Supreme head of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India passes away.

Baselios Marthoma Paulose II, the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, who had stood for the cause of the poor and destitute and was instrumental in initiating several path- breaking changes in the church,passed away in the early hours of Monday 12…

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Wimbledon Championships - 2021.

In the men category, Novak Djokovic defeated Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon final, 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, to win his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam trophy. With this win, he has equalled his total major men’s singles titles record with Roger Federer and Raf…

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'Pose' star Mj Rodriguez becomes 1st trans woman up for lead acting Emmy.

Mj Rodriguez has become the first transgender performer to pick up an Emmy nomination in a major acting category. Rodriguez is nominated in the lead drama actress category for her fierce and formidable portrayal of house mother and nurse Blanca Rodriguez on FX's ballroom…

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Fourteen living descendants of Leonardo da Vinci are identified.

Fourteen people alive today in Italy can claim that they are descendants of Leonardo da Vinci, according to a study of the Renaissance genius' family tree. Researchers traced da Vinci's genealogy over nearly 700 years and 21 generations, from 1331 to the present day,…

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Bangladesh all-rounder Mahmudullah announces retirement from Test cricket.

Bangladesh cricketer Mahmudullah Riyad has announced his retirement from Test cricket in the middle of Bangladesh’s one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club. Mahmudullah made his Test debut in 2009 during Bangladesh’s tour of the West Indies. The right-h…

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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo wins Golden Boot in EURO 2020

Portugal captain and modern-day great Cristiano Ronaldo won the Euro 2020 Golden Boot after finishing as the top-scorer in the tournament.  Despite playing just four games, Ronaldo clinched the top honours as he scored five goals.  Czech Republic's Patrik Schick also ende…

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Sophie Ecclestone, Devon Conway win ICC Player of the Month Award

England Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone has been named as ICC Women Player of the Month for June. She is the second English female to win the title after Tammy Beaumont, who was awarded the title in February 2021. In Men’s category, New Zealand opener Devon Conway has bag…

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Manpreet Singh named captain of Indian men's hockey team for Olympics.

Midfielder Manpreet Singh was named captain of the 16-member Olympic-bound Indian men's hockey team, while experienced defenders, Birendra Lakra and Harmanpreet Singh, were named vice-captains. This will be Manpreet's third Olympics. Under Manpreet's captaincy, th…

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China announced that it had removed giant pandas from its endangered list.

According to an article posted on the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's website, the population of giant pandas living in the wild in China had risen to 1,864 by 2013, up from 1,596 in 2003. The head of the ministry's Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation…

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Govt. to promote use of electric vehicles in Sri Lanka

The Cabinet of Ministers has given the go-ahead to a resolution to draw up a strategic plan for promoting the use of electric vehicles in Sri Lanka. According to the Department of Motor Traffic, the number of vehicles registered in the country by the end of year 2020 has exc…

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Sri Lanka records highest daily vaccinations on Monday, 12 July 2021.

Sri Lanka yesterday (July 12) recorded the highest number of COVID-19 vaccines administered within a single day, according to the Epidemiology Department of the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, a total of 232,526 vaccine doses have been administered yesterday. State Minister …

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Cuba has developed world’s first conjugate COVID 19 vaccine Soberana 2.

Cuba has said its homegrown Covid-19 vaccine Soberana 2 (Sovereign 2), when delivered with a booster shot of Soberana Plus, is about 91 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 cases as demonstrated in its late stage clinical trials. Soon after the results were announ…

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Kiren Rijiju has been appointed as the new Law and Justice Minister in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  re-shuffled his cabinet on Wednesday, July 7 this is the first such rearrangement in the Council of Ministers since he assumed charge for a second term in May 2019.  36 new people were included in PM Modi's new cabinet. Mansukh Mandaviya wil…

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With a staggering depth of 196 feet, the world's deepest pool is opening in Dubai.

Dubai, home of the tallest skyscraper, now hosts the world's deepest swimming pool, too. Deep Dive Dubai plunges over 196 feet, a depth that has already set the Guinness world record for the "world's deepest swimming pool for diving". The facility beat out …

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Issue of Commemorative Coins to Mark the 65th Anniversary of Sri Lanka – China Diplomatic Relations.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued gold and silver commemorative coins of Rupees 1,000, each with same depiction, to mark 65th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the People's Republic of China and the 100th Anniversary of Communist Pa…

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Richard Branson reaches space on Virgin Galactic flight.

