Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Tuesday&nbsp;that some 56,000 of those impacted already have been displaced and are taking refuge in government shelters.

"At least 54 people have reportedly been killed to date as a result," Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing.

"The UN and our humanitarian partners are helping the government respond to the situation by providing food, water purification facilities, hygiene and dignity kits, as well as emergency shelter supplies," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/millions-at-risk-in-bangladesh-as-monsoon-floods-add-to-coronavirus-worries-309937">Millions at risk in Bangladesh as monsoon floods add to coronavirus worries</a>

The UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently provided UN agencies with 5.2 million US dollars to help families most at risk, the spokesman said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on its website, "The anticipatory funding has since July 11 allowed partners to reach communities early with key assistance, including the distribution of sealable drums to protect agricultural equipment, and hygiene, dignity and health kits, as well as cash assistance."

"Responding to the flood is complicated by the fact that these efforts are taking place as Bangladesh is also addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering from Cyclone Amphan," Dujarric said.

Amphan, which hit Bangladesh in May, was the strongest storm in the Bay of Bengal, the American Red Cross said.The 1988 floods claimed the lives of about 500 people and left more than 25 million people homeless, as per the UN records.

Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said.

Severe flooding in Bangladesh, which has killed at least 54 people and affected over 2.4 million people, could be the worst since 1988, the United Nations has said. Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Tuesday that some 56,000 of those impacted already have been displaced and are taking refuge in government shelters. "At least 54 people have reportedly been killed to date as a result," Dujarric told reporters at a regular briefing. "The UN and our humanitarian partners are helping the government respond to the situation by providing food, water purification facilities, hygiene and dignity kits, as well as emergency shelter supplies," he said. Also read: Millions at risk in Bangladesh as monsoon floods add to coronavirus worries The UN Central Emergency Response Fund recently provided UN agencies with 5.2 million US dollars to help families most at risk, the spokesman said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said on its website, "The anticipatory funding has since July 11 allowed partners to reach communities early with key assistance, including the distribution of sealable drums to protect agricultural equipment, and hygiene, dignity and health kits, as well as cash assistance." "Responding to the flood is complicated by the fact that these efforts are taking place as Bangladesh is also addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and recovering from Cyclone Amphan," Dujarric said. Amphan, which hit Bangladesh in May, was the strongest storm in the Bay of Bengal, the American Red Cross said.The 1988 floods claimed the lives of about 500 people and left more than 25 million people homeless, as per the UN records.

Bangladesh floods claim 54 lives, affect 2.4 million people, says UN

Museum curators from all cross the globe have engaged in an online battle for the best bum exhibit.

In a bid to boost the number of visitors to the museum, which had fallen&nbsp;during the coronavirus pandemic, the Yorkshire museum called on collections around the world to display their best behinds.

As a result, the #curatorbattle which began in April has enthralled people with its June theme #bestmuseumbum.

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IT’S TIME FOR <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CURATORBATTLE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CURATORBATTLE</a>!💥 
 
Today’s theme is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestMuseumBum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestMuseumBum</a>! 
 
This cracking Roman marble statuette depicts an athlete at the peak of fitness! It may have decorated the town house of one of Eboracum’s wealthier residents. Has someone taken a bite out of this 🍑? 
 
BEAT THAT!💥 <a href="https://t.co/N3A6KYz339">pic.twitter.com/N3A6KYz339</a>
— Yorkshire Museum (@YorkshireMuseum) <a href="https://twitter.com/YorkshireMuseum/status/1276440957123264514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Soon, categories blossomed to include: bee bottoms, angular side bum, Tudor bums, divine booty, weaponised bum, tessellated maenad posteriors, spectacularly tattooed behind and potato-shaped animal butts.

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IT’S TIME FOR <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CURATORBATTLE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CURATORBATTLE</a>!💥 
 
Today’s theme is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestMuseumBum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestMuseumBum</a>! 
 
This cracking Roman marble statuette depicts an athlete at the peak of fitness! It may have decorated the town house of one of Eboracum’s wealthier residents. Has someone taken a bite out of this 🍑? 
 
BEAT THAT!💥 <a href="https://t.co/N3A6KYz339">pic.twitter.com/N3A6KYz339</a>
— Yorkshire Museum (@YorkshireMuseum) <a href="https://twitter.com/YorkshireMuseum/status/1276440957123264514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The challenge provoked responses from Canada to Lithunia.&nbsp;Global museums have been sharing hilarious tweets exhibiting and boasting about the best bottom they have displayed.

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How about these bums of SUMO wrestlers in our collections? These bums were painted by Hokusai!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CURATORBATTLE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CURATORBATTLE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestMuseumBum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestMuseumBum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E3%81%8A%E3%81%86%E3%81%A1%E3%81%A7%E6%B5%AE%E4%B8%96%E7%B5%B5?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#おうちで浮世絵</a> <a href="https://t.co/DH4rAyQ8Xs">pic.twitter.com/DH4rAyQ8Xs</a>
— 太田記念美術館 Ota Memorial Museum of Art (@ukiyoeota) <a href="https://twitter.com/ukiyoeota/status/1276528899183087620?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"You can look but you can't touch it 
If you touch it 
I'm a start some drama." 
 
