constitutional amendments that could roll back the civil rights he and Senator Biden strongly believe should be afforded to all Americans."

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