Business - Nation/World

Freeman announced today that it has acquired Encore Productions, a full-service creative production and audio visual equipment rental company based in Las Vegas. For more than 20 years, Encore has helped clients tell their stories in Las Vegas and around the world. Encore has full-service satellite audio visual rental offices in 14 of the top Las Vegas properties.

Robbins Umeda LLP has commenced an investigation into possible breaches of fiduciary duty and other violations of the law by certain officers and directors at Allergan, Inc. ("Allergan" or the "Company") (NYSE: AGN). Allergan is a multi-specialty healthcare company that discovers, develops, and commercializes specialty pharmaceutical, medical device, and over-the-counter products. The Specialty Pharmaceuticals segment of the Company offers the pharmaceutical product Botox, which is used for therapeutic and aesthetic indications. Allergan is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products today announced a partnership with Thomas Kinkade, the world renowned artist known as the Painter of Light™, to create an exclusive, licensed collection of paintings based on classic Warner Bros.’ films and properties. This special collection of Studio Masterworks paintings will be released as both Limited Edition and Open Edition artwork. The first painting, Dorothy Discovers the Emerald City, was released in August.

Filmyard Holdings LLC today issued the following statement:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the Greater Cincinnati community was awarded a $13.8 million Beacon Community cooperative agreement. A part of the Recovery Act, the Beacon Community Program is aimed at achieving measurable improvements in health care quality, safety and efficiency in selected communities.

The Herbalife Family Foundation (HFF) has established two new Casa Herbalife programs to support nutrition and wellness programs at Scotland’s Action for Children (North Lanarkshire Young Carers Project), and in Queretaro, Mexico at La Alegria de los Niños, IAP (Children’s Happiness).

Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ:PERY) announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Falic Fashion Group to create, manufacture and distribute men’s and women’s fragrances under the Original Penguin by Munsingwear brand.

Tai Seng Entertainment and Crunchyroll, Inc. announced today the launch of MYTV.TAISENG, a joint development partnership between the companies featuring Tai Seng’s premium content from Hong Kong and mainland China and powered by Crunchyroll’s advanced technology. Access to the MYTV.TAISENG website is available in English, Mandarin and Cantonese at http://mytv.taiseng.com/.

The California Endowment today announced a major statewide health consumer education effort to raise awareness of the facts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act signed into law in March 2010.

J. J. Keller has been awarded the 2009 Supplier Excellence Award for Cost, Quality and Service by Coca-Cola Enterprises. Coca-Cola Enterprises utilizes J. J. Keller’s products and services to assist in managing the compliance of both their DOT-regulated and non-regulated drivers and vehicles.

Bohai Pharmaceuticals Group, Inc. (OTCBB/OTCQB: BOPH), a China-based pharmaceutical company engaged in the production, manufacturing and distribution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, today announced that the Company will present at the Rodman & Renshaw Annual Global Investment Conference at The Palace Hotel in New York City on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 11:40 am Eastern time.

CarePayment Technologies, Inc., a healthcare financial services and patient advocacy company headquartered in Portland, Ore., announced today the acquisition of San Francisco-based Vitality Financial, which provides hospital payment solutions to medical providers and patients.

Reform of Florida’s workers’ compensation fee schedule in 2003 achieved its intended results, significantly increasing the prices paid for physician services and reducing the average payment per service for hospital outpatient services, according to a study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings of “a-” of Commonwealth Annuity and Life Insurance Company (Commonwealth) and its subsidiary, First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (FAFLIC) (both domiciled in Southborough, MA), and Columbia Capital Life Reinsurance Company (Columbia) and its subsidiary, Charleston Capital Reinsurance LLC (Charleston) (both domiciled in Washington, DC). The outlook for all ratings is stable. Commonwealth and its affiliates are ultimately wholly owned subsidiaries of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs).

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company is urging boat owners to take steps now to prevent potential damage from Hurricane Earl.