NEW YORK, Jan 26, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Ardent Mines Ltd. (OTCQB: ADNT) (the “Company” or “Ardent Mines”), a precious resources exploration, development, and mining company focused on advancing its two gold properties in Brazil, announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Luciano de Freitas Borges as President.

Mr. Borges commented on his appointment, “Ardent Mines has made significant progress this past year, having acquired two premier gold properties in Brazil, Gold Hills and Misty Hills. In addition, we completed the 43-101 exploration report on Gold Hills which confirmed an exploration potential of between 3.6 Mt and 6.0 Mt at an average grade between 4.0 g/t to 7.0 g/t. I am looking forward to advancing our exploration programs to prove up the resource potential and expected solid economics of these projects.”

Mr. Borges has over 28 years experience in Brazil’s mining industry, both in the government and private sector. He served as the National Secretary of Mines and Metallurgy in Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy from 1993-2001, and as Senior Advisor to the Ministry & Strategic Planning Executive Officer to the Brazilian Geological Survey since 2002. From 2007 to 2008, he was Chief Executive Officer of Steel Mineracao do Brasil S.A., and since 2006, he has served as the Senior Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Ad Hoc Associated Advisors Inc., a technical advisory consulting firm for the mining industry. He currently serves as a Director on the Boards of Amerix Precious Metals Corporation and Ouro Roxo Participacoes S.A., each of which are developing gold projects in Brazil. Mr. Borges earned his undergraduate and post-graduation degrees in geology at the University of Brasilia, as well as having an MBA in Mineral Economics and Mineral Projects Valuation from other institutions.

Gold Hills/Serra do Ouro

Based on the results of the 43-101 exploration report and historical drill data from the area, the Company believes Gold Hills could contain a few million ounces of gold of excellent grade that should be extracted at very viable costs as the main vein is located at an average depth of 30 to 50 meters from the surface. Also, the report did not take into account any untested potential for parallel structures which can be interpreted from the airborne geophysics. Further enhancing the economics of the project is the 10-year income tax holiday Ardent expects to receive based on local incentives for investments in this semi-arid area of Brazil.

Misty Hills/Serra do Sereno

On October 18, 2011, Ardent Mines closed on its acquisition of the mineral rights in a highly mineralized area of 9,000 Hectares located in the Carajas Mineral Province, State of Para, with an option exercise payment of $350,000 to the Cooperativa dos Produtores de Minerios de Curionopolis (“COOPEMIC”). The Serra dos Carajas Mineral Province is a distinct geologic dominium, well known worldwide for hosting Brazil’s largest iron, copper and gold deposits. Ardent Mines property, named Serra do Sereno, or Misty Hills, was initially prospected by Anglo American Brasil Ltda. which identified gold and copper trends. Millions of tons of copper and millions of ounces of gold resources have been confirmed in areas which are in the same region as Misty Hills and new significant discoveries are still being made in the area.

ABOUT ARDENT MINES

Ardent Mines has positioned itself to develop low cost gold mining operations in Brazil, a mining friendly jurisdiction. Ardent Mines owns a 100% interest in Gold Hills Mining Ltda., which in turn owns mineral rights on 3,500 Hectares, covering a highly-mineralized vein containing high grades of gold. Ardent Mines also owns the mineral rights on the Serra do Sereno (Misty Hills) property, located in Carajas, Brazil, one of the better known mining districts in the world. Ardent Mines is headquartered in New York, and has a field office in Brasilia. The Company has 16.3 million shares outstanding, and trades under the ticker symbol ADNT.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are based upon currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Our actual results may vary materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties. Ardent Mines cannot provide assurances that any prospective matters described in the press release will be successfully completed or that Ardent Mines will realize the anticipated benefits of any transactions. Various risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition are detailed from time to time in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings made by Ardent Mines with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Ardent Mines undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this release.

SOURCE: Ardent Mines Ltd. http://www.ardentmines.com

President Shuichi Takayama will hold a news conference the same day to explain the results, a company spokeswoman said.

The Japanese maker of cameras and medical imaging equipment last year restated its accounts for the past five years following revelations of a $1.5 billion loss-hiding scandal.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/olympus-plans-to-report-april-dec-results-feb-13-2012-01-26

Shares were down 3.8% at $23.15 in after-hours trading. Through the close, the stock has fallen 33% in the last year, worse than the market at large.

Shutterfly said Thursday Chief Financial Officer Mark Rubash would depart Feb. 24 through the company’s year-end accounting close and annual audit process, at which time Chief Executive Jeff Housenbold and Chief Accounting Officer Brian Manca would assume his responsibilities while the company searches for a new CFO. Rubash is leaving to follow a personal interest in technologies with an unnamed early-stage cardiovascular-diagnostic services company.

