Today in Russia everyone recalls the default of 1998. The current Russian economy almost reminds of a crisis of 20 years ago, but the sanctions and growth of international isolation are pushing the state to risky decisions. From the point of view of macroeconomic indicators, modern Russia is almost a complete antipode of the country of 20 years ago: the lowest inflation among developing countries, low external debt, a positive account of current operations, and a surplus budget.

Kuban Cossack choir. Photo from the Facebook team According to the Austrian media, at the wedding of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Karin Knaisl, who will visit Vladimir Putin on Saturday, the Don Cossack ensemble will perform. According to the website of public procurement, we can talk about the Kuban Cossack choir, whose trip will cost 1.8 million rubles.

Analysts from CB Insights found that this year it again became rapidly growing the number of unicorns (startups, which, even before the IPO, are estimated at least $ 1 billion). Where do they appear? About 40% (103 startups) of the current unicorns are concentrated in the five main sectors-data analysis (10), Fintech (31), healthcare (20), software development and Internet services (25), and 17). Most of the unicorns (47%) opens in the United States, they gradually catch up with China (30%).

The euro rose to 77 rubles, and the dollar - above 67.5 rubles in trading on the Moscow Exchange on Friday. Details to 77 rubles The European currency rose at 15:10, which is almost a ruble more than at the close of the previous day. At the same time, the dollar rose to 67.64 rubles, which is 80 kopecks more than at the close of the previous day. The weakening of the ruble occurred against the backdrop of a new fall in the Turkish lira. On Friday, it lost 5% against the dollar.

It seems that this happened - Google, following other American tech giants, begins to develop its own retail network. According to the Chicago Tribune, the company has found premises in Chicago where it will open its first single-brand store. Opening its own retail network seems logical: Google needs the ability to show customers its line of gadgets, which is becoming wider and wider (these are Pixel smartphones, and Chromecast set-top boxes, and, most importantly, Google Home smart speaker).

Elon Musk is tired. For two decades, he was one of Silicon Valley's most self-confident and ambitious businessmen, who helped found several technology companies (Tesla and SpaceX among them), writes The New York Times. But during an interview with the NYT, the businessman appeared incredibly vulnerable and thoughtful, admitting that his endless work tasks do take a toll on his personal life.

The author of the bestseller about the Black Swan Nassim Taleb in his new book “Risking his own skin. The hidden asymmetry of everyday life ”(will be released in Russia on August 27) criticizes the elite, which does not like to bear responsibility for the consequences of its wrong decisions. The main idea of ​​the book is if you do not risk your own skin in the game, you just should not participate in it.

A number of companies are at risk of default if the initiative of Vladimir Putin’s assistant Andrei Belousov to seize more than 500 billion rubles of excess income from businesses is implemented, said the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Committee on Tax Policy, which includes representatives of companies in these industries.

The Ministry of Finance published the first bill on currency liberalization, which allows Russians to receive funds from non-residents to their foreign accounts and report less to the Federal Tax Service, writes . Kommersant Details The draft law of the Ministry of Finance proposes to remove restrictions on the receipt by residents of funds from non-residents to accounts opened abroad, including winnings (for example, lottery) and income from the sale of precious metals.

The leaders of the Russian IT industry decided that they needed to be able to decide for themselves how to use citizens’ personal data and with whom to share it. Details Large Russian IT companies are seeking new rights in handling personal data, Vedomosti learned . In short: having received personal data with the user’s consent, they want to transfer it to other players for processing without notice. Now the law prohibits this.

The personal data of Russians interested a large business - it suggests essentially transferring them to anyone and for any purpose. Details - in the morning newsletter The Bell Photo: pxher The flagships of the Russian IT industry decided that they need to be able to decide for themselves, how to use the personal data of citizens and with whom to share. Large Russian IT companies seek new rights to handle personal data, learned Vedomosti.

Adding to the problems of emerging markets caused by trade conflicts and the Turkish crisis, was added the sale of shares of Asian technology companies, writes The Wall Street Journal. The fall leader is the former favorite of investors, the Chinese Internet holding Tencent, which has lost $175 billion in capitalization since the beginning of 2018 and is rapidly depreciating this week.