Sir Richard Branson, after nearly 17 years of development and over a billion of dollars invested in Virgin Galactic, achieved his dream and reached space. Speaking from the spacecraft’s cabin, Branson called the spaceflight the “complete experience of a lifetime.” The company…

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North Dakota sues Biden for shutting down oil and gas lease sales.

North Dakota is suing the Biden administration over its halting of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water. The shutdown will cause significant damage to the state's economy, and North Dakota has already lost tens of millions of dollars in revenue. Joe Biden shu…

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Malala Day - 12 July.

Every year on July 12th, the world celebrates the birthday of Malala Yousafzai. At age 17, Malala was the youngest recipient ever of the Nobel Peace Prize. The day also honors the rights of children and women. Malala Yousafzai was born in Mingora, Pakistan, on July 12th, 199…

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Italy crowned European champions after shootout win over England.

Italy claimed the European Championship for the first time since 1968 as penalties came back to haunt England at Wembley on Sunday 11 July 2021, Gianluigi Donnarumma saving twice as the Azzurri won a shootout 3-2 after the game finished 1-1 following extra time. The giant go…

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The 130-Degree Fahrenheit Reading in Death Valley Ties for the Hottest Temperature Ever Reliably Recorded.

There’s one thing that many Americans can affirm right now: It’s freaking hot. In case you still had any doubts, Death Valley, California—the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the country—experienced a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) on Frida…

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Ethiopia election: Abiy Ahmed wins with huge majority.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has won the country's delayed elections with an overwhelming majority, the election board said on Saturday 10 July 2021. The board said Mr Abiy's Prosperity Party won 410 out of 436 seats, giving him another five-year term in offic…

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World Population Day - 11 July.

World Population Day on July 11th focuses on balancing a healthy human race and planet. The pace of population growth places reproductive rights and gender equality at the forefront of sustainability concerns. As the population grows, the demand for resources increases as we…

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Colombo Stock Market launches second phase of digitalisation

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) along with the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continue to drive digital advancement in Sri Lanka’s capital market with the launch of the second phase of the digitalization of the Stock Market on 07th July 2021 under th…

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Copa America 2021: Argentina beats Brazil.

Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in Saturday’s Copa America final to secure the national team’s first title in 28 years. Argentina’s winning goal at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro came in the 22nd minute after Rodrigo De Paul made a long pass to Angel Di Maria. Lionel Messi …

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Ashleigh Barty wins first Wimbledon title.

World number one Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian woman to win the Wimbledon singles title for 41 years on Saturday 10 July 2021 when she defeated Czech Karolina Pliskova 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 in the final. The 25-year-old Barty, who won her maiden Grand Slam at Roland Ga…

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Sweden’s Lofven re-elected PM in narrow parliamentary vote.

Swedish Social Democrat leader Stefan Lofven was narrowly re-elected as prime minister by parliament. Lofven needed to avoid a majority voting against him in the Swedish Riksdag. He avoided rejection by two votes in the 349-seat parliament, with one parliamentarian breaking …

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Louisiana's Zalia Avant-garde becomes first African American to win Scripps National Spelling Bee.

14-year old Zalia Avant-garde became the first African American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The New Orleans native correctly spelled murraya, which is a type of tree, to win the 93rd installments of the iconic competition. Avant-garde also correctly spelled wor…

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US military mission in Afghanistan will end August 31.

The US military mission in Afghanistan will end on August 31, President Joe Biden announced Thursday 08 July 2021, as Afghan commandos battled the Taliban for control of a provincial capital in the most brazen assault by the militants since Washington stepped up its troop w…

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The report ‘The Hunger Virus Multiplies’.

11 people are likely dying every minute from hunger, now outpacing COVID-19 fatalities, warns Oxfam. A new Oxfam report issued on 09 July 2021 says that as many as 11 people are likely dying of hunger and malnutrition each minute. This is more than the current global death r…

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‘Jewish state law’ upheld by Israeli court.

A controversial law that defines Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people was upheld by the Supreme Court, which rejected claims by opponents that it discriminates against minorities. The court acknowledged shortcomings in the so-called Nation State Law.  The law was a…

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Global Energy Independence Day - 10 July.

