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| - Duty Editor: Huw Griffith Tel: +852 2829 6211 -- TOP STORIES -- + EU to reopen borders to visitors from 15 countries + New law overshadows Hong Kong handover anniversary + Biden ditches campaign rallies over virus concerns + Airbus to cut 15,000 jobs blaming 'gravest crisis' + Weinstein victims to receive $19m payout Health-virus,WRAP WASHINGTON The European Union reopens its borders to visitors from 15 countries -- but not the virus-stricken United States, where a top health official warns the country is headed in the "wrong direction" as cases spike. 800 words moved by Chris Lefkow and AFP bureaus. Photo. Video. Graphic HongKong-China-politics,WRAP HONG KONG Hong Kong marks the 23rd anniversary of its handover to China under the glare of a new national security law imposed by Beijing, with protests banned and the city's cherished freedoms looking increasingly fragile. 750 words 0600 GMT by Jerome Taylor and Yan Zhao. Picture. Video. Live video. Graphic. US-politics-Biden,WRAP WILMINGTON, Delaware US Democrat Joe Biden says he will not hold presidential campaign rallies during the coronavirus pandemic, an extraordinary declaration that stands in stark contrast with Donald Trump who has already held large campaign gatherings. 700 words moved by Brendan Smialowski with Michael Mathes in Washington. Picture Health-virus-aerospace-layoffs-Airbus,WRAP PARIS European aircraft maker Airbus says it is planning to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide, 11 percent of its total workforce, in response to the "gravest crisis" the industry has ever seen caused by the coronavirus. 550 words moved. Picture. Video US-crime-entertainment-film-Weinstein NEW YORK Women who suffered sexual misconduct and workplace harassment by convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein are set to receive almost $19 million as part of a class action lawsuit, New York's attorney general announces. 350 words moved -- HONG KONG -- HongKong-China-politics,REAX HONG KONG China's sweeping national security law for Hong Kong has sharply divided opinion both inside the financial hub and beyond its borders. Here's how the world reacted. 650 words moved by Yan Zhao HongKong-China-politics-rights,FOCUS HONG KONG China's new national security law for Hong Kong is far more draconian than initially feared, legal analysts say, as they parse a document that grants Beijing unprecedented control over the restless business hub. 700 words 0800 GMT by Jerome Taylor -- AMERICAS -- US-UN-Iran-arms-diplomacy,WRAP WASHINGTON US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran, warning that the Middle East's stability is at risk, but he faces wide skepticism over threats to trigger sanctions. 650 words moved by Shaun Tandon Health-virus-Chile-social,FOCUS SANTIAGO During more than three decades of boom in Chile, the middle classes reaped the rewards, but just three months of coronavirus pandemic has already reduced many to poverty. 700 words moved by Paulina Abramovichahd and Pablo Cozzaglio. Picture. Video -- ASIA -- Australia-defence-government-China,WRAP BRISBANE, Australia Australia announces a substantial increase in military deterrence and shift to projecting military power across the Asia-Pacific amid escalating tensions with China. 700 words moved by Holly Robertson. Picture Health-virus-India-slum,FOCUS MUMBAI When coronavirus claimed its first victim in India's largest slum, many feared the disease would turn its congested streets into a graveyard, but three months on, Mumbai's Dharavi offers a rare glimmer of hope with new infections shrinking. 750 words moved by Ammu Kannampilly and Vishal Manve. Picture. Video Health-virus-Indonesia-population,FOCUS JAKARTA With her husband left jobless by the pandemic, the last thing Juarsih needed was to get pregnant, but now she's expecting a third child, part of an expected coronavirus pandemic baby boom in Indonesia. 750 words 0700 GMT by Dessy Sagita. Picture. Video -- EUROPE -- Russia-vote-constitution,WRAP MOSCOW Russians are set to approve constitutional reforms denounced by critics as a manoeuvre to allow President Vladimir Putin to stay in the Kremlin for life. 700 words moved by Michael Mainville. Picture. Video. Graphic Also moved: Russia-vote-constitution-history-Putin,FACTS Russia-vote-constitution,FACTS Health-virus-EU-Germany-politics FRANKFURT Germany takes over the European Union's six-month presidency Wednesday, with outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel staking her legacy on a massive economic recovery plan to help the bloc cope with the coronavirus fallout. 650 words moved by Michelle Fitzpatrick. Picture. Video France-trial-children-disability PARIS A French court is scheduled to rule on the responsibility of the French state in birth defects linked to an anti-epilepsy drug produced by pharmaceutical giant Sanofi. 500 words moved by Sarah Brethes. File picture. Italy-lifestyle-farming,FOCUS SCHIGNANO, Italy While her friends sleep off hangovers, 23-year-old Vanessa Peduzzi is doing a dawn check on her livestock, one of a growing number of Italian youths ditching the fast lane for a farmer's life. 600 words moved by Celine Cornu. Picture. Video. -- MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA -- Israel-Palestinians-conflict-diplomacy JERUSALEM Israelis await word from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on his prospective plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, a move that risks inflaming regional tensions. 700 words moved by Stephen Weizman. Picture. Video Also moved: Israel-Palestinians-conflict-WestBank,FACTS Israel-Palestinians-conflict-history,CHRONO Health-virus-Qatar-dogs,FOCUS DOHA Stray puppy Izzy's rescuers are warning that Qatar could see a spike in dumped pets, as an economic downturn driven by the novel coronavirus pandemic forces expatriate workers and their families to leave at short notice. 730 words moved by Gregory Walton and Anne Levasseur. Picture. Video -- AFRICA -- Ethiopia-unrest-protest,WRAP ADDIS ABABA At least four people were killed as protests spread across several Ethiopian cities after a prominent singer from the country's largest ethnic group was shot dead, according to medical sources and a relative. 650 words moved -- BUSINESS & ECONOMY -- Health-virus-US-economy-unemployment WASHINGTON The world's largest economy is showing signs it is rebounding faster than expected from the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, but US officials signaled more aid may be needed to solidify the comeback. 600 words moved by Heather Scott. Picture -- ARTS & CULTURE -- Entertainment-US-film-Oscars-racism,WRAP LOS ANGELES Young actresses Awkwafina, Zendaya and Constance Wu are among those invited to join Hollywood's Academy, as the Oscars-awarding club opened its prestigious doors to a diverse crop of new members. 550 words moved by Andrew Marszal afp
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