IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn hired prostitutes from the 'Manhattan Madam' who set Eliot Spitzer up with Ashley Dupre, leading to the downfall of the Governor.
From the Telegraph:
"Kristin Davis said she provided young women for the IMF chief in 2006, as he ran for the French Socialists' presidential nomination, and that one complained about his "aggressive" behaviour.
"He was a client of my agency," she told The Daily Telegraph. "When men abuse women I'm no longer going to protect their identities."
Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, has been charged with sexually attacking a 32-year-old hotel maid at the Manhattan Sofitel on Saturday. He denies the claims and is being held in Rikers Island prison.
Miss Davis, 35, who claims to have a long list of celebrity clients, said Mr Strauss-Kahn called her directly on her mobile phone and paid $1,200 cash for two-hour sessions in hotel rooms.
"He wanted an 'All-American girl', with a fresh face, from the mid-West," she said. "A girl in January 2006 complained he was rough and angry, and said she didn't want to see him again".
So one question: who gave DSK the phone number for Kristin Davis in 2006? We know that DSK was meeting with Bill Clinton in NYC on that trip, but surely the former President didn't patronize Davis's service. We'd have learned about that one a long time ago.
( Source: CNBC )
From the Telegraph:
"Kristin Davis said she provided young women for the IMF chief in 2006, as he ran for the French Socialists' presidential nomination, and that one complained about his "aggressive" behaviour.
"He was a client of my agency," she told The Daily Telegraph. "When men abuse women I'm no longer going to protect their identities."
Mr Strauss-Kahn, 62, has been charged with sexually attacking a 32-year-old hotel maid at the Manhattan Sofitel on Saturday. He denies the claims and is being held in Rikers Island prison.
Miss Davis, 35, who claims to have a long list of celebrity clients, said Mr Strauss-Kahn called her directly on her mobile phone and paid $1,200 cash for two-hour sessions in hotel rooms.
"He wanted an 'All-American girl', with a fresh face, from the mid-West," she said. "A girl in January 2006 complained he was rough and angry, and said she didn't want to see him again".
So one question: who gave DSK the phone number for Kristin Davis in 2006? We know that DSK was meeting with Bill Clinton in NYC on that trip, but surely the former President didn't patronize Davis's service. We'd have learned about that one a long time ago.
( Source: CNBC )
Clean Diesel Technologies Inc ( NASDAQ: CDTI ) entered in to the agreement with Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha ("TKK"), Clean Diesel's joint venture partner in Asia Pacific, to provide catalyst engineering and support services to advance the deployment of Mixed Phase Catalyst (MPC®) emission control technology in China. Although stock jumped more than 17 %,Volumes are not quiet convincing and therefore up move doesn't look convincing. Buy positions might be avoided.
Below is the News release:
Venture to Advance Deployment of Mixed Phase Catalyst (MPC®) Emission Control Technology
(PRNewswire) -- Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: CDTI) ("Clean Diesel"), a cleantech emissions reduction company, announced today an agreement with Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha ("TKK"), Clean Diesel's joint venture partner in Asia Pacific, to provide catalyst engineering and support services to advance the deployment of Mixed Phase Catalyst (MPC®) emission control technology in China. TKK is establishing a venture in partnership with CDGM Glass Co., Ltd. ("CDGM") that will manufacture and sell catalysts to the Chinese automobile sector. The agreement will combine Clean Diesel's expertise in emission control catalyst technology with TKK's industrial products manufacturing abilities and the capabilities of CDGM in the Chinese automobile industry. Clean Diesel will receive $1.45 million in exchange for contributing its engineering expertise and support to assist TKK in the establishment of a catalyst manufacturing capability in China. The agreement consists of an up-front payment with the balance to be paid upon completion of certain milestones expected to last approximately 14 months.
Charles Call, Chief Executive Officer of Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc., said, "The agreement is an important strengthening of the strategic relationship between Clean Diesel and TKK and enables an important commercialization of our MPC® emissions control catalyst technology in this rapidly developing market. We believe this collaboration between the companies will create a catalyst technology business in China with significant local presence, focus, resources and expertise."
Pure Biosciences Inc ( NASDAQ: PURE ) stock jumped more than 30 % after company has reported that its patented compound silver dihydrogen citrate ( SDC ) is effective antimicrobial against oral dental biofilms. It is just preliminary efficacy data of the compound and stock might not see a huge upside from here as it's not something end point development of the compound. so traders might not consider buy positions at these levels, we would recommend a cautious trade alert.
Below is the News Release:
PURE Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: PURE), creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate (SDC) antimicrobial, today announced preliminary in vitro laboratory results demonstrating SDC’s effectiveness against biofilm in tests conducted by the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey.
Dr. Narayanan Ramasubbu, Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology, stated, “We have used SDC against single species biofilms of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a causative agent in localized aggressive periodontitis, and S. epidermidis, a pathogen associated with hospital settings. Our results show that these bacteria in the biofilm state are killed within minutes at 30 ppm of SDC. Not only did SDC kill biofilm bacteria but also it inhibited the biofilm formation at levels as low as 1.5 ppm in a citrate-containing medium.”
