Free Republic

Tokyo — Japanese health supplement maker Kobayashi Pharmaceutical said Friday it was probing 76 more deaths possibly linked to its tablets containing red yeast rice, meant to lower cholesterol. It deepens a scandal that erupted earlier this year when the company said it was looking into five deaths potentially linked to the over-the-counter products after dozens of customers reported kidney problems... Fermented with a mould culture, red yeast rice, or "benikoji," has been used in food, alcoholic drinks and folk medicines for centuries around East Asia. "Even if the direct cause of hospitalisation or death was not kidney-related disease,...

WASHINGTON -- Condoleezza Rice says it's a remarkable accomplishment that a black politician is on track for his party's presidential nomination. The secretary of state says it's great for the country that Barack Obama is the expected Democratic nominee. Rice says it shows that the U.S. has come a long way. Rice herself is the second black to be America's top diplomat. Colin Powell was the first. Rice also is making clear that she doesn't want to be considered for vice president. She wants to return to California and write a book about America's foreign policy when President Bush leaves...