Press Releases

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Dec. 1, 2009) - Nexstar Energy Ltd. ("Nexstar" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: NXE.A) (TSX VENTURE: NXE.B) announces its results for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2009. The Unaudited Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") for the quarter should be read in conjunction with the Audited Financial Statements and the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2008, all of which are filed and now available for viewing on the System for Electronic Disclosure and Analysis ("SEDAR") at www.sedar.com.

The Company also advises that, as permitted under the Articles of the Company, the Company has provided notification to the TSX Venture Exchange of its intention to convert all existing Class B Shares into Class A Shares, effective as of December 11, 2009. On that date, holders of Class B Shares will receive 10 Class A Shares of the Company for each Class B Share held. There will be no fractional shares issued, however, the shares will be rounded up to the next whole number. The Class A Shares are currently trading at $0.23. The Company has notified Olympia Trust Company ("Olympia"), the Company's transfer agent, of the transaction and Olympia shall issue the new Class A Shares on the effective date. Registered holders of Class B Shares are requested to deliver share certificates for Class B Shares to Olympia either by courier, registered mail or direct delivery and Olympia will deliver the new Class A Shares by registered mail. Shareholders registered with a brokererage or investment house, need not take any action as the Class A Shares will be issued automatically through the CDS system.

About Nexstar Energy

Nexstar Energy is a junior oil and gas company that is focused on the drilling and development of repeatable horizontal wells with an emphasis on its Cardium light oil prospects in the Pembina area of west central Alberta.

For further information, please go to Nexstar Energy's website.

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements, which include assumptions with respect to (i) production; (ii) future capital expenditures; (iii) funds from operations; (iv) cash flow; and (v) debt levels. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. All such forward-looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks associated with oil and natural gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, marketing and transportation, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers, inability to retain drilling rigs and other services, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and the United States, industry conditions, changes in laws and regulations (including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations) and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced, increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates, stock market volatility and market valuations of companies with respect to announced transactions and the final valuations thereof, and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. The Company's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits, including the amount of proceeds, the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
        Nexstar Energy Ltd.
        Peter A. Carwardine
        President and CEO
        (403) 263-6133 ext. 201
        Fax: (403) 263-3629 (FAX)

        Nexstar Energy Ltd.
        Brian J. Spilchen
        VP Finance and CFO
        (403) 263-6133 ext. 202
        Fax: (403) 263-3629 (FAX)

        Nexstar Energy Ltd.
        603 - 7 Avenue SW, Suite 525
        Calgary, Alberta T2P 2T5
        info@nexstar-energy.com
        www.nexstar-energy.com

Source: Nexstar Energy Ltd.

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On December 1, 2009, FutureFuel Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: FTFL) filed a Form 8K with the Securities and Exchange Commission declaring a special cash dividend of $0.30 per share.

The board of directors of FutureFuel Corp. (the "Company") has declared a special cash dividend of U.S. $0.30 per share on the Company's common stock, with a record date of December 1, 2009. For purposes of the record date, those holders of the Company's warrants or options who properly exercise their warrants or options on or before December 1, 2009 will be considered holders of record on such date, whether or not new stock certificates have been issued to such holders by that date.

The dividend is payable December 22, 2009.

FutureFuel Corp. was created in 2005 as a special purpose acquisition vehicle to acquire companies and make a notable impact in the biofuel and fuel industries. In October 2006, the Company purchased FutureFuel Chemical Company (formerly named "Eastman SE, Inc."), the owner and operator of a chemical and biodiesel manufacturing facility located near Batesville, Arkansas. Since then, the Company has worked to become a leader in the U.S. biofuel industry, while maintaining the Batesville facility's status as a world-class specialty chemical manufacturer.

SOURCE FutureFuel Corp.

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RAIT Financial Trust (NYSE: RAS) ("RAIT") today announced that it has commenced an exchange offer for up to $62,831,000 aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 6.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the "Convertible Notes"). The exchange offer will expire at 11:59 P.M., New York City time, on Tuesday, December 29, 2009, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, is referred to as the "Expiration Date") or earlier terminated by RAIT. Subject to the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, RAIT is offering the following consideration for each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, in the exchange offer: (i) 211 RAIT common shares,(ii) a cash payment of $80.75 and (iii) accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes to, but excluding, the settlement date of the exchange offer, payable in cash. To the extent that more than $62,831,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, the Convertible Notes will be subject to proration. Tenders of Convertible Notes must be made on or prior to the Expiration Date and Convertible Notes may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.