This sentiment was sadly ignored in the case of this figure. 
 
You see the shiny, flattened 🍑? 
 
That's because people couldn't resist touching her hump (hump). 🙄<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BestMuseumBum?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BestMuseumBum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CURATORBATTLE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CURATORBATTLE</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Pb0hZJRZI">pic.twitter.com/7Pb0hZJRZI</a>
— Museum of Oxford (@MuseumofOxford) <a href="https://twitter.com/MuseumofOxford/status/1276442736820920320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the first round, the theme of the Yorkshire musuem's initiative for international musuems was to submit the creepiest items.

According to a spokesman of the musuem, the initiative is also “a chance for museums big and small to share their objects under a given theme to create what essentially become global online exhibitions.”

The Yorkshire musuem has announced its theme for this week which also happens to be the last theme of the challenge called ''star objects''. 
&nbsp;

Museum curators from all cross the globe have engaged in an online battle for the best bum exhibit. In a bid to boost the number of visitors to the museum, which had fallen during the coronavirus pandemic, the Yorkshire museum called on collections around the world to display their best behinds.

Museum curators from all cross the globe have engaged in an online battle for the best bum exhibit. In a bid to boost the number of visitors to the museum, which had fallen during the coronavirus pandemic, the Yorkshire museum called on collections around the world to display their best behinds. As a result, the #curatorbattle which began in April has enthralled people with its June theme #bestmuseumbum. IT’S TIME FOR #CURATORBATTLE!💥 Today’s theme is #BestMuseumBum! This cracking Roman marble statuette depicts an athlete at the peak of fitness! It may have decorated the town house of one of Eboracum’s wealthier residents. Has someone taken a bite out of this 🍑? BEAT THAT!💥 pic.twitter.com/N3A6KYz339 — Yorkshire Museum (@YorkshireMuseum) June 26, 2020 × Soon, categories blossomed to include: bee bottoms, angular side bum, Tudor bums, divine booty, weaponised bum, tessellated maenad posteriors, spectacularly tattooed behind and potato-shaped animal butts. IT’S TIME FOR #CURATORBATTLE!💥 Today’s theme is #BestMuseumBum! This cracking Roman marble statuette depicts an athlete at the peak of fitness! It may have decorated the town house of one of Eboracum’s wealthier residents. Has someone taken a bite out of this 🍑? BEAT THAT!💥 pic.twitter.com/N3A6KYz339 — Yorkshire Museum (@YorkshireMuseum) June 26, 2020 × The challenge provoked responses from Canada to Lithunia. Global museums have been sharing hilarious tweets exhibiting and boasting about the best bottom they have displayed. How about these bums of SUMO wrestlers in our collections? These bums were painted by Hokusai!! #CURATORBATTLE #BestMuseumBum #おうちで浮世絵 pic.twitter.com/DH4rAyQ8Xs — 太田記念美術館 Ota Memorial Museum of Art (@ukiyoeota) June 26, 2020 × "You can look but you can't touch it If you touch it I'm a start some drama." This sentiment was sadly ignored in the case of this figure. You see the shiny, flattened 🍑? That's because people couldn't resist touching her hump (hump). 🙄#BestMuseumBum #CURATORBATTLE pic.twitter.com/7Pb0hZJRZI — Museum of Oxford (@MuseumofOxford) June 26, 2020 × In the first round, the theme of the Yorkshire musuem's initiative for international musuems was to submit the creepiest items. According to a spokesman of the musuem, the initiative is also “a chance for museums big and small to share their objects under a given theme to create what essentially become global online exhibitions.” The Yorkshire musuem has announced its theme for this week which also happens to be the last theme of the challenge called ''star objects''.

Museums engage in hilarious online battle for best bum exhibit

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The 58-page long report warns against China's ''mounting influence'' which will transform into "digital authoritarianism" and very soon it will ''write the rules of the Internet as a leading tech superpower if necessary steps are not taken to halt its progress.''

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-properties-have-imported-over-8-tonnes-of-goods-from-china-since-september-report-315020">Trump properties have imported tonnes of goods from China since Sep: Report</a>

“Three and a half years into the Trump administration, the United States is now on the precipice of losing the future of the cyber domain to China,'' the report states.

''If China continues to perfect the tools of digital authoritarianism and is able to effectively implement them both domestically and abroad, then China, not the United States and its allies, will shape the digital environment in which most of the world operates.''&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

The report which was published on Tuesday is the latest glaring sign of the distrust toward China that now runs rampant in Washington, across the entire political spectrum.

At present there is a growing shift in the Western world away from Chinese technology amid concerns about mounting privacy and security risks.

According to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the committee who commissioned the report, “If the United States fails to rally and lead the international community around our core founding principles, to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to create a new big brother, as this administration has so far failed to do, I am deeply concerned about what the future may hold,” he said when announcing the report.

He also warned of a “global dystopian future, dominated by a hi-tech, totalitarian state”.

The report highlighted China’s use of biometric and facial recognition technology,&nbsp;big data analytics, internet censorship and surveillance of digital communications.

It also explicates China's treatment of Uygurs Muslims and other ethnic minority groups and how their&nbsp;movements are tracked, communications monitored, and genetic data collected by the Chinese state.

