New Yukos chief vows to carry on predecessor's policies

The man who is now in charge of Russian oil giant Yukos has vowed to carry on the policies of his jailed predecessor, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. His plans include a merger that will make Yukos one of the world's largest oil companies. Simon Kukes' appointment appears to have reassured Russian investors that the oil producer will be run effectively. During a press conference, he said there were no major changes in the Yukos pipeline and that Khodorkovsky was not planning to return. A lawyer representing the jailed oil-tycoon has called on the European Union to intervene to try to press President Vladimir Putin to stop what he terms the "political pursuit" of his client.