Gold iPhones with Putin's image worth $4,300 apiece sold in one day

Forty-four gold iPhones with Putin's image on them priced at 147,000 rubles ($4,300) were sold in just one day. It is possible that the demand for the product was associated with a portrait of the President of the Russian Federation in conjunction with the precious metal, from which the gadgets were made. The limited batch of 44 phones in gold case, with the portrait of Vladimir Putin engraved on the back side, was sold out in one day. The limited edition of Apple's iPhone 5s was manufactured by ​​Italian jewelry company Caviar. The back cover of the device is made of 18 carat gold. The portrait of the Russian President and a line from the Russian anthem are engraved on the cover of the precious gadget. The names of most owners of the "Putin smartphones" were not disclosed. It was only said that their list includes an actor, a television presenter, two top-managers of an oil company and a gold medalist of the Sochi Olympics 2014. Due to incredible demand, the Italian company decided to produce a second batch of the smartphone. Apple iPhone 5s Caviar Supremo Putin is based on the 64GB black smartphone. The device comes in a deluxe wooden box with black velvet interior decoration. Each gadget has a certificate of authenticity.

Recovering from anti-Russian hysteria, USA wants to buy more Russian rocket engines

The USA is recovering from sanctioning frenzy. Immediately after the start of the exhibition "First Russian-Chinese EXPO," the Americans decided to increase the purchase of Russian rocket engines, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Monday, June 30. He earlier said that the Russia may response to sanctions from the United States by suspending the delivery of rocket engines RD-180 and K-33 to the U.S. "The Americans buy K-33 and RD-180 engines from Russia, and now they are ready to buy more engines from us, after they recovered a bit after the sanctions frenzy," Rogozin said after the first day of the "First Russian-Chinese EXPO." China, Rogozin said, is also interested in Russian rocket engines. "They also need these engines to develop their technologies, and we are interested in such supplies for China." Earlier, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered the administration of the U.S. Air Force to reconsider the principles of cooperation with Russia in the military and technical sphere and reduce America's dependence on Russian engines. According to Bloomberg, the development of a rocket engine to replace the Russian RD-180, used for heavy American booster Atlas-5, could cost the U.S. $1.5 billion and take up to six years.

Ukrainian troops and militias use Ukrainian weapons

Speculations about where militias of Novorossia take their weapons from started simultaneously with the emergence of the armed conflict in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The West and Kiev claim that it is Russia that provides the pro-Russian fighters with weapons. Pravda.Ru asked expert opinion from historian and military expert Boris Yulin. "Donbass is a significant, densely populated industrial region of Ukraine, with its own infrastructure. The militias of Donbass show resistance to the lumps of the current Kiev authorities that moved the ruins of the Ukrainian military machine against them. But the Ukrainian machine is stronger, of course. As for the weapons, the Ukrainians speculate on the subject of the weapons stored at military warehouses in Ukraine. That is, the militias take weapons from the same place, where their opponents take them - the punitive units, the "Right Sector," and the armed forces of Ukraine." "The militias have tanks, MANPADS, mortars, - it is clear from news reports ads on the Internet. In those ads, they seek operators of man-portable air defense systems, tankers, crews of combat vehicles." "They removed two tanks from their pedestals and repaired them. They captured other tanks having taken control of the base of Ukrainian armored vehicles. There were tanks, armored personnel carriers and a bunch of other types of armored vehicles. All of that equipment is Ukrainian, starting from the first self-propelled vehicle that took part in the first combat action. "Both sides use the weapons that were made in the USSR and that Ukraine inherited after the collapse of the USSR. Some of those weapons were made after the Soviet Union, on the territory of Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian gays to fight against pro-Russian activists during pride march in Kiev

Ukrainian LGBT activists intend to dedicate the gay pride parade in Kiev, which is to be held in the Ukrainian capital in a few days, to the fight against pro-Russian activists. Ukrainian gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals (LGBT) will march on the streets of Kiev to support the unity of Ukraine. The International LGBT festival "KievPride 2014" is to be held in the capital of Ukraine from June 30 to July 6. "Now that Ukraine is subjected to external aggression, when they try to split the society by the incitement of hatred between different social groups, the Ukrainian LGBT community declares inadmissibility of escalation of hatred and xenophobia on any ground," Elena Shevchenko, a spokesperson for the organizing committee of "KievPride 2014," Ukrainian website "Navigator" reports. "This year, our goal is not to let pro-Russian provocateurs prevent us from defending human rights in Ukraine for all, including the LGBT community, - co-chair of the Coalition to tackle discrimination, Nazary Borsky said. - Blood was spilled on Maidan so that all us realize the right of everyone to live, to love, to gather and have protection. After all, human rights are above everything else." LGBT activists also demand the government should ensure equal rights for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. It is worth noting that for the political environment of western Ukraine, it is typical to use "intimate details" in a "political struggle." One may recall well-known organization FEMEN, whose activist express themselves by displaying their naked breasts in public places all over the world. During Maidan riots, there were female activists, who would strip naked in "support of their political position." Apparently, naked human body is an inalienable part of Ukrainian political mentality.

Putin sends telegram to Obama on July 4th, reminding him of responsibility

Today, on July 4th, the United States celebrates a national holiday, Independence Day. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Barack Obama on the holiday, the Rossiyskaya Gazeta wrote. Putin pointed out the importance of building bilateral relations based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests. He also emphasized special responsibility of both countries to ensure international stability. According to the press service of the Kremlin, in the telegram, the Russian President expressed a hope the long history of relations between the two countries will develop further, despite difficulties and differences on a pragmatic and equitable basis. "Putin stressed out that Russia and the United States as the powers bearing special responsibility for ensuring international stability and security must cooperate in the interests of not only their own people, but the entire world," said the press service of the Kremlin.

Kiev police warns LGBT community of inadequate march of equality

The Kiev police asked the local LGBT community to refuse from the much-touted "Equality March Kiev Pride 2014." According to police officials, holding such an event is not quite would be inadequate at present time. Law enforcement officials also stated that the Equality March was an unauthorized event. Representatives of law-enforcement bodies of Ukraine reminded members of the LGBT community that they had received no applications for holding the "Equality March." Consequently, the press service of the Kiev police said, the event would be considered unauthorized. Earlier, representatives of the LGBT community said that the march would be held on the morning of July 5.

Kiev police warns LGBT community of inadequate march of equality

The Kiev police asked the local LGBT community to refuse from the much-touted "Equality March Kiev Pride 2014." According to police officials, holding such an event is not quite would be inadequate at present time. Law enforcement officials also stated that the Equality March was an unauthorized event. Representatives of law-enforcement bodies of Ukraine reminded members of the LGBT community that they had received no applications for holding the "Equality March." Consequently, the press service of the Kiev police said, the event would be considered unauthorized. Earlier, representatives of the LGBT community said that the march would be held on the morning of July 5.