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Dame Jane Goodall remembered as a ‘true hero for the planet’
Conservationist Dame Jane Goodall, a world-leading expert on chimpanzees, has died aged 91.
Former US president Barack Obama was among those who paid tribute to Dr Goodall, who he said, “opened doors for generations of women in science”.
Actor and environmental campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio said that she “inspired millions to care, to act, and to hope”, and called her a “a true hero for the planet”.
Dr Goodall died of natural causes while in California on a speaking tour of the US, according to a statement from the Jane Goodall Institute.
It said her discoveries “revolutionised science” and that she was “a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world”.
The United Nations said it mourned the loss of Dr Goodall, saying that she “worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature”.
Greenpeace said it was “heartbroken” by her death, calling her “one of the true conservation giants of our time”.
Its co-executive director in the UK, Will McCallum, said: “Dr Goodall’s legacy is not only in science but in the global movement she helped spark to protect nature and give hope for a better world.”
Naturalist Chris Packham told the BBC that he counted her among his heroes, calling her “revolutionary” and “remarkable”.
“To have lost a hero at a time when we need all of them on the frontline fighting for life on earth is a tragedy.”
Born in 1934 and raised in London, Dr Goodall said she became fascinated by animals after reading books like The Story of Dr Doolittle and Tarzan.
She met leading primatologist Prof Louis Leakey while staying on a friend’s farm in Kenya in her mid-twenties. Although she had no qualifications, Mr Leakey saw her potential and helped arrange her first research trip to the jungles of Tanzania in 1960.
That year, she became the first person to record witnessing an animal using a tool – a large male chimpanzee, who she had named David Greybeard, digging termites out of a mound with a stick.
Until then, it was thought only humans were intelligent enough to do so. Her observations challenged years of conventional scientific thinking and shaped the future of evolutionary science.
Her work was published in leading journals, and in 1965 she made the front cover of National Geographic, introducing the world to the emotional and social lives of the primates.
She revealed that the animals form strong family bonds and even engage in warfare over territory. She featured in a television documentary narrated by Orson Welles, which saw her playing and wrestling with baby chimps.
Her approach – associating so closely with the animals she studied, naming them and even referring to them as “my friends” – was scoffed at by some, mostly male, scientists at the time. She undertook a PhD based on her findings, despite not having an undergraduate degree or any prior scientific training.
After her experiences in the field she became an activist, working to free chimpanzees kept in zoos or in captivity for medical research, and later urged action on climate change in the face of widespread habitat devastation.
She told BBC in 2024 “We’re in the midst of the sixth great extinction… the more we can do to restore nature and protect existing forests, the better.”
Asked what kept her motivated late in life, she said: “Surely people want a future for their children.”
Getty ImagesDr Goodall was appointed a Dame in 2003 and received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
She was known for travelling constantly for her work, telling the Times newspaper in 2022 that she had not slept in the same bed for more than three weeks since 1986.
Dr Goodall worked right up until her death, being interviewed on stage in New York a week ago. She was due to speak again at a sold-out event on 3 October in California.
“Dr Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us,” Prince Harry and Meghan said in a statement.
Former Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said “her compassion will live on” in future conservation work.
Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres hailed her work as a Messenger of Peace, a UN title she has held since 2002 for bringing “global attention to the urgency of protecting our environment”.
Environmental organisations, including Greenpeace and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), have also commemorated Dr Goodall’s legacy.
[BBC]
Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.
A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.
Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.
Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.
Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.
Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.
“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.
“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”
(Cricinfo)
Even counting the win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games Sri Lanka have lost 12 T20Is to the two they have won since their win against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup. There have been significant personnel changes in that period. Captains have changed. There is a new head coach. Various batting orders have been trialled. But on Sunday’s evidence, they are deeply outmatched by even this Pakistan side, who themselves are hardly world-beaters at the moment, having not made the World Cup semi-finals this year.
With as highly-rated a coach in Gary Kirsten and a new captain in Kusal Mendis still searching desperately for a stronger combination, expect Sri Lanka to be in flux for this match as well. In game two, spinner Maheesh Theekshana was taken apart, while the seamers struggled to threaten Pakistan’s batters on a flat Rawalpindi deck. The decks don’t look like they are going to be any better for bowling. Sri Lanka’s attack will have to find new gears.
Pakistan are in the rare position of being utterly dominant in a white-ball series against an opponent who even in their previous low ebbs have challenged them. Having sewn up the trophy 2-0, Pakistan are in a position to rest key players. But it is so rare that their batters get to dine out across a whole series, management will be mighty tempted to keep this tuneful band together.
Even if Sri Lanka’s bowlers get through the Pakistan top order this time, the middle order could do with a decent workout.
So far in this series, Maaz Sadaqat has thumped 50 off 29 balls, and 96 off 51, showcasing not only power against spin, but touch against pace when the ball has demanded it. Sri Lanka are going seam-heavy in this series, but Sadaqat has found ways to take down even the little spin he has come up against, particularly in the second T20I. Sri Lanka are likely to switch up their attack a little for the last match, so he may have new problems to solve on Tuesday.
A long-term performer in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket, Lahiru Udara has finally made a mark in white-ball internationals, hitting 91 off 55 balls in the first match of this series. A good bouncer from Salman Mirza prevented him from making a similar impact in the second match. But at age 32, Udara will know he doesn’t have many chances to convert an excellent domestic record into a long run in the national side. Anotherood score in match three will shore up his place.
Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting friendly, and the track for the third T20I will likely have plenty of runs in it. The weather on Tuesday evening is expected to be fine, with temperatures in the low 20s celsius.
As legspinner Abrar Ahmed has had a couple of modest outings in this series, Pakistan may bring in left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim, whose T20I stats so far in a 21-match career are encouraging.
Pakistan XI (probable): Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim
Sri Lanka’s misfiring top order could do with a tweak or two, but there are not many spare batters on this tour. They could potentially bring back Kamil Mishara in place of an allrounder, however. With Maheesh Theekshana having been taken down on Sunday, Sri Lanka will also be tempted to try out legspinner V Viyaskanth. Dushmantha Chameera could also come back if he is fit.
Sri Lanka XI (probable): Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana/V Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera/Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara
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Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 13 October 2026
Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 12 October 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
A low-pressure area may form over the southeastern Bay of Bengal by 13 October.
Under the influence of this system, an increase in rainfall is expected over the island and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island during the next few days from tomorrow (13).
The general public, as well as the naval and fishing communities, are requested to be attentive to the future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Heavy showers about (100-150) mm are likely at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.
HRCSL issues recommendation on seizure of four books by B. Piratheepan by Sri Lanka Customs
Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36
Deflated Sri Lanka look to prevent whitewash against dominant Pakistan
Heavy showers (100-150) mm likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces showerss above 75 mm are likely in the other areas of the island.
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