The report comes as the Trump administration considers a ban on Chinese-owned apps like the video-sharing app TikTok and after Britain barred Huawei from its 5G networks.

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The 58-page long report warns against China's ''mounting influence'' which will transform into "digital authoritarianism" and very soon it will ''write the rules of the Internet as a leading tech superpower if necessary steps are not taken to halt its progress.'' Also read:Trump properties have imported tonnes of goods from China since Sep: Report “Three and a half years into the Trump administration, the United States is now on the precipice of losing the future of the cyber domain to China,'' the report states. ''If China continues to perfect the tools of digital authoritarianism and is able to effectively implement them both domestically and abroad, then China, not the United States and its allies, will shape the digital environment in which most of the world operates.'' Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse The report which was published on Tuesday is the latest glaring sign of the distrust toward China that now runs rampant in Washington, across the entire political spectrum. At present there is a growing shift in the Western world away from Chinese technology amid concerns about mounting privacy and security risks. According to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the committee who commissioned the report, “If the United States fails to rally and lead the international community around our core founding principles, to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to create a new big brother, as this administration has so far failed to do, I am deeply concerned about what the future may hold,” he said when announcing the report. He also warned of a “global dystopian future, dominated by a hi-tech, totalitarian state”. The report highlighted China’s use of biometric and facial recognition technology, big data analytics, internet censorship and surveillance of digital communications. It also explicates China's treatment of Uygurs Muslims and other ethnic minority groups and how their movements are tracked, communications monitored, and genetic data collected by the Chinese state. The report comes as the Trump administration considers a ban on Chinese-owned apps like the video-sharing app TikTok and after Britain barred Huawei from its 5G networks.

United States may lose ‘cyber domain’ to China, says Senate report

An Israeli court convicted top model&nbsp;Bar Refaeli&nbsp;on Monday on four counts of tax offenses, capping a prolonged tax evasion case against her and her family that sullied the image of a once beloved national icon.

Refaeli, who in the past dated Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, pleaded guilty to giving false statements about her periods of overseas residence in order to evade Israeli taxes.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-fined-32-million-euros-in-tax-evasion-case-155049">Cristiano Ronaldo fined 3.2 million euros in tax evasion case</a>

She was fined $730,000&nbsp;and ordered to pay arrears, according to a transcript from the Tel Aviv magistrates court.&nbsp;

Israeli citizens who are not residents are exempt from reporting income from outside the country to Israel's tax authorities.&nbsp;

Her mother, Tzipi&nbsp;Refaeli, was also convicted on multiple tax charges. She will serve 16 months in prison and was ordered to pay 2.5 million shekels&nbsp;in addition to tax arrears.&nbsp;

The two had pleaded guilty in plea bargain agreements.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-government-fines-hsbc-1924-million-in-tax-evasion-case-267705">US government fines HSBC $192.4 million in tax evasion case</a>

The ruling ends a long-running case in which&nbsp;Bar&nbsp;Refaeli&nbsp;was first arrested and questioned in December 2015.

The swimsuit model stirred controversy when she evaded her two years of mandatory Israeli military service by marrying a friend of her father's, only to divorce him a short while later.

She is now married to Israeli businessman Adi Ezra.

According to a a plea bargain agreement they signed with authorities last month, Refaeli is to serve nine months of community service while her mother will be sent to prison for 16 months.

The prolonged case, built around the celebrity model's worldwide income and the family's attempts to downplay her ties to Israel, damaged her well-crafted public image as an informal ambassador for the country.

Still, she remains a popular TV personality and pitch-woman whose image is ubiquitous on highway billboards throughout the country. Last year, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.

The heart of the case revolves around Refaeli's residence earlier this decade when she gallivanted around the world in high-profile modeling campaigns, graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and had a lengthy romantic relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Israeli tax law determines residency primarily upon whether the person spent most of the calendar year in the country. Refaeli claimed that she hadn't and therefore did not have to declare her worldwide income in certain years. 
But prosecutors rejected her claim and charged her with providing incorrect tax information.&nbsp;

In previous appeals, an Israeli court ruled that Refaeli's relationship with DiCaprio did not qualify as a family unit&nbsp;and therefore she could not claim his American residence to avoid paying the full taxes she owed.

Refaeli's lawyers said the plea bargain proved she hadn't intentionally evaded tax payments. Refaeli's mother, who also acted as her agent, was charged with failure to report income, avoiding paying taxes and aiding someone else in evading tax payments.

The indictment said she signed leases for her daughter under the names of other family members to blur Refaeli's actual residency status and refrained from declaring her own income as her daughter's agent.

An Israeli court convicted top model Bar Refaeli on Monday on four counts of tax offenses, capping a prolonged tax evasion case against her and her family that sullied the image of a once beloved national icon.

