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FIFA to allow Russia to play in U-15 int’l football tourney in US — web portal

According to the US-based web portal, the opening match of the inaugural FIFA U-15 football event should be held between the national teams of Israel and Palestine

WASHINGTON, June 15. /TASS/. The world’s governing body of football, FIFA, plans to invite Russia’s national football team to September's under-15 international tournament in the United States, The Athletic sports web portal reported on Monday.

"The new tournament is set to take place in the United States in September and is open to all 211 of FIFA’s member associations, including Russia — which has been banned from FIFA competitions <…>," The Athletic reported.

According to the US-based web portal, the opening match of the inaugural FIFA U-15 football event should be held between the national teams of Israel and Palestine.

"FIFA hopes for the festival to get underway with a match between Israel and Palestine, according to sources with knowledge of the plans," according to The Athletic.

Russia’s football ban

The world’s governing football body, FIFA, announced on February 28, 2022, that the Russian national team and all professional clubs representing the country were barred from participating in FIFA tournaments.

In turn, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) made a similar decision regarding the Russian national football team’s participation in UEFA tournaments.

Both FIFA and UEFA cited Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine as grounds for their respective bans on Russian teams’ participation in competitions.

Russia's tennis star Andreeva climbs to fifth in WTA Rankings

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek from Poland take top-3 positions in the rankings

Precious metals futures post gains

As of 10:30 a.m. Moscow time, August gold futures on Comex were trading at $4,336.7 per troy ounce, up 2.31%

Agreement between US, Iran reached, Pakistani PM announces

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon

Trump says he may make US 'guardian of Middle East' in return for 20% of region’s revenues

Donald Trump noted that the US would be ready to assume this role if Iran failed to reach a final nuclear accord with the United States

US denies Iran’s claim that it will get $12 bln from its frozen assets — Axios

According to the portal, Iran will not be able to get the sum from its frozen funds unconditionally before a 60-day period of negotiations starts

Trump vows to "discombobulate" adversaries

US President Donald Trump posted an AI-generated image, in which he is standing, presumably on an aircraft carrier, looking through binoculars at ships and fighter jets

UK to ban social media for those under 16 — prime minister

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Putin wishes US successful hosting FIFA World Cup — Kremlin aide

The 2026 World Cup is being held for the first time with 48 national teams across three countries — Canada, Mexico, and the United States

Russia hopes US will not abandon Ukrainian issue — Lavrov

The Russian foreign minister expressed hope that the US would not leave it to the Europeans with their "absolutely unrealistic plans"

Impossible to ban Russian language in Moldova — ex-president

"About 25% of Moldova’s population is Russian-speaking," Igor Dodon noted

Ukraine loses up to 1,350 troops along engagement line over past day — Russia’s top brass

According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s figures the Ukrainian army lost up to 210 troops in the responsibility area of Russia’s Battlegroup North

Lavrov calls for efforts to ensure justice in Ukraine

The Russian foreign minister specified that he means primarily "the rights of Russian speakers"

US-Iran deal: statements from parties, international response

US President Donald Trump said the signing of the agreement with the Islamic Republic will take place on June 19

Senior Iranian diplomat confirms deal with US reached — Tasnim

Kazem Gharibabadi added that the US naval blockade on Iran will be lifted as of June 15 and the immediate and permanent end of the war and military operations on all fronts is announced

Russia delivers massive overnight strike on Ukrainian military-industrial sites

The strikes also targeted military airfields and territorial recruitment centers

Iran divides countries into three categories based on use of Strait of Hormuz — TV

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Netherlands, Japan end their FIFA World Cup encounter in 2-2 draw

Both teams continue their Group F action

Pezeshkian asks global community to judge which side, Iran or US, actually favors dialogue

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian invited the world to judge which side engages in terrorism

Former leader puts question mark over Moldova’s EU membership in coming years

Igor Dodon pointed out that the Europeans themselves acknowledge that becoming a member of the European Union will be very challenging

