Paintings, photographs, films and poetry by children and young people across England are now being displayed alongside world famous works of art as part of a new online exhibition on lockdown life.

Young people create art to reflect lockdown life

After a month of lockdown, Israel is now slowly reopening its economy from Sunday as the country saw a decline in the number of daily infections.

The reopening of the economy will allow all businesses, that do not involve&nbsp;face-to-face contact with the public, will be allowed to open up.

Israel will also be reopening its schools from the coming week, with nearly a million children returning back to their classrooms.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-and-bahrain-to-formalise-diplomatic-ties-336185">Also read|&nbsp;Israel and Bahrain to formalise diplomatic ties</a>

In addition to this, the ban that restricted people from travelling more than 1 km away from their homes will also be lifted now. The rule had garned immense criticism from locals and the opposition political party who accused the government of misusing coronavirus pandemic to silence the voices protesting against the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As per the new rule, people are allowed to visit their friends and relatives, as long as the size of the gathering is limited to 10 people for indoor and 20 people for outdoor gatherings.

The second lockdown was hugely criticised by the residents who tried to defy the restrictions and camp outside PM's residence and other parts of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to protest against the 'ill-formed' regulations. People accused the government of imposing a lockdown without providing any financial assistance or assurance to the workers.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-netanyahu-protests-erupt-in-israel-amid-coronavirus-restrictions-334498">Also read|&nbsp;Anti-Netanyahu protests erupt in Israel amid coronavirus restrictions</a>

Israel was one of the first countries to lift the first lockdown. However, the government had to reimpose various restrictions as the daily infections continued rising.

However, the Prime Minister has assured people that&nbsp;"this time we are moving cautiously."

The government has urged people to exercise caution to avoid another wide spread of the novel coronavirus.

Israel, a country of about nine million people, has recorded 302,911 coronavirus cases, including 2,202 deaths, as of Sunday.

After a month of lockdown, Israel is now slowly reopening its economy from Sunday as the country saw a decline in the number of daily infections. The reopening of the economy will allow all businesses, that do not involve face-to-face contact with the public, will be allowed to open up.

After a month of lockdown, Israel is now slowly reopening its economy from Sunday as the country saw a decline in the number of daily infections. The reopening of the economy will allow all businesses, that do not involve face-to-face contact with the public, will be allowed to open up. Israel will also be reopening its schools from the coming week, with nearly a million children returning back to their classrooms. Also read| Israel and Bahrain to formalise diplomatic ties In addition to this, the ban that restricted people from travelling more than 1 km away from their homes will also be lifted now. The rule had garned immense criticism from locals and the opposition political party who accused the government of misusing coronavirus pandemic to silence the voices protesting against the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As per the new rule, people are allowed to visit their friends and relatives, as long as the size of the gathering is limited to 10 people for indoor and 20 people for outdoor gatherings. The second lockdown was hugely criticised by the residents who tried to defy the restrictions and camp outside PM's residence and other parts of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to protest against the 'ill-formed' regulations. People accused the government of imposing a lockdown without providing any financial assistance or assurance to the workers. Also read| Anti-Netanyahu protests erupt in Israel amid coronavirus restrictions Israel was one of the first countries to lift the first lockdown. However, the government had to reimpose various restrictions as the daily infections continued rising. However, the Prime Minister has assured people that "this time we are moving cautiously." The government has urged people to exercise caution to avoid another wide spread of the novel coronavirus. Israel, a country of about nine million people, has recorded 302,911 coronavirus cases, including 2,202 deaths, as of Sunday.

Israel reopens after second coronavirus lockdown

A professor at the University of Oxford has advised the Boris Johnson-led UK government to adopt the method&nbsp;of 'circuit breaker' lockdown to contain the rising spread of infections in the country.

The UK has seen a sudden and massive increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, hinting towards a possible — and maybe worse — second wave of the pandemic.

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson had in the last few days urged the locals to stay indoors as much as possible, and maintain social distancing if stepping out.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-businesswoman-says-she-did-have-an-affair-with-uk-pm-johnson-335989">Also read|&nbsp;US businesswoman says she did have an affair with UK PM Johnson</a>

He believes a localised approach will work better than a temporary nationwide lockdown. However,&nbsp;John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford said the current measures will not help the government much and has asked the government to implement a brief but strict national lockdown —&nbsp;known as a "circuit-breaker".

"I can see very little way of getting on top of this without some kind of a circuit-breaker, because the numbers are actually pretty eye-watering in some bits of the country and I think it`s going to be pretty hard to get on top of this just biting around the edges," he told BBC radio.

He has also stressed on the importance of closing down schools and colleges for a while — which had reopened in September when he cases decreased.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-spreads-fake-news-about-oxfords-covid-19-vaccine-claims-it-turns-humans-into-monkeys-335768">Also read|&nbsp;Russia spreads fake news about Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine; claims it turns humans into monkeys</a>

"If in the end we have to take kids out for two weeks, calm it all down and then start, ideally embed it in a much more rigorous testing regime, then that`s maybe what we may have to do," he added.

As per Johnson;s restrictions, the areas which ae not highly affected by the virus can still remain open. Experts believe this system will not only confuse the lcoals but will also not prove to be successful as it will be difficult to keep a tab on the movement of people from one zone to another.

A professor at the University of Oxford has advised the Boris Johnson-led UK government to adopt the method of 'circuit breaker' lockdown to contain the rising spread of infections in the country.

A professor at the University of Oxford has advised the Boris Johnson-led UK government to adopt the method of 'circuit breaker' lockdown to contain the rising spread of infections in the country. The UK has seen a sudden and massive increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country, hinting towards a possible — and maybe worse — second wave of the pandemic. The Prime Minister Boris Johnson had in the last few days urged the locals to stay indoors as much as possible, and maintain social distancing if stepping out. Also read| US businesswoman says she did have an affair with UK PM Johnson He believes a localised approach will work better than a temporary nationwide lockdown. However, John Bell, regius professor of medicine at the University of Oxford said the current measures will not help the government much and has asked the government to implement a brief but strict national lockdown — known as a "circuit-breaker". "I can see very little way of getting on top of this without some kind of a circuit-breaker, because the numbers are actually pretty eye-watering in some bits of the country and I think it`s going to be pretty hard to get on top of this just biting around the edges," he told BBC radio. He has also stressed on the importance of closing down schools and colleges for a while — which had reopened in September when he cases decreased. Also read| Russia spreads fake news about Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine; claims it turns humans into monkeys "If in the end we have to take kids out for two weeks, calm it all down and then start, ideally embed it in a much more rigorous testing regime, then that`s maybe what we may have to do," he added. As per Johnson;s restrictions, the areas which ae not highly affected by the virus can still remain open. Experts believe this system will not only confuse the lcoals but will also not prove to be successful as it will be difficult to keep a tab on the movement of people from one zone to another.

UK COVID-19 adviser calls for 'circuit-breaker' lockdown

The coronavirus has impacted economies across the world. Lockdowns imposed earlier this year plummeted GDP numbers and globally the poor are the worst hit. Watch report.

Dwindling economies forces migration: Over 1,200 Africans migrate to Canary islands via sea

Some public health researchers are seeing hints that the coronavirus pandemic might help solve a longstanding puzzle: What causes premature birth?

Studies in Ireland and Denmark this summer showed that preterm births decreased in the spring during lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus in those countries. Anecdotally, doctors around the world reported similar drops. They speculated that reduced stress on mothers, cleaner air or better hygiene might have contributed. A large study from the Netherlands, published Tuesday in The Lancet Public Health, has yielded even stronger evidence of an association between the lockdowns and a smaller number of early births.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-vaccine-makers-are-not-mass-slaughtering-sharks-335561">Also read|&nbsp;Coronavirus vaccine makers are not mass-slaughtering sharks</a>

The authors used data from a national newborn screening program. As in the United States, nearly all babies in the Netherlands have a spot of blood collected a few days after birth and tested for certain diseases. Information including the babies’ gestational ages — at how many weeks of the mother’s term they were born — is collected at the same time.

The Dutch researchers examined newborn blood screening data from 2010 to 2020, which included more than 1.5 million infants. Over 56,000 of those babies were born after the Netherlands started locking down in response to the pandemic.