Housenbold said Shutterfly has a “talented bench of leaders” to rely on following Rubash’s departure.

The company’s photo sharing and printing Web site has grown in popularity. However, last month Shutterfly lowered its fourth-quarter guidance, saying heavy competitor discounting was contributing to a revenue shortfall.

In the third quarter, Shutterfly’s loss widened as significantly higher sales and marketing costs overpowered a 56% jump in revenue.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shutterfly-cfo-to-depart-for-med-tech-firm-2012-01-12

Kahn has worked as chief executive since the company went private in 2007 in a $3.1 billion takeover by private-equity firm Apollo Management LP.

While the board will conduct a search for internal and external candidates, Claire’s Stores President James G. Conroy and Jay Friedman, president of Claire’s North American Division, will immediately form an interim office of the CEO.

“We thank Gene for his tireless efforts as CEO,” Chairman Peter P. Copses said. “We are fortunate to have a strong and deep team at Claire’s, and are confident in Jim and Jay’s ability to lead the company as the board conducts a search for a new CEO.”

A Claire’s representative wasn’t available for further comment.

The company also reported a 1.5% same-store sales increase for November and December, consisting of a 3.9% increase in North America and a 3% decline in Europe. Same-store sales were computed on a local-currency basis, which eliminated any currency exchange impacts.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/claires-ceo-kahn-resigns-2012-01-06

Graceway, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September, is a specialty pharmaceutical company that makes products that treat various dermatological and women’s health conditions.

Medicis Chairman and Chief Executive Jonah Shacknai said the acquisition adds currently approved Gateway products as well as several mid- and late-stage pipeline products with combined annual net sales potential of more than $500 million.

The deal is expected to add to Medicis’ earnings next year and the company plans to update its financial guidance when the deal closes. The deal requires the approval of Medicis’s board and final approval of the bankruptcy court.

Medicis makes dermatalogical and aesthetic pharmaceutical products, including acne treatment Solodyn as well as Dysport, which competes with Allergan Inc.’s (AGN) Botox.

Last month, Graceway won permission to sell its business for $275 million cash to European pharmaceutical company Galderma SA, subject to higher bids at the auction.

Graceway, which filed for bankruptcy with a purchase offer in hand from Galderma, was founded in 2006 through the partnership of industry veteran Jefferson J. Gregory and Chicago-based private-equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner. In 2007, the company acquired 3M Pharmaceuticals for approximately $875 million. The same year Graceway merged with dermatology pharmaceutical company Chester Valley Pharmaceuticals, also partially owned by GTCR.

The Bristol, Tenn., company blamed its hardship on the emergence of a generic alternative to its top-selling Aldara genital warts cream. Aldara accounted for the majority of the company’s sales until last year, when revenue plummeted under competitive pressure from the generic. Revenue from the core product topped $320 million in 2009. In 2010, Aldara sales brought in only $52 million, court papers say.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/medicis-tapped-to-buy-graceway-for-455-million-2011-11-18

However, American depositary shares fell 16% to $17.26 in recent after-hours trading as the company’s net loss missed analyst expectations.

“Internet television is a young and evolving space with tremendous opportunities,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Victor Koo. “We are in an aggressive investment cycle and we will continue to invest proactively to expand and leverage our user base and client base, brand, team and infrastructure as we move to establish one of the largest Internet franchises in China.”

China’s Internet usage has grown steadily, and ad spending has improved, though Youku has faced hurdles in piracy lawsuits, challenges navigating government censorship and state-owned media’s expansion onto the Web.

The company went public in the U.S. in December, at the time posting the strongest first-day performance for a stock in the U.S. in five years. Youku, which allows users to upload video, has been sued in the past for hosting pirated items, but it now works with content owners to remove videos from its site. The company also provides licensed video content such as television shows and movies. In August, DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. DWA -1.70% struck an agreement with Youku to allow online distribution of its Kung Fu Panda film franchise, marking the first time the computer animation studio will see its films available online in China.

Youku posted a loss of 47.5 million Chinese yuan ($7.4 million), or CNY0.42 (7 cents) an ADS, compared with a year-earlier loss of CNY53.1 million, or CNY2.6 per ADS. The number of ADS in the latest period soared from the year-ago period. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected a loss of 3 cents a share. Excluding stock-based compensation and other items, the loss was CNY28.2 million ($4.4 million) compared with a year-earlier loss of CNY37.7 million.

Revenue more than doubled to CNY262.5 million, or $41.2 million, primarily due to increased average revenue per advertiser and an increased advertiser base. In August, the company predicted revenue growth of 110% to 120%.

It reported a gross profit of CNY67.8 million, compared with CNY15.8 million a year earlier. Operating expenses more than doubled.

Currency translations are based on the noon buying rate in New York as of Sept. 30, as specified by the New York Federal Reserve.

