Young Russian Maria Sharapova beats Serena Williams for Wimbledon title
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yudansha
TheGreatOne
Yukos mogul Khodorkovsky offers to turn over his shares in oil giant Yukos
MOSCOW (AP) - Tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, on trial for tax evasion and fraud, has offered to relinquish his stake in the beleaguered oil company Yukos to pay its own crushing tax debt, the Interfax news agency said Monday.
The offer was reported on as Khodorkovsky's trial resumed for the first time since the state moved toward seizing Yukos assets as collateral for the multibillion-dollar tax claim. Khodorkovsky said he and his partners were prepared to give up their 44 per cent stake in Yukos, Interfax reported.
However, his lawyer, Anton Drel, told The Associated Press that Khodorkovsky had made no statement on Monday.
Interfax quoted Khodorkovsky as saying through his lawyers that "if the government considers saving the company from bankruptcy to be necessary and in its interests, it is possible to 'unfreeze' the packet of Yukos shares belonging to me and my partners. And then we are prepared to give this packet to the Yukos management in order to eliminate the company's tax debt."
Khodorkovsky's lawyers had reported him making the same offer last week.
Khodorkovsky and his close associate Platon Lebedev are being tried on charges including tax evasion and fraud in connection with their activities as core shareholders in Yukos. Both face prison terms of up to 10 years if convicted.
Their trial is part of a complex web of legal cases against Yukos and its owners, which the government insists is part of a drive against corruption. Many observers say the legal campaign has more to do with the Kremlin's displeasure over Khodorkovsky's political activities in the run-up to last year's parliamentary elections and his increasing clout.
The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled late last month that Yukos must pay the equivalent of $4.5 billion Cdn for a 2000 back-taxes claim, and the Russian Tax Service sent the company a new demand for a nearly identical amount in back taxes for 2001. Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov said that the company could expect more tax claims for the following years.
Bailiffs last week began work to freeze accounts in Yukos' daughter production companies in Siberia.
Interfax reported Sunday that Yukos offered to voluntarily pay $10.5 billion in back taxes from 2000-2003 if it is given three years to make the payments. But the government has said it won't restructure the bill and has shown no enthusiasm for the other proposals, including Khodorkovsky's offer to give up his stock.
Interfax quoted Khodorkovsky as saying Monday that he was prepared for "any method of saving the company, absolutely any."
Citing a high-level source in Yukos, Interfax reported that the offer to pay $10.5 billion was made to the government by Yukos CEO Steven Theede on Thursday. But analysts said the government was unlikely to consider the proposal.
"Why sully the country's reputation when they've gone down this path only to back off at the end?" said James Fenkner, head of research at the Troika Dialog brokerage in Moscow. "If there was a time to do a deal it was a year ago."
The government's position has led to speculation that it intends to seize choice Yukos assets for nonpayment of the taxes and redistribute them to Kremlin-friendly hands.
At Monday's hearing, the court rejected a defence-supported request from journalists and a rights organization to organize broadcasts of the proceedings by setting up a microphone in the courtroom, defence lawyer Yuri Shmidt said. He said the prosecutor had argued that the broadcasts would distract participants.
Only a handful of journalists have been allowed into the courtroom for the trial, which President Vladimir Putin said should be open.
The judges also rejected three defence motions related to Lebedev's health - one requesting an independent medical exam, another his release from jail and the third a halt in the trial pending a diagnosis.
Outside the court, Toronto-based lawyer Robert Amsterdam said Lebedev's health had deteriorated since his jailing last July, particularly in recent weeks. "He can hardly stand," Amsterdam said.
Sitting in a cage in the courtroom, both defendants looked more glum than in their first joint appearance last month. Khodorkovsky wore a black polo shirt and jeans, while Lebedev, clad in a tracksuit, read newspapers and passed a bottle of what looked like milk back and forth between his hands.
In a rare and minor victory for the defence, the court satisfied a motion to include information about Lebedev's health from a western doctor, John O'Grady of the Institute of Liver Studies at King's College Hospital in London, in the case documents despite the prosecutor's opposition.
In a letter distributed by a representative of the defendants, O'Grady said that while the official diagnosis has been chronic persistent hepatitis, he believes Lebedev may be suffering from cirrhosis or cancer. A defence lawyer, Yevgeny Baru, said Lebedev had not been examined in four months.
MARIA DANILOVA; © The Canadian Press, 2004
MOSCOW (AP) - Tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, on trial for tax evasion and fraud, has offered to relinquish his stake in the beleaguered oil company Yukos to pay its own crushing tax debt, the Interfax news agency said Monday.