Kiev attacked Russian civilian objects more than 17,000 times in May — envoy

According to Rodion Miroshnik, Ukraine "implemented the criminal strategy" of Vladimir Zelensky to strike civilian targets located deep in Russian territory

Qatari PM urges US, Iran to pursue constructive approach in upcoming talks

Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also thanked Pakistan and all international actors who contributed to reaching the agreements

Company making Hornet drones for attacks on Russia owned by Google ex-head — envoy

The first combat use of such drones in the zone of the special military operation was recorded in March 2026, when these drones attacked Donetsk, said Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for the Crimes of the Kiev Regime Rodion Miroshnik

UK detains so-called ‘shadow fleet’ tanker Smyrtos in English Channel — PM Starmer

According to the statement, Royal Marine Commandos and National Crime Agency officials boarded the detained vessel as part of the first ever operation of this kind

Putin believes China attained impressive achievements under Xi Jinping — Kremlin aide

The Russian president specified that Beijing had achieved brilliant results in economic, scientific and technological development

Trump says postponed US-Iran deal signing due to Israel’s attack on Beirut — media

"It is so bad — I couldn't believe it", US President said

DPR's Gorlovka littered with civilian vehicles destroyed by Ukrainian drones — Ritter

The former US intelligence officer also pointed to numerous tire marks on the city's roads, which he said indicate attempts by drivers to evade incoming strikes

Russian defense firm delivers BK-16E assault boats to African customer ahead of schedule

The construction of five more such boats is underway

Armenian PM Pashinyan’s party receives constitutional majority in parliament

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Russia to introduce new weather modification agents regulation since September

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Armenia would make mistake by relying solely on Western support — Russia's SVR chief

Sergey Naryshkin believes that additional barriers and difficulties will inevitably arise for the country's economic development

Chinese cars are now better than German and Japanese ones — Russian Public Chamber

Deputy Secretary of the Russian Public Chamber Alexander Galushka noted that China is "deliberately focusing on the technological development of its economy"

UN chief welcomes announcement of US-Iran deal

Antonio Guterres reaffirms that the United Nations stands ready to support the parties in achieving a durable and comprehensive peace

Trump says not concerned with change of power in Iran

"This is the third group we've dealt with, and this is the most rational group yet," the US president said

West working out scenarios for pre-emptive strikes against Russian naval bases — aide

Nikolay Patrushev noted that it is no secret that merchant ships regularly arrive at Russian ports with magnetic mines attached to their hulls, saying there are reasons to believe that the mines are planted at European ports

US troop buildup near Iran not sign of any new decisions — White House

The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran on February 28

Another strike hits area near Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Iran

One of the facility’s security guards was killed, Iran’s AEOI said

Israel, US attack amusement park in central Iran

No information on casualties or damage has been reported yet

Putin’s call with Trump lasted for 55 minutes — Kremlin aide

It was a friendly and open conversation, Yury Ushakov said

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The Russian foreign minister said he hopes that US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and businessman Jared Kushner will clarify Washington's plans to implement the agreements on Ukraine during their visit to Russia

Russian intel chief not thrilled about Serbia taking part in NATO drills

Serbia and NATO held the first-ever joint two-week field exercises in May

Israel to respond 'with full force' if Iran attacks over Lebanon — defense minister

According to Israel Katz, the response will demonstrate the difference in the country's capabilities

Russian troops liberate Artyoma community in Donetsk region over past day — top brass

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,265 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Hezbollah commander killed in Israeli strike against Beirut — TV

According to the Lebanese health ministry, four other people were wounded

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Iran calls on Saudi Arabia to ‘eject’ US troops from region

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed that Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation

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Trumps says ready to exert pressure on EU, Kiev to achieve peace — Kremlin aide

US President once again emphasized the need to end hostilities, Yury Ushakov said