An Israeli court convicted top model Bar Refaeli on Monday on four counts of tax offenses, capping a prolonged tax evasion case against her and her family that sullied the image of a once beloved national icon. Refaeli, who in the past dated Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio, pleaded guilty to giving false statements about her periods of overseas residence in order to evade Israeli taxes. Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo fined 3.2 million euros in tax evasion case She was fined $730,000 and ordered to pay arrears, according to a transcript from the Tel Aviv magistrates court. Israeli citizens who are not residents are exempt from reporting income from outside the country to Israel's tax authorities. Her mother, Tzipi Refaeli, was also convicted on multiple tax charges. She will serve 16 months in prison and was ordered to pay 2.5 million shekels in addition to tax arrears. The two had pleaded guilty in plea bargain agreements. Also read: US government fines HSBC $192.4 million in tax evasion case The ruling ends a long-running case in which Bar Refaeli was first arrested and questioned in December 2015. The swimsuit model stirred controversy when she evaded her two years of mandatory Israeli military service by marrying a friend of her father's, only to divorce him a short while later. She is now married to Israeli businessman Adi Ezra. According to a a plea bargain agreement they signed with authorities last month, Refaeli is to serve nine months of community service while her mother will be sent to prison for 16 months. The prolonged case, built around the celebrity model's worldwide income and the family's attempts to downplay her ties to Israel, damaged her well-crafted public image as an informal ambassador for the country. Still, she remains a popular TV personality and pitch-woman whose image is ubiquitous on highway billboards throughout the country. Last year, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. The heart of the case revolves around Refaeli's residence earlier this decade when she gallivanted around the world in high-profile modeling campaigns, graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and had a lengthy romantic relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Israeli tax law determines residency primarily upon whether the person spent most of the calendar year in the country. Refaeli claimed that she hadn't and therefore did not have to declare her worldwide income in certain years. But prosecutors rejected her claim and charged her with providing incorrect tax information. In previous appeals, an Israeli court ruled that Refaeli's relationship with DiCaprio did not qualify as a family unit and therefore she could not claim his American residence to avoid paying the full taxes she owed. Refaeli's lawyers said the plea bargain proved she hadn't intentionally evaded tax payments. Refaeli's mother, who also acted as her agent, was charged with failure to report income, avoiding paying taxes and aiding someone else in evading tax payments. The indictment said she signed leases for her daughter under the names of other family members to blur Refaeli's actual residency status and refrained from declaring her own income as her daughter's agent.

Israeli top model Bar Refaeli convicted of tax evasion

The Centre has written to all states and union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators by people, saying these do not prevent the virus from spreading out and are “detrimental” to the measures adopted for its containment.

The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of states, said it has been observed that there is “inappropriate use” of N-95 masks, particularly those with valved respirators, by the public other than designated health workers.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/serum-institute-of-india-to-apply-for-local-trials-on-oxfords-vaccine-in-a-week-314785" hreflang="en">Serum Institute of India to apply for local trials on Oxford's vaccine</a>

The DGHS referred to the advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of the Ministry of Health.

“It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask. In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks,” DGHS Rajiv Garg said in the letter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-reports-under-1000-coronavirus-cases-first-time-in-over-35-days-314723" hreflang="en">Delhi reports under 1,000 coronavirus cases first time in over 35 days</a>

The government had in April issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences.

The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day, as instructed, and stated that any used cotton cloth can be used to make this face cover.

The colour of the fabric does not matter but one must ensure that the fabric is washed well in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. Adding salt to this water is recommended, it said.

It also listed the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides.

It urges people to wash hands thoroughly before wearing the face cover, switching to another fresh one as the face cover becomes damp or humid, and never reusing it after single use without cleaning it.

“Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have separate face cover,” the advisory stated.

India’s COVID-19 case tally crossed the 11-lakh mark on Monday, while the total number of recovered patients increased to over seven lakh, according to Union health ministry data.

The death toll due to the disease rose to 27,497 with 681 fatalities reported in one day.

The ministry data updated at 8 am on Monday showed that a record single-day jump of 40,425 COVID-19 cases had taken the total number of cases to 11,18,043.

The Centre has written to all states and union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators by people, saying these do not prevent the virus from spreading out and are “detrimental” to the measures adopted for its containment.

The Centre has written to all states and union territories warning against the use of N-95 masks with valved respirators by people, saying these do not prevent the virus from spreading out and are “detrimental” to the measures adopted for its containment. The Director General of Health Services (DGHS) in the Ministry of Health, in a letter to the Principal Secretaries of health and medical education of states, said it has been observed that there is “inappropriate use” of N-95 masks, particularly those with valved respirators, by the public other than designated health workers. Also read: Serum Institute of India to apply for local trials on Oxford's vaccine The DGHS referred to the advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth available on the website of the Ministry of Health. “It is to bring to your knowledge that the use of valved respirator N-95 masks is detrimental to the measures adopted for preventing the spread of coronavirus as it does not prevent the virus from escaping out of the mask. In view of the above, I request you to instruct all concerned to follow the use of face/mouth cover and prevent inappropriate use of N-95 masks,” DGHS Rajiv Garg said in the letter. Also read: Delhi reports under 1,000 coronavirus cases first time in over 35 days The government had in April issued an advisory on the use of homemade protective cover for face and mouth, asking people to wear it, particularly when they step out of their residences. The advisory stressed such face covers must be washed and cleaned each day, as instructed, and stated that any used cotton cloth can be used to make this face cover. The colour of the fabric does not matter but one must ensure that the fabric is washed well in boiling water for five minutes and dried well before making the face cover. Adding salt to this water is recommended, it said. It also listed the procedures of making such homemade masks, asking to ensure it fits the face well and there are no gaps on the sides. It urges people to wash hands thoroughly before wearing the face cover, switching to another fresh one as the face cover becomes damp or humid, and never reusing it after single use without cleaning it. “Never share the face cover with anyone. Every member in a family should have separate face cover,” the advisory stated. India’s COVID-19 case tally crossed the 11-lakh mark on Monday, while the total number of recovered patients increased to over seven lakh, according to Union health ministry data. The death toll due to the disease rose to 27,497 with 681 fatalities reported in one day. The ministry data updated at 8 am on Monday showed that a record single-day jump of 40,425 COVID-19 cases had taken the total number of cases to 11,18,043.