With their large data set, the researchers compared early births in windows one to four months before and after the lockdown. Looking at the same windows in earlier years let them account for any other trends, such as seasonal changes in premature birth. No matter which windows they used, the researchers saw that premature births had dropped after March 9, when the government in the Netherlands began warning the public to take more hygiene measures and to stay home if they had symptoms or possible exposures to the virus. Within the next week, schools and workplaces began to close down.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-company-sinopharm-offering-free-covid-19-vaccine-to-students-335488">Also read|&nbsp;Chinese company Sinopharm offering free COVID-19 vaccine to students</a>

“We could see that this impact was real,” said Dr. Jasper Been, a neonatologist at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam and the study’s lead author.

The reduction was from 15% to 23%, he said.

Dr. Roy Philip, a neonatologist at University Maternity Hospital Limerick in Ireland and author of the earlier study finding fewer preterm births this spring in the country, said he was “truly delighted” to read the new paper. He said it suggested that the lockdown did, in fact, cause the drop in early births. Unlike the Irish and Danish studies, the new Dutch study showed a decrease across all ages of premature babies — not only the earliest ones.

But as is often the case after such an investigation, Been said, “You have more questions than you started out with.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-this-one-blood-group-is-less-vulnerable-to-coronavirus-335456">Also read|&nbsp;COVID-19: This one blood group is less vulnerable to coronavirus</a>

One of those unanswered questions is about stillbirths. In the best-case scenario, the preemies that were missing from hospitals this spring were born as healthy full-term infants. But it’s possible that some of those missing preemies died, instead.

Stillbirths “might actually be the dark side of this,” Been said. Researchers couldn’t measure stillbirths in the Dutch data set, because only live infants undergo newborn screening. If most of the missing preemies were actually stillborn, Been said, there would have to have been a huge increase in stillbirths — maybe three times the usual number, conservatively. No one has reported such a change so far.

At one hospital in London, a study showed an increase in stillbirths after the start of the pandemic (not the lockdown). This increase might have come from hidden coronavirus infections, the authors wrote, or from women’s reluctance to seek medical care during the pandemic. Studies in Nepal and India showed that mothers were less likely to give birth in hospitals in the spring, and that stillbirths increased in those countries. Further complicating the picture, COVID-19 itself may raise the odds of premature birth.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-develops-five-minute-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test-335467">Also read|&nbsp;Oxford develops five-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen test</a>

To find out how pandemic lockdowns affected preterm birth across different countries, the Dutch researchers have joined an international consortium of nearly 40 nations sharing data. Lockdowns might have been good for the health of mothers and babies in some places and not others, Been said, adding, “In general, we see that this whole pandemic seems to increase inequalities a lot.” The Dutch study even hinted that the drop in preterm births was limited to wealthier neighborhoods, although the result wasn’t statistically significant.

“Boy, did this affect people really differently,” said Jennifer Culhane, a senior research scientist in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine.

Culhane said the new study confirmed what she had been hearing from U.S. colleagues about lower preterm birthrates this spring.

“Anecdotally, this is what we’re all hearing and feeling,” she said.

In the absence of strong evidence in the United States, she and her colleagues have partnered with an insurance company to begin a large-scale study of how lockdowns affected premature births in this country.

She speculates that the lockdown’s effects might have depended on economic circumstances. For mothers who had the resources to work from home, “This could have a been a stress-reducing moment,” she said. For essential workers or those experiencing economic hardships, it might have been a different story.

“We see gross inequities in this country,” Culhane said. “My guess is that women that had no reprieve from rat-racy-type things had, actually, an enhanced burden of stress.”

Scientists have long struggled to find the causes of premature birth, and good ways to prevent it.

“We haven’t been able to reduce the preterm birthrate come hell or high water,” Culhane said.

Future studies could finally reveal ways to prevent early births for all mothers — no pandemic needed.

Some public health researchers are seeing hints that the coronavirus pandemic might help solve a longstanding puzzle: What causes premature birth? Studies in Ireland and Denmark this summer showed that preterm births decreased in the spring during lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus in those countries.

Some public health researchers are seeing hints that the coronavirus pandemic might help solve a longstanding puzzle: What causes premature birth? Studies in Ireland and Denmark this summer showed that preterm births decreased in the spring during lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus in those countries. Anecdotally, doctors around the world reported similar drops. They speculated that reduced stress on mothers, cleaner air or better hygiene might have contributed. A large study from the Netherlands, published Tuesday in The Lancet Public Health, has yielded even stronger evidence of an association between the lockdowns and a smaller number of early births. Also read| Coronavirus vaccine makers are not mass-slaughtering sharks The authors used data from a national newborn screening program. As in the United States, nearly all babies in the Netherlands have a spot of blood collected a few days after birth and tested for certain diseases. Information including the babies’ gestational ages — at how many weeks of the mother’s term they were born — is collected at the same time. The Dutch researchers examined newborn blood screening data from 2010 to 2020, which included more than 1.5 million infants. Over 56,000 of those babies were born after the Netherlands started locking down in response to the pandemic. With their large data set, the researchers compared early births in windows one to four months before and after the lockdown. Looking at the same windows in earlier years let them account for any other trends, such as seasonal changes in premature birth. No matter which windows they used, the researchers saw that premature births had dropped after March 9, when the government in the Netherlands began warning the public to take more hygiene measures and to stay home if they had symptoms or possible exposures to the virus. Within the next week, schools and workplaces began to close down. Also read| Chinese company Sinopharm offering free COVID-19 vaccine to students “We could see that this impact was real,” said Dr. Jasper Been, a neonatologist at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam and the study’s lead author. The reduction was from 15% to 23%, he said. Dr. Roy Philip, a neonatologist at University Maternity Hospital Limerick in Ireland and author of the earlier study finding fewer preterm births this spring in the country, said he was “truly delighted” to read the new paper. He said it suggested that the lockdown did, in fact, cause the drop in early births. Unlike the Irish and Danish studies, the new Dutch study showed a decrease across all ages of premature babies — not only the earliest ones. But as is often the case after such an investigation, Been said, “You have more questions than you started out with.” Also read| COVID-19: This one blood group is less vulnerable to coronavirus One of those unanswered questions is about stillbirths. In the best-case scenario, the preemies that were missing from hospitals this spring were born as healthy full-term infants. But it’s possible that some of those missing preemies died, instead. Stillbirths “might actually be the dark side of this,” Been said. Researchers couldn’t measure stillbirths in the Dutch data set, because only live infants undergo newborn screening. If most of the missing preemies were actually stillborn, Been said, there would have to have been a huge increase in stillbirths — maybe three times the usual number, conservatively. No one has reported such a change so far. At one hospital in London, a study showed an increase in stillbirths after the start of the pandemic (not the lockdown). This increase might have come from hidden coronavirus infections, the authors wrote, or from women’s reluctance to seek medical care during the pandemic. Studies in Nepal and India showed that mothers were less likely to give birth in hospitals in the spring, and that stillbirths increased in those countries. Further complicating the picture, COVID-19 itself may raise the odds of premature birth. Also read| Oxford develops five-minute COVID-19 rapid antigen test To find out how pandemic lockdowns affected preterm birth across different countries, the Dutch researchers have joined an international consortium of nearly 40 nations sharing data. Lockdowns might have been good for the health of mothers and babies in some places and not others, Been said, adding, “In general, we see that this whole pandemic seems to increase inequalities a lot.” The Dutch study even hinted that the drop in preterm births was limited to wealthier neighborhoods, although the result wasn’t statistically significant. “Boy, did this affect people really differently,” said Jennifer Culhane, a senior research scientist in obstetrics and gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. Culhane said the new study confirmed what she had been hearing from U.S. colleagues about lower preterm birthrates this spring. “Anecdotally, this is what we’re all hearing and feeling,” she said. In the absence of strong evidence in the United States, she and her colleagues have partnered with an insurance company to begin a large-scale study of how lockdowns affected premature births in this country. She speculates that the lockdown’s effects might have depended on economic circumstances. For mothers who had the resources to work from home, “This could have a been a stress-reducing moment,” she said. For essential workers or those experiencing economic hardships, it might have been a different story. “We see gross inequities in this country,” Culhane said. “My guess is that women that had no reprieve from rat-racy-type things had, actually, an enhanced burden of stress.” Scientists have long struggled to find the causes of premature birth, and good ways to prevent it. “We haven’t been able to reduce the preterm birthrate come hell or high water,” Culhane said. Future studies could finally reveal ways to prevent early births for all mothers — no pandemic needed.

