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FIFA World Cup 2026

Canadian national team qualifies for FIFA World Cup 1/8 finals

The team defeated South Africa 1-0

© Fran Santiago/ Getty Images

WASHINGTON, June 29. /TASS/. The Canadian national team became the first to qualify for the FIFA World Cup round of 16 after defeating South Africa 1-0 in Los Angeles.

Stephen Eustaquio scored the lone goal two minutes into second-half stoppage time.

In the next round, Canada will face the winner of the Netherlands-Morocco match, which takes place on June 29.

Lionel Messi emerges as top scorer in 2026 World Cup group stage

The Argentine forward scored six goals in three matches, setting a new tournament record

Russian defense ministry’s delegation focuses on naval cooperation at talks in Iran

The Russian delegation arrived in Iran on December 24 to attend the second meeting of the Russian-Iranian working group implementing the intergovernmental agreement on military cooperation

Russia may begin exploration and development of Moon resources after 2036

Among the main projects through 2036, Roscosmos also proposes including the exploration of the Moon using automated spacecraft

Alexey Navalny free to leave Russia and return, like any other citizen — Kremlin

According to the spokesman, the Kremlin does not follow changes in Navalny’s health closely

Russian forces destroy 1,600 combat drones in Ukraine operation — top brass

Russian forces have destroyed 4,146 tanks and other armored vehicles and 4,453 special military vehicles since the start of their special operation in Ukraine, the Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov said

Russia’s Sputnik V shows 82% efficacy against Delta strain — Italian researches

"It is a high efficacy, at least against the Delta variant, which was proved by laboratory tests," director of the clinical research department at the National Institute for Infectious Diseases Andrea Antinori stressed

Putin appoints new members of commission on Russia’s participation in G20

Denis Agafonov, head of the expert department of the presidential administration and the Russian sherpa in G20, was appointed chair of the commission

West fails to defeat Russia on battlefield, attempts to destabilize nation futile — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites", Putin said

IN BRIEF: Putin comments on Russia’s strategic goals, security, Duma election

Russia is living through a crucial time, the head of state said, as he pledged that the security of the nation will be ensured

Seoul, Tokyo reaffirm commitment to Korean Peninsula denuclearization

Notably, North Korea has repeatedly stressed that its nuclear status is non-negotiable

Canadian national team qualifies for FIFA World Cup 1/8 finals

The team defeated South Africa 1-0

Kiev resorts to terrorism as Ukrainian troops retreat on battlefield — Putin

"The Kiev regime is retreating along the entire line of engagement, and therefore it has resorted to openly terrorist activities," the Russian leader said, referring to deliberate attacks on civilians

Russian troops liberate Ivolzhanskoye community in Sumy Region over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted more than 1,575 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed five enemy armored combat vehicles in its areas of responsibility over the week, the Defense Ministry reported

Russia living through crucial time — Putin

"The United Russia party, our leading political party, is holding a congress at a crucial time for the country as the entire world, too, is undergoing a radical, systemic transformation," the Russian head of state said

Pyongyang suggests holding inter-Korean talks in Kaesong

Next Sunday has been mentioned as a date for the start of the talks, the Yonhap news agency reported on Friday

Russia reports downing 72 Ukrainian drones over its regions, Sea of Azov during 12 hours

Alert air defense capabilities intercepted and destroyed drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga, Krasnodar, Kursk, Moscow, Oryol, Smolensk, and Tver Regions as well as the Republic of Crimea

New US ambassador arrives in Moscow

Michael McFaul is reputed to be one of the authors of reset in Russian-U.S. relations

Russia destroys up to platoon of Ukrainian troops in Novoskelevatoye

Assault units of the 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th army of Battlegroup East have liberated Novoskelevatoye

Trump threatens to destroy Iran if it decides to resume military actions

The president says that the US may become unable "to be reasonable" if the Iranian side does not learn lessons

Press review: NATO drills rehearse Ukraine logistics and quake strengthens Venezuela power

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, June 26th

Iranian attack damages residential building — Bahraini Interior Ministry

There were no casualties

Spanish gas hub chief calls on EU to postpone Russian LNG ban — newspaper

Ivan Jimenez believes US President Donald Trump could keep pressure on the EU to maintain the Russian gas ban, given the boost it would provide to US exports to Europe