The terms and conditions of the exchange offer are described in the prospectus dated December 1, 2009 and related letter of transmittal relating to the exchange offer. The completion of the exchange offer is subject to conditions described in these documents, which include, among other conditions, that the registration statement (the "Registration Statement") of which the prospectus is a part be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), that at least $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes be validly tendered and not validly withdrawn and that the ownership limitations contained in RAIT's declaration of trust be complied with. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC. RAIT may waive certain other conditions applicable to the exchange offer or extend, terminate or otherwise amend the exchange offer.

RAIT has retained UBS Investment Bank to act as Dealer Manager for the exchange offer. Questions regarding the exchange offer may be directed to UBS Investment Bank at (888) 719-4210 (toll-free).

Investors are urged to read the relevant documents filed or to be filed by RAIT with the SEC because they contain important information. Holders may obtain documents RAIT files with the SEC at the SEC's website www.sec.gov. Requests for the prospectus and letter of transmittal relating to the exchange offer may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the Information and Exchange Agent in connection with the exchange offer, at (212) 269-5550 or (800) 431-9633 (toll-free) or to RAIT at the contact information below.

None of RAIT, its Board of Trustees, the dealer manager or the information and exchange agent is making any recommendation to holders of Convertible Notes ("Holders") as to whether to exchange or refrain from exchanging their Convertible Notes into the exchange offer. Holders must decide whether they will tender in the exchange offer and, if so, how many Convertible Notes they will tender.

This release is for information purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the Convertible Notes or any other securities. The exchange offer is only being made pursuant to the exchange offer documents. The exchange offer is not being made to Holders in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction.

About RAIT Financial Trust

RAIT Financial Trust manages a portfolio of real estate related assets, provides a comprehensive set of debt financing options to the real estate industry and invests in real estate related assets. RAIT's management uses their experience, knowledge and relationship network to seek to generate and manage real estate related investment opportunities for RAIT and for outside investors. For more information, please visit www.raitft.com or call Investor Relations at 215.243.9000.

SOURCE RAIT Financial Trust

KILLEEN, Texas, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- It's all smiles in Killeen, Texas, thanks to the new Kool Smiles office, which opened at 1100 Lowes Blvd. Kool Smiles of Killeen opened its doors with a mission to expand access to quality dental care to families in Killeen and Fort Hood.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090909/CL73004LOGO )

"Quality preventative dental care will reduce costs to the healthcare system over the long term," said Representative Jimmie Don Aycock. "Kool Smiles provides access to that care for our most vulnerable population of children in Texas Health Steps and Texas CHIP, as well as military families. I'm excited about the increased access, and the prospect for affordable, quality oral healthcare for the families in Killeen."

Kool Smiles provides a dental home for thousands of children across the country, in an effort to answer what the Surgeon General called one of the greatest unmet health needs in children: oral health. Dental caries (tooth decay) is the single most common childhood disease - 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. With Kool Smiles,( )both children and parents are able to address these issues in a fun, accessible, family-friendly environment staffed with knowledgeable and compassionate dental experts.

"Kool Smiles was founded with the vision of providing access to quality dental care in communities that have traditionally been underserved. Our expansion into Killeen close to Fort Hood provides yet another opportunity for our dentists to reverse the alarming oral health care trends among the families that need dental health services the most," states Dr. Jim Schmidt (COL, US Army, Ret.), Regional Dental Director for Kool Smiles. "We are honored to become part of the Killeen and greater Fort Hood military community and look forward to partnering with the base, area schools, daycare centers, and local social service agencies to ensure the importance of oral health is communicated to families in our newest service area."