Yukos' ex-CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russia's richest man sits behind bars at a courtroom, Moscow, Monday. (AP/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
The offer was reported on as Khodorkovsky's trial resumed for the first time since the state moved toward seizing Yukos assets as collateral for the multibillion-dollar tax claim. Khodorkovsky said he and his partners were prepared to give up their 44 per cent stake in Yukos, Interfax reported.
However, his lawyer, Anton Drel, told The Associated Press that Khodorkovsky had made no statement on Monday.
Interfax quoted Khodorkovsky as saying through his lawyers that "if the government considers saving the company from bankruptcy to be necessary and in its interests, it is possible to 'unfreeze' the packet of Yukos shares belonging to me and my partners. And then we are prepared to give this packet to the Yukos management in order to eliminate the company's tax debt."
Khodorkovsky's lawyers had reported him making the same offer last week.
Khodorkovsky and his close associate Platon Lebedev are being tried on charges including tax evasion and fraud in connection with their activities as core shareholders in Yukos. Both face prison terms of up to 10 years if convicted.
Their trial is part of a complex web of legal cases against Yukos and its owners, which the government insists is part of a drive against corruption. Many observers say the legal campaign has more to do with the Kremlin's displeasure over Khodorkovsky's political activities in the run-up to last year's parliamentary elections and his increasing clout.
The Moscow Arbitration Court ruled late last month that Yukos must pay the equivalent of $4.5 billion Cdn for a 2000 back-taxes claim, and the Russian Tax Service sent the company a new demand for a nearly identical amount in back taxes for 2001. Prosecutor General Vladimir Ustinov said that the company could expect more tax claims for the following years.
Bailiffs last week began work to freeze accounts in Yukos' daughter production companies in Siberia.
Interfax reported Sunday that Yukos offered to voluntarily pay $10.5 billion in back taxes from 2000-2003 if it is given three years to make the payments. But the government has said it won't restructure the bill and has shown no enthusiasm for the other proposals, including Khodorkovsky's offer to give up his stock.
Interfax quoted Khodorkovsky as saying Monday that he was prepared for "any method of saving the company, absolutely any."
Citing a high-level source in Yukos, Interfax reported that the offer to pay $10.5 billion was made to the government by Yukos CEO Steven Theede on Thursday. But analysts said the government was unlikely to consider the proposal.
"Why sully the country's reputation when they've gone down this path only to back off at the end?" said James Fenkner, head of research at the Troika Dialog brokerage in Moscow. "If there was a time to do a deal it was a year ago."
The government's position has led to speculation that it intends to seize choice Yukos assets for nonpayment of the taxes and redistribute them to Kremlin-friendly hands.
At Monday's hearing, the court rejected a defence-supported request from journalists and a rights organization to organize broadcasts of the proceedings by setting up a microphone in the courtroom, defence lawyer Yuri Shmidt said. He said the prosecutor had argued that the broadcasts would distract participants.
Only a handful of journalists have been allowed into the courtroom for the trial, which President Vladimir Putin said should be open.
The judges also rejected three defence motions related to Lebedev's health - one requesting an independent medical exam, another his release from jail and the third a halt in the trial pending a diagnosis.
Outside the court, Toronto-based lawyer Robert Amsterdam said Lebedev's health had deteriorated since his jailing last July, particularly in recent weeks. "He can hardly stand," Amsterdam said.
Sitting in a cage in the courtroom, both defendants looked more glum than in their first joint appearance last month. Khodorkovsky wore a black polo shirt and jeans, while Lebedev, clad in a tracksuit, read newspapers and passed a bottle of what looked like milk back and forth between his hands.
In a rare and minor victory for the defence, the court satisfied a motion to include information about Lebedev's health from a western doctor, John O'Grady of the Institute of Liver Studies at King's College Hospital in London, in the case documents despite the prosecutor's opposition.
In a letter distributed by a representative of the defendants, O'Grady said that while the official diagnosis has been chronic persistent hepatitis, he believes Lebedev may be suffering from cirrhosis or cancer. A defence lawyer, Yevgeny Baru, said Lebedev had not been examined in four months.
MARIA DANILOVA; © The Canadian Press, 2004
yudansha
TheGreatOne
A new Russian slogan: "we will, we will ... rock you!" :=))
Sharapova wins, Dementieva upset by Gisela Dulko at Rogers Cup
MONTREAL (CP) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova downed Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico 6-1, 6-4 in an easy opening match at the $1.325 million US Rogers Cup tennis tournament on Wednesday.
And in the first upset at Uniprix Stadium's hardcourts, Argentina's Gisela Dulko rode a strong serve to victory over fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia.
