The head of the World Health Organisation has voiced deep concern about "the rapid escalation and global spread" of the coronavirus that has reached 205 countries and territories.

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Australians stuck in Nepal to return home

Stranded tourists from Australia and New Zealand have boarded a chartered flight out of Nepal.

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Coronavirus deaths in France pass 4000

French health authorities have reported 509 new deaths from the coronavirus taking the total to 4032, making the country the fourth to pass the 4000-fatalities threshold after Italy, Spain and the United States.

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Italy has fewer virus deaths, cases grow

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has climbed by 727 to 13,155, the Civil Protection Agency says, a significantly smaller increase than on the previous day and the lowest daily tally since March 26.

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UK virus death toll at daily record of 563

Britain's deaths linked to the coronavirus have continued to soar, with a new daily record 563 deaths reported, taking the country's total deaths to 2352.

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Wall Street sinks as virus anxiety grows

The Dow Jones has tumbled more than 700 points as investors fled to safe-haven assets after new orders for US-made goods plunged to an 11-year low and private payrolls fell for the first time since 2017.

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Australian Associated Press