April 14, 2015, 10:00 / Economy / News Fitch affirms US ratings at highest level of AAA undefined Vedomosti International rating agency Fitch Ratings Inc. affirmed its long-term issuer default ratings for obligations in foreign and local currencies of the United States at the highest level of AAA. As reported in the agency's press release, the ratings forecast is “stable.” In addition, Fitch affirmed the AAA rating of the senior unsecured notes in foreign and local currencies.

April 14, 2015, 19:02 / Economy / News A bill has been introduced to the State Duma to increase the share of government procurement from small businesses to 25% undefined Vedomosti A bill to increase from January 1, 2016 to 25% from 15% the share of government procurement from small businesses and socially oriented non-profit organizations was submitted to the State Duma by Deputy Ivan Abramov (LDPR).

Vodka production in Russia in 2014 decreased by 22.5% compared to 2013, to 67.6 million deciliters, the total volume of alcohol production excluding beer decreased by 13.2%, according to documents for a government meeting on issues regulation of the alcohol market. "Production of alcoholic products (excluding beer and beer drinks) in 2014 amounted to 175 million deciliters (in 2013 - 201.6), including vodka - 67.6 million deciliters (in 2013 - 87.2 million deciliters),” the document says.

Budget of the VTB United Basketball League for the 2014/15 season. amounted to 375 million rubles, showing a profit of 5 million rubles, reports R-Sport. The budget of the VTB United League last season was deficit by 14 million rubles. The league's revenues amounted to 341 million rubles, expenses - 355 million rubles. Honorary President of the VTB United League Sergei Ivanov announced the budgets of Russian clubs participating in the tournament.

April 14, 2015, 21:33 / Auto BMW retained its 1st place among the largest premium automakers in the first quarter Vedomosti German automaker BMW AG retained its leadership among the world's largest premium car manufacturers in the first quarter of 2015, in particular due to strong sales of the X5 SUV and 2-Series Active Tourer crossover, MarketWatch reports.

April 14, 2015, 07:16 / Economics The Central Bank obliged banks to warn clients about write-offs based on writs of execution - Izvestia Vedomosti Banks are required to verify the authenticity of writs of execution before writing off customer funds based on them, writes Izvestia with reference to a letter from First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Alexei Simanovsky to market participants. They are also required to warn clients about upcoming write-offs.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Tuesday that bans arms supplies to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The document was supported by 14 Security Council member countries, Russia abstained, Interfax reports, citing Western media. The draft document includes a demand for the withdrawal of Houthi military formations from the country's capital, Sanaa.

April 14, 2015, 00:27 / Business Gazprom delivers an ultimatum to Europe The Russian concern threatens to reorient the capacities created for the EU to export to Asia Mikhail Serov Gazprom Chairman Alexey Miller promises to unite the European and Asian markets / M.

April 14, 2015, 14:18 / Finance The issue of extending the contract with Gref will be considered at the annual meeting of shareholders Vedomosti The issue of extending the contract with Sberbank President German Gref until 2019 will be considered at the annual general meeting of shareholders this year, Gref himself said on Tuesday.

April 14, 2015, 23:40 / Business The largest producer of newsprint, Volga Pulp and Paper Mill, is cutting production by half Prices on the domestic market may rise by 20% Denar Suleymanov It is planned to replace cellulose, which has increased in price exorbitantly, with thermomechanical paper pulp without chemical additives / Yuri Belinsky / TASS The Balakhninisky paper mill - Pulp and Paper Mill "Volga" will stop three paper-making machines out of four from April 13, the company said in a

Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov will finance the restoration of the ancient Roman basilica of Ulpia, reports Reuters. According to the agency, 1.5 million euros, which the businessman will allocate, will go towards the restoration of the nave. The basilica, whose size is 117 by 55 m, was built during the reign of Emperor Trajan and named after his family name - Ulpius.

This year, the Russian Ministry of Finance will introduce amendments to the legislation that will allow changing the budget rule “from the point of view of linking it to new realities and new budget opportunities,” said Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. “The budget rule in its current edition cannot help but react to a sharp change in the price of oil. That is, what does the budget rule say?

The detention of employees of JSC Mosinzhproekt on suspicion of commercial bribery is the result of the implementation of anti-corruption measures in Moscow, Deputy Mayor of the capital for urban development policy and construction Marat Khusnullin told Interfax. An official investigation is currently underway into the facts that were revealed, the official said. A number of specialists involved in the projects that the detained employees supervised have now been suspended from work.

14.04.2015 In Spain and Portugal, banks, not customers, pay interest on mortgages Advertising Advertising

April 14, 2015, 18:56 / Economics IMF: Greek crisis could upset financial markets Vedomosti The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expresses hope that the new Greek government will still be able to reach an agreement with the country’s official creditors; the lack of agreement will negatively affect not only the Greek economy, but also all financial markets, IMF chief economist Olivier Blanchard said at a briefing in Washington. “We really hope to reach agreements...