Government warns against use of N-95 masks with valved respirators

Climate activist&nbsp;Greta&nbsp;Thunberg&nbsp;was on Monday awarded a Portuguese rights award and promptly pledged the million-dollar&nbsp;prize to groups working to protect the environment and halt climate change.

The Swedish teen said in a video posted online "That is more money than I can begin to imagine, but all the prize money will be donated, through my foundation, to different organisations and projects who are working to help people on the front line, affected by the climate crisis and ecological crisis."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-as-urgent-as-coronavirus-pandemic-says-greta-thunberg-307261">Climate change as 'urgent' as coronavirus pandemic, says Greta Thunberg</a>

She was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity for the way she "has been able to mobilise younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists", Jorge Sampaio, chair of the prize jury, said earlier.

While first $1,14,591&nbsp;of the prize money will go to the "SOS Amazonia" campaign led by Fridays For Future Brazil to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the Amazon.

Another $1,14,591 euros will go to the Stop Ecocide Foundation "to support their work to make ecocide an international crime",&nbsp;Thunberg&nbsp;said on Twitter.

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I’m extremely honoured to receive the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. We’re in a climate emergency, and my foundation will as quickly as possible donate all the prize money of 1 million Euros to support ... -&gt; 
1/3 <a href="https://t.co/Eti6AJXSvj">pic.twitter.com/Eti6AJXSvj</a>
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1285160824282263557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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-&gt;... organisations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate- and ecological crisis - particularly those living in the Global South. -&gt; 2/3
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/GretaThunberg/status/1285160885854576641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The $1.1 million is the largest prize won by the 17-year-old environmental campaigner who has also won Amnesty International's top human rights prize and the Swedish Right Livelihood Award, often presented as an alternative Nobel.

She said Monday she was "extremely honoured" to receive the annual Gulbenkian prize.

Thunberg&nbsp;and three other young climate activists on Thursday launched an appeal to EU leaders to "face up to the climate emergency", in an open letter signed by 150 scientists and a host of celebrities.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was on Monday awarded a Portuguese rights award and promptly pledged the million-dollar prize to groups working to protect the environment and halt climate change.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg was on Monday awarded a Portuguese rights award and promptly pledged the million-dollar prize to groups working to protect the environment and halt climate change. The Swedish teen said in a video posted online "That is more money than I can begin to imagine, but all the prize money will be donated, through my foundation, to different organisations and projects who are working to help people on the front line, affected by the climate crisis and ecological crisis." Also read: Climate change as 'urgent' as coronavirus pandemic, says Greta Thunberg She was awarded the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity for the way she "has been able to mobilise younger generations for the cause of climate change and her tenacious struggle to alter a status quo that persists", Jorge Sampaio, chair of the prize jury, said earlier. While first $1,14,591 of the prize money will go to the "SOS Amazonia" campaign led by Fridays For Future Brazil to tackle the coronavirus outbreak in the Amazon. Another $1,14,591 euros will go to the Stop Ecocide Foundation "to support their work to make ecocide an international crime", Thunberg said on Twitter. I’m extremely honoured to receive the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. We’re in a climate emergency, and my foundation will as quickly as possible donate all the prize money of 1 million Euros to support ... -> 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Eti6AJXSvj — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) July 20, 2020 × ->... organisations and projects that are fighting for a sustainable world, defending nature and supporting people already facing the worst impacts of the climate- and ecological crisis - particularly those living in the Global South. -> 2/3 — Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) July 20, 2020 × The $1.1 million is the largest prize won by the 17-year-old environmental campaigner who has also won Amnesty International's top human rights prize and the Swedish Right Livelihood Award, often presented as an alternative Nobel. She said Monday she was "extremely honoured" to receive the annual Gulbenkian prize. Thunberg and three other young climate activists on Thursday launched an appeal to EU leaders to "face up to the climate emergency", in an open letter signed by 150 scientists and a host of celebrities.

Greta Thunberg pledges million-dollar rights prize to green groups

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is running&nbsp;Facebook ads&nbsp;claiming that the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok is spying on users.

The ads link to a survey asking whether TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, should be banned in the United States. They also ask for respondents' names and contact details.

"TikTok is spying on you,” claimed one ad. “TikTok has been caught red handed by monitoring what is on your phone’s clipboard,” it said.

TikTok&nbsp;is estimated to have close to a billion users worldwide, and has long battled allegations that it is a spying tool for Beijing, pointing out it has an American CEO and consistently denying allegations that it shares user data.

Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was “certainly looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps in June.

