Coronavirus: latest global developments

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:

- More than 700,000 dead - 
The pandemic has killed at least 701,112 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT on Wednesday based on official sources.

There have at least 18.59 million cases registered in 196 countries and territories.

The United States has recorded the most deaths with 156,830, followed by Brazil on 95,819, Mexico 48,869, Britain 46,364 and India with 39,795 fatalities.

- Biden to skip Democratic convention -
Joe Biden will not attend the Democratic convention in person to accept the party's nomination to be its presidential election candidate after the event was further scaled back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The party says he will address the nation and accept the Democratic nomination from his home state of Delaware. No speakers will physically attend the August 17-20 convention in Milwaukee, which will be entirely virtual.

- NYC checkpoints -
New York City will put up checkpoints at key entry points to ensure that travellers are complying with the state's quarantine requirements, Mayor Bill de Blasio announces.

Visitors from 35 US states, including Florida and Texas, are currently required to quarantine for two weeks after entering New York.

- Brazil: virus kills indigenous chief -
One of Brazil's leading indigenous chiefs, Aritana Yawalapiti, dies of respiratory complications caused by COVID-19, his nephew announces.

Aritana, a chief of the Yawalapiti people in the Amazon, was known for fighting to protect indigenous rights and the world's biggest rainforest.

- Swedish economy plunges -
Sweden's economy shrank 8.6 percent in the second quarter, even though the country never imposed strict coronavirus lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe.

According to Statistics Sweden, the downturn represents the largest drop since at least 1980, which is as far back as comparable statistics are available.

- Travel industry woes -
British airline Virgin Atlantic, which has not flown since April, applies for bankruptcy protection in the United States as it seeks to tie up a rescue deal in the UK. 

Virgin Australia says it will close its budget subsidiary Tigerair Australia and lay off 3,000 staff as it prepares to relaunch under new owners. 

And the International Air Transport Association says a survey shows most airlines are considering downsizing their staff over the next 12 months due to the coronavirus crisis.

- No-show Nadal -
US Open defending champion Rafael Nadal says he will not play the Grand Slam event this year, citing concerns over the coronavirus and the "barbaric" tennis schedule.

And the World Health Organization says it is "unrealistic" to expect large crowds at sports events this year in countries suffering from community-level transmission of the new coronavirus.