The rangy Sharapova, the sixth seed who became the first Russian to win Wimbledon in June, was all arms and legs as she dominated Brandi with overpowering groundstrokes and a two-handed backhand.
Sharapova, 17, faltered briefly in the second set in losing her service, but quickly won it back and finished off the set.
"The sun started bothering me - I know that's an excuse," Sharapova said with a laugh in a courtside interview. "And she definitely picked up her game in the second set."
Dulko, a 19-year old WTA Tour rookie, added to an impressive string of upset victories by winning in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, taking 89 per cent of her points on first service.
"I played well from the baseline and served pretty well," said Dulko. "That was the key to match."
Dulko advances to a third-round meeting with the winner of a match later Wednesday between 16th-seeded Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia and Tatiana Golovin of France.
She blasted four aces and committed just four double faults, compared to 10 for Dementieva, who was the first seeded player to fall in the tournament.
"She's the best ranked player I've ever beat," said Dulko. "So it's one of the best wins of my career."
Dementieva was playing her first match in the tournament, having received an opening round bye. She managed just two aces and was just 53 per cent successful on her first serve.
Dulko upset former world No. 1 Martina Navratilova at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year and also beat Jelena Dokic at the All-England club.
Although she has yet to win a tournament on the WTA tour, she has rocketed to No. 43 in world rankings. Dulko credits her improved play to moving back to Buenos Aires after spending 2˝ years living in Miami.
"I think I'm happier being at home, that's the difference," she said. "I missed my home, my bed, my dogs, my mom so I decided to come back."
She has a 34-20 match record this year and also reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.
Dulko sometimes practises with Gabriella Sabatini and says the former Argentine great hasn't lost her touch.
"Last time I played her, she didn't miss one ball," said Dulko.
In other matches, 13th seeded Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria defeated Martina Sucha of Slovakia 6-3, 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 and 14th seeded Elena Bovina of Russia downed Lilia Osterloh of the United States 7-6 (9-7), 6-4.
BILL BEACON; © The Canadian Press, 2004
Sharapova wins, Dementieva upset by Gisela Dulko at Rogers Cup
MONTREAL (CP) - Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova downed Kristina Brandi of Puerto Rico 6-1, 6-4 in an easy opening match at the $1.325 million US Rogers Cup tennis tournament on Wednesday.
Gisela Dulko celebrates her victory. (CP /Jacques Boissinot)
And in the first upset at Uniprix Stadium's hardcourts, Argentina's Gisela Dulko rode a strong serve to victory over fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva of Russia.
The rangy Sharapova, the sixth seed who became the first Russian to win Wimbledon in June, was all arms and legs as she dominated Brandi with overpowering groundstrokes and a two-handed backhand.
Sharapova, 17, faltered briefly in the second set in losing her service, but quickly won it back and finished off the set.
"The sun started bothering me - I know that's an excuse," Sharapova said with a laugh in a courtside interview. "And she definitely picked up her game in the second set."
Dulko, a 19-year old WTA Tour rookie, added to an impressive string of upset victories by winning in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, taking 89 per cent of her points on first service.
"I played well from the baseline and served pretty well," said Dulko. "That was the key to match."
Dulko advances to a third-round meeting with the winner of a match later Wednesday between 16th-seeded Fabiola Zuluaga of Colombia and Tatiana Golovin of France.
She blasted four aces and committed just four double faults, compared to 10 for Dementieva, who was the first seeded player to fall in the tournament.
"She's the best ranked player I've ever beat," said Dulko. "So it's one of the best wins of my career."
Dementieva was playing her first match in the tournament, having received an opening round bye. She managed just two aces and was just 53 per cent successful on her first serve.
Dulko upset former world No. 1 Martina Navratilova at both the French Open and Wimbledon this year and also beat Jelena Dokic at the All-England club.
Although she has yet to win a tournament on the WTA tour, she has rocketed to No. 43 in world rankings. Dulko credits her improved play to moving back to Buenos Aires after spending 2˝ years living in Miami.
"I think I'm happier being at home, that's the difference," she said. "I missed my home, my bed, my dogs, my mom so I decided to come back."
She has a 34-20 match record this year and also reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells.
Dulko sometimes practises with Gabriella Sabatini and says the former Argentine great hasn't lost her touch.
"Last time I played her, she didn't miss one ball," said Dulko.
In other matches, 13th seeded Magdalena Maleeva of Bulgaria defeated Martina Sucha of Slovakia 6-3, 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 and 14th seeded Elena Bovina of Russia downed Lilia Osterloh of the United States 7-6 (9-7), 6-4.
BILL BEACON; © The Canadian Press, 2004
Littledragon
Above The Law
Its about time Serena gets beat..