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  Last update: 04:15 GMT 05.08.2021

  04:15 GMT 05.08.2021

  Opinion

  What Message do Repeatedly Downed Israeli Missiles in Syria Send to Tel-Aviv and Washington?

  Three consequent announcements made on 20, 22, and 25 July by the Russian Ministry of Defence about the successful interception of Israeli missiles in Syrian air space have prompted a heated debate among Mideast and Western observers. Why have the briefings of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation produced so much fuss?

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  Last update: 07:52 GMT 05.08.2021

  07:52 GMT 05.08.2021

  US

  Ex-Cuomo Aide Who Accused Him of Sexual Harassment 'to Sue NY Governor, His Inner Circle'

  New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is accused of sexually harassing several women, including younger colleagues, in violation of state and federal law. US President Joe Biden urged the Democrat to resign, but Cuomo has so far resisted such calls, maintaining his innocence.

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  Last update: 05:24 GMT 05.08.2021

  05:24 GMT 05.08.2021

  Middle East

  Evidence of Biblical Earthquake Found in Jerusalem

  TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli archaeologists detected ruins of an 8th century BCE earthquake described in the Bible during excavations in the City of David, Jerusalem earliest settlement, Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA) said.

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  Last update: 05:58 GMT 05.08.2021

  05:58 GMT 05.08.2021

  Society

  Rihanna Becomes 'Richest Female Musician in the World' as Forbes Declares Her a Billionaire

  The "Umbrella" and "Love the Way You Lie" singer, Rihanna, also known by her birth name Robyn Fenty, ranks second only to Oprah Winfrey among the richest female entertainers, Forbes magazine has said.

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  Last update: 06:09 GMT 05.08.2021

  06:09 GMT 05.08.2021

  Europe

  Norway Now Has Fewer Deaths From COVID-19 Than Ordinary Flu

  According to National Institute of Public Health chief physician Preben Aavitsland, even with the Delta strain becoming dominant, the number of hospitalisations and deaths will not exceed that of last summer. He ventured that the virus “will not disappear” as such, but will instead become a “minor threat”.

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  Last update: 04:00 GMT 05.08.2021

  04:00 GMT 05.08.2021

  US

  US-Taliban Deal a Fig Leaf Covering Washington's Defeat in 20-Year Long Afghan War, Observers Say

  Washington's deal with the Taliban and hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan is fraught with risks for the Central Asian state, which may face years of conflict and instability, Afghanistan experts say.

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  Last update: 08:21 GMT 05.08.2021

  08:21 GMT 05.08.2021

  India

  Releasing 'e-Rupi' Amid Shaky Cyber Security is Risky, Say Experts on India's New Digital Currency

  Earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a new online payment solution in India called the "e-RUPI". The SMS and QR code-based system is aimed at making "welfare payments" faster and easier in the country. If an organisation wants to help someone pay for education, the firm may give a prepaid e-RUPI voucher instead of cash.

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  Last update: 04:14 GMT 05.08.2021

  04:14 GMT 05.08.2021

  World

  Live Updates: Australian Woman Dies of Blood Clot Linked to AstraZeneca COVID Vaccine

  The global death toll from the coronavirus infection has surpassed 4.255 million, while over 200 million cases have been detected, according to Baltimore, Maryland's Johns Hopkins University, which tracks and compiles data from national and local authorities, the media and other sources.