Internet shutdowns in 2020 cost India $2.8 billion.

India suffered economic losses to the tune of $2.8 billion (Rs 20,474 crore approximately) due to internet shutdowns in 2020, according to a report released by a United Kingdom-based digital privacy firm Top10VPN. The report put India at the top of the list of 21 countries t…

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UNDP’s Global Human Development Report handed over to Prime Minister.

UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Mr. Robert Juhkam officially handed over the Global Human Development Report (HDR 2020) to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today (January 05 2021) at his official residence in Wijerama. The HDR is the annual flagship report publish…

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Cabinet approval to draft Port City Commission Bill.

Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to draft Colombo Ports Commission Bill in accordance with the structure desired by the Government to meet national requirements and to attract foreign investments. The proposal has been tabled by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, th…

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Cristiano Ronaldo surpasses Pele's records.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has surpassed Brazil legend Pele to become the second-highest goalscorer in history and the highest for an active player. Juventus took on Udinese in Serie A on Sunday and ran out 4-1 winners with Ronaldo grabbing a brace. The two goals wer…

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Nancy Pelosi narrowly re-elected as US House speaker.

Nancy Pelosi has been narrowly re-elected speaker of the United States House of Representatives as a new Congress took office amid the surging current global pandemic and a plot by some Republicans to overturn President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump. …

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US House bill seeks termination of Pakistan status as non-Nato ally.

On 04th January 2021, a bill has been introduced in the US House of Representatives to terminate the designation of Pakistan as a major non-Nato ally. The bill was presented by Republican Congressman Andy Biggs to remove Pakistan's special status, which allows access to …

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Brian Urquhart, early leader of United Nations, dies at age 101.

British diplomat Brian Urquhart, an early leader of the United Nations who played a central role in developing the UN practice of peacekeeping has died at age 101. Urquhart, born in Bridport, England in 1919, served in British military and intelligence during World War II. H…

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Greece appoints first openly gay minister.

Greece has appointed its first openly gay minister as part of a cabinet reshuffle.   Nicholas Yatromanolakis made history after he was named the new deputy minister of culture. The 44-year-old was promoted from his role as general secretary of contemporary culture at the same…

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Indian Flag Installed at UNSC as a Non-permanent Member.

The Indian national flag on January 4 was installed at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) stakeout as the country started its tenure at the UN body for the eighth time as a non-permanent member.  India's Permanent Representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti, called th…

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Bajaj Auto becomes world’s most valuable two-wheeler company.

Indian multinational two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturing company, Bajaj Auto has become the most valuable two-wheeler company in the world, after it crossed a market capitalization of more than Rs. 1 lakh crore, on January 01, 2021. Bajaj’s share price on NSE closed …

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Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage to represent the Jury of 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

The International Jury for 51st edition of International Film Festival of India has been announced on 05 January 2020 with eminent filmmakers across the world.  According to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Sri Lankan eminent filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage will join …

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Cristiano Ronaldo becomes 1st to get 250 Million Instagram followers.

Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has  reached 250 million followers on Instagram and making him the first person ever to reach that milestone. Ronaldo is followed by pop star Ariana Grande (214 million followers) and Hollywood actor and wrestling icon Dwayne ‘The Rock…

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Tesla launches the world's largest Supercharger station.

Tesla has launched the world’s largest Supercharger station in Shanghai, China with 72 charging stalls in January 2021.  The 72-stall facility in Shanghai easily bests the 56 stall station the company opened last month in Fresno county, California. The station is located at J…

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Russian scientists discover intact Ice Age woolly rhino in Siberia.

Scientists in Siberia have discovered a well-preserved Ice Age woolly rhino that likely roamed Russia's extreme north thousands of years ago. The carcass was first revealed in August by melting permafrost in the diamond-producing region of Yakutia. The rhino was found on …

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Germany approves over Euro 1 billion in arms deals to Middle East.

The German government approved a total of Euro 1.16 billion ($1.41 billion) in arms exports during 2020 to countries involved in both the Yemen and Libya conflicts. Germany, by December 17 2020, had signed off on permissions to export weapons and military equipment worth Eur…

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US Congress Passes 'Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act' for Pakistani Women.

