Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia
The parliamentary standards commissioner has opened formal investigations into Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice over his failure to declare an interest, while Nigel Farage faces related scrutiny over a £5 million donation. The probes come amid ongoing questions about political finance and transparency as the party encounters renewed public attention.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a plan to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel and return people to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal and military scepticism, French condemnation and accusations from rivals that it is a distraction from financial scandals.
Fresh heavy rains have inundated the central hills of Sri Lanka, following the devastating Ditwa cyclone last November. Five people have died, 129 homes are damaged, and nearly 2,000 residents have been evacuated. Authorities say rescue teams remain deployed as rivers rise and mudslides threaten communities.
FIFA has withdrawn its $4.2bn private‑investor plan after widespread pushback from UEFA and other stakeholders. Infantino remains under pressure as he seeks a fourth term, while national federations demand greater transparency and governance reforms.
The FIFA president has faced widespread criticism after proposing private investment in World Cup rights. Following a backdown, UEFA and others say they no longer trust his leadership while Africa’s CAF and other allies show support as Infantino travels to Morocco to navigate a crisis ahead of March elections.
A fire at a Malviya Nagar hotel in New Delhi has killed at least 21 people and injured many more. Eight fire engines responded, with authorities investigating a possible link to a restaurant on the ground floor. Foreign nationals were among the victims and more than 40 people were rescued.
The UN World Food Programme has warned that higher oil prices and disrupted trade have pushed an extra 2.5 million people in Somalia, 2.3 million in Afghanistan and 1.3 million in Sri Lanka into acute food insecurity, and that up to 45 million more people globally could face hunger if fuel stays near $100 a barrel through June 2026. The agency has also reported funding shortfalls that are forcing it to cut aid and will leave 1.5 million fewer people served this year.
Several families on care worker visas have received letters ordering them to leave the UK, even as partners and children are allowed to stay. Reports highlight potential human impact as government tightens visa rules post-Brexit, with care workers and their dependants facing uncertain futures.
Experts warn Sri Lanka is emerging as a global hub for transnational cybercrime after a Southeast Asian crackdown. Chinese-led networks are relocating here amid lax visa rules, with scams ranging from romance fraud to crypto fraud, and hundreds deported or arrested this year.
Australia has reached 200-plus in the Women’s T20 World Cup, posting 219-1 and defeating the Netherlands by 98 runs. India has defeated Pakistan by 64 runs, with Deepti Sharma taking 5-10 and Smriti Mandhana scoring a half-century. Bangladesh records a late chase against the Netherlands. New Zealand fights to stay alive in the tournament after a dramatic finish against Ireland.
A set of lawsuits allege that Genesis Tech used shell companies to mask profits and move funds overseas, prompting a lawsuit by the FTC. Separately, LA County faces scrutiny over a massive child-sex-abuse settlement amid fraud concerns, while a separate case involves real estate schemes tied to a Palm Beach figure.
West Indies have beaten Scotland by eight runs at Headingley, with Stafanie Taylor delivering 47 not out and Aaliyah Alleyne taking crucial late wickets to seal a 153-6 chase, while Scotland fell short at 146 after a fighting comeback by Darcey Carter.
A riot at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka has left at least several dead and more than 100 wounded as clashes between rival prisoner groups continue into Monday. Authorities have launched an investigation and deployed military support.
A global look at paid time off shows most countries guarantee some leave by law, but the U.S. stands apart, treating it as a voluntary benefit. Top earners in the U.S. still enjoy paid time off at lower rates than peers in other economies, while debates over policy and AI-era work norms shape future protections.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74, Qatar's Amiri Diwan has announced. He has been credited with transforming Qatar into an energy and diplomatic power by expanding LNG production, founding Al Jazeera, building sovereign investment vehicles and stepping down voluntarily in 2013 to hand power to his son.
ASEAN foreign ministers are in Manila for high-level talks armed with a focus on Myanmar. The meeting also touches on regional energy, border tensions, and economic concerns as international players participate. The discussions follow a prior in-person engagement in Bangkok and come amid Myanmar’s ongoing conflict and Indonesia’s currency volatility.