Trump blames China for the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to ravage the US, threatening the American economy and the president's reelection.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-could-have-stopped-the-virus-but-didnt-trump-lashes-out-at-china-again-314740">They could have stopped the virus but didn't: Trump lashes out at China again</a>

But he also fell victim to&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;users, who along with legions of K-pop fans, claimed to have sabotaged Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month by reserving blocks of tickets for the event they had no intention of attending. Trump's campaign boasted it had receive a million ticket requests, but only 6,200 people attended.

TikTok has said that it has never provided user data to China and that it would not do so if asked, and a spokeswoman told Reuters on Monday the company has "no higher priority than promoting a safe app experience that protects our users' privacy.”

Last month, when Apple released to developers a test version of its iOS operating system with new privacy features, developers showed images of TikTok's app triggering notifications that it was copying data from users' clipboards, where data is temporarily stored while copying and pasting from one app to another.

TikTok said the notifications were caused by an anti-spam feature but it ended the practice June 27.

TikTok also hit out at Facebook for running the ads. "Facebook is taking money for a political ad that attacks a competitor just as it's preparing to launch a TikTok copycat,” the spokeswoman said in an email to Reuters.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s photo-sharing app Instagram will soon be expanding its test of a short video format called Reels to the United States, according to media reports.

US President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is running Facebook ads claiming that the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok is spying on users. The ads link to a survey asking whether TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, should be banned in the United States.

US President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign is running Facebook ads claiming that the Chinese-owned short video app TikTok is spying on users. The ads link to a survey asking whether TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, should be banned in the United States. They also ask for respondents' names and contact details. "TikTok is spying on you,” claimed one ad. “TikTok has been caught red handed by monitoring what is on your phone’s clipboard,” it said. TikTok is estimated to have close to a billion users worldwide, and has long battled allegations that it is a spying tool for Beijing, pointing out it has an American CEO and consistently denying allegations that it shares user data. Earlier this month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was “certainly looking at” banning Chinese social media apps, including TikTok. India banned TikTok and other Chinese apps in June. Trump blames China for the coronavirus pandemic, which continues to ravage the US, threatening the American economy and the president's reelection. Also read: They could have stopped the virus but didn't: Trump lashes out at China again But he also fell victim to TikTok users, who along with legions of K-pop fans, claimed to have sabotaged Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma last month by reserving blocks of tickets for the event they had no intention of attending. Trump's campaign boasted it had receive a million ticket requests, but only 6,200 people attended. TikTok has said that it has never provided user data to China and that it would not do so if asked, and a spokeswoman told Reuters on Monday the company has "no higher priority than promoting a safe app experience that protects our users' privacy.” Last month, when Apple released to developers a test version of its iOS operating system with new privacy features, developers showed images of TikTok's app triggering notifications that it was copying data from users' clipboards, where data is temporarily stored while copying and pasting from one app to another. TikTok said the notifications were caused by an anti-spam feature but it ended the practice June 27. TikTok also hit out at Facebook for running the ads. "Facebook is taking money for a political ad that attacks a competitor just as it's preparing to launch a TikTok copycat,” the spokeswoman said in an email to Reuters. Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company’s photo-sharing app Instagram will soon be expanding its test of a short video format called Reels to the United States, according to media reports.

Trump campaign runs Facebook advertisements asking if he should ban TikTok

The United States must be willing to live alongside countries with different political systems to its own, said China’s ambassador to the US&nbsp;Cui Tiankai in an interview.

During the interview, Cui analyzed the state of China-US relations, the COVID-19, as well as the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-could-have-stopped-the-virus-but-didnt-trump-lashes-out-at-china-again-314740">They could have stopped the virus but didn't: Trump lashes out at China again</a>

"We certainly have the legitimate right to build our country into a modernized, strong, prosperous country, like every other country in the world.''

''I think the fundamental question for the United States is very simple. Is the United States ready or willing to live with another country with very different culture, very different political and economic systems? Is the United States ready to live with it in peace and cooperate on so many and still growing global challenges? I think this is the real choice. This is the fundamental choice people have to make," said Cui.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-vaccine-who-applauds-oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-data-but-warns-theres-still-a-long-way-to-go-314786" hreflang="en">WHO hails ‘good news’ on COVID-19 vaccines, but warns there’s still a long way</a>

When asked if China lacked transparency over COVID-19, Cui said the virus involved a process of discovery and learning and this needed global cooperation. He said China first communicated with the World Health Organization as early as January 3, and the Chinese CDC and the US&nbsp;CDC had their communication about this new virus as early as January 4.

As for concerns over the law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR, Cui said the legislation would safeguard the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and aid the process of doing business in the region.

Cui added that the targets of the law was clear, and those who avoided certain actions should have no worries.

The statement came after US President Trump attacked China once again over the coronavirus pandemic asserting that it's a “worldwide problem” caused by China.

In recent months, US-China ties have dipped to their lowest ebb in decades, strained over issues ranging from the global coronavirus pandemic and China's massive trade surpluses, to Beijing’s suppression of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, its military buildup in the South China Sea and treatment of minority Muslims.

The United States must be willing to live alongside countries with different political systems to its own, said China’s ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai in an interview.

