Ventas buying Nationwide Health for $5.8 billion

NEW YORK (AP) -- Ventas Inc. said Monday that it will buy Nationwide Health Properties Inc. in a $5.8 billion stock deal, creating the nation's largest health care real-estate investment trust.

The Nationwide purchase solidifies Ventas' position as a leading owner of senior housing communities, along with real estate properties including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and office buildings. The move also will make the company more diverse, combining Ventas' health care facilities with Nationwide's focus on senior housing and long-term care facilities.

Diamond Engagement Rings Symbol of Endless Love

Reason of choosing diamond is that they believed as symbol of love, purity and unity. This attain diamond engagement rings are one of the most popular alternatives in engagement rings. You can find that these days couples choose representing diamond engagement ring to their beloved and the reason of its popularity is its unique look and it has the power to melt heart. Hence by representing diamond engagement ring to your beloved you will show her that how romantic you are and how much you love her.

Electoral Commission Officials Arrested in Central African Republic

Three electoral commission officials in the Central African Republic have been arrested as part of a fraud investigation following the president's re-election last month.

Central African Republic held presidential and legislative polls on January 23. According to provisional results released by the electoral commission, President Francois Bozize won re-election with more than 66 percent of the ballots cast.

However, his three leading rival candidates are contesting the results before the constitutional court on grounds of massive fraud, calling the polls a "masquerade."

Giffords' husband: 'Maybe it was fate'

Mark Kelly, the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, closed the National Prayer Breakfast this morning and offered a few words about the Arizona lawmaker's recovery from a gunshot wound.

Kelly told President Obama and the audience at the Washington Hilton that the last month "has been the hardest time of my life."

He said it was natural for anyone to ask in this situation: How? Why was his spouse, an Arizona Democrat, shot in the head on Jan. 8?

A healthy dip fit for a Super Bowl party

A flavorful cheese dip that is rich, creamy and - at least somewhat - healthy?

It's not as hard as you might think. There are plenty of reduced-fat, creamy ingredients available, some good, some not so much. The key to success when using them is knowing which to use when and, just as importantly, what to blend them with.

Creamy foods, to put it simply, get their luxurious flavors and textures primarily from all the fat they contain. So when you start to reduce the fat, you have to replace it with something to give your mouth a similarly satisfying experience.

Niger Voting in Presidential Election

Voters in the West African nation of Niger are casting ballots Monday in a presidential election meant to replace military rule with a stable civilian government.

The ballot features 10 candidates, including some who were close to ousted president Mamadou Tandja.

Niger's military overthrew Mr. Tandja last February when he tried to change the constitution to extend his 10-year rule. He is now in prison for alleged graft.

The military leaders have promised to restore a civilian government. Junta leader General Salou Djibo said Monday the elections offer a new beginning for the country.