Coronavirus: latest global developments

The pandemic has killed at least 511,312 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally on Wednesday based on official sources. 

More than 10.5 million people have been infected in 196 countries and territories.

The United States is the hardest-hit country with 127,425 deaths. It is followed by Brazil with 59,594, Britain with 43,730, Italy 34,767 and France with 29,843 fatalities.

- EU is open, to some -

The European Union reopens its borders to visitors from 15 countries but excludes the United States, Russia and Brazil.

Travellers from China will be allowed to enter the bloc only if Beijing reciprocates and opens the door to EU residents.

- US 'wrong direction' -

Top health official Anthony Fauci warns the United States is headed in the "wrong direction" as cases spike in multiple states.

Fauci, an infectious diseases expert and a member of President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force, warns Congress that "clearly we are not in total control right now" and the US could hit 100,000 new virus cases a day if authorities and the public fail to take action.

- No rallies for Biden -

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, 77, says he will not hold campaign rallies because of the virus -- a move in stark contrast with his election opponent Trump, who has already held large campaign gatherings.

- Acute crisis at Airbus -

European aircraft maker Airbus says it is planning to cut around 15,000 jobs worldwide, 11 percent of its total workforce, calling the situation the "gravest crisis" the industry has seen.

The company says 5,000 positions will be cut in France, 5,100 in Germany, 900 in Spain, 1,700 positions in Britain and 1,300 at Airbus' other worldwide sites.

France blasts the planned cuts as "excessive" and urges limits on forced departures while Germany urges the plane builder to spread the pain fairly.

- Fourfold increase? -

The Pan American Health Organization warns that the death toll for Latin America and the Caribbean could top 400,000 by October without stricter public health measures -- representing a quadrupling of fatal cases of COVID-19.

- Careful Canada -

Canada extends its entry ban for most foreigners by another month to July 31 and also prolongs its quarantine requirements.

The general border closure does not apply to people coming from the US, who remain restricted to only essential travel to Canada until at least July 21, with visits for tourism or recreation forbidden.

- Burundi about-turn -

Burundi's new President Evariste Ndayishimiye declares the pandemic the country's "biggest enemy", in a major change of tack for a nation that until now has taken few measures to combat the virus spread.

- Brothels are back -

Dutch brothels including Amsterdam's famed red-light district reopen for business, with sex workers and clients having to observe new rules to prevent infection.