International Day for People of African Descent - 31 August.

The International Day for People of African Descent is celebrated for the first time on 31 August 2021. The United Nations aims to promote the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of…

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International Overdose Awareness Day - 31 August.

International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st focuses on reducing the number of deaths caused by overdose and erasing the stigma associated with it. Besides death, drug overdoses also cause permanent injuries. Both of these scenarios devastate family members and friend…

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Another medal for Sri Lanka at Tokyo Paralympics.

Sri Lanka’s Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku has won the Bronze medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw - F46 – event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.  Kodithuwakku took third place with a personal best of 65.61 meters while India’s Sumit Antil secured the gold medal with a World Record th…

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Dinesh Priyantha wins first-ever Paralympic gold medal for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha Herath has set a new world record in the Men’s Javelin Throw - F46 – event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Dinesh Priyantha set the new world record clearing a distance of 67.79 meters to win the gold medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw F46 Final. He …

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International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance - 30 August.

On August 30 of each year, the UN observes the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearance. This day aims to increase awareness about the numbers of enforced disappearances around the world. In 2007, activists and family members of victims of enforced disappea…

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International Whale Shark Day - 30 August.

International Whale Shark Day on August 30th aims to increase awareness about a magnificent sea-dwelling creature. The whale shark’s declining numbers alerts us to their need for protection and conservation. These gentle giants fascinate marine biologists and aquatic enthus…

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Advisory Board appointed in accordance with Prevention of Terrorism Act.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed an Advisory Board as per the Section 13 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, No.48 of 1979, the Director-General of Legal Affairs of the Presidential Secretariat Attorney-at-Law Harigupta Rohanadeera said. The Chairman of the Advisor…

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'Xi Jinping Thought' introduced into curriculum in China.

China will introduce the political ideology of the Chinese President in its national curriculum. "Xi Jinping thought" will help "teenagers establish Marxist beliefs", said the Ministry of Education (MOE) in new guidelines. The ideology will be integrated …

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British stamps banned from Chagos Islands in Indian Ocean.

Mauritius has moved a symbolic step closer to wresting control of the Chagos Islands, in the Indian Ocean, from the UK. The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN agency in charge of the world's postal policies, voted to block the use of UK stamps from the remote archipelago…

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Cuba’s central bank now recognizes cryptocurrencies.

Cuba will now recognize and regulate cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, citing “reasons of socioeconomic interest.” Resolution 215, which was published in the state-run Official Gazette, says the central bank will set new rules for how to deal with digital currencies. Commerc…

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International Day Against Nuclear Tests - 29 August.

The International Day Against Nuclear Tests on August 29th raises awareness and educates about the harmful effects of nuclear testing. Nuclear weapons testing began in 1945. Since that time, nearly 2,000 nuclear tests have taken place. When nuclear testing first began, scien…

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Kabul Airport Attack Kills 13 U.S. Service Members and at Least 90 Afghans.

More than 100 people were killed, including at least 13 U.S. service members and 90 Afghans, at the Kabul airport Thursday (26) when two blasts ripped through crowds trying to enter the American-controlled facility, disrupting the final push of the U.S.-led evacuation effor…

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Former England and Sussex captain Ted Dexter passes away.

Former England and Sussex captain Ted Dexter has passed away. Dexter, nicknamed “Lord Ted”, was an aggressive batsman and part-time seam bowler who played 62 tests for England after making his debut in 1958 against New Zealand and was captain between 1961-1964. After retirin…

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Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with Morocco.

Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra said that his country has severed diplomatic relations with Morocco due to “hostile actions”, following months of resurgent tensions between the North African rivals. The countries have long accused one another of backing opposition…

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The Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts died at age 80.

The Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts died on 24 Auguat 2021 in London at age 80. Watts’ passing was confirmed by a statement from the band. Charlie Watts was born in London’s Bloomsbury district on June 2, 1941. He was a teenager when his parents gave him a drum set and …

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World’s first autonomous, electric cargo ship to make voyage with zero crew onboard.