A New York Times investigation shows Russian intelligence uses Tokyo as a base to acquire high-tech equipment for Moscow’s war, exploiting Japan’s lenient espionage laws and its robust tech sector. The operation centers on the 20th Directorate, with a cover as Aeroflot staff raising questions about Tokyo’s role in Russia’s intelligence network.
Burnham is preparing a Labour government and is weighing whether to bring David Miliband back into a senior role, potentially as foreign secretary, while a draft cabinet faces scrutiny over balance between left and centrist voices.
The ICC has restructured the 50-over World Cup for 2027, proposing a first-round round involving the three lowest-ranked qualifiers, a two-group main stage, a 'Super Seven' knockout, and no quarterfinals. The change aims to increase context and consequences but faces concerns over transparency and impact on emerging cricket nations.
England has leveled the ODI series against India after a four-wicket win in Cardiff. Root has guided the chase, finishing on 99 not out, as England adapts to 50-over cricket and eyes a Lord’s finale ahead of the World Cup.
The ICC has handed Nawaz a three‑month suspension for a Carboxy‑THC offence from the 2026 T20 World Cup. The sanction is backdated to May 1 after he admitted the violation and undertook rehabilitation. His records from the Netherlands match have been disqualified, and he has served about two and a half months of provisional suspension.
Sir Garfield Sobers has died at 89 in Barbados. A legendary West Indies all-rounder, Sobers transformed cricket with his batting, bowling and fielding. Tributes describe him as the greatest all-rounder and a symbol of Caribbean excellence.
Haitian gangs control large parts of Port-au-Prince and rural areas, escalating violence and humanitarian needs. The U.N. and U.S. officials warn of a dire situation as Washington contemplates ending TPS for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States and seeks international help for security and relief efforts.
Dengue outbreaks have intensified, with cases rising across Yemen, Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and other regions. Health authorities attribute it to monsoon rains and climate shifts; drones and police inspections are deployed to curb breeding sites. Official counts show thousands of suspected cases and dozens of deaths.
The United States has set new tariffs on imports tied to forced labor, with 10% duties on partners that have begun enforcing bans and 12.5% for those that have not. The changes take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 24, as part of a broad push to enforce labor standards in global supply chains.
England’s search for a new red-ball coach is nearing a resolution as Stephen Fleming emerges as the frontrunner, with interviews underway following Brendon McCullum’s departure. A decisive appointment could shape the team’s direction ahead of next year’s fixtures.
The BCCI has named uncapped fast bowler Auqib Nabi as Bumrah’s replacement for India’s tour of Sri Lanka after Bumrah withdrew with knee discomfort. Nabi, from Jammu and Kashmir, earns his first senior call-up, while Sai Sudharsan’s participation remains subject to fitness clearance. The series starts in Galle on Aug. 15.
The International Organization for Migration says scam centres employing up to 300,000 workers across Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos lure victims through fake job ads, seize documents, and force participation in online scams. Victims come from over 80 countries and include graduates with strong English. IOM has assisted thousands and is calling for cross‑border action and awareness.
Six of Europe’s biggest oil groups report profits surging year-on-year as turmoil around the Strait of Hormuz tightens supply and pushes prices higher. U.S. and European majors show windfall gains amid disruptions, even as lawmakers debate windfall taxes and consumer costs rise.
Sri Lanka’s High Court has convicted former Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Ministry secretary Hemasiri Fernando in a fast-tracked trial linked to the 2019 Easter bombings. The verdicts reflect renewed scrutiny of security officials who failed to act on intelligence warnings, with executions moratorium maintained and the possibility of appeals looming.
The ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal has banned Bodugum Akhilesh Reddy from all cricket for eight years after finding him guilty of three counts of the anti-corruption code related to the Abu Dhabi T10 League 2025. The ban is backdated to 21 November 2025 after a provisional suspension.
The monsoon has intensified, causing deadly floods and landslides across multiple Indian states. Assam and Jharkhand report the highest casualties, while Kerala and Kashmir face ongoing damage as the weather system continues to unleash heavy rainfall. Officials warn that climate-driven changes are raising the risk of future disasters.