Did lockdowns lower premature births? A new study adds evidence

Governments around the world are using the pandemic as a justification to expand surveillance and crack down on dissent online, resulting in a 10th consecutive annual decline in internet freedom, a human rights watchdog report said Wednesday.

The report by Washington-based Freedom House said authorities in dozens of countries have cited the COVID-19 outbreak "to justify expanded surveillance powers and the deployment of new technologies that were once seen as too intrusive."

This is leading to increasing censorship of dissent and the expansion of technological systems for social control, according to the report.

"The pandemic is accelerating society's reliance on digital technologies at a time when the internet is becoming less and less free," said Michael Abramowitz, president of the nonprofit group.

"Without adequate safeguards for privacy and the rule of law, these technologies can be easily repurposed for political repression."

Freedom House's index of internet based on a score assigned on a 100-point scale to 65 countries shows a drop in internet freedom for a 10th straight year.

The scale is based on 21 indicators pertaining to obstacles to access, limits on content and violations of user rights.

China was the worst-ranked country for the sixth consecutive year, according to the report.

It said Chinese authorities "combined low- and high-tech tools not only to manage the outbreak of the coronavirus, but also to deter internet users from sharing information from independent sources and challenging the official narrative."

The report said these trends are showing a growing trend toward Chinese-style "digital authoritarianism" globally and a "splintering" of the internet as each government imposes its own regulations.

Freedom House said that of the estimated 3.8 billion people using the internet, just 20 percent live in countries with a free internet, 32 percent in countries "partly free," while 35 percent were in places where online activities are not free. The remainder live in countries that weren't among the 65 assessed.

The report cited notable declines in countries where authorities have imposed internet shutdowns including Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan and India, and in Rwanda for its use of "sophisticated spyware to monitor and intimidate exiled dissidents."

The United States remained among those counties ranked free but saw its score decline in light of increased surveillance used by law enforcement against protest movements, executive orders on social media regulations, disinformation propagated by President Donald Trump and moves to ban Chinese-owned apps TikTok and WeChat.

The app bans were described as "an arbitrary and disproportionate response to the genuine risks" from those services.

Governments around the world are using the pandemic as a justification to expand surveillance and crack down on dissent online, resulting in a 10th consecutive annual decline in internet freedom, a human rights watchdog report said Wednesday.

Governments around the world are using the pandemic as a justification to expand surveillance and crack down on dissent online, resulting in a 10th consecutive annual decline in internet freedom, a human rights watchdog report said Wednesday. The report by Washington-based Freedom House said authorities in dozens of countries have cited the COVID-19 outbreak "to justify expanded surveillance powers and the deployment of new technologies that were once seen as too intrusive." This is leading to increasing censorship of dissent and the expansion of technological systems for social control, according to the report. "The pandemic is accelerating society's reliance on digital technologies at a time when the internet is becoming less and less free," said Michael Abramowitz, president of the nonprofit group. "Without adequate safeguards for privacy and the rule of law, these technologies can be easily repurposed for political repression." Freedom House's index of internet based on a score assigned on a 100-point scale to 65 countries shows a drop in internet freedom for a 10th straight year. The scale is based on 21 indicators pertaining to obstacles to access, limits on content and violations of user rights. China was the worst-ranked country for the sixth consecutive year, according to the report. It said Chinese authorities "combined low- and high-tech tools not only to manage the outbreak of the coronavirus, but also to deter internet users from sharing information from independent sources and challenging the official narrative." The report said these trends are showing a growing trend toward Chinese-style "digital authoritarianism" globally and a "splintering" of the internet as each government imposes its own regulations. Freedom House said that of the estimated 3.8 billion people using the internet, just 20 percent live in countries with a free internet, 32 percent in countries "partly free," while 35 percent were in places where online activities are not free. The remainder live in countries that weren't among the 65 assessed. The report cited notable declines in countries where authorities have imposed internet shutdowns including Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan and India, and in Rwanda for its use of "sophisticated spyware to monitor and intimidate exiled dissidents." The United States remained among those counties ranked free but saw its score decline in light of increased surveillance used by law enforcement against protest movements, executive orders on social media regulations, disinformation propagated by President Donald Trump and moves to ban Chinese-owned apps TikTok and WeChat. The app bans were described as "an arbitrary and disproportionate response to the genuine risks" from those services.

Governments use pandemic to crack down on online dissent: Watchdog

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Monday impose a tiered system of further restrictions on parts of England as the COVID-19 outbreak accelerates, though anger is rising at the cost of the stringent curtailment of freedoms.

UK PM Boris Johnson to unveil three-tier lockdown plan

UK PM Boris Johnson to impose further COVID-19 restrictions

Some 4.8 million Madrid residents will be barred from leaving the area from Friday evening, making it the first European capital back into lockdown due to surging coronavirus cases.

Restaurants and bars in the Spanish capital and nine satellite towns will shut early and slash capacity by half in what has again become Europe’s worst infection hotspot.

The new restrictions, to start at 10 pm (2000 GMT), are not as strict as the previous lockdown from March, when people were barred from leaving their homes. However, authorities advised residents not to move around unless absolutely necessary.

“Madrilenos” were exasperated at political wrangling between the central and regional governments, and anxious about whether the measures would work.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/madrid-set-for-partial-lockdown-as-paris-authorities-eye-maximum-virus-alert-331830">Also read:&nbsp;Madrid set for partial lockdown as Paris authorities eye 'maximum virus alert'</a>

“We have been eight months with masks and without nightclubs and parties, and there is still contagion. Then what kind of impact will these restrictions make?,” said Sonny van den Holstein, owner of Sanissimo restaurant.

“People are confused, they hesitate to go out ... they are in fear,” he said, as a customer called to cancel a reservation.

The conservative-led Madrid area authority reluctantly complied with the order from the Socialist-led central government to ban travel except for school, work, health or shopping.

Famous for its late-night carousing and usually lively tourist flow, Madrid’s bars and restaurants must close at 11 p.m. instead of a previous 1 a.m curfew, while restaurants, gyms and shops are having capacity cut by half.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-you-need-to-know-about-regenerons-covid-19-treatment-332171">Also read:&nbsp;What you need to know about Regeneron's COVID-19 treatment</a>

Gatherings of more than six people remain banned indoors and outdoors, but parks and playgrounds can this time stay open.

Legal challenge

The measures widen a confinement already in place in poorer parts of the city with high infection rates.

People who do not comply will face fines.

Other busy European cities have tightened measures in recent days, including limiting numbers in restaurants and making face masks compulsory in more places.

But none have gone as far as Madrid. The new lockdown will last at least 14 days and could be extended if needed.

Conservative regional head Isabel Diaz Ayuso has launched a legal challenge, fearing economic damage and accusing central government of exceeding its mandate by ordering the measures.

With Madrid’s international airport Barajas staying open, Diaz Ayuso tweeted her anger at the prime minister: “From tomorrow one will be able to get to Madrid from Berlin but not from Parla. Thanks for the chaos, Pedro Sanchez.”

Parla is a periphery town south of Madrid.

In its appeal, the region argues that the measures do not adequately fight the pandemic and would cost 750 million euros ($879 million) per week to the local economy.

But Sanchez said the only goal was saving lives and protecting health. “All decisions are made based on scientists’ citeria,” he said at a summit in Brussels.

With 850 cases per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, the Madrid area has Europe’s worst rate.

Spain recorded a total of 789,932 coronavirus cases as of Friday, a rise of 11,325 since Thursday. There have been 32,086 fatalities. Daily deaths are now around their highest levels since early May but far below the late March record of nearly 900.

Some 4.8 million Madrid residents will be barred from leaving the area from Friday evening, making it the first European capital back into lockdown due to surging coronavirus cases.

