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| - Duty Editor: Patrick Markey Tel: +33 1 40.41.46.36 -- TOP STORIES -- + Europe virus toll soars as Asia braces for second wave + US Senate to vote on $4 trillion virus aid package + China starts trials on virus vaccine + N. Korea praises Trump but warns on ties + Air quality picking up in virus quarantine spots Health-virus,WRAP ROME The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic engulfing Europe soars in several hotspots despite ramped up restrictions to contain the outbreak, as Asia braces for a possible second wave of infections. 950 words 1530 GMT by Alexandria Sage with AFP bureaus. Picture. Video. Graphic Health-virus-US-economy WASHINGTON The US Senate expects to hold a first vote on a plan to cushion the impact of coronavirus on the world's biggest economy with the Trump administration planning to pump in $4 trillion to help businesses. 550 words 1600 GMT by Elodie Cuzin. Picture Health-virus-China-vaccine BEIJING China has started the first phase of a clinical trial for a novel coronavirus vaccine, records show, as the world's scientists race to find a way to combat the deadly pathogen. 350 words moved NKorea-US-diplomacy-defence,WRAP SEOUL US President Donald Trump sends a letter to Kim Jong Un detailing a plan to develop ties, state media says, citing the North Korean leader's powerful sister, who warns that the good personal relationship between the two men is not enough. 750 words moved by Claire Lee. Picture. File picture Health-virus-environment-pollution,FOCUS PARIS Air quality is improving in countries under coronavirus quarantines, experts say, but it is far too early to speak of long-term change. 650 words moved by Laure Fillon -- EUROPE -- Health-virus-Britain,Lead LONDON Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns the coronavirus outbreak was "accelerating", as fears grow that the crisis in Britain was following the same path as the one devastating Italy. 550 words moved by David Harding Health-virus-hospital-emergency PARIS Emergency medics routinely make critical treatment calculations based on their patients' chances of survival. But as the coronavirus pandemic overwhelms hospitals, physicians are facing the prospect of large-scale triage that some say resembles the stark choices of war. 700 words 1530 GMT by Amelie Bottollier-Depois -- MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA -- Health-virus-Iran-politics TEHRAN Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei says his country will never accept any aid to fight the novel coronavirus from arch-enemy and "charlatans" the United States, as Tehran announced 129 new deaths. 430 words moved. Picture Health-virus-religion-Mideast,FOCUS JERUSALEM In the Middle East, where the three main monotheistic faiths shape daily life, the coronavirus pandemic has seen religious leaders support constraints unthinkable just a few weeks ago. 790 words moved by Ben Simon. File picture Health-virus-Palestinians-Gaza GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories Authorities in Gaza confirm the first two cases of novel coronavirus, identifying the individuals as Palestinians who had travelled to Pakistan and were held in quarantine on their return. 600 words moved by Sakher Abou El Oun. Picture Health-virus-Libya-conflict TRIPOLI Libya's UN-recognised government declares a night-time curfew and closure of public spaces to keep the novel coronavirus out of areas it controls, while fighting continues south of the capital. 400 words moved. Picture -- AFRICA -- Guinea-vote,WRAP CONAKRY Protesters and police clash as voters in Guinea cast ballots in a bitterly-disputed referendum that critics say is a ploy by President Alpha Conde to stay in power. 800 words moved by Mouctar Bah Health-virus-Nigeria-Africa-religion,SCENE LAGOS Police patrol Nigerian megacity Lagos warning people to stay away from church, as worshippers in Africa face strict restrictions aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus. 600 words 1600 GMT by Celia Lebur and Joel Olatunde Agoi with Samir Tounsi in Kinshasa. Picture. Video -- ASIA -- Health-virus-Asia,2ndlead HONG KONG From Australia's Bondi Beach to the streets of New Delhi, authorities across Asia ramp up efforts to stem the coronavirus amid fears of a second wave of infections in places where outbreaks had appeared under control. 700 words 1430 GMT by Allison Jackson. Picture. Video Health-virus-India-politics,lead NEW DELHI Widespread lockdowns are ordered in India as the world's second-most populous nation completes a voluntary curfew and thanks healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic with an outpouring of clapping and bell-ringing. 600 words 1500 GMT by Glenda Kwek and Aishwarya Kumar. Picture. Video Health-virus-economy,FOCUS HONG KONG The coronavirus pandemic has sent stock markets into freefall and industries to the wall, however many firms enabling more private, online and tech-based living are emerging as potential winners. 750 words moved by India Bourke. Graphic Health-virus-China-Wuhan,FOCUS BEIJING The head of the World Health Organization believes China's battle with the coronavirus offers a beacon of hope, but others question whether Beijing's strategy can be followed by other countries -- particularly Western democracies. 700 words moved -- SPORT -- Health-virus-AFL-RugbyL,2ndlead SYDNEY Australia's hugely popular Aussie Rules suspends its season in what it calls "the most serious threat to our game in 100 years", but rugby league vows to play on despite tough new restrictions to contain the coronavirus. 600 words moved by Martin Parry Health-virus-FBL-Esp.FOCUS MADRID As thousands of European footballers, from the highest levels to the lower leagues, remain on lockdown while coronavirus spreads across Europe, all are tasked with keeping themselves fit as well as entertained as many get creative in isolation. 850 words moved by Tom Allnutt. Picture -- BUSINESS -- SKorea-telecommunication-Samsung-book,FOCUS SEOUL Military-style management and an unquestioning reverence for the founding Lee family have fuelled Samsung's transition from the world's most ridiculed phonemaker to its biggest, says the author of a new book. 800 words moved by Sunghee Hwang. File picture afp
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