The United States must be willing to live alongside countries with different political systems to its own, said China’s ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai in an interview. During the interview, Cui analyzed the state of China-US relations, the COVID-19, as well as the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Also read: They could have stopped the virus but didn't: Trump lashes out at China again "We certainly have the legitimate right to build our country into a modernized, strong, prosperous country, like every other country in the world.'' ''I think the fundamental question for the United States is very simple. Is the United States ready or willing to live with another country with very different culture, very different political and economic systems? Is the United States ready to live with it in peace and cooperate on so many and still growing global challenges? I think this is the real choice. This is the fundamental choice people have to make," said Cui. Also read: WHO hails ‘good news’ on COVID-19 vaccines, but warns there’s still a long way When asked if China lacked transparency over COVID-19, Cui said the virus involved a process of discovery and learning and this needed global cooperation. He said China first communicated with the World Health Organization as early as January 3, and the Chinese CDC and the US CDC had their communication about this new virus as early as January 4. As for concerns over the law on safeguarding national security in HKSAR, Cui said the legislation would safeguard the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and aid the process of doing business in the region. Cui added that the targets of the law was clear, and those who avoided certain actions should have no worries. The statement came after US President Trump attacked China once again over the coronavirus pandemic asserting that it's a “worldwide problem” caused by China. In recent months, US-China ties have dipped to their lowest ebb in decades, strained over issues ranging from the global coronavirus pandemic and China's massive trade surpluses, to Beijing’s suppression of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, its military buildup in the South China Sea and treatment of minority Muslims.

US must be willing to live alongside countries of different cultures: China

July 21 in history: Launch of first nuclear-powered cargo-passenger ship, World's lowest temperature recorded and more

Nepal said Tuesday it will resume international commercial flights in mid-August, in a boost for its coronavirus-hit tourism sector.

The Himalayan nation shut its airports in late March to combat the spread of the virus, which has so far infected 17,844 people and claimed 40 lives in the country.

The shutdown hit just before the peak of the tourism season, when hundreds of mountaineers and trekkers visit Nepal, costing the industry, a key part of the economy,&nbsp;millions of dollars.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-china-saved-nepali-pm-kp-sharma-olis-chair-314764" hreflang="en">How China saved Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli's chair</a>

The decision to restart commercial domestic and international flights from August 17 was taken in a cabinet meeting Monday, Nepal's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai said.

"The ministry is working on safety protocols for airport management, flight operators and passengers for the purpose," he told AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-ruling-partys-standing-committee-meeting-postponed-for-seventh-time-until-tuesday-314462" hreflang="en">Nepal ruling party's Standing Committee meeting postponed for seventh time until Tuesday</a>

All arriving and departing international passengers would need to have a certificate saying they are not carrying the virus.

Bhattarai said arriving travellers would also have to stay in quarantine, without specifying the duration.

About one-third of the 1.2 million visitors to Nepal last year arrived during the autumn season, according to government figures.

"It is... positive news and we have been receiving questions from clients," Nabin Trital of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal told AFP.

"We are discussing... protocols to ensure (the) safety of those who visit."

Nepal said Tuesday it will resume international commercial flights in mid-August, in a boost for its coronavirus-hit tourism sector. The Himalayan nation shut its airports in late March to combat the spread of the virus, which has so far infected 17,844 people and claimed 40 lives in the country.

Nepal said Tuesday it will resume international commercial flights in mid-August, in a boost for its coronavirus-hit tourism sector. The Himalayan nation shut its airports in late March to combat the spread of the virus, which has so far infected 17,844 people and claimed 40 lives in the country. The shutdown hit just before the peak of the tourism season, when hundreds of mountaineers and trekkers visit Nepal, costing the industry, a key part of the economy, millions of dollars. Also read: How China saved Nepali PM KP Sharma Oli's chair The decision to restart commercial domestic and international flights from August 17 was taken in a cabinet meeting Monday, Nepal's Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Yogesh Bhattarai said. "The ministry is working on safety protocols for airport management, flight operators and passengers for the purpose," he told AFP. Also read: Nepal ruling party's Standing Committee meeting postponed for seventh time until Tuesday All arriving and departing international passengers would need to have a certificate saying they are not carrying the virus. Bhattarai said arriving travellers would also have to stay in quarantine, without specifying the duration. About one-third of the 1.2 million visitors to Nepal last year arrived during the autumn season, according to government figures. "It is... positive news and we have been receiving questions from clients," Nabin Trital of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal told AFP. "We are discussing... protocols to ensure (the) safety of those who visit."

Nepal to resume flights in boost for virus-hit tourism sector

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday.

In early April the sailors at the Welisara Navy camp in a northern suburb were found positive for the COVID-19 after they assisted health authorities to apprehend a number of drug addicts who were to be quarantined.

The first Navy victim of COVID-19 was reported mid-April when the camp was ordered to be closed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-govt-claims-ravana-was-the-worlds-first-aviator-314725" hreflang="en">Sri Lankan govt claims Ravana was the world's first aviator</a>

''The Welisara Sri Lanka Navy cluster is no more infected as all 906 sailors have now recovered from the coronavirus,''&nbsp;Captain Indika de Silva, who is also Navy's spokesperson, said.