Some 4.8 million Madrid residents will be barred from leaving the area from Friday evening, making it the first European capital back into lockdown due to surging coronavirus cases. Restaurants and bars in the Spanish capital and nine satellite towns will shut early and slash capacity by half in what has again become Europe’s worst infection hotspot. The new restrictions, to start at 10 pm (2000 GMT), are not as strict as the previous lockdown from March, when people were barred from leaving their homes. However, authorities advised residents not to move around unless absolutely necessary. “Madrilenos” were exasperated at political wrangling between the central and regional governments, and anxious about whether the measures would work. Also read: Madrid set for partial lockdown as Paris authorities eye 'maximum virus alert' “We have been eight months with masks and without nightclubs and parties, and there is still contagion. Then what kind of impact will these restrictions make?,” said Sonny van den Holstein, owner of Sanissimo restaurant. “People are confused, they hesitate to go out ... they are in fear,” he said, as a customer called to cancel a reservation. The conservative-led Madrid area authority reluctantly complied with the order from the Socialist-led central government to ban travel except for school, work, health or shopping. Famous for its late-night carousing and usually lively tourist flow, Madrid’s bars and restaurants must close at 11 p.m. instead of a previous 1 a.m curfew, while restaurants, gyms and shops are having capacity cut by half. Also read: What you need to know about Regeneron's COVID-19 treatment Gatherings of more than six people remain banned indoors and outdoors, but parks and playgrounds can this time stay open. Legal challenge The measures widen a confinement already in place in poorer parts of the city with high infection rates. People who do not comply will face fines. Other busy European cities have tightened measures in recent days, including limiting numbers in restaurants and making face masks compulsory in more places. But none have gone as far as Madrid. The new lockdown will last at least 14 days and could be extended if needed. Conservative regional head Isabel Diaz Ayuso has launched a legal challenge, fearing economic damage and accusing central government of exceeding its mandate by ordering the measures. With Madrid’s international airport Barajas staying open, Diaz Ayuso tweeted her anger at the prime minister: “From tomorrow one will be able to get to Madrid from Berlin but not from Parla. Thanks for the chaos, Pedro Sanchez.” Parla is a periphery town south of Madrid. In its appeal, the region argues that the measures do not adequately fight the pandemic and would cost 750 million euros ($879 million) per week to the local economy. But Sanchez said the only goal was saving lives and protecting health. “All decisions are made based on scientists’ citeria,” he said at a summit in Brussels. With 850 cases per 100,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, the Madrid area has Europe’s worst rate. Spain recorded a total of 789,932 coronavirus cases as of Friday, a rise of 11,325 since Thursday. There have been 32,086 fatalities. Daily deaths are now around their highest levels since early May but far below the late March record of nearly 900.

'Thanks for the chaos': Madrid returns to lockdown

European Countries are reporting a second wave of coronavirus cases. Restrictions are being ramped up. But, virus deniers have taken to the streets to protest against the lockdowns. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Coronavirus deniers are protesting against lockdown

Artists in Kashmir valley have long been struggling for a physical art gallery to showcase their work but thanks to the pandemic that made them think out of the box.&nbsp;

Naushad Gayoor is a multidisciplinary artist and a fine art teacher from Srinagar who devotes most of his time to paintings and sculpture art. He has been striving hard to start a physical gallery that can showcase art in Kashmir valley. During the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, his idea of starting an online gallery has become a reality.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/sports/pm-modi-interacts-with-afshan-ashiq-kashmiri-girl-ms-dhoni-fan-who-transformed-from-stone-pelter-to-jk-captain-329983" hreflang="en">PM Modi interacts with Afshan Ashiq - Kashmiri girl &amp; MS Dhoni fan who transformed from stone pelter to J&amp;K captain</a>

The website is amid at providing a much-required platform to the youth of the valley who would otherwise struggle to showcase their work. Under the name "FRAMES," the Gayoor Art Foundation aims at organizing more photography exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and talks through the online platform.&nbsp;

“We don't have a gallery but it doesn't mean we will not work. Finally, we decided to for an online gallery because this is the time of the internet and by this, we have more viewers,” says&nbsp;Naushad Gayoor,&nbsp;Founder &amp; curator of Gayoor Art Foundation.&nbsp;

Titled, "Let's move on" the website is currently showcasing the work of&nbsp;170 photographers&nbsp;from different countries like Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Senegal and from different parts of India. Usually, artists from Kashmir would have to travel outside Jammu and Kashmir for exhibitions but now they are able to present their work to the global audience at the click of a button.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/pm-modi-asks-kohli-about-yo-yo-test-praises-jk-woman-footballer-afshan-ashiq-329922" hreflang="en">PM Modi asks Kohli about Yo-Yo test, praises J&amp;K woman footballer Afshan Ashiq&nbsp;</a>

“It has been since decades that people have been fighting for this physical space in Kashmir but it never happened. It's very heartening to looking at this online space for anyone associated with the art here. It's going to give them a wider audience,” says&nbsp;Showkat Kathjoo, an artist and a teacher.&nbsp;

The aim is also to help the emerging talent to witness the body of art from different countries to give them a new dimension. Several artists from the union territory have made their name global.&nbsp;

Artists in Kashmir valley have long been struggling for a physical art gallery to showcase their work but thanks to the pandemic that made them think out of the box.

Artists in Kashmir valley have long been struggling for a physical art gallery to showcase their work but thanks to the pandemic that made them think out of the box. Naushad Gayoor is a multidisciplinary artist and a fine art teacher from Srinagar who devotes most of his time to paintings and sculpture art. He has been striving hard to start a physical gallery that can showcase art in Kashmir valley. During the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, his idea of starting an online gallery has become a reality. Also read: PM Modi interacts with Afshan Ashiq - Kashmiri girl & MS Dhoni fan who transformed from stone pelter to J&K captain The website is amid at providing a much-required platform to the youth of the valley who would otherwise struggle to showcase their work. Under the name "FRAMES," the Gayoor Art Foundation aims at organizing more photography exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and talks through the online platform. “We don't have a gallery but it doesn't mean we will not work. Finally, we decided to for an online gallery because this is the time of the internet and by this, we have more viewers,” says Naushad Gayoor, Founder & curator of Gayoor Art Foundation. Titled, "Let's move on" the website is currently showcasing the work of 170 photographers from different countries like Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Senegal and from different parts of India. Usually, artists from Kashmir would have to travel outside Jammu and Kashmir for exhibitions but now they are able to present their work to the global audience at the click of a button. Also read: PM Modi asks Kohli about Yo-Yo test, praises J&K woman footballer Afshan Ashiq “It has been since decades that people have been fighting for this physical space in Kashmir but it never happened. It's very heartening to looking at this online space for anyone associated with the art here. It's going to give them a wider audience,” says Showkat Kathjoo, an artist and a teacher. The aim is also to help the emerging talent to witness the body of art from different countries to give them a new dimension. Several artists from the union territory have made their name global.

Lockdown gives rise to creativity, J&K gets first online art gallery

A series of fresh protests broke out all over the country after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin&nbsp;Netanyahu initiated a second series of stricter lockdown in the country to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus.

The protestors took to streets in their cars blocking roads and bridges, demanding immediate resignation of&nbsp;Netanyahu — a PM who is on trial for three corruption charges.

A second round of lockdown was initiated on September 18 with the aim&nbsp;to bring down the world's highest coronavirus infection rate per capita. However, the restrictions were made stricter two days ago, imposing a ban on borders and limiting indoor prayers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-accused-of-taking-dirty-laundry-to-white-house-330110">Also read:&nbsp;Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House</a>

However,&nbsp;lawmakers further blocked a government proposal which was hoping to limit the protest gatherings to 20 in a group. As per this proposal, the protestors were only to be allowed to protest within a kilometre of their residence. However, the lawmakers' decision was not appreciated by the PM who called it "the populist decision in parliament to cancel the limitations the government imposed after we saw the rise in the infections."

Israelis marched down to Netanyahu's residence where the demanded the PM to hand over his resignation and attend to the trials on the charges of bribery, fraud and&nbsp;breach of trust — allegations that&nbsp;Netanyahu has constantly declined.