Ukraine hopes to get at least $154 billion from its Western allies by 2030

The Finance Ministry estimates that the country will need $46.4 billion in 2026 to maintain the functioning of its governmental bodies

US certifies Russian special-purpose jet as part of Open Skies Treaty

Certification of the jet Tupolev-214ON makes it possible to enlarge our opportunities for efficient observation flights over treaty signatory countries

Belarusian president embarks on East, Southeast Asia tour

Alexander Lukashenko will visit a number of countries and hold high level talks

Russian troops liberate two settlements in Dnepropetrovsk, Zaporozhye regions

Units of Battlegroup East moved deeper into enemy defenses, liberating the settlement of Pisantsy and the settlement of Novosyolovka

Russian fighter scrambled to intercept two US strategic bombers over Baltic Sea

Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov told a briefing on Friday that the United States and other NATO nations had been conducting military activities some 20-30 kilometers off the Russian border

11-year old rescued in Venezuela after 70 hours under rubble

The child was pulled from the rubble by Colombian rescuers

Putin describes reliance on traditional values as powerful basis for national unity

"It is obvious to all statesmen and politicians that reliance on traditional values forms a solid ideological foundation that unites Russian society," the Russian leader said at a United Russia party congress

Russian specialists develop Duplet double net launcher against drones

The new net launcher has been created based on requirements from combat personnel

Dialogue with Japan possible when Tokyo changes its stance on Ukraine — Putin

Russian President added that unlike Japan, Russia did nothing that would mar bilateral ties

Moscow will not ignore ban on use of Russian symbols at competitions — Foreign Ministry

The only possible and logical response from the Russian side was to refuse to participate in the competition, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said in a commentary

Mass attack of drones thwarted in Rostov Region

No people were injured

Iraq ready to host meeting between Iran, Gulf Arab nations — top diplomat

According to Hussein, as Iraq maintains "perfect relations with the United States," Baghdad "expresses its readiness to help both Tehran and Washington put an end to the war between them."

Advanced weaponry rolls through Moscow’s Red Square in Victory Day parade

The parade was reviewed by Russian President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin

Turkey acquires Russian S-400 missile systems for designated operation

Ankara and Moscow continue negotiations on further implementing the contract

Kiev troops shell DPR 11 times in past day, two killed

Eight people were wounded, including a teenager

Bus with five civilians held by Ukraine arrives in Kursk

The captives were greeted by their relatives, doctors and officials and taken to a local shelter

Dodik hails US decision to lift sanctions as political victory

Milorad Dodik also blamed former US Ambassador to Sarajevo Michael Murphy and the administration of former US President Joe Biden for trying to discriminate against Republika Srpska

Putin extends ban on Russian oil exports under price cap through end-2027

The presidential decree prohibits supplies of Russian oil and petroleum products to foreign legal entities and individuals if contracts for such supplies directly or indirectly provide for the use of a price cap mechanism

Alibaba founder Jack Ma gives Russian MoD over 1 mln medical masks

The cargo included 200,000 coronavirus test systems, according to the top brass

Military communication channels may serve as safety net if New START expires, says expert

According to the expert, it will take a long time to agree a new document because there are many difficulties preventing the parties from reaching an agreement

Russia’s security, inviolability of its borders to be guaranteed — Putin

"The West has preferred to turn a blind eye to all this Kiev’s terrorist attacks", Putin said

Russia standing firm on its feet, ready to fight for its core interests — Putin

"Russia is standing firm <…> on its feet, as it declares its fundamental, core interests and is ready to fight for them and our future, way of living, sovereign ideology, foundations, and living principles," the president stated

Russian troops liberate settlement of Novoskelevatoye in Dnepropetrovsk region — top brass

Troops from Battlegroup West in Krasny Liman seized five strongpoints and captured 57 buildings over the past 24 hours, according to the reported

Second upgraded Tupolev-22M3M makes first flight

The plane took off from and landed at the airdrome of the Kazan aircraft-building plant

Drones that attacked Moscow assembled through cooperation of NATO countries — expert

The origins of the components and systems powering the examined drones have been identified, the unmanned aircraft expert and general designer at Russia’s Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions Dmitry Kuzyakin said

