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FIFA chief invites Thai kids trapped in cave to World Cup final

FIFA has been following news about the rescue operation since June 23

Gianni Infantino Alexander Demyanchuk/TASS

Gianni Infantino

© Alexander Demyanchuk/TASS

BANGKOK, July 6. /TASS/. In a letter that was sent to the Football Association of Thailand, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited the 12 schoolchildren and their coach who were trapped in the partially-flooded Tham Khao Luang Cave in Thailand to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final that will be held in Moscow on July 15.

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Thai King calls for speedy evacuation of children trapped in cave

"If, as we all hope, they are reunited with their families in the coming days and their health allows them to travel, FIFA would be delighted to invite them to attend the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow as our guests," Infantino stated. FIFA noted that it has been keeping track of the news about the rescue operation since June 23.

On June 23, national park employees discovered a motorbike, bicycles and sports equipment near an entrance to the Tham Khao Luang Cave. They contacted the local football club, which confirmed to them that the items discovered belong to 12 schoolchildren aged 11-16 and their 25-year-old coach. The cave in which they found themselves stretches almost 10 km and has several entrances and exits, as well as large galleries in which the missing people could have hidden from the rising waters. Thai authorities launched a rescue operation for the people trapped in the cave.

The FIFA World Cup matches will run from June 14 to July 15 in 11 Russian cities.

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Ukrainian defense line in Donbass may soon collapse — expert

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NATO countries engaged in full-fledged war against Russia — Medvedev

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Diplomat mocks US Senator for talking about invading Netherlands

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The former Austrian foreign minister stressed that she "counted on rational Western decision-makers, but irrationality is unfortunately on the rise among them"

Strike with Oreshnik missile was a timely and effective response to the West — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov added that by authorizing strikes deep into Russia with its missiles, the US administration ignored Russian President Vladimir Putin's warnings about the possible consequences

Kremlin explains why Oreshnik missile came as surprise

"I am sure that neither of us is even aware right now of any new future developments.", Peskov said

France only finishes off Ukraine by allowing it to strike inside Russia — diplomat

Zakharova said earlier that no attempts by "French warmongers" would change the outcome of the conflict

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He stressed that today "it is vital prevent economic and political confrontation in certain regions of the world from growing into a real war."

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Here are the key statements, made during the meeting

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Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, November 22nd

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Adjacent streets are blocked by security forces

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US missile defense base in Poland long among Russian army’s targets — Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova stated that the US-NATO construction project, ongoing for nearly a decade with complete disregard to Russian security concerns, has consistently been a focus of Russia's attention

Ukrainian frontline may 'collapse' under onslaught of Russian forces — BBC

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Ukraine was warned about possible missile strike — Pentagon

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Russia’s steel production plunged in October — WSA

China produced 81.9 mln metric tons in October, up 2.9% on an annualized basis

NATO pours with weapons prohibited by INF Treaty to Asia — Russian Foreign Ministry

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Russia's Oreshnik missile poses significant threat to West, Turkish expert warns

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Eliminating best enemy units: Defense Minister visits special op area

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US, European officials suggest returning nukes to Ukraine — NYT

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Oreshnik can reach targets across entire Europe — missile troops commander

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