Sri Lanka has so far recorded 2,728 COVID positive cases but only about 600 of them are currently in hospitals. 
So far 11 deaths have been reported due to the contagious coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-debt-trap-is-india-out-of-the-colombo-port-deal-314771" hreflang="en">China's debt trap: Is India out of the Colombo Port deal?</a>

Sri Lanka is still grappling with its second largest cluster with&nbsp;over 500 cases from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central region. 
A sudden spike two weeks ago nearly forced another lockdown as contact tracing from the drug center led to cases from many areas. However the authorities said the cluster had been brought under control.

The sudden spike led to more stringent application of quarantine laws with people being arrested on the streets for non-wearing of masks.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold parliamentary polls on August 5 and it was only last week that health guidelines for conducting the election were announced.

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday.

All the 906 Sri Lankan Navy personnel, who tested positive for the coronavirus in April while assisting health authorities to capture drug addicts with the infection, have recovered, the Navy said on Tuesday. In early April the sailors at the Welisara Navy camp in a northern suburb were found positive for the COVID-19 after they assisted health authorities to apprehend a number of drug addicts who were to be quarantined. The first Navy victim of COVID-19 was reported mid-April when the camp was ordered to be closed. Also read: Sri Lankan govt claims Ravana was the world's first aviator ''The Welisara Sri Lanka Navy cluster is no more infected as all 906 sailors have now recovered from the coronavirus,'' Captain Indika de Silva, who is also Navy's spokesperson, said. Sri Lanka has so far recorded 2,728 COVID positive cases but only about 600 of them are currently in hospitals. So far 11 deaths have been reported due to the contagious coronavirus. Also read: China's debt trap: Is India out of the Colombo Port deal? Sri Lanka is still grappling with its second largest cluster with over 500 cases from a drug rehabilitation center in the north central region. A sudden spike two weeks ago nearly forced another lockdown as contact tracing from the drug center led to cases from many areas. However the authorities said the cluster had been brought under control. The sudden spike led to more stringent application of quarantine laws with people being arrested on the streets for non-wearing of masks. Sri Lanka is scheduled to hold parliamentary polls on August 5 and it was only last week that health guidelines for conducting the election were announced.

All personnel with COVID-19 infection in April recovered, no deaths reported, says Sri Lankan Navy

China&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;warned of "consequences" after Britain suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest at a controversial new security law in the territory.

A Tuesday statement on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Britain criticized the suspension of the treaty and said "the UK side has gone even further down the wrong road".

"China urges the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs," the statement said, adding that China "strongly condemns and firmly opposes this".

"The UK will bear the consequences if it insists on going down the wrong road."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-rejects-chinas-criticism-of-gross-interference-over-hong-kong-311275">Britain rejects China's criticism of 'gross interference' over Hong Kong</a>

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks during a daily media briefing, adding that Britain's moves violated international law and norms and China firmly opposes and reserves the right to react. Hong Kong returned to China in 1997.

Earlier, Britain had&nbsp;suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest at a controversial new security law in the territory.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed the widely expected move in parliament, despite Chinese warnings that Britain was making a grave foreign policy error and risked reprisals.

He also announced an extension to Hong Kong of an arms embargo of "potentially lethal weapons" already in force against mainland China for the last three decades.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882" hreflang="en">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

Diplomatic ties between London and Beijing have been frayed by the security law, which Western powers see as an erosion on civil liberties and human rights in the financial hub.

Britain's extradition treaty suspension follows similar tough action against China by the United States, Canada and Australia.

Beijing has accused London of being a puppet to US foreign policy over Huawei, after Washington slapped sanctions on the Chinese firm's access to US chips vital to its 5G networks.

The United States believes the private firm is a front for the Chinese state, and that the use of its technology could imperil intelligence sharing, charges that the company denies.

The issue is likely to loom large during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to London on Tuesday.

China on Tuesday warned of "consequences" after Britain suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest at a controversial new security law in the territory.

China on Tuesday warned of "consequences" after Britain suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest at a controversial new security law in the territory. A Tuesday statement on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Britain criticized the suspension of the treaty and said "the UK side has gone even further down the wrong road". "China urges the UK side to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs," the statement said, adding that China "strongly condemns and firmly opposes this". "The UK will bear the consequences if it insists on going down the wrong road." Also read: Britain rejects China's criticism of 'gross interference' over Hong Kong Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin made the remarks during a daily media briefing, adding that Britain's moves violated international law and norms and China firmly opposes and reserves the right to react. Hong Kong returned to China in 1997. Earlier, Britain had suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in protest at a controversial new security law in the territory. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed the widely expected move in parliament, despite Chinese warnings that Britain was making a grave foreign policy error and risked reprisals. He also announced an extension to Hong Kong of an arms embargo of "potentially lethal weapons" already in force against mainland China for the last three decades. Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse Diplomatic ties between London and Beijing have been frayed by the security law, which Western powers see as an erosion on civil liberties and human rights in the financial hub. Britain's extradition treaty suspension follows similar tough action against China by the United States, Canada and Australia. Beijing has accused London of being a puppet to US foreign policy over Huawei, after Washington slapped sanctions on the Chinese firm's access to US chips vital to its 5G networks. The United States believes the private firm is a front for the Chinese state, and that the use of its technology could imperil intelligence sharing, charges that the company denies. The issue is likely to loom large during US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to London on Tuesday.

China threatens 'consequences' after UK suspends Hong Kong treaty

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