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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Want to Own a Newspaper? Got $1.50?

Russian oligarch buying iconic London paper for token sum

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(Newser) – A Russian oligarch with a past in the KGB is set to buy one of London's most visible newspapers, at the knockdown price of just a buck and a half. Alexander Lebedev will acquire the Evening Standard for the token price—the cost of two copies—from a media conglomerate that also publishes Britain's Daily Mail. Lebedev, a tycoon who keeps his distance from Russia's elite, may be angling to buy more media properties, reports the London Times.

Famous for its blaring headlines advertised on sandwich boards, the Standard loses about $15 million a year, exacerbated by declining newspaper readership and competition from free papers. Lebedev, although an unlikely buyer, has experience with media; he owns Russia's Novaya Gazeta, whose star journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered for criticizing the Kremlin. The sale could be completed as soon as Monday.

Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.   (Flickr)
Russian billionaire and former KGB spy Alexander Lebedev is trying to buy London's Evening Standard newspaper.
Russian billionaire and former KGB spy Alexander Lebedev is trying to buy London's Evening Standard newspaper.   (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.   (Flickr)
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.   (Flickr)
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.
Alexander Lebedev, the Russian oligarch and former KGB agent, is set to purchase London's Evening Standard for the nominal price of one pound.   (Flickr)
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Oct 2, 09 4:54 AM CDT
(Newser) - The Evening Standard, London's 182-year-old afternoon newspaper, will become a freesheet later this month in an attempt to pump up the struggling title's circulation. The Standard, purchased by Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev last year for the fire-sale price of one pound, loses $16 million a year and may fire staff... More »

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