Russia’s No.2 crude oil producer Lukoil plans to leave a Russian consortium developing a large oil project in Venezuela, Reuters reported after a report in Kommersant daily. ?The process of departure could take months,? the report said. Lukoil is developing heavy oil in Venezuela’s Orinoco basin as part of the Junin-6 consortium, led by Russian state oil major Rosneft. Kommersant reported that Lukoil’s president Vagit Alekperov had discussed the company’s exit from the project and the sale of its 20% stake with Rosneft’s head Igor Sechin about a month ago in order to ?optimise its asset portfolio?. Gazprom Neft is another Russian company participating in the consortium.
5 Greenpeace activists charged with piracy
Greenpeace said on Wednesday that four activists and a journalist who were detained after protesting at a Russian oil platform have been charged with piracy and could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. The environmental group said in a statement that activists from Brazil, Britain, Finland and Sweden as well as a British videographer have been formally charged with piracy. The Russian Coast Guard seized a Greenpeace ship and all 30 people from 18 countries on board following the September 18 protest at an offshore platform in the Arctic owned by Russian state-controlled energy giant Gazprom. Greenpeace said in a statement that more activists are expected to be formally charged on Thursday.
Iran parliament backs Rouhani?s outreach
Iran’s parliament strongly endorsed President Hassan Rouhani’s diplomatic bid to dispel mistrust at the UN last week during a visit which ended with an historic phone call with President Barack Obama, Iranian media said. The backing from the assembly, controlled by political factions deeply loyal to Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a further sign that Rouhani has the support of the Iranian establishment, though there are some rumblings from hardliners. Khamenei, the most powerful figure in Iran, has yet to publicly comment on Rouhani’s trip. Rouhani briefed parliamentarians on his trip, including discussions on Iran’s nuclear dispute with the West and regional relations, the student news agency ISNA said late on Tuesday.
Marc Jacobs to step down at Louis Vuitton
French luxury conglomerate LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton says Marc Jacobs is stepping down as creative director of its flagship brand Louis Vuitton. Jacobs, who is also the director of an eponymous brand, is one of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Under his tenure, Louis Vuitton became the most lucrative fashion house in the world, in part thanks to his creation of a ready-to-wear line. At what will likely be his last show at the head of Louis Vuitton on Wednesday, he channelled black with combative headdresses. LVMH, which owns the Louis Vuitton brand and an array of other luxury names in everything from jewelry to champagne, would not say who would replace Jacobs or what his next move would be.
BlackBerry mulling real estate sales: Newspaper
Struggling Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry may sell some of its real estate to raise money, the Globe and Mail newspaper said on Wednesday. Citing sources it did not identify, the Globe said BlackBerry had asked real estate firms to ?outline ideas to generate the largest possible return in as little time as possible?. The company is considering selling some properties and leasing back space, as well as other options, the Globe said. BlackBerry, which has lost market share to Apple’s iPhone and phones that run Google’s Android opera-ting system, said last month it planned to shed 4,500 jobs, more than a third of its workforce. A statement from BlackBerry quoted in the article said the company was cutting costs and that efforts included ?optimising? space. BlackBerry has signed a tentative $9-a-share agreement to be acquired and taken private by a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings, but its stock has languished well below the offer price, a sign investors are skeptical the deal will succeed. The proceeds of any real estate sale may make BlackBerry a more attractive target for potential acquirers. But any such buyers, including Fairfax, may simply be looking for detailed estimates of the value of the assets.