Protestors said they are ready to protest to gain back their freedom and let the world know that their government shut down the country without planning any economic aids for the common people.

Israel has recorded over 225,000 infections and 1,417 deaths out of a population of nine million, with more than 8,200 new cases on Friday alone.

A series of fresh protests broke out all over the country after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated a second series of stricter lockdown in the country to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus.

A series of fresh protests broke out all over the country after Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiated a second series of stricter lockdown in the country to contain the widespread of the novel coronavirus. The protestors took to streets in their cars blocking roads and bridges, demanding immediate resignation of Netanyahu — a PM who is on trial for three corruption charges. A second round of lockdown was initiated on September 18 with the aim to bring down the world's highest coronavirus infection rate per capita. However, the restrictions were made stricter two days ago, imposing a ban on borders and limiting indoor prayers. Also read: Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu accused of taking dirty laundry to White House However, lawmakers further blocked a government proposal which was hoping to limit the protest gatherings to 20 in a group. As per this proposal, the protestors were only to be allowed to protest within a kilometre of their residence. However, the lawmakers' decision was not appreciated by the PM who called it "the populist decision in parliament to cancel the limitations the government imposed after we saw the rise in the infections." Israelis marched down to Netanyahu's residence where the demanded the PM to hand over his resignation and attend to the trials on the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust — allegations that Netanyahu has constantly declined. Protestors said they are ready to protest to gain back their freedom and let the world know that their government shut down the country without planning any economic aids for the common people. Israel has recorded over 225,000 infections and 1,417 deaths out of a population of nine million, with more than 8,200 new cases on Friday alone.

Israel observes protests after second lockdown without economic aid is initiated

An overnight curfew in Australia's second-largest city will be lifted this week, officials said Sunday, even as the global coronavirus toll inched towards one million dead.

Despite the number of infections worldwide passing 32 million -- with the US state of New York reporting a fresh spike -- more than 10,000 anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated in central London ahead of the re-imposition of restrictions there.

In more positive news, residents of the Chinese city of Wuhan -- where the virus emerged last year -- reported a hesitant return to normalcy, while the French Open got underway at Roland Garros in Paris.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-removes-street-view-feature-for-australias-uluru-330146">Also read:&nbsp;Google removes street view feature for Australia's Uluru</a>

In Australia, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne residents would be free from Monday to leave their homes for work, exercise, shop for essentials, or provide care after active cases in the state fell below 400 for the first time since June 30.

The relaxation of the curfew, imposed August 2, comes after 16 new infections and two deaths were reported Sunday.

People will still be confined to within five kilometres (about three miles) of their homes, and fines for breaching other restrictions will be increased to almost Aus$5,000 ($3,515).

Andrews said several other restrictions, including on religious services and childcare centres, will also be lifted.&nbsp;

Anti-lockdown protests

It was a different story in the UK, now battling to contain a mounting second wave, as thousands marched in London on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/further-difficult-days-ahead-virus-hit-australia-goes-into-recession-324822">Also read|&nbsp;'Further difficult days ahead': Virus-hit Australia goes into recession</a>

At least 10 people were arrested as police moved in with batons to disperse more than 10,000 protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square.

This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government imposed a ban on gatherings of more than six people and ordered pubs and restaurants to close at 10 pm in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, which has claimed 42,000 lives in the country so far -- making it the worst-affected nation in Europe.

In New York state -- once the epicentre of the US outbreak -- new infections rose for the first time since June to above 1,000 a day, local officials said.

In India, meanwhile, infections closed in on six million on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to keep wearing face masks in public.

"They are potent tools to save the life of every citizen," he said.

Health ministry figures showed that the total number of cases had risen to 5,992,532.

India is expected to take over the United States -- which has reported more than seven million cases so far -- as the worst-hit country in the next few weeks.

Back to normal?

In Paris, a limited number of spectators will watch live tennis for the first time in months as the French Open starts -- four months later than scheduled.

It will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament as a resurgence of the virus means only 1,000 spectators will be allowed into the grounds each day.

For residents of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year, life is already back to normal.

There have been 50,340 confirmed cases and 3,869 deaths in Wuhan, according to the official figures -- the majority of mainland China's toll -- but no new infections since May.

Families are once again packing amusement parks, and shopping streets were full over the weekend -- although residents remained cautious.

"The people have experienced tragedy and deeply know that a happy life is not easy to come by," said a woman named Wang.&nbsp;

An overnight curfew in Australia's second-largest city will be lifted this week, officials said Sunday, even as the global coronavirus toll inched towards one million dead.

An overnight curfew in Australia's second-largest city will be lifted this week, officials said Sunday, even as the global coronavirus toll inched towards one million dead. Despite the number of infections worldwide passing 32 million -- with the US state of New York reporting a fresh spike -- more than 10,000 anti-lockdown protesters demonstrated in central London ahead of the re-imposition of restrictions there. In more positive news, residents of the Chinese city of Wuhan -- where the virus emerged last year -- reported a hesitant return to normalcy, while the French Open got underway at Roland Garros in Paris. Also read: Google removes street view feature for Australia's Uluru In Australia, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said Melbourne residents would be free from Monday to leave their homes for work, exercise, shop for essentials, or provide care after active cases in the state fell below 400 for the first time since June 30. The relaxation of the curfew, imposed August 2, comes after 16 new infections and two deaths were reported Sunday. People will still be confined to within five kilometres (about three miles) of their homes, and fines for breaching other restrictions will be increased to almost Aus$5,000 ($3,515). Andrews said several other restrictions, including on religious services and childcare centres, will also be lifted. Anti-lockdown protests It was a different story in the UK, now battling to contain a mounting second wave, as thousands marched in London on Saturday against coronavirus restrictions. Also read| 'Further difficult days ahead': Virus-hit Australia goes into recession At least 10 people were arrested as police moved in with batons to disperse more than 10,000 protesters gathered in Trafalgar Square. This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government imposed a ban on gatherings of more than six people and ordered pubs and restaurants to close at 10 pm in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, which has claimed 42,000 lives in the country so far -- making it the worst-affected nation in Europe. In New York state -- once the epicentre of the US outbreak -- new infections rose for the first time since June to above 1,000 a day, local officials said. In India, meanwhile, infections closed in on six million on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on people to keep wearing face masks in public. "They are potent tools to save the life of every citizen," he said. Health ministry figures showed that the total number of cases had risen to 5,992,532. India is expected to take over the United States -- which has reported more than seven million cases so far -- as the worst-hit country in the next few weeks. Back to normal? In Paris, a limited number of spectators will watch live tennis for the first time in months as the French Open starts -- four months later than scheduled. It will be an eerily unfamiliar tournament as a resurgence of the virus means only 1,000 spectators will be allowed into the grounds each day. For residents of Wuhan, where the coronavirus first emerged late last year, life is already back to normal. There have been 50,340 confirmed cases and 3,869 deaths in Wuhan, according to the official figures -- the majority of mainland China's toll -- but no new infections since May. Families are once again packing amusement parks, and shopping streets were full over the weekend -- although residents remained cautious. "The people have experienced tragedy and deeply know that a happy life is not easy to come by," said a woman named Wang.

Virus curfew to be lifted in Australia as global deaths near a million

Bhanakpur Village, on the outskirts of the National Capital Region, is representative of a larger rural landscape that's being altered by dint of proximity to large urban spaces. Bhanakpur's struggle during the coronavirus lockdown typified the challenges faced by a village in which residents' livelihoods have become irretrievably bound to a city.

LOCKDOWN DIARIES—Episode 2: Bhanakpur Village, Haryana

Russian authorities are considering chartering a plane from China to fly over parents who have been estranged from their babies born to surrogates in Russia due to coronavirus restrictions

Russia mulls sending charter plane to China

France have rolled out new measures to combat coronavirus amid reports of a flareup of COVID-19 across Europe.

Video: Europe announces new COVID-19 restrictions

The Government of India, on Monday, refuted a fake report that claimed that Centre is planning another lockdown from September 25 due to the rise in deadly covid-19 cases in the country.&nbsp;

The nodal agency of the Government of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a clarification on this heavily viral report of lockdown extension.