Every year on July 10th, Global Energy Independence Day promotes awareness for alternative forms of energy. The day also offers opportunities to learn more about renewable forms of energy, such as solar, wind, and geothermal. In 2006, Michael D. Antonovich proclaimed July 10…

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ICC releases Manu Sawhney as CEO

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has discontinued the services of Manu Sawhney as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with immediate effect. The decision was taken by the ICC Board during its meeting. Geoff Allardice will continue as Acting CEO supported by the Leaders…

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Olympics will be held without spectators.

The Olympics will take place without spectators in host city Tokyo, organisers said recently, as a resurgent coronavirus forced Japan to declare a state of emergency in the capital that will run throughout the event. Although widely expected, the move marked a sharp turnabou…

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World's tallest sandcastle unveiled in Denmark.

At a height of 21.16 metres, and standing 3.5m higher than the previous record holder, the world's tallest sandcastle was unveiled in Denmark last week. The sandcastle built in Blokhus in northwest Denmark broke the Guinness World record previously held by a sandcastle c…

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Former Microsoft CEO becomes ninth member of $100B club.

Steve Ballmer, the former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp., has a net worth of more than $100 billion, making him the ninth person in the world to reach that lofty plateau.  Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison fell just short of making it an even 10, ending Wednesda…

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Paris is about to quit the Franco-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS).

Paris is about to leave the Franco-German Maritime Airborne Warfare System (MAWS) defence procurement programme, following Germany's decision to buy maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing. Germany's defence ministry said at the end of June that it would buy five Boeing…

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Tokyo 2020 Olympic torch relay cancelled.

The Olympic torch relay has been cancelled on Tokyo's streets, as fears over the spread of Covid-19 continue to plague the Games. Starting Friday, public relay events in the city will be replaced with flame-lighting ceremonies streamed online - the latest setback for the…

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its patient care guidelines.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its patient care guidelines to include interleukin-6 receptor blockers, a class of medicines that are lifesaving in patients who are severely or critically ill with COVID-19, especially when administered alongside corticostero…

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Haiti President Jovenel Moise assassinated at his home.

Haiti President, Jovenel Moise was assassinated and his wife wounded in an attack at their home, the interim prime minister announced an act that risks further destabilizing the Caribbean nation beset by gang violence and political volatility.  The president faced steep oppo…

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Sri Lanka is in alert on most dangerous Corona variant found in Peru.

Sri Lanka too could expect the arrival of the most dangerous variant  of coronavirus called Lambda, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath yesterday told the media. Dr. Hearth said that the Lambda variant had been detected in more than 30 countries du…

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U.S. issues moratorium on death penalty at federal level.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a moratorium on federal executions while it reviews policies and procedures, the Department said in a statement. U.S. President Joe Biden had said on his campaign website that he would legislate the end of capital punishment a…

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Sri Lanka receives Future Policy Award 2021 on protection from hazardous chemicals.

Sri Lanka’s Control of Pesticides Act No. 33 of 1980 and the National Policy and Action Plan on Prevention of Suicide of 1997 are among the five inspiring and impactful laws and policies that won the Future Policy Award 2021. The Award, often referred to as the ‘Oscar on Bes…

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No survivors from plane crash in Russia.

There are no survivors after a plane carrying 28 people crashed in the far east of Russia on Tuesday 06 July 2021, Russian news agencies cited rescue officials as saying. The Antonov An-26 twin-engined turboprop was en route from the regional capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky…

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Hemantha Withanage elected as new chair of Friends of the Earth International.

Hemantha Withanage, Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice in Sri Lanka has been elected as the chair of Friends of the Earth International. Hemantha follows Karin Nansen of Uruguay, whose two terms as chair ended in June 2021. A science graduate from the…

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Sha'Carri Richardson not picked for 4x100 relay team, will miss Tokyo Olympics.

Runner Sha'Carri Richardson was not named to the U.S. relay team and will not compete in the Tokyo Olympics following her positive test result for marijuana, the governing body said Tuesday 07 July 2021. She will not be offered a shortened suspension to compete on the in…

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World Chocolate Day - 07 July.

Every year on July 07th, World Chocolate Day allows chocolate lovers around the world to indulge in their favorite treat without any guilt. The day also celebrates all kinds of goodies made from chocolate, including chocolate milk, hot chocolate, chocolate candy bar, chocol…

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China launches new Fengyun-3E meteorological satellite.

China has launched the new Fengyun-3E (FY-3E) meteorological satellite from the SLS-2 launch site at China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. The satellite is launched onboard the Long March-4C carrier rocket, which placed it into its planned orbit. Equipped with 11 remote se…

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