According to Dr. Ramasubbu, biofilm bacteria predominate, numerically and metabolically, in virtually all nutrient-sufficient ecosystems, including the oral cavity. Biofilms play a role in the pathogenesis of dental caries, periodontitis, infective endocarditis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, prostatitis, osteomyelitis, otitis media, infectious kidney stones and other chronic infections. Bacterial cells in a biofilm are surrounded by a self-synthesized, three-dimensional matrix (slime or extracellular polysaccharide, EPS) that holds the cells together in a mass and firmly attaches the bacterial mass to a range of living and non-living surfaces.
Dr. Ramasubbu also explained that the exopolysaccharide mediates resistance to killing by antibiotics, detergents and antimicrobial peptides. However, bacteria in the biofilm can survive because of channels in them that circulate nutrients and water. Biofilms can be comprised of a single microbial species or multiple microbial species and eradicating them requires very specific, highly effective and environmentally safe agents that can adapt to the resistance.
Michael L. Krall, President and CEO of PURE Bioscience, commented, “SDC’s ability to eliminate and even prevent biofilm presents a phenomenal market opportunity for PURE. We’re directing ongoing research projects on biofilm not only in public health, but also in industrial environments, including food processing, and oil and gas, as we begin to present SDC as a viable solution to this costly and dangerous problem.”
SDC is a new molecular entity, developed and patented worldwide by PURE Bioscience. An electrolytically generated source of stabilized ionic silver in liquid form, SDC provides superior antimicrobial efficacy with residual protection while mitigating bacterial resistance. SDC is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic and formulates well with other compounds, making it an ideal basis for a broad range of products. SDC is available in pre-formulated, ready-to-use products; including PURE’s disinfectant and food contact surface sanitizer, and is also available in varying strengths of concentrate for use as an additive or raw material.
Social networking company LinkedIn ( NYSE:LNKD ) listed on NYSE with a blow almost doubled in few minutes. Stock jumped 95 % in few minutes of listing as investors see a value buy in the stock. Stock has touched a high of $ 92.99 and currently trading at $ 86 , while the issue price was just $ 45. Investors are loading up the stock as it is cheaper than Renren Inc ( NYSE: RENN ) another Chinese social networking company listed on NYSE. Read More There is an increased appetite amongst investors for companies in the space of Social media and networking and might continue as big players like Facebook will soon announce a public offerings.
Repligen Corporation ( NASDAQ: RGEN ), a massachusetts based biotech company, has announced that it gets favorable nods from FDA to initiate Phase I clinical trials of RG3039, a potential treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy ( SMA ). Stock of the company jumped more than 8 % in premarket trade.
Below is the news release:
 |
| Repligen Corporation |
Repligen Corporation (NASDAQ: RGEN) announced today that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial of RG3039, a potential treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is an inherited neurodegenerative disease in which a defect in the SMN1 (“survival motor neuron”) gene results in low levels of the protein SMN and leads to progressive damage to motor neurons, loss of muscle function and, in many patients, early death. This is a double-blind study to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of escalating doses of RG3039 in up to 40 healthy volunteers. This will be the first clinical trial of a novel drug specifically designed to treat SMA and the first treatment approach which seeks to increase levels of the protein SMN.
“We are very pleased to have received approval to initiate human clinical trials with RG3039,” stated Walter C. Herlihy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Repligen Corporation. “RG3039 targets the core deficit of SMA and if this therapeutic approach is successful, it has the potential to arrest or slow disease progression and significantly improve patients’ lives.”
Patients lacking a functional SMN1 gene survive only because humans carry a second gene called SMN2 which produces low levels of SMN protein. RG3039, an orally bioavailable compound, is an inhibitor of an RNA processing enzyme which targets SMN2 and has been shown to increase production of SMN protein in cells derived from patients. In addition, RG3039 has been shown to improve mobility and lifespan in preclinical animal models of SMA. RG3039 is a new chemical entity, which is the subject of worldwide composition of matter patent applications which, if allowed, will remain in force until 2028 prior to any patent term extensions.
About Spinal Muscular Atrophy and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the second most common inherited neuromuscular disease. Symptoms of SMA typically emerge before the age of two and often progress to severe physical disability or loss of life. The prevalence of SMA in the United States and Europe is approximately 20,000 patients and there is currently no treatment or cure for the disease. This program was licensed in 2009 from Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a non-profit organization with 30 chapters throughout the United States and over 70,000 members and supporters. Families of SMA fully funded and directed the preclinical development work with an investment of more than $13 million prior to licensing RG3039 to Repligen. This was the very first drug development program ever done for SMA.
Stock of the company Smart Technologies Inc ( NASDAQ: SMT ) was plunged more than 20 % to $ 7.75 after company reported quarterly earnings that widely misses Analysts' estimate. Company issued full year guidance below analysts' expectations.
Below is the news release.