Taking to Twitter PIB said,&nbsp;“Claim: An order purportedly issued by the National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has directed the government to re-impose a nationwide lockdown from September 25.&nbsp;PIB Fact Check: This order is fake. NMDA has not issued any such order to re-impose lockdown,.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Claim: An order purportedly issued by National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has directed the government to re-impose a nationwide <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lockdown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lockdown</a> from 25th September. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PIBFactCheck?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PIBFactCheck</a>: This order is <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Fake?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Fake</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/ndmaindia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ndmaindia</a> has not issued any such order to re-impose lockdown. <a href="https://t.co/J72eeA62zl">pic.twitter.com/J72eeA62zl</a>
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) <a href="https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1304803151082434560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The fact check team of PIB has called the viral order fake and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) did not issue any such circular.

“In order to contain the spread of Covid-19 and decrease the mortality rate in the country, the National Disaster Management Authority, along with the Planning commission, hereby urges the government of India and directs the Prime Minister Office, ministry of home affairs to re-impose a strict nationwide lockdown of 46 days starting from midnight September 25, 2020. Maintaining the supply chain of essential commodities in the country, therefore hereby NDMA is issuing a prior notice to the ministry to plan accordingly,” the fake order, dated September 10 reads.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Government of India, on Monday, refuted a fake report that claimed that Centre is planning another lockdown from September 25 due to the rise in deadly covid-19 cases in the country.

The Government of India, on Monday, refuted a fake report that claimed that Centre is planning another lockdown from September 25 due to the rise in deadly covid-19 cases in the country. The nodal agency of the Government of India, Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a clarification on this heavily viral report of lockdown extension. Taking to Twitter PIB said, “Claim: An order purportedly issued by the National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has directed the government to re-impose a nationwide lockdown from September 25. PIB Fact Check: This order is fake. NMDA has not issued any such order to re-impose lockdown,.” Claim: An order purportedly issued by National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has directed the government to re-impose a nationwide #Lockdown from 25th September. #PIBFactCheck: This order is #Fake. @ndmaindia has not issued any such order to re-impose lockdown. pic.twitter.com/J72eeA62zl — PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 12, 2020 × The fact check team of PIB has called the viral order fake and said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) did not issue any such circular. “In order to contain the spread of Covid-19 and decrease the mortality rate in the country, the National Disaster Management Authority, along with the Planning commission, hereby urges the government of India and directs the Prime Minister Office, ministry of home affairs to re-impose a strict nationwide lockdown of 46 days starting from midnight September 25, 2020. Maintaining the supply chain of essential commodities in the country, therefore hereby NDMA is issuing a prior notice to the ministry to plan accordingly,” the fake order, dated September 10 reads. (With inputs from agencies)

Fact check: No nationwide lockdown from September 25

Airbus has stepped up warnings of compulsory layoffs as air travel fails to recover as quickly as expected from the coronavirus crisis.

Airbus warns of compulsory layoffs as air travel fails to recover

France's economy, which like those of other countries was pushed into a bruising recession by the coronavirus, will bounce back now that lockdown measures are lifted but will still contract over the year as a whole, official data showed Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-will-not-be-the-last-pandemic-world-must-be-ready-says-who-chief-ghebreyesus-325836" hreflang="en">'This will not be the last pandemic, world must be ready', says WHO Chief Ghebreyesus</a>

France's gross domestic product, which had shrunk by a record 13.8 percent in the second quarter, is forecast to grow by 17 percent in the subsequent three months, the national statistics office Insee calculated.&nbsp;

Nevertheless, the rebound was not quite as strong as expected and Insee said it was sticking to its forecast for an overall economic contraction of 9.0 percent for the year as a whole.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-opposition-figure-navalny-who-was-poisoned-now-out-of-medically-induced-coma-325807" hreflang="en">Russia's opposition figure Navalny who was poisoned now out of medically induced coma</a>

If the easing of lockdown measures "has enabled a relatively rapid rebound in parts of economic activity," the economy is returning after the summer break "rather like an engine that is being cranked up and choked at the same time," Insee said.&nbsp;

While activity in key areas such as air transport and culture and entertainment continued to be throttled by the coronavirus restrictions, some sectors were still benefitting from the emergency economic measures put in place by the government, the statisticians said.

Insee pointed to the risk of a "significant shock to demand", with consumer spending and household confidence expected to remain below pre-crisis levels.&nbsp;

As a result, the economic rebound will be "less rapid" between now and the end of the year, the agency predicted.&nbsp;

France's economy, which like those of other countries was pushed into a bruising recession by the coronavirus, will bounce back now that lockdown measures are lifted but will still contract over the year as a whole, official data showed Tuesday.

France's economy, which like those of other countries was pushed into a bruising recession by the coronavirus, will bounce back now that lockdown measures are lifted but will still contract over the year as a whole, official data showed Tuesday. Also read: 'This will not be the last pandemic, world must be ready', says WHO Chief Ghebreyesus France's gross domestic product, which had shrunk by a record 13.8 percent in the second quarter, is forecast to grow by 17 percent in the subsequent three months, the national statistics office Insee calculated. Nevertheless, the rebound was not quite as strong as expected and Insee said it was sticking to its forecast for an overall economic contraction of 9.0 percent for the year as a whole. Also read: Russia's opposition figure Navalny who was poisoned now out of medically induced coma If the easing of lockdown measures "has enabled a relatively rapid rebound in parts of economic activity," the economy is returning after the summer break "rather like an engine that is being cranked up and choked at the same time," Insee said. While activity in key areas such as air transport and culture and entertainment continued to be throttled by the coronavirus restrictions, some sectors were still benefitting from the emergency economic measures put in place by the government, the statisticians said. Insee pointed to the risk of a "significant shock to demand", with consumer spending and household confidence expected to remain below pre-crisis levels. As a result, the economic rebound will be "less rapid" between now and the end of the year, the agency predicted.

French economy to bounce back as lockdown lifted

Millions of kids will attend schools in new academic year from September as countries like France, Spain & US are looking at reopening amid Coronavirus pandemic. Several months long closure has widened educational gap.

Back to school in times of pandemic, France, Spain & US look at reopening

London Zoo has began an animal weigh-in with keepers keen to find out the impact of lockdown due to COVID-19. The two centuries old ZSL London zoo houses 19,000 animals, and due to the lockdown which was put in place across Britain, Zoo’s finances are not in good health.

Animal's vital statistics are being taken at London Zoo

India's Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) today issued new guidelines for Unlock 4.0 allowing Metro rail services to restart operations&nbsp;from September 7 in a "graded manner".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-covid-19-tally-goes-past-34-million-with-single-day-spike-of-76472-cases-323863">Also Read:&nbsp;India's COVID-19 tally goes past 3.4 million with single-day spike of 76,472 cases</a>

It also allowed social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions and other congregations with a "ceiling of 100 persons" from September 21. "The 'limited gathering' can be held with the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer", it said.

"Open-air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from September 21," it stated. There is also "no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement".

However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity upto September 30.

"Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged," it said.&nbsp;However, cinemas halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks will remain closed and international air travel of passengers will continue to be barred except as permitted by the MHA.

The press release said states and Union Territories will permit up to 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching and tele-counselling including related work.

Also, students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit schools in areas outside the containment zones.&nbsp;

The ministry further allowed higher education institutions only for research scholars and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory and experimental work.&nbsp;

The ministry asserted that lockdown shall be continued to be implemented strictly in containment zones till September 30th. The ministry also directed states not to impose any local lockdown outside containment zones. 
&nbsp;

The ministry further allowed&nbsp;

India's Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) today issued new guidelines for Unlock 4.0 allowing Metro rail services to restart operations from September 7 in a "graded manner".

India's Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) today issued new guidelines for Unlock 4.0 allowing Metro rail services to restart operations from September 7 in a "graded manner". Also Read: India's COVID-19 tally goes past 3.4 million with single-day spike of 76,472 cases It also allowed social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions and other congregations with a "ceiling of 100 persons" from September 21. "The 'limited gathering' can be held with the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer", it said. "Open-air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from September 21," it stated. There is also "no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement". However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity upto September 30. "Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged," it said. However, cinemas halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks will remain closed and international air travel of passengers will continue to be barred except as permitted by the MHA. The press release said states and Union Territories will permit up to 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching and tele-counselling including related work. Also, students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit schools in areas outside the containment zones. The ministry further allowed higher education institutions only for research scholars and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory and experimental work. The ministry asserted that lockdown shall be continued to be implemented strictly in containment zones till September 30th. The ministry also directed states not to impose any local lockdown outside containment zones. The ministry further allowed

India Unlock 4.0: Metro rail services to restart from September 7; schools, universities to remain closed

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year.

