Newspaper wrap-up 7-20-07: Monster founder involved in options backdating

MAJOR PAPERS:

Barron's Online's (subscription required) "Inside Scoop" reported that a batch of sales at Alcoa Inc (NYSE: AA) has followed Alcoa's withdrawal of its offer to purchase Alcan Inc (NYSE: AL): from July 13-17, four senior executives grossed $41.3M by selling 877,600 shares on the open market at per-share prices ranging from $46.67 to $47.47, according to SEC data.
Andrew McKelveey, the founder and former CEO of Monster Worldwide Inc (NASDAQ: MNST) was allegedly involved in the backdating of stock option grants for employees, reported the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

OTHER PAPERS:

Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD) CEO Arun Sarin made a concession to rebel shareholders yesterday by promising to release value from Verizon Wireless, a joint venture in which Vodafone has a 45% stake, reported the U.K. Times.
From BusinessWeek's "Inside Wall Street" column:

Activist shareholders are putting pressure on Brink's Company (NYSE: BCO) to spin-off its home security unit, so that it can trade independently of the armored cars.
Pipex Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMEX: PP) has been off Wall Street's radar screen, but perhaps not for long. Pipex may have a stable of winners in the making, including an orphan drug designation.
The aircraft, auto, and architecture sectors are expected to be big users of Research Frontiers Inc's (NASDAQ: REFR) SmartGlass technology, which lets glass go from clear to opaque fast.