Russian air defenses down 483 Ukrainian UAVs, 14 smart bombs in past day — top brass

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Fico slams EU approach to conflict in Ukraine

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Trump says infuriated over Netanyahu’s decision to strike Beirut — media

Axios correspondent Barak Ravid quoted US President on his X page

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Sergey Naryshkin added that it is important for Russia to develop cooperation with Yerevan

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Putin lauds Melania Trump’s role in reuniting children with their families — Kremlin aide

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Cote d’Ivoire seals a win over Ecuador in Group E opener at FIFA World Cup

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Armenian PM’s party wins parliamentary elections, to form new government — CEC

The Civil Contract party received 726,819 votes, or 49.746%

Cooperation with Russia to benefit Japan amid Hormuz closure — lawmaker

When asked about the possibility of lifting the price cap on Russian oil, Shoji Nishida expressed the view that Washington is standing in the way of this

Netanyahu told Trump that Israel will not pull back troops from Lebanon — Ynet portal

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EU aid to Ukraine frozen — Borrell

The ex-chief of EU diplomacy said the situation is similar with the approval of new sanctions against Russia

Moldovan politician reveals Western attempts to open new front against Russia

Igor Dodon recalled that Georgia, too, had pointed to Western calls for opening a second front with Russia earlier

Germany defeats Curacao 7-1 in 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match

Germany tops Group E with three points

Iran to hit more targets if US attacks Kharg Island — ambassador

Tehran’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Amir Hossein Hosseini also expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved diplomatically

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council decides to continue dialogue with US

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US-Israeli strike on humanitarian aid aircraft in western Iran reported

The Civil Aviation Organization of the Islamic Republic called on all international bodies to take appropriate measures in response to this incident

Putin, Trump agree on Witkoff, Kushner’s new visit to Russia — Kremlin aide

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Death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon exceeds 3,780 — health ministry

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Six Armenian opposition forces refuse to recognize recent parliamentary elections

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Putin’s congratulations to Trump were informal — Kremlin aide

They were reflected the nature of the personal relationship between the two leaders, Yury Ushakov said

Putin, Trump discuss bilateral relations, international situation — Kremlin aide

The meeting was not merely an exchange of pleasantries, Yury Ushakov said

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EU accession talks with Ukraine to begin with issues of democracy, values — von der Leyen

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Press review: US-Iran deal vulnerable to escalation and EU backs 21st sanctions on Russia

Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 15th

Trump says Iran has 48 hours to make deal or open strait

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Casualties in Tula, 123 drones employed: new attacks on Russian regions

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BBC covered up US biolab network in Ukraine — expert

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Trump says victory over Nazism must not be forgotten — Kremlin aide

It is noteworthy that US President spoke about the alliance between our two countries during the Second World War, Yury Ushakov said

Putin suggests Trump tell Zelensky remember Holocaust — Kremlin aide

Vladimir Zelensky would do well to heed the advice not to forget the Holocaust, rather than honoring Nazi criminals, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a phone call with his US counterpart

Putin notes mutual understanding he has developed with Trump

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JD Vance lauds Iran deal as big moment for United States

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Secessionist sentiment stronger in some US states, Canada — newspaper

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UK, German, French envoys bring nothing new to Foreign Ministry meeting — Lavrov

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Issue with Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline to be solved soon — envoy

Chairman of the Russian part of the Russia-China Committee of Friendship, Peace and Development Boris Titov emphasized that the issue relates more to logistics, but not to the price

Iran to forego charging fee for passage through Strait of Hormuz for 60 days — agency

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EU blacklists journalists, bloggers

The EU also sanctioned writer Igor Maltsev

EU introduces additional sanctions against Russian companies, individuals

Eighty individuals and organizations from Russia and CIS countries were added into three designation lists

51 drone control stations destroyed by Russian Battlegroup West

Battlegroup units also destroyed 17 ground-based robotic systems