As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution. Sadly, the next best solution for majority locals was heading towards the poppy fields.

Afghanistan is one of the highest producer of opium as it produces nearly 80 per cent of the global supply and also provides thousands of jobs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-kill-four-survivors-of-afghanistan-flash-floods-323487">Also read:&nbsp;Taliban kill four survivors of Afghanistan flash floods</a>

When coronavirus hit the country, lots of locals lost their jobs to the pandemic. So, majority of them turned towards the poppy fields to provide for their families.

"Because of the coronavirus I lost my job. I have a family of 12 members, I am the breadwinner," said Fazily, 42, a mechanic in the central province of Uruzgan who, like many Afghans, goes by one name.

"I have no other way but to work in poppy fields to make some money."

The poppy fields are usually taken care of by seasonal labourers in spring and summer. However, the pandemic scared a lot of them and the labourers were hesitant to participate this season. This caused a shortage of workers too, especially as the borders with Pakistan, too, are now closed.

The lack of seasonal labourers and lack of jobs helped the farmers and the unemployed meet each other halfway.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/landmine-blast-kills-13-in-southern-afghanistan-323677">Also read: Landmine blast kills 13 in southern Afghanistan</a>

Sadly, it is not just the unemployed labourers laid off from work who are attending to the crops. Students, too, have started working at the field to earn some quick cash in their unexpected free time.

Since the pandemic began, schools in Afghanistan have been closed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This has led to children going out with their parents to earn extra money, instead of opting for home-schooling — which is a vague concept in the country.

"Our school is closed and I have enough time to go work in a poppy field and make some money," said Nazir Ahmad, an 18-year-old student in Kandahar.

"About 20 of my classmates are also working here."

While it has been portrayed that poppy cultivation is not encouraged and is, in some ways, illegal — especially when children are involved — the poppy cultivation has increased this year due to the lockdown. The reality underneath is that Taliban, and to some extent the local government, do encourage poppy cultivation as the Taliban profits from&nbsp;taxing farmers and traffickers, and running its own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export, with drugs then trafficked through neighbouring Pakistan and Iran.

With the economy slowly reopening, there is still some hope for children to head back to schools. However,&nbsp;till now more than 38,000 cases of coronavirus have been declared in Afghanistan and more than 1,400 deaths, and the government believes that a third of the population has likely contracted the disease.

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year. As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution.

Taliban, coronavirus, crippling economy, floods, rising unemplyment and limited resources: Afghanistan has been one of the worst-hit countries this year. As the pandemic and the floods hit the country, locals lost their paid and season jobs, and had to turn to the next best solution. Sadly, the next best solution for majority locals was heading towards the poppy fields. Afghanistan is one of the highest producer of opium as it produces nearly 80 per cent of the global supply and also provides thousands of jobs. Also read: Taliban kill four survivors of Afghanistan flash floods When coronavirus hit the country, lots of locals lost their jobs to the pandemic. So, majority of them turned towards the poppy fields to provide for their families. "Because of the coronavirus I lost my job. I have a family of 12 members, I am the breadwinner," said Fazily, 42, a mechanic in the central province of Uruzgan who, like many Afghans, goes by one name. "I have no other way but to work in poppy fields to make some money." The poppy fields are usually taken care of by seasonal labourers in spring and summer. However, the pandemic scared a lot of them and the labourers were hesitant to participate this season. This caused a shortage of workers too, especially as the borders with Pakistan, too, are now closed. The lack of seasonal labourers and lack of jobs helped the farmers and the unemployed meet each other halfway. Also read: Landmine blast kills 13 in southern Afghanistan Sadly, it is not just the unemployed labourers laid off from work who are attending to the crops. Students, too, have started working at the field to earn some quick cash in their unexpected free time. Since the pandemic began, schools in Afghanistan have been closed to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. This has led to children going out with their parents to earn extra money, instead of opting for home-schooling — which is a vague concept in the country. "Our school is closed and I have enough time to go work in a poppy field and make some money," said Nazir Ahmad, an 18-year-old student in Kandahar. "About 20 of my classmates are also working here." While it has been portrayed that poppy cultivation is not encouraged and is, in some ways, illegal — especially when children are involved — the poppy cultivation has increased this year due to the lockdown. The reality underneath is that Taliban, and to some extent the local government, do encourage poppy cultivation as the Taliban profits from taxing farmers and traffickers, and running its own drug-making factories that turn raw opium into morphine or heroin for export, with drugs then trafficked through neighbouring Pakistan and Iran. With the economy slowly reopening, there is still some hope for children to head back to schools. However, till now more than 38,000 cases of coronavirus have been declared in Afghanistan and more than 1,400 deaths, and the government believes that a third of the population has likely contracted the disease.

Afghan children and unemployed turn to opium for quick cash

United Airlines is preparing for the biggest pilot furloughs of its history after announcing on Thursday the need to cut 2,850 pilot jobs.

United Airlines announces biggest pilot job cut in its history

New COVID-19 clusters are disrupting the peak summer vacations across Europe. The authorities in some countries are reimposing restrictions. Watch report.

Lockdown reimposed in some European countries due to 2nd COVID-19 wave

A German-Brazilian couple kept apart by coronavirus restrictions have been reunited after Germany eased border controls for unmarried couples who can prove their relationships preceded the pandemic.

German-Brazilian couple hug again after coronavirus separation

The unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions from lockdowns during the pandemic will do "nothing" to slow climate change without a lasting switch from fossil fuels, an international team of researchers said Friday.

Global emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas could fall up to eight per cent in 2020 after governments moved to confine billions of people to their homes in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-gates-warns-climate-change-crisis-could-be-worse-than-covid-19-pandemic-318665">Bill Gates warns climate change crisis could be worse than COVID-19 pandemic</a>

But absent a systemic change in how the world powers and feeds itself, experts warned in the study on Friday that the emissions saved during lockdown would be essentially meaningless.

Using open source data, the team calculated how levels of 10 different greenhouse gases and air pollutants changed in more than 120 countries between February and June this year.&nbsp;

They found that pollution such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides fell in the period by between 10 and 30 per cent.&nbsp;

However, given that the "massive behavioural shifts" during lockdown were only temporary, lower emissions so far this year are unlikely to influence the climate.&nbsp;

Even assuming travel restrictions and social distancing continue to the end of 2021, the team concluded that this would only save 0.01 C of warming by 2030.&nbsp;

"Lockdown showed that we can change and change fast, but it also showed the limits of behaviour change," Piers Forster, study co-author and director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate at Britain's University of Leeds.

"Without underlying structural change we won't make it," he told AFP.&nbsp;

1.5 C 'unlikely'&nbsp;

The 2015 Paris climate deal saw nations commit to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels through sweeping emissions cuts.&nbsp;

It also set a safer goal of a 1.5 C cap.

The United Nations says that in order to keep 1.5 C in play global emissions must fall 7.6 percent annually this decade.

That is roughly equivalent to the anticipated emissions fall this year. But given that took one of the largest economic slowdowns in history, Forster said it was unlikely to be repeated as countries look to recover.&nbsp;

"If I'm brutally honest, the world is unlikely to decarbonise at the rates required for 1.5 C, but getting anywhere close will make our children's future better," he said.&nbsp;

The study, published in Nature Climate Change, also modelled options for post-lockdown recovery which the authors said showed a unique opportunity for structural change to the global economy.&nbsp;

Options for policymakers include lowering traffic pollution by prioritising public transport and cycle lanes.

A "strong green stimulus", which would see an additional 1.2 per cent of gross domestic product invested in low carbon technology could slash emissions by half by 2030 compared with a fossil fuel-led recovery, the authors said.&nbsp;

"The fall in emissions we experienced during COVID-19 is temporary and therefore it will do nothing to slow down climate change," said co-author Corinne Le Quere from the University of East Anglia.