The US Congress has passed the 'Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act' which will expand the number of scholarships available to Pakistani women to receive higher education under a merit and needs-based programme. Passed by the House of Representatives in March 2020, the…

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India becomes co-chair of Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP)

India has been chosen as the co-chair of the IUCN-supported Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP) for a period of three years till November 2023.  India will replace South Korea, which held the post for 3 years until November 2020.  As a co-chair, India would be responsibl…

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Bloomberg Billionaires Index - 2021

The Bloomberg Billionaires Index is a daily ranking of the world’s richest people. Details about the calculations are provided in the net worth analysis on each billionaire’s profile page. The figures are updated at the close of every trading day in New York. Top 3 in the Bl…

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Slovakian Tennis player Dagmara Baskova banned for match fixing.

Slovakian tennis player Dagmara Baskova has been banned for 12 years by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) and fined USD 40,000 for match-fixing. The TIU said that it uncovered five incidents of match fixing by Dagmara in 2017. Dagmara had a highest WTA ranking of 1117 in singl…

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Stock market begins first trading session of 2021 with positive note. ASPI up by 120 points.

The main index of the Colombo Stock Exchange, the All Share Price Index (ASPI) has got off to a strong start in its first trading session of 2021. The ASPI surged 120.76 points (or 0. 1.78%) to close at 6,894.98 and S&P SL20 Index of more liquid stocks gained 54.38 point…

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National Development Banking Corporation to be established by merging three state banks.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) will work closely with the Government in facilitating the establishment of the proposed National Development Banking Corporation (NDBC) by merging the State Mortgage and Investment Bank (SMIB), the Housing Development Finance Corporation…

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Sri Lanka economy to contract 3.9% in 2020.

Sri Lanka's economy will contract around 3.9% in 2020, Central Bank Governor Deshamanya Professor W D Lakshman said. “With observed developments in the fourth quarter, we expect the economy to record an annual contraction of around 3.9%,” Governor Lakshman said whilst de…

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British Airways touches down at MRIA for the first time.

A special British Airways flight (BA9110) carrying the England Cricket team arrived at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) yesterday ( 03 January 2021 ). "The arrival of British Airways to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday is significant as it i…

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Currency swap deals with China and India to boost foreign reserves.

Sri Lanka will shortly opt for currency swap deals with China and India in order to boost country’s foreign currency reserves. According to Finance Ministry sources, Sri Lanka would be receiving $ 1.5 billion from People’s Bank of China and $ 1 billion from India’s Reserve B…

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Business Sentiment Index ends year on a Low Note.

Business sentiment continues its downward trajectory as the year draws to a close. Following a gruelling nine months for business in general and tourism in particular, the authorities finally announced that Sri Lanka would resume selected international flights beginning from…

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Kazakhstan abolished death penalty after nearly 20-year moratorium.

Kazakhstan has abolished the death penalty, making permanent a nearly 20-year freeze on capital punishment in the Central Asian country, according to a notice on the presidential website. The notice published on Saturday 02 January 2020 said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev h…

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Japan to join "Five Eyes".

The Japanese government is to join the ‘Five Eyes’ intelligence-sharing alliance. Five Eyes is a network of five nations -- Australia, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the US who collaborated to better respond to increasing threats by North Korea and China. Japan had provided…

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WHO clears Pfizer vaccine for emergency use.

The World Health Organization on has listed the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for emergency use, making it the first to receive such status since the pandemic began. The WHO Emergency Use Listing opens the door for countries to fast-track their own regulatory approval to import an…

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World Hypnotism Day - 04 January.

World Hypnotism Day on January 4th promotes the truth and benefits of hypnotism. The day also aims to remove myths and misconceptions about hypnotism. Hypnosis is defined as a state of highly focused attention. It’s usually associated with relaxation and heightened suggestib…

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World Braille Day - 04 January.

Every year on January 4th, World Braille Day reminds us of the importance of accessibility and independence for those who are blind or visually impaired. About 36 million people around the world are blind. By 2050, the number of people diagnosed with blindness is predicted t…

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