A Norwegian company called Yara International claims to have created the world’s first zero-emission ship that can also transport cargo autonomously. The Yara Birkeland electric cargo ship was first conceptualized in 2017 but now looks to make its first voyage with no crew …

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World Bank halts aid after Taliban takeover Afghanistan.

The World Bank has halted funding for projects in Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of the country. It cited concerns over how the Taliban's takeover will affect "the country's development prospects, especially for women". The move comes just day…

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Canada, UAE, PNG qualify for 2022 U-19 men's World Cup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the Americas, Asia and EAP qualifiers to the ICC U19 men's cricket World Cup have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The apex body of cricket said based on guidelines approved by the ICC Development Com…

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5th India-Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise “KAZIND-21”

As part of military diplomacy and to strengthen the growing strategic relation with Kazakhstan, the 5th edition of Indo- Kazakhstan Joint Training Exercise, “KAZIND-21” will be conducted at Training Node, Aisha Bibi, Kazakhstan, from 30 August to 11 September 2021. The exer…

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Philippines approves GMO 'golden rice' for commercial production.

The Philippines became the world's first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified "golden rice" that experts hope will combat childhood blindness and save lives in the developing world. A biosafety permit issued by government regulat…

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UAE announces the world’s tallest observation wheel ‘Ain Dubai’

The world’s largest and tallest observation wheel is set to be unveiled in Dubai, UAE on October 21, 2021.  The observation wheel called as ‘Ain Dubai’, is 250 m (820 ft) in height, located at Bluewaters Island.  The record-breaking wheel is 42.5 m (139 ft) taller than the cu…

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Dubai sets up specialised court to combat money laundering.

The Dubai government’s media office announced on Sunday (22) that the Dubai Courts have established a specialized money laundering court to thwart financial crimes. The new court was set up within the Court of First Instance and the Court of Appeal. Through this specialized …

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International Dog Day 2021

International Dog Day is observed every year on August 26 to raise awareness about dog adoption and the importance of providing rescue dogs with a safe and loving environment.  The history of International Dog Day dates back to 2004 when the day was founded by Collen Paige, …

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Safe Cities Index 2021

The Safe Cities Index 2021 is a report from The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by NEC Corporation. The report is based on the fourth iteration of the index, which ranks 60 cities across 76 indicators covering digital, health, infrastructure, personal and environment…

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Pakistan conducts successful test of 'indigenously developed' Fatah-1 guided MLRS.

Pakistan Army on Tuesday (24) conducted a successful test of indigenously developed “Fatah-1” guided Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS), according to a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military's media wing, in a statement, said the extended-ra…

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Women’s Equality Day - 26 August.

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting the right to vote to women.  The amendment was first introduced in 1878. In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. Source:  https://nationalwom…

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Yahoo shuts down news sites in India over FDI regulations.

Yahoo has shut down its news websites in India due the new foreign direct investment (FDI) rules that limit foreign ownership of media companies that operate and publish digital content in India. This includes Yahoo News, Yahoo Cricket, Finance, Entertainment, and MAKERS Ind…

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Online Portal Launched to Obtain Covid-19 Smart Vaccine Certificate.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) announces the launch of Covid-19 Smart Vaccine  Certificate Portal from 25th August 2021, for the general public who have plans to travel overseas.  ICTA has introduced this initiative in collaboration with the Mini…

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Kathy Hochul becomes New York’s first female governor.

Kathy Hochul became the first female governor of New York at the stroke of midnight Tuesday (24), taking control of a state government desperate to get back to business after months of distractions over sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo. The Democrat from we…

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Colombo Stock Exchange’s ASPI reaches all time high.

The benchmark All share Price Index (ASPI) hit an all-time high of 8,920.71 points today (26), surpassing the previous record of 8,812.01 points on 27 january 2021. The ASPI surged 164.08 points (or 1.87%) to close at 8,920.71. The day’s trading recorded a turnover of Rs.10.4…

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Global Manufacturing Risk Index - 2021.

