The head of the Synodal Department for Relations between Church and Society, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, criticized the authors of the expensive series of iPhone 6 phones with the image of the Trinity icon by Andrei Rublev, Interfax reports . “It would be a good idea for them to talk to relevant church institutions before releasing phones with such a design,” he said, noting that he did not believe that the authors of the project wanted to commit blasphemy.

US President Barack Obama has decided to remove Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism, CNN reports . Obama's message to Congress said Cuba had "not provided support for international terrorism" over the past six months and pledged that it would not do so in the future. Late last week, US and Cuban leaders held “historic” talks. They were the first in 50 years.

A boat carrying migrants heading from Libya to Italy sank in the Mediterranean Sea. Hundreds of people died, including children An operation to rescue migrants from a wrecked ship. File photo (Photo: AP) A ship carrying migrants from Libya to Italy sank in the Mediterranean Sea. According to Reuters , citing survivors, about 400 people were killed. According to those rescued, many children were among the drowned. There was no official confirmation of their death at the time of writing.

In the 2016 elections in Russia, two scenarios are possible: either the authorities themselves rely on nationalism and crowd out all competing forces, or they demonstratively allow radicals into politics, presenting themselves as the “lesser evil” Splits and new projects As the 2016 federal election campaign approaches, more and more predictions and studies are emerging about future electoral scenarios. The potential participants themselves are increasingly preparing for the elections.

The authorities of Khakassia have banned the retail sale of alcohol in the region during the state of emergency due to forest fires. The corresponding resolution was signed by the head of the republic, Viktor Zimin. notes The regional government website that such a proposal came from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Photo: FROM PERSONAL ARCHIVE The pension system, already established in Russia, is, in principle, quite stable. Its current difficulties are primarily a consequence of political decisions and populist measures. And this can be fixed. Three levels - most reliable Most of the controversy in the pension industry is currently flaring up around the funded system. This is justified: preserving pension savings is the most pressing issue today. However, this is only part of the problem.

According to the former NATO Secretary General, Russia is unpredictable and dangerous, because even in Soviet times the possible use of nuclear weapons was not openly discussed Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Photo: Getty Images) Russia poses a greater threat to the world than the USSR. This opinion was expressed in an interview with Newsweek by former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. “Even in Soviet times, they did not dare to talk about a nuclear conflict.

During morning trading on the Moscow Exchange, the European currency fell in price by about 50 kopecks, as a result of which its rate dropped below 54 rubles. The dollar is also declining The euro exchange rate on the Moscow Exchange fell below 54 rubles for the first time this week. Immediately after the opening of trading, it dropped to 53.613 rubles, which is 55.7 kopecks. below the closing level of trading on April 14, 2015.

Order for Russia is now more important than democracy, according to 61% of participants in a Levada Center survey, the results of which were published on the website. When asked what is more important for Russia now - order or democracy, 61% of respondents answered that order, even if to achieve it they will have to commit some violations of democratic principles and restrictions on personal freedoms.

Svyaznoy Bank filed a lawsuit against its founder. The credit institution wants to recover 120 million rubles from Maxim Nogotkov, Vedomosti writes. Photo: Ekaterina Kuzmina / RBC Svyaznoy Bank filed claims against the founder of the credit organization, Maxim Nogotkov. The bank demands the return of personal loans worth 120 million rubles, a source close to the Svyaznoy group told Vedomosti, and was confirmed by two businessman acquaintances.

First Vice President for Commerce and Refining Maxim Andriasov is leaving Bashneft. This is the first top manager of an oil company hired by AFK Sistema, who leaves after a change of ownership Photo: TASS "I will not challenge this decision" According to an RBC source close to the oil company, it was proposed to replace Andriasov with Denis Stankevich, who is on the board of Bashneft and holds the position of vice president for economics and finance and chief financial director of the company.

Iran will receive Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) as early as 2015. This was stated by Iranian Defense Minister General Hossein Dehghan before flying to Moscow, reports . IRNA According to Dehghan, during a visit to the Russian capital, the corresponding contract will be signed.

The landing of the reusable stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle was too rough, the device could not be saved, said the head of the Space X project Falcon 9 rocket launch (Photo: AP) The reusable stage of the Falcon 9 rocket failed to land successfully. this on his Twitter The head of Space X, Elon Musk, announced account. According to him, the landing was too hard for the device to survive. Musk clarified that the stage overturned after landing.

The wreckage of the Boeing that crashed near Donetsk will be exhibited in Yeisk as part of an exhibition dedicated to the events in eastern Ukraine. Activists of the Afghan warrior movement “Combat Brotherhood” are going to do this for the 70th anniversary of the Victory Boeing plane crash site near Donetsk.

Officials want to unite about 120 organizations Photo: RBC The authorities of the Leningrad region want to centralize about 120 organizations responsible for water supply networks. As Kommersant writes , the initiators were energy workers, for whom such a merger would ease the situation with the water complex’s debt for energy resources.