Mayor of Zaporozhye nuke plant host city dismisses evacuation reports

According to Maxim Pukhov, the city’s authorities and all services continue to operate normally

Russian, Chinese warplanes conducted joint six-hour patrol

Fighter air cover was provided along the entire joint patrol route by Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces and Jian-16 aircraft of the Chinese Air Force

Putin pledges to bring Russian economy to new technological level

"We will bring the Russian economy to a brand new technological level across all key spheres", Putin said

Brent crude oil price up above $84 per barrel on London’s ICE first since October 2018

The price of futures contracts of WTI oil grew by 2.7% to $81.49 per barrel

Russia ready to continue discussing Anchorage modalities with US — Putin

The president added that Moscow is ready to continue the talks

Russia studies possibility of creating electromagnetic missiles

According to open sources, electromagnetic projectiles generate a powerful electromagnetic pulse when blown up

COVID-19 vaccines by Gamaleya Center, Vektor are most promising

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said that in August of 2020 the vaccine’s "conditional" state certification is planned

US no longer treats Israel as special ally — media

Politico points out that Vice President JD Vance has become the face of changes in Washington's approach to Israel

Saudi Arabia to allow entry for people vaccinated with Sputnik V from January 1

Saudi Arabia joined 101 other countries approving entry of individuals vaccinated with the Sputnik V vaccine

US in search of quick, low-cost missile production options after Iran operation — media

The Financial Times points out that "the US Air Force has requested some $12 bln over the next five years for 28,000 missiles"

Russian gunmaker Kalashnikov unveils new drone for Arctic operation

The ZALA Arctic drones are capable of successfully solving both civilian and military tasks, the manufacturer informed

Russia’s latest nuclear-powered subs to carry cruise missiles with range of over 4,000 km

The new Kalibr-M cruise missiles will be capable of delivering either conventional high-explosive fragmentation or nuclear warheads to the target, according to a source in the defense industry

Series of explosions heard near Iran’s Sirik, Qeshm

Several projectiles hit a telecom tower on Sirik and landed in the village of Masen on Qeshm

Saudi Aramco helicopter crash kills 14 people

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash

ECHR decision to register same-sex marriages violates Russian constitution — Peskov

Earlier, the court recognized the refusal to marry three same-sex couples as a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Eleven people killed in light aircraft crash in France — media

According to the L'Est Republicain newspaper, the victims include five instructors, five amateur parachutists and the pilot

Ukrainian attacks leave one civilian dead in Russia’s Belgorod Region in past day

The Ukrainian armed forces carried out 64 attacks on the Belgorod Region in the past 24 hours

Russia to spend $2.7 billion on Arctic by 2025

On Thursday, a new version of the state program for the social and economic development of the Arctic zone will be adopted

Russian man kills National Guard member, wounds policeman, kills himself after family spat

A woman called police amid a family spat, when a police car approached the house, the husband opened gunfire at it

Emergency outage covered significant part of Zaporozhye Region

Damage assessment is underway, Governor Yevgeny Balitsky says

Black Sea Fleet’s Admiral Essen frigate conducts exercises in Mediterranean

The Ka-27PL helicopter crew conducted scheduled training to practice search and tracking of a submarine

US attacks violate agreements with Tehran — Iranian MFA

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Iran remained committed to defending its national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter

Novak orders additional fuel market support measures to be developed

Participants in the meeting reviewed the current situation regarding supplies of petroleum products to Russian regions and analyzed pricing trends across the federal districts

Russia, China to hold joint computer-assisted missile defense drill

The drill is not aimed against third countries, the Chinese Defense Ministry said

Venezuelan journalist projects earthquake death toll to count in tens of thousands

Juan Barreto says rescue efforts continue in La Guaira state, and an enormous number of destroyed buildings can be seen

Russia destroys two Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft at Voznesensk airfield in Nikolayev region

Russian Armed Forces used Geran-4 Seeker UAVs

Putin orders to minimize impact from Kiev’s terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure

"I would like to reiterate that the impact from terrorist attacks on our civilian facilities and infrastructure should be minimized," the Russian head of state said

