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| - Duty Editor: Frankie Taggart Email: frankie.taggart@afp.com -- TOP STORIES -- + US on threshold of 100,000 COVID-19 deaths + All systems go for historic SpaceX mission + US annuls Hong Kong's special trade status + Trump threatens to close down social media + Viva Las Vegas... with physical distancing Health-virus,WRAP WASHINGTON Unthinkable just four months ago, the United States is on the cusp of the agonizing milestone of 100,000 coronavirus fatalities, as European officials unveil a huge recovery plan while Latin American outbreaks surge. 1000 words 2030 GMT by Michael Mathes, with Dave Clark in Brussels and AFP bureaus. Graphic. Picture. Video US-space-SpaceX-NASA,WRAP KENNEDY SPACE CENTER SpaceX's historic launch to the International Space Station was set to proceed on time following weather worries, the first crewed mission to blast off from US soil in almost a decade and a historic first for the private sector. 750 words 1930 GMT by Ivan Couronne. Picture. Video. Graphic HongKong-China-US-politics-unrest,WRAP WASHINGTON The United States revokes Hong Kong's special status under US law, paving the way to strip trading privileges for the financial hub as Washington accuses China of trampling on the territory's autonomy. 800 words 2130 GMT by Shaun Tandon with Jerome Taylor and Su Xinqi in Hong Kong. Pictures. Video. US-politics-Trump-Twitter,WRAP WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump threatens to close down social media platforms after Twitter for the first time acts against his false tweets, prompting the enraged Republican to double down on unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories. 750 words 2000 GMT by Sebastian Smith. Picture. File picture Health-virus-US-LasVegas-gambling LOS ANGELES Las Vegas casinos, which have been shuttered for more than two months because of the pandemic, will be able to reopen next week with restrictions on physical distancing and crowd numbers, Nevada's governor announces. 600 words moved by Joceleyne Zablit -- SPACEX MISSION -- US-space-SpaceX-NASA,PROFILE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley, the astronauts set to launch into orbit on a SpaceX rocket Wednesday, are both former military pilots, both recruited by NASA in 2000, and both married to fellow astronauts. 500 words moved by Ivan Couronne. Picture US-space-SpaceX-NASA,SCENE MERRITT ISLAND, Florida NASA begged tourists to watch the SpaceX launch online, but space fans are still showing up in Florida. It would have been pretty good news for Brenda Mulberry -- if she'd had some SpaceX T-shirts to sell them. 600 words moved by Ivan Couronne. Picture We will also move: US-SpaceX-NASA-mission,POINTS -- AMERICAS -- US-IT-politics-Trump,FOCUS WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's threat to shut down social media companies after Twitter labeled two of his tweets misleading sets up a fresh challenge for platforms as they struggle to deal with political misinformation during a toxic election campaign. 700 words 2000 GMT by Rob Lever Canada-China-US-court-extradition,WRAP OTTAWA A Canadian judge is to deliver a key decision on the extradition of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou that could set her free and help repair Canada-China relations. 750 words 1930 GMT by Michel Comte US-China-rights-politics,WRAP WASHINGTON The US Congress is set to authorize sanctions against Chinese officials over the mass incarceration of Uighur Muslims, ramping up pressure in another front amid a battle over Hong Kong. 550 words 2130 GMT by Shaun Tandon and Michael Mathes US-politics-police-justice-race,WRAP MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota Calls mount for a white Minneapolis police officer to be charged with murder after videos show him kneeling for more than five minutes on the neck of an African American detained and handcuffed for a non-violent offense. 700 words 2030 GMT by Joy Powell. Picture. Video. US-activism-homosexuality-AIDS-Kramer,OBIT NEW YORK Larry Kramer, the prominent gay rights activist whose vociferous writings and actions took on a lagging government response to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, has died. He was 84 years old. 600 words 2030 GMT by Maggy Donaldson. File picture -- EUROPE -- Health-virus-EU-budget BRUSSELS European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen proposes a 750-billion-euro post-virus recovery fund for Europe and urged sceptical member states to back it. 700 words moved by Alex Pigman. Video. Picture. Graphic Health-virus-Britain-politics LONDON British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it was time to "move on" from the scandal over top aide Dominic Cummings' cross-country travels during the coronavirus lockdown, as he faced a rare grilling from lawmakers dominated by the topic. 600 words moved by Joe Jackson. Picture. Video Health-virus-WHO GENEVA The World Health Organization launches a new foundation for private donations, as US President Donald Trump threatens to pull the plug over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 550 words moved by Robin Millard. Video -- AFRICA -- DRCongo-unrest,WRAP KINSHASA Dozens of civilians have been killed in eastern DR Congo in the latest of a string of massacres by the notorious Allied Democratic Forces militia who are locked in conflict with government troops. 500 words moved -- MIDEAST -- Algeria-France-diplomacy,WRAP ALGIERS Algeria announces it will "immediately" recall its ambassador from France for consultations, after French public television aired documentaries on the North African country's anti-government protest movement. 600 words 2000 GMT Iran-politics,WRAP TEHRAN President Hassan Rouhani urges Iranian lawmakers to "cooperate" with his government during the inaugural session of the new parliament following a February election swept by conservatives. 650 words moved. Picture. Video -- ASIA -- Afghanistan-conflict-ceasefire,WRAP KABUL The US military withdrawal from Afghanistan is considerably ahead of schedule, an official tells AFP, as President Donald Trump reiterated calls for the Pentagon to bring troops home. 700 words moved by Usman Sharifi with Thomas Watkins in Washington India-climate-weather-health-virus-heat,lead NEW DELHI India is wilting under a heatwave, with the temperature in places reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) and the capital enduring its hottest May day in nearly two decades. 550 words moved by Aishwarya Kumar. Picture. Video -- ECONOMY & BUSINESS -- Health-virus-US-economy-bank-rate WASHINGTON After weeks of economic shutdowns, the outlook for a rebound remains "highly uncertain" and businesses nationwide are gloomy about how quickly things can return to normal, the Federal Reserve says. 600 words 1930 GMT by Heather Scott. File picture Health-virus-US-economy-state-budget,FOCUS WASHINGTON In the decentralized American system, the COVID-19 pandemic is draining public finances in many cities and states, and without help from the federal government, the consequences will be lasting and the economic recovery slower. 750 words 2000 GMT by Delphine Touitou. File picture -- SPORTS -- Health-virus-Japan-sports-computers TOKYO A new Japanese smartphone app will allow fans to send virtual cheers and jeers to sports stadiums in the hope of creating atmosphere at matches played behind closed doors due to coronavirus. 400 words moved afp
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