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| Smart Technologies Inc Logo |
(Reuters) - SMART Technologies Inc's (SMA.TO) (SMT.O) quarterly profit missed estimates widely and the Canadian digital whiteboard maker said it continues to be impacted by budgetary issues in the education sector in North America.
SMART expects Q1 revenue to be lower by as much as 10 percent compared with last year as it continues to be hit by budget pressures in the North American education sector, chief financial officer Drew Fitch said on a conference call.
The company said it expects revenue in 2012 to be flat to five percent lower, while analysts were expecting a seven percent rise according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
January-March net income was $7.6 million, or 6 cents per share, compared with $10.6 million, or 6 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue rose 8 percent to $167.3 million.
Adjusted net income was 1 cent per share, way behind analysts' average estimates of 8 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.
Analysts on average were expecting the company to post revenue of $163 million.
Shares of SMART, which went public in July 2010, closed at closed at $9.72 on Nasdaq. They closed at C$9.41 on Wednesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
BUY HDIL (Future)
(2-5 Days of Trading)
Buy This Stock 147.3-148.2
Just watch closing above 150 in 2days…then Positional targets will be 157-162 and 167-171
Exit from this stock if closing 146 below…?
What are the lessons to be learned from Chinese tech companies ? Investors should not go blind behind the words like China, Social Media , e commerce etc. According to Francis Gaskins, president of IPO Desktop, investors need to be cautious when it comes to investing in Chinese internet companies listing in the U.S.
As we have seen an example of Chinese Social Networking Site Renren Inc ( NYSE: RENN ), that after initial aggressive response from investors, now company stock has been slipped to below its issue price of $ 14. Investors realized that company is overvalued in terms of pricing of the stock, as it was valued 78 times of its 2010 sales. Lesson from Renren Inc is investors might look at Chinese tech companies as trading point of view and rather than subscribing for IPO. Investors might consider to trade the stock after tracking its movement for couple of days after listing.
In fact, out of the eleven China-based stocks to list recently on the Nasdaq or New York Stock Exchange, Gaskins says 10 are trading below their IPO price.
“The average opening premium is 18 percent for the first day, but from the first day’s high on average they are down 24 percent - that is a total disaster.”
Gaskins believes many Chinese IPOs fail in the U.S. because they are overpriced based on financials or priced for uninformed retail investors who do not question the value of what they are paying for.
“Most of the retail investors buy on emotion and a cursory look at the industry and recent yearly financials.”
He recommends investors look closely at a company’s sequential growth (quarter over quarter) rather than the growth over the previous year before making an investment decision. Gaskins says this is important, particularly when it comes to Chinese internet and technology ventures, which operate in a “fiercely” competitive space and often fail to produce sustainable growth.
“Quarterly sequential growth is very important because it's like an airplane taking off. Often in the growth of tech companies, recent top-line revenue and bottom-line profit growth momentum means there's a good chance of future earnings increases, which is what it's all about,” he explained.
NetQin Mobile, a latecomer to the mobile security space, which listed on NYSE on May 5th, is one such example. The firm, which had “erratic” quarterly financials and posted yearly growth of just 21 percent in 2010, saw its stock price sink 15 percent on its first day of trading.
“If the upward momentum (in earnings) is there going into the IPO, then investors are more likely to believe future projections of growth. If the momentum starts to flat-line, then investors normally want out of the deal,” Gaskins added.
Central banks increased their exposure in Gold, and loaded up 129 tons of gold in the first quarter of 2011 according to the data from World Gold Council.
The demand was seen quiet stronger, as uncertainty over US economy ,Dollar, ongoing European crisis, global inflationary pressures and continued tensions in the Middle East and North Africa
Demand from China and India has been healthy according to Marcus Grubb, who said central banks continue to add to their reserves.
"Central bank purchases jumped to 129 tons in the quarter, exceeding the combined total of net purchases during the first three quarters of 2010," he said.
"The resilience of gold during recent volatility in the commodities market exemplifies the strength of the global gold market and its unique demand drivers," he added.
"High levels of investment demand across the world, strong demand in India and China, the continued strength of the technology sector together with central bank purchasing demonstrates gold’s diverse demand drivers.
We anticipate continued strong demand during the rest of 2011," Grubb said.
German insurer Munich Re has admitted it has hired 20 prostitutes as a reward for around 100 of its top sales executives at a party hosted in Budapest in 2007.
A spokesman who spoke with Dow Jones confirmed a report in Handelsblatt which claimed the 20 women were hired for a party in Budapest’s historic Gellert Spa.
According to the report the 20 women where given arm bands and then escorted party attendees to beds and then earning a stamp on their forearm to keep a running tally of their services.
"This incident is clearly not at all in line with any rules and ideals our company stands for" a Munich Re spokesperson told Dow Jones.
The executives who signed off on the party left the company before the “single incident” was exposed.
"We have to dig a bit deeper into details of that incident to see whether there are others still with us” a spokesman told Dow Jones.
The party was hosted for independent contractors who sold insurance products for Munich Re’s Ergo Insurance Group.
( Source: CNBC )
