The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, Russia and the United States have signed a new 2009 meat deal, cutting U.S. poultry imports and increasing import duties on poultry and pork supplies above quotas, the Economic Development Ministry said on December 30.

The FINANCIAL -- According to RIA Novosti, a holding company for Russia's top heavy machinery manufacturer Concern Tractor Plants group of companies has successfully completed a listing procedure on the Frankfurt stock exchange, the group said in a press release.

The FINANCIAL -- Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver’s and A&W Restaurants today announced that it is launching a free online fitness program starting January 1, 2009, to help people jumpstart their 2009 New Year’s resolution to exercise more and get in shape.

The FINANCIAL -- On 30 December 2008 OAO Gazprom issued its unaudited consolidated interim condensed financial information prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” (IAS 34) for the six months ended 30 June 2008.

The FINANCIAL -- Despite the world economical crisis Santa Clauses’ marketing abroad is presumed to be always working. Meanwhile in Georgia Santa’s motivator is just enthusiasm with no financial encouragement. “It’s not a profitable business” claim most of the Santa Clauses questioned by The FINANCIAL.