Head of International BRICS Forum sees growing interest in Russian culture

According to Purnima Anand, "the Indians like Russian culture very much, and people in Russia like the Indian one"

Ukraine to challenge court ruling on debt payment to Russia

Deputy Prime Minister said there is no extra money in the budget to pay the debt

Lionel Messi emerges as top scorer in 2026 World Cup group stage

The Argentine forward scored six goals in three matches, setting a new tournament record

US senator calls on government to consider attack on Iran’s oil refineries

In the early hours of Saturday, ten drones attacked several Saudi Aramco facilities. The Ansar Allah (Yemen’s Houthi rebels) movement claimed responsibility for the attack

IRGC delivers retaliatory strike on key US infrastructure in Kuwait, Bahrain

The IRGC also warned that Tehran’s future response to potential US aggression will be even more decisive

NATO's steps forcing Russia to take tit-for-tat security measures, says defense chief

Such steps violate current global security, warns Russia's defense chief

Russia under unprecedented pressure from Western elites — Putin

"Russia is under rude and unprecedented pressure from Western elites," the Russian leader noted

Russia adjusting plans based on situation, will implement strategic ones in full — Putin

"Naturally, we have been adjusting certain plans, based on the situation", Putin said

Russia succeeds in creating strike UAV industry comparable to nuclear industry — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin underscored that the integration of drones into modern warfare marks a fundamental shift from previous conflicts

Time isn’t ripe yet for talks between EU, Russia, Finland’s top diplomat says

Elina Valtonen added there should be no impression "that we in Europe are desperately seeking talks to achieve peace, regardless of the conditions"

Europe 'getting a taste' for producing UAVs for Ukrainian strikes against Russia — expert

Dmitry Kuzyakin highlighted that Ukraine itself no longer hosts significant large-scale UAV manufacturing facilities

Pragmatism to be above Fukushima syndrome - analysts

In the long run, prices for energy sources will be growing, the world will face growing concerns about energy security, fighting climate changes will become more complicated

China was the first victim of COVID-19, senior Russian diplomat stresses

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov said Russia works closely with China on the whole range of issues related to combating the pandemic and preventing new outbreaks

West left Russia no option but special military operation — Italian expert

Sandro Teti expressed regret that the security proposals that Russia put forward in 2021 were disregarded by the West

Putin commends participants in special military operation as Russia’s true elite

"We should certainly create conditions so that such people who, as I have repeatedly stated, form the true elite of Russia can continue to serve the country - in civilian spheres, in politics", Putin said

Serbia will not give up friendship with Russia but will honor EU commitments — president

Aleksandar Vucic added that Serbia values "these friendly ties"

Medvedev describes Western interference in Armenian election campaign as unprecedented

Russian Security Council deputy chairman pointed to the Armenian authorities’ persecution of Gagik Tsarukyan, leader of the Prosperous Armenia party

What is known about largest Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow Region in two years

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, air defenses downed more than 190 drones since the start of the day

Special commission to decide on sunken floating dock’s future - Russian deputy premier

ITAR-TASS: 110 years of agency history in pictures

The history of Russia's central state information agency ITAR-TASS in pictures

Russian tank crews in Tajikistan retrained to operate advanced T-72B3M tanks

The driver mechanics also practiced conducting speedy maneuvers, surmounting natural and artificial obstacles, and moving backward using rear-view cameras

This week in photos: Team ROC winning gold, Russian Hachiko, street hockey in Ottawa

Take a look at the world in pictures from a TASS photo gallery

Iran warns third countries against interfering in Hormuz Strait — top diplomat

According to Abbas Araghchi, navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could return to pre-conflict levels within 30 days, provided all existing obstacles were removed

Medvedev sets seven tasks to Russia’s new government

The first task, according to the prime minister, is to elaborate basic programs of the country’s development

United States, Iran agreed to stop strikes — Axios

Washington and Tehran also reached an agreement to hold consultations in Doha on Tuesday

UK’s outgoing PM Starmer eyeing role of NATO secretary general — weekly

Starmer’s plans would need some sustained government backing, the weekly wrote

Russia's Rosatom plans to sign foreign contracts worth $26 bln in 2018

According to the results of 2017, the portfolio of foreign orders of Rosatom for 10 years ahead was $133.6 bln