"But the government responses could be a turning point if they focus on a green recovery, helping to avoid severe impacts from climate change."

Pete Smith, professor of soils and global change at the University of Aberdeen said that a return to business as usual post-COVID would mean "we will have thrown away our best chance of getting the world on track to net zero emissions".&nbsp;

"We have a small window of opportunity to get this right, and we can't afford to waste it," said Smith, who was not involved in the research.

The unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions from lockdowns during the pandemic will do "nothing" to slow climate change without a lasting switch from fossil fuels, an international team of researchers said Friday.

The unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions from lockdowns during the pandemic will do "nothing" to slow climate change without a lasting switch from fossil fuels, an international team of researchers said Friday. Global emissions from the burning of coal, oil and gas could fall up to eight per cent in 2020 after governments moved to confine billions of people to their homes in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19. Also read | Bill Gates warns climate change crisis could be worse than COVID-19 pandemic But absent a systemic change in how the world powers and feeds itself, experts warned in the study on Friday that the emissions saved during lockdown would be essentially meaningless. Using open source data, the team calculated how levels of 10 different greenhouse gases and air pollutants changed in more than 120 countries between February and June this year. They found that pollution such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides fell in the period by between 10 and 30 per cent. However, given that the "massive behavioural shifts" during lockdown were only temporary, lower emissions so far this year are unlikely to influence the climate. Even assuming travel restrictions and social distancing continue to the end of 2021, the team concluded that this would only save 0.01 C of warming by 2030. "Lockdown showed that we can change and change fast, but it also showed the limits of behaviour change," Piers Forster, study co-author and director of the Priestley International Centre for Climate at Britain's University of Leeds. "Without underlying structural change we won't make it," he told AFP. 1.5 C 'unlikely' The 2015 Paris climate deal saw nations commit to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels through sweeping emissions cuts. It also set a safer goal of a 1.5 C cap. The United Nations says that in order to keep 1.5 C in play global emissions must fall 7.6 percent annually this decade. That is roughly equivalent to the anticipated emissions fall this year. But given that took one of the largest economic slowdowns in history, Forster said it was unlikely to be repeated as countries look to recover. "If I'm brutally honest, the world is unlikely to decarbonise at the rates required for 1.5 C, but getting anywhere close will make our children's future better," he said. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, also modelled options for post-lockdown recovery which the authors said showed a unique opportunity for structural change to the global economy. Options for policymakers include lowering traffic pollution by prioritising public transport and cycle lanes. A "strong green stimulus", which would see an additional 1.2 per cent of gross domestic product invested in low carbon technology could slash emissions by half by 2030 compared with a fossil fuel-led recovery, the authors said. "The fall in emissions we experienced during COVID-19 is temporary and therefore it will do nothing to slow down climate change," said co-author Corinne Le Quere from the University of East Anglia. "But the government responses could be a turning point if they focus on a green recovery, helping to avoid severe impacts from climate change." Pete Smith, professor of soils and global change at the University of Aberdeen said that a return to business as usual post-COVID would mean "we will have thrown away our best chance of getting the world on track to net zero emissions". "We have a small window of opportunity to get this right, and we can't afford to waste it," said Smith, who was not involved in the research.

Lockdown emissions fall will have 'no effect' on climate

Marcela Sosa has her own private escape from the tedium of a coronavirus lockdown in the small Buenos Aires home the 12-year-old shares with six others: her violin and a computer connection that lets members of her youth orchestra play together online.

Argentina: Young Musicians rehearse together on Zoom video chat amid pandemic

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic.

Despite a lockdown that began in early July, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily, and authorities said the city's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six weeks.

Declaring a "state of disaster" on Sunday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given "unacceptably high" levels of community transmission.

Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than five kilometres (about three miles) from home starting Sunday night.

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Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day, also within the same strict radius.

Most school and university students in Melbourne will return to online learning from midnight Wednesday, just weeks after returning to their classrooms, while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday.

Weddings will also be banned in the city. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, weddings in Australia were limited to five people.

"These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe," Andrews said.

"Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months."

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Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would be announced Monday, Andrews added, suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures.

The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus on Sunday.

Outside Melbourne, the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work, study, care and essential shopping.

Elsewhere in Australia, other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions.

They have, however, banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another virus hotspot.

Australia's total reported infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday, with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million.

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic.

Australia on Sunday introduced sweeping new measures to control a growing coronavirus outbreak in its second-biggest city, including an overnight curfew and a ban on weddings for the first time during the pandemic. Despite a lockdown that began in early July, Melbourne has continued to report hundreds of new cases daily, and authorities said the city's residents would now face a curfew from 8 pm to 5 am for the next six weeks. Declaring a "state of disaster" on Sunday, Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the state capital would move to Stage 4 restrictions until September 13 given "unacceptably high" levels of community transmission. Melbourne residents will be limited to an hour of exercise a day, no further than five kilometres (about three miles) from home starting Sunday night. Also read| Hong Kong student applications to Australia hit three year high ahead of new security law Only one person per household will be able to shop for essential items each day, also within the same strict radius. Most school and university students in Melbourne will return to online learning from midnight Wednesday, just weeks after returning to their classrooms, while kindergartens and daycare centres will be effectively closed from Thursday. Weddings will also be banned in the city. At the height of the first wave of the pandemic, weddings in Australia were limited to five people. "These are the decisions made because anything short of this will not keep us safe," Andrews said. "Anything short of this will see it drag on for months and months and months." Also read| Australia: As diplomacy 'fails', friends of jailed scholar in Iran begin public campaign Additional restrictions affecting workplaces would be announced Monday, Andrews added, suggesting that non-essential businesses will face closures. The state recorded 671 new COVID-19 cases and seven deaths from the virus on Sunday. Outside Melbourne, the rest of Victoria will move to a Stage 3 lockdown from midnight Wednesday with people allowed to leave home only for work, study, care and essential shopping. Elsewhere in Australia, other states and territories have for weeks reported zero or a small number of cases while relaxing restrictions. They have, however, banned visitors from Victoria and Sydney -- another virus hotspot. Australia's total reported infections reached almost 18,000 on Sunday, with 208 deaths in a population of 25 million.

Virus curfew imposed on Australia's second-biggest city

The West Bengal government on Thursday said the lockdown in containment zones in the state will be extended till August 31.

Earlier, the state had said the shutdown in containment zones will be in force till July 31.

There will be a complete lockdown across the state on August 5, August 8, August 16-17, August 23-24 and August 31, as announced earlier, a notification issued by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said.

Educational centres, coaching institutes, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums and assembly halls will remain closed till August 31, it said.

During the complete lockdown days in August, all government and private offices, commercial establishments, public and private transport, including flight services, will be cease to operate, the notification said.

Essential services including healthcare, agriculture operations and home delivery of food, have been exempted on such days.

However, gyms and yoga institutes outside containment zones will be allowed to function from August 5, barring the total lockdown days, the notification added.

The West Bengal government on Thursday said the lockdown in containment zones in the state will be extended till August 31. Earlier, the state had said the shutdown in containment zones will be in force till July 31.

The West Bengal government on Thursday said the lockdown in containment zones in the state will be extended till August 31. Earlier, the state had said the shutdown in containment zones will be in force till July 31. There will be a complete lockdown across the state on August 5, August 8, August 16-17, August 23-24 and August 31, as announced earlier, a notification issued by Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said. Educational centres, coaching institutes, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums and assembly halls will remain closed till August 31, it said. During the complete lockdown days in August, all government and private offices, commercial establishments, public and private transport, including flight services, will be cease to operate, the notification said. Essential services including healthcare, agriculture operations and home delivery of food, have been exempted on such days. However, gyms and yoga institutes outside containment zones will be allowed to function from August 5, barring the total lockdown days, the notification added.

COVID-19: West Bengal extends lockdown in containment zones till August 31

A staggering 900-plus girls and women are missing and feared dead in Peru since COVID-19 confinement began, authorities said Monday.

Peru: Over 900 girls, women feared dead since pandemic began

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