For the fourth quarter, Youku predicted revenue would increase 90% to 100% from the year-ago period.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/youkucom-loss-narrows-as-revenue-surges-2011-11-16

Board member Matthew Drapkin was also appointed lead director to act as a liaison between Harper and the company’s independent directors.

“With these changes, we recognize the importance of having an independent lead director,” Harper said in a statement.

The board shift comes as Hot Topic begins the first stages of a turnaround effort after the resignation of longtime Chief Executive Betsy McLaughlin and merchandising chief of the namesake division Amy Kocourek earlier this year. The mall-based retailer in August posted higher same-store sales for the latest quarter following a string of declines.

Harper originally joined Hot Topic as a director in June 2008. She was previously chairman of Gymboree Corp. from 2002 until her retirement in 2006.

Hot Topic on Friday said Quinnell will stay on as chairman of the company’s audit committee but won’t stand for reelection to the board when his term expires next June.

Shares closed at $7.17 Friday and were inactive after hours. The stock is up 14% this year.

SOURCE: http://www.mrketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/HotTopic-logo.jpg

The settlement with the Federal Trade Commission would resolve the agency’s complaint over Google Buzz, a social notification service the company built last year into Gmail. The feature allowed users to share photos, videos and updates with friends but attracted controversy when the automatically enabled service effectively made users’ email contacts public.

Under the proposed settlement, Google would prominently disclose when it transfers user information to third parties, identify the kind of third parties receiving the data and explain the purposes of sharing the data. The disclosures would come apart from the company’s standard end-user license agreement.

The agreement also requires biennial assessments of its privacy safeguards by an independent third-party professional.

The FTC said the agreement represents the first settlement order that mandates a comprehensive Internet privacy program and the first time the agency alleged a violation of the U.S.-EU safe harbor framework, which covers personal data exchanged between the U.S. and European Union.

The agreement is subject to a 30-day public comment period.

Shares were recently up 1.4% at $598.60 Monday. The stock has gained 14% over the past month.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/google-settles-with-ftc-on-privacy-breaches-2011-10-24

After conducting several inspections of the nuclear plant, Dominion has “found no damage whatsoever that could preclude operation,” David Heacock, president of Dominion Nuclear, said during an appearance Friday before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“We have demonstrated the units are ready to restart,” Heacock said.

Before reviving the plant’s two nuclear reactors, however, Dominion needs approval from the NRC. The agency’s nuclear experts are still reviewing the plant’s readiness.

“The staff’s evaluation of whether the North Anna plant is ready, from a safety perspective, to restart remains ongoing,” NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko said.

The two reactors at the North Anna plant, located in Mineral, Va., automatically shut down following a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that was centered about 11 miles from the plant.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/north-anna-nuke-plant-ready-to-restart-dominion-2011-10-21

The McLean, Va., company said net income was $813 million, or $1.77 per share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30, up from $803 million, or $1.76 per share, a year ago. Revenue increased to $4.2 billion, up 3.4% from a year ago.

Analysts were expecting on average earnings of $1.68 per share on revenue of $4.04 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.

Capital One’s shares closed up 1.9%, at $40.49, and fell 0.2% in after-hours trading.

Capital One, which transformed itself from a card lender to a bank just before the recession, has been working to expand through acquisitions.

In June, the company won a bid to buy ING Direct for $9 billion. The deal, which would be the first big bank merger since the passage of federal legislation last year aimed at stemming risks from large financial institutions, is expected to close next year. However, the Federal Reserve Board recently said it was expanding its review of the deal amid concerns from some legislators and consumer groups that it would result in a “Too Big To Fail” institution.

Capital One is also buying HSBC’s U.S. credit card business, which includes about $30 billion in loans, for $2.6 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012 and would make it the largest issuer of private-label credit cards.

The company expects the acquisitions will “put us in an even stronger position to enhance and sustain the value we can deliver to our customers, our communities and our shareholders,” Richard Fairbank, chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.

The total delinquency rate for all of Capital One’s loans fell to 3.13% in the quarter, down from 3.71% a year ago. Net charge-offs fell to 2.52%, down from 4.82%.

The company’s U.S. cards business, its largest, saw delinquencies drop to 3.65% in the quarter, down from 4.53% a year ago. The net charge-off rate fell to 3.92% from 8.23%.

While delinquencies are at historic lows for many credit-card lenders, recently monthly numbers show late payments are ticking up at several major companies. If delinquencies continue rising, it could cause an increase in charge-offs, which would force lenders to sock away more reserves to cover future losses.

American Express Co. AXP -0.41% , which lends mostly to well-heeled customers, said Wednesday it expects delinquencies and charge-offs to rise back to more seasonally normal levels next year.

SOURCE: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/capital-one-boosts-profit-as-write-offs-fall-2011-10-20