Cushman & Wakefield’s 2021 Global Manufacturing Risk Index assesses the most advantageous locations for global manufacturing among 47 countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific. Within the Risk Index Report, countries are assessed based on following four key area…

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The South African Cricket Team arrive in Sri Lanka for limited-overs series.

The South African Cricket Team arrived in Colombo on Thursday (26) as they are all set to begin their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next week. The matches give both teams some much-needed practice ahead of the T20 World Cup, with the ODI series also of significance with th…

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Tokyo Paralympic Games officially begin with vibrant opening ceremony.

President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons told athletes that they were the “the best of humanity” as the Tokyo Paralympics kicked off with a vibrant Opening Ceremony on Tuesday (24). The delayed 16th Summer Paralympics will take place amid a su…

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RCB sign Hasaranga and Chameera for IPL 2021.

Royal Challengers Bangalore have signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera and Singapore’s Tim David ahead of the UAE leg of IPL 2021. The signings have been enforced after New Zealand’s Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn were picked for n…

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Britain calls G7 meeting to discuss Afghan crisis.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he had called a virtual G7 leaders’ meeting to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan and urged governments to find ways to prevent conditions from getting worse. Taliban militants seized control of Kabul last weekend in an upheaval that …

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Yordenis Ugás beats Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision.

Cuba's Yordenis Ugas sent Manny Pacquiao spinning to a dramatic upset defeat on Saturday (21), outclassing the Filipino boxing icon with a composed unanimous points victory at the T-Mobile Arena.  In his first fight after a two-year absence from the ring, Pacquiao was ma…

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The world’s first fossil-free steel.

The first fossil-free steel in the world has been delivered to the customer. The initiative HYBRIT has since 2016 developed its fossil-free steel and the delivery is an important step before the launch to the market in 2026. Sweden strives to achieve carbon neutrality by 204…

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World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2021.

The World Economic Forum’s annual Sustainable Development Impact Summit will take place on September 20-23, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s event will focus strongly on inclusively revitalizing economies. The United Nations General Assembly, the summit convenes und…

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Azizullah Fazli re-appointed as Afghanistan Cricket Board chairman despite Taliban takeover.

Azizullah Fazli has been re-appointed as ACB chairman despite Taliban takeover in the middle-east country. “Former ACB Chairman Azizullah Fazli has been re-appointed ACB Chairman. He will oversee ACB’s leadership and course of action for the upcoming competitions. After taki…

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World's highest expressway opens to traffic in China's Tibet.

The Lhasa-Nagqu expressway connecting Lhasa and Nagqu in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region opened to traffic on August 21, according to Tibet Autonomous Region Transportation Department.  It is a section of the G6 Beijing-Lhasa expressway, with a total length of …

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PayPal Holdings launches crypto transactions in the UK.

PayPal Holdings will allow customers in the UK to buy, sell and hold bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies starting this week. The roll-out, which marks the first international expansion of PayPal's cryptocurrencies services outside of the United States, could inspire furth…

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World Water Week 2021: 23-27 August.

The World Water Week is the leading conference on global water issues and organised by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) since 1991.  In 2021 it will be held as a digital event 23-27 August. The Week attracts participants from more than 130 countries and with ma…

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Former Afghan national soccer team player dies trying to cling to U.S. Plane.

A player for Afghanistan’s national soccer team reportedly died in a U.S. plane as he desperately tried to escape the country ahead of a Taliban takeover, a report says. According to Afghan news agency Ariana, athlete Zaki Anwari tried to get into a moving plane Sunday (22) …

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Black Ribbon Day - 23 August.

Every year on August 23rd, the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism remembers victims of totalitarian regimes. These include Stalinist, communist, Nazi and fascist regimes. The day is also known as Black Ribbon Day. Throughout history, millions of …

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International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition - 23 August.

On August 23rd, International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade & its Abolition is set aside to pause and remember the tragedy of the slave trade. The night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) saw the beginning of t…

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