Kool Smiles of Killeen is located at 1100 Lowes Blvd, Suite 100. Killeen, TX, 76542

About Kool Smiles

Founded in 2002, Kool Smiles is a network of local dental offices dedicated to expanding access to quality dental care for children and families in underserved communities. Kool Smiles provides preventative care, diagnostic imaging and a full range of restorative care supported with electronic health records. Kool Smiles offices, many of which are newly constructed, are designed to facilitate communications between our patients and doctors in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition to accepting most insurance plans, Kool Smiles is proud to offer services to families covered by Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). Kool Smiles also provides oral health education programs through partnerships with community schools and organizations. To find a local Kool Smiles dentist, please visit www.koolsmilespc.com.

SOURCE Kool Smiles

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Merck & Co., Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ZEGERID OTC(TM) (omeprazole 20 mg/sodium bicarbonate 1100 mg capsules), for over-the-counter treatment of frequent heartburn. ZEGERID OTC will be marketed over-the-counter by Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc., the consumer healthcare division of Merck & Co., Inc. Schering-Plough and Merck merged on November 3, 2009.

ZEGERID OTC is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), the strongest and most effective class of acid-reducing medications available for frequent heartburn. ZEGERID OTC treats frequent heartburn by controlling and suppressing acid for a full 24 hours, all day and all night.

ZEGERID OTC contains a patented dual-ingredient formulation that combines the leading prescription acid reducing medicine (omeprazole) with sodium bicarbonate, which protects the omeprazole from acid in the stomach. ZEGERID OTC capsules will be available in their original prescription formula, and are expected to be available at drug stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers and club stores in the first half of 2010.

The approval provides a new and unique over-the-counter option for the estimated 50 million American adults who experience symptoms associated with frequent heartburn -- defined by symptoms occurring more than 2 times per week -- with up to 25 million Americans experiencing heartburn on a daily basis.(1)

"ZEGERID OTC is another demonstration of our commitment to bringing innovative treatments to consumers," said Stan Barshay, executive vice president and president, Schering-Plough HealthCare Products. "For millions of Americans dealing with frequent heartburn, the availability of prescription-strength ZEGERID OTC is important news and we're pleased to offer this unique, dual-ingredient, over-the-counter product."

ZEGERID OTC(TM) is a 14-day course of treatment taken once per day to treat frequent heartburn as directed. For more information about ZEGERID OTC, visit www.ZegeridOTC.com.

ZEGERID OTC capsules add to the Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. expanding portfolio of gastrointestinal OTC products such as MiraLAX® laxative, which was launched in 2007 for the treatment of occasional constipation. ZEGERID OTC(TM) is the most recent example of the Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. legacy of successful switches of medications from prescription to over-the-counter status. This portfolio of products includes brands such as CLARITIN®, MiraLAX®, LOTRIMIN®, AFRIN®, CORICIDIN®, TINACTIN®, and DRIXORAL®. Many of these products are market-leading brands in their respective category.

Under an agreement with Santarus, a specialty pharmaceutical company that developed and currently markets prescription ZEGERID®, Schering-Plough HealthCare Products is responsible for the development, manufacturing and commercialization of ZEGERID OTC products for heartburn-related indications in the U.S. and Canada. Santarus will continue to manufacture, promote and sell its ZEGERID (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) products in both 20 mg and 40 mg dosage strengths in the U.S.

For additional information on prescription ZEGERID, please visit www.Zegerid.com.

About Schering-Plough Consumer HealthCare Products, Inc.

Today's Merck is working to help the world be well. Schering-Plough Consumer HealthCare Products, Inc. is the over-the-counter division of Merck. Each day, millions count on one or more of our industry-leading brands that help prevent or treat various common conditions. These include household names such as CLARITIN for allergies, COPPERTONE for sun care, DR. SCHOLL'S for foot care, and many more. Merck. Be well. For more information, visit www.merck.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between Merck and Schering-Plough, including future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of Merck's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the possibility that the expected synergies from the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, due to, among other things, the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and pending legislation that could affect the pharmaceutical industry; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; disruption from the merger making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; Merck's ability to accurately predict future market conditions; dependence on the effectiveness of Merck's patents and other protections for innovative products; the risk of new and changing regulation and health policies in the U.S. and internationally and the exposure to litigation and/or regulatory actions. Merck undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in Merck's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Schering-Plough's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009, the proxy statement filed by Merck on June 25, 2009 and each company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov).

(1) Source: National Heartburn Alliance; www.heartburnalliance.org

SOURCE Merck & Co., Inc.