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| - Duty Editor: Lachlan Carmichael Tel: +33 1 40.41.46.36 -- TOP STORIES -- + Italy, India impose tougher virus measures as Asia fears second wave + Huge virus rescue deal neared in US congress + N. Korea praises Trump but warns on ties + Washington in full cherry blossom bloom Health-virus,WRAP ROME From Italy to India to the United States, governments roll out tougher measures to halt the rapid global spread of the coronavirus pandemic as cases worldwide surge past 300,000 and Asia readies for a possible second wave of infections and deaths. 950 words 1100 GMT by Alexandria Sage, with AFP bureaus. Picture. Video. Graphic Health-virus-US-politics-economy-Congress,3rdlead WASHINGTON Senate leader Mitch McConnell says Republicans and Democrats are nearing a deal on an economic rescue plan estimated worth well over $1 trillion as the coronavirus pandemic continues to pummel the US economy. 500 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-US-Washington-blossoms,SCENE WASHINGTON As Washingtonians muddle through coronavirus-induced isolation, the city's famed cherry blossoms reached maximum bloom, offering an enticing temptation to test the limits of self-distancing. 650 words moved by Becca Milfeld. Picture. Video -- EUROPE -- Health-virus-Britain LONDON Up to 1.5 million vulnerable people in Britain, identified as being most at risk from the coronavirus epidemic, should stay at home for at least 12 weeks, the UK government warns. 550 words 1030 GMT by David Harding 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 -- AMERICAS -- Health-virus-US-census,FOCUS NEW YORK Thousands of doors were to be knocked on, but just a few days into the start of the US census, the coronavirus pandemic has halted field operations -- threatening the crucial count that is conducted every ten years. 650 words moved by Laura Bonilla. Picture. Video Health-virus-US-China-minorities-racism,FOCUS WASHINGTON President Donald Trump's insistence on speaking of a "Chinese virus" has a dark historical precedent for some Asian Americans, who say his word choice is fueling an at times violent backlash. 750 words moved by Shaun Tandon. File picture Health-virus-US-homeless,FOCUS LOS ANGELES Officials in California are scrambling to protect the state's huge homeless population from COVID-19 amid warnings that should the virus spread within that community it could prove impossible to contain. 650 words moved by Jocelyne Zablit. Picture Health-virus-diplomacy-politics,ANALYSIS UNITED NATIONS Syria, Libya, Yemen, Afghanistan, the Sahel... with the great powers focused intently on the COVID-19 virus, will armed conflicts across the world decrease in severity or intensify? Experts as well as diplomats at the United Nations say there is a serious risk of the latter. 750 words moved by Philippe Rater. File picture Health-virus-LatAm MONTEVIDEO Bolivia's government orders the country to go under quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic as the top electoral court indefinitely postpones May's general election. 600 words moved. Picture. Video -- MIDDLE EAST -- 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. 480 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 -- AFRICA -- Guinea-vote,WRAP CONAKRY Voters in the West African state Guinea are casting ballots in a bitterly-disputed referendum that critics say is a ploy by President Alpha Conde to stay in power. 600 words 1100 GMT by Mouctar Bah Health-virus-Africa KIGALI Rwanda imposes a nationwide shutdown and border controls to combat the coronavirus in some of the strictest measures taken in Africa, as infections spread across the continent and authorities warn healthcare systems are ill-equipped to cope. 600 words moved. Picture -- ASIA -- Health-virus-Asia 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. 500 words 1000 GMT by Allison Jackson. Picture. Video Health-virus-India-politics NEW DELHI Millions of Indians go into lockdown for a 14-hour curfew as the country brings most of its vast railway network to a halt in a bid to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus. 550 words 1200 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-Oly-2020-Japan-flame SENDAI, Japan Tens of thousands of people flock to a cauldron with the Olympic flame in northeastern Japan over the weekend despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. 300 words moved 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 -- 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. 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