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| - Duty Editor: Frankie Taggart Email: frankie.taggart@afp.com -- TOP STORIES -- + EU eyes reopening borders after lockdowns + Floyd brother pleads for US police reform + JK Rowling: I'm a sexual assault survivor + Germany: EU is against Israeli annexation + Tennis legend Roger Federer out till 2021 Health-virus,WRAP BRUSSELS The European Union hopes to reopen external borders to foreigners in July as leaders try to loosen the economic strangulation of virus lockdowns triggering a steep global economic downturn. 750 words 2000 GMT by Dave Clark and AFP bureaus. Picture. Video. Graphic US-politics-racism-unrest,WRAP WASHINGTON The brother of George Floyd, whose killing by police sparked worldwide protests against racism, makes an emotional plea to the US Congress to "stop the pain" and pass reforms that reduce police brutality. 700 words 2000 GMT by Michael Mathes. Graphic. Picture Britain-gender-abuse-discrimination-Rowling,lead LONDON The "Harry Potter" book series author JK Rowling reveals that she has been a victim of domestic abuse and sexual assault. 500 words 2030 GMT by Dmitry Zaks Israel-Palestinians-conflict-Germany-EU,WRAP JERUSALEM Germany and its European partners have "serious concerns" over Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says in Jerusalem. 750 words 2000 GMT by Rosie Scammell. Picture. Video. Live Video Tennis-SUI-Federer,3rdlead PARIS Twenty-time Grand Slam singles champion Roger Federer says he will be sidelined until 2021 after undergoing his second knee operation in a matter of months but the 38-year-old vows he will return at his "highest level". 500 words moved. File picture -- AMERICAS -- US-politics-racism-rights,SCENE HOUSTON For three generations, black Americans have learned the same cautionary tale about the police. And many, speaking on the fringes of George Floyd's memorial ceremonies, say that nothing has changed in the US since the mid-20th century struggle for civil rights. 650 words 2000 GMT by Cyril Julien US-politics-race-unrest-Biden-VP,FOCUS WASHINGTON George Floyd's death and the resulting wave of rage against racism and police brutality may have changed the political calculus for US presidential contender Joe Biden, who faces pressure to pick a black female running mate. 800 words moved by Elodie Cuzin Health-virus-US-politics-racism,FOCUS WASHINGTON The Kentucky governor has committed to ensuring that 100 percent of the state's black population has health coverage, an initiative given new urgency by the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality. 600 words 2000 GMT by Ivan Couronne -- EUROPE -- Health-virus-Britain-politics,lead LONDON Prime Minister Boris Johnson defends what he called Britain's "astonishing" efforts to tackle the coronavirus, rejecting accusations that with Europe's worst death toll, his response to the health crisis was badly lacking. 600 words moved by Alice Ritchie and Dmitry Zaks. Picture. Video Switzerland-police-children-China-offbeat GENEVA Swiss police confirm they investigated an eight-year-old boy after he asked if he could use a toy banknote in a village shop. 400 words moved -- MIDEAST -- Iran-UN-weapons-US-China-Russia TEHRAN Iran's President Hassan Rouhani urges UN Security Council members, especially veto-wielding China and Russia, to oppose a US "conspiracy" to extend an arms embargo against the Islamic republic. 450 words moved Syria-conflict-economy,FOCUS BEIRUT Umm Ahmed and her family have survived years of war, but now the mother of five is terrified a frantic devaluation of the Syrian pound will prevent her from feeding her children. 750 words moved by Alice Hackman with Omar Haj Kadour in Binnish and Delil Souleiman in Qamishli. Picture. Video -- AFRICA -- Burundi-politics-Nkurunziza-health-virus,WRAP BUJUMBURA Burundians are in shock after the sudden death of veteran President Pierre Nkurunziza, with condolences pouring in from across Africa as the country grapples with the complex legacy of his 15-year rule. 800 words moved. Picture. Video. Graphic Lesotho-politics-crime-court MASERU Lesotho's former prime minister Thomas Thabane and his wife paid assassins a down payment of $24,000 to kill his estranged wife Lipolelo three years ago, according to a police affidavit. 400 words moved by Pascalinah Kabi. File picture -- ASIA -- Afghanistan-conflict-Taliban-prisoners,FOCUS KABUL Afghan authorities are opening prison doors for thousands of Taliban inmates in a high-stakes gambit to ensure the insurgent group begins peace talks with Kabul. 700 words moved by Elise Blanchard and Mushtaq Mojaddidi. File Picture. File video China-India-diplomacy-military,lead BEIJING China says it has reached a "positive consensus" with India over resolving tensions at the border between the two countries, where troops have faced off in recent weeks. 450 words moved. Video Philippines-politics-press-Rappler-court-Ressa,INTERVIEW MANILA High-profile Philippine journalist Maria Ressa says the libel charge that could see her jailed next week is a government ploy to intimidate all critical voices, but she refuses to be silenced and still holds out hope of winning. 650 words moved by Joshua Melvin. File picture. Video. Graphic China-archaeology-Asia-art PARIS A miniature bird sculpted out of burnt bone roughly 13,500 years ago in China is the oldest known figurine from East Asia, researchers say. 600 words moved by Kelly MacNamara. Picture -- BUSINESS AND ECONOMY -- Health-virus-US-economy-bank-rate,WRAP WASHINGTON With the economy still reeling from the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Reserve confirmed it will keep the benchmark interest rate at zero until the recovery is underway, at least through 2022. 600 words 2030 GMT by Heather Scott. File picture -- ENVIRONMENT -- Russia-environment-pollution,WRAP NORILSK INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT, Russia Russian investigators detain three senior staff of a power plant over a massive diesel spillage in the Arctic, as a local official warns a full clean-up of polluted waters could take years. 650 words 1930 by Artyom Smirnov, with Andrea Palasciano in Moscow. Picture. Video -- HEALTH -- Health-lungs-COPD-research,FOCUS WASHINGTON People with small airways relative to the size of their lungs may an increased risk for pulmonary disease even if they don't smoke or have any other risk factors, according to a new study. 600 words 1930 GMT by Issam Ahmed -- ENTERTAINMENT AND CULTURE -- Italy-France-painting-Banksy ROME Italian police recover a stolen work by famed graffiti artist Banksy commemorating the victims of the November 2015 Paris terror attacks on a door from Bataclan concert hall. 450 words moved by Ella Ide afp
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