By John Helmer in Moscow State-owned maritime fleet leader Sovcomflot is making a last-ditch bid to reap value for its bonus-holders before the Russian presidential election on March 2. But the lack of time isn’t the only catch. Sovcomflot ‘s bid to buy out minority shareholders of Novorossiysk Shipping Company (Novoship) has been rejected by […]

by John Helmer - Thursday, January 17th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Russian regulator Oleg Mitvol wins battle for tougher federal mine licensing. Little children trying to sleep in the bungalows of the British colonial territories in India were once entranced by the tale of Little Black Sambo, whose story was first published by Helen Bannerman in 1899. Pursued by four tigers, […]

by John Helmer - Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Achilles heel uncovered by US court in Russian aluminium champion In seventy-four closely argued pages, US attorneys have this week applied to the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit (New York) to reverse a series of lower court judgements, and order trial of charges that Victor Vekselberg and […]

by John Helmer - Monday, January 14th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Norway and UK probe Hydro’s aluminium operations with BVI cutout companies. The High Court in London is considering a trial this year of claims to one of the largest missing aluminium smelter fortunes in the world. The missing money, estimated to be as high as $500 million per year, is […]

by John Helmer - Friday, January 11th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Another Xmas mystery at Oxus – CEO leaves, unlocks value. The idea that Santa Claus brings presents to those who deserve them comes from the original St. Nicholas, a bishop of the Byzantine era. He was famous for his gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three miserable daughters […]

by John Helmer - Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
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Many things can make a person greater than he or she really is, except for time. Time activates the bacteria that strip the flesh off the bones, until only a forensic pathologist can detect the tiny signs of individuality; and even they add up to nothing more than a catalogue of pain and death. Time […]

by John Helmer - Saturday, December 22nd, 2007
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By John Helmer in Moscow Despite several rebuffs this year already, and problems faced by other non-Russian putative investors into the country’s steel sector, ArcelorMittal tries to set up new steel mill near Moscow. For the great Anglo-Indian families — I mean, wealthy Indians who live in London — it is galling to observe the […]

by John Helmer - Friday, December 21st, 2007
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By John Helmer in Moscow Russian PGM sales controller complains market reaction isn’t cricket. A one-line decree, issued by Russian Prime Minister Victor Zubkov, has stumped Russia’s platinum producer, Norilsk Nickel; the state agency for export sales of platinum, Almazjuvelirexport; and the government body in charge of issuing export licences, the Ministry for Economic Development […]

by John Helmer - Wednesday, December 19th, 2007
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By John Helmer in Moscow London market plays Scrooge as RAB sells Oxus Gold for 100% premium. The streets of all the Christian cities of the world are filled at this time of year with buskers singing carols, holding out hands or buckets to receive offerings of money for the less fortunate in this world. […]

by John Helmer - Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
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By John Helmer in Moscow The casebook of the great modern neurologist, Oliver Sacks, contains the extraordinary case of Dr Tony Cicoria, who was struck by a bolt of lightning, and left for the rest of his life with an insatiable desire for classical music. Uncontrollably, he heard a piano playing in his head, and […]

by John Helmer - Monday, December 17th, 2007
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