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| - Duty Editor: James Hossack Tel: +852 2829 6211 -- TOP STORIES -- + US logs record daily cases as pandemic accelerates + Epstein girlfriend charged with trafficking minors + Hong Kongers scrub social media over new law fears + Hundreds of elephants mysteriously die in Botswana + Canadian birds change tune in a 'viral phenonemon' Health-virus,WRAP MIAMI The US posts a record 53,000 new coronavirus cases as the deadly pandemic accelerates across the Americas, but its slowdown in Europe leads Britain to announce the first exemptions to its quarantine rules. 850 words 0130 GMT by Leila Macor with AFP bureaus. Graphic. Picture. Video US-Britain-crime-justice-Epstein-Maxwell,WRAP NEW YORK English socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is arrested and charged with sex trafficking minors for late financier Jeffrey Epstein, the latest twist in a dramatic scandal that has embroiled Britain's royal family. 650 words moved by Peter Hutchison. Picture. Video. Live video Also moved: US-Britain-crime-justice,CHRONO US-Britain-crime-justice-Epstein-Maxwell,PROFILE HongKong-China-politics-rights,FOCUS HONG KONG Hong Kongers are scrubbing their social media accounts, deleting chat histories and mugging up on cyber privacy as China's newly imposed security law blankets the traditionally outspoken city in fear and self-censorship. 750 words 0300 GMT by Yan Zhao and Su Xinqi Botswana-wildlife-conservation-elephants,lead GABORONE Hundreds of elephants have died mysteriously in Botswana's famed Okavango Delta in recent months, the wildlife department says, ruling out poaching as the tusks were found intact. 450 words moved. File Picture Science-animal-bird-Canada,FOCUS WASHINGTON Members of a Canadian sparrow species famous for their jaunty signature song are changing their tune, a curious example of a "viral phenomenon" in the animal kingdom, a new study shows. 600 words moved by Ivan Couronne. Picture -- AMERICAS -- Health-virus-US-politics-history,FOCUS WASHINGTON Under fire for his silence in the face of America's spiralling coronavirus caseload, President Donald Trump heads to Mount Rushmore on Friday for a night of fireworks that he hopes will soothe a nation he has struggled to unite. 600 words 0130 GMT by Jerome Cartillier. Picture. Video Health-virus-US-economy-employment WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump hails data showing huge employment gains in June, but he continues to downplay surging COVID-19 cases that could reverse the tentative recovery. 700 words moved by Heather Scott. Graphic Health-virus-US-youth,FOCUS WASHINGTON Accused of failing to uphold their civic duty, younger Americans are behind the current COVID-19 surge, with several states moving to close bars, beaches and other places that saw huge crowds when lockdowns were eased. 600 words moved by Ivan Couronne Venezuela-EU-diplomacy-parliament,WRAP CARACAS Venezuela reverses a decision to expel the EU's ambassador in a tense stand off with Brussels over sanctions, but Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza says Caracas expects action in return. 650 words moved. File picture -- ASIA -- HongKong-China-politics-Australia-Britian,FOCUS SYDNEY Western nations are moving to offer millions of Hong Kongers refuge after Beijing passed draconian security laws designed to choke the city's democracy movement -- but a mass exodus is unlikely. 750 words 0430 GMT by Andrew Beatty with Su Xinqi in Hong Kong India-health-virus-cinema-entertainment-Bollywood,FOCUS MUMBAI A Bollywood actor's face tattooed on his arm, Sandeep Bacche's devotion shocks few in India where stars enjoy semi-divine status. But even here the hallowed silver screen may be losing its shine to streaming services and pandemic fears. 650 words 0300 GMT by Udita Jhunjhunwala and Vishal Manve. Picture. Video -- EUROPE -- Rwanda-genocide-France-justice PARIS A French court will decide Friday whether to reopen an investigation into the assassination 26 years ago of Rwanda's president in a plane downing that triggered the country's 100-day genocide. 500 words 0230 GMT File picture. Graphic Czech-Europe-conflict-justice PRAGUE They are gathering dust on shelves, but could make war criminals tremble: the archives of the OSCE, an international organisation addressing security-related concerns, are increasingly becoming a source for those who seek to prove abuses committed during conflicts in Europe. 650 words 0330 GMT. Picture. Video Croatia-politics-vote,ADVANCER ZAGREB Croatia heads to the polls under the shadow of the coronavirus, with an uptick in cases raising pressure on ruling conservatives as they face centre-left rivals and a new nationalist party who could become kingmaker. 700 words 0330 GMT. Picture. Video Also moving: Croatia-politics-vote,FACTS Croatia-politics-vote,PROFILE Russia-vote-constitution,WRAP MOSCOW President Vladimir Putin thanks Russians for voting in favour of controversial amendments to the constitution that could extend his grip on power, as the opposition and Western leaders voice criticism over violations. 700 words moved by Jonathan Brown. Picture. Video Also moved: Russia-vote-constitution,FOCUS -- MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA -- Israel-Palestinians-conflict,WRAP RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas pledge unity against Israel's West Bank annexation plans in a rare joint conference, as signs emerge of a rift between Israel and Washington over the project. 650 words moved by Claire Gounon with Ben Simon in Jerusalem. Picture. Video Also moved: Israel-Palestinians-conflict,FACTS Syria-conflict-economy-agriculture DAMASCUS Watching a combine harvester advance through his golden wheat, Syrian farmer Yahya Mahmoud is relieved the yield looks good this year, as a tanking economy leaves millions hungry across his war-torn country. 700 words 0330 GMT by Maher al-Mounes -- AFRICA -- Ethiopia-unrest,WRAP ADDIS ABABA Two people were shot dead and seven others injured when soldiers opened fire on mourners seeking to attend the funeral of a popular Ethiopian singer, whose assassination has sparked violence that has left around 100 dead. 750 words moved by Robbie Corey-Boulet. Picture. Video afp
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