Paris (AFP)

New reports, new measures and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.

- Nearly 1,018,634 dead -

Globally, the pandemic has killed at least 1,018,634 people, according to a report established by AFP from official sources Thursday at 11:00 GMT.

More than 34 million cases of infection have been officially diagnosed.

The United States is the most affected country, both in number of deaths and cases, with 206,959 deaths for 7,233,946 recorded cases.

Brazil follows with 143,952 dead, India (98,678), Mexico (77,646) and the United Kingdom (42,143).

- Madrid loop -

A decree from the Spanish Ministry of Health published on Thursday extends to Madrid the measures already in force for a week in areas of the region most affected by the virus and prohibits residents of the capital from entering or leaving the city except especially to go to work, to the doctor or to take the children to school.

Despite the refusal of Madrid and other regions, these measures are mandatory within 48 hours according to the decree.

- Canada: borders still closed -

Canada is extending the closure of its borders to foreigners from countries other than the United States until the end of October, except for those whose presence on its territory is deemed essential, the government announced.

- Easing elsewhere -

Peru will reopen its international air transport on Monday after about three months of hiatus, resuming links with seven Latin American countries.

All African travelers can travel to South Africa again as of Thursday, as well as those coming from countries deemed to be at "low or medium" risk in terms of infections.

In Havana, the nighttime curfew in effect for a month has been lifted and the activity will be able to be relaunched, without receiving foreign tourists for the moment.

- Euro zone: unemployment on the rise -

Unemployment rose in August in the euro area, for the fifth consecutive month in the context of the health crisis, affecting 8.1% of the working population, announced the European Statistics Office.

- Layoffs in the United States -

In the absence of a last-minute agreement in Congress, airlines weakened by the pandemic will begin Thursday to lay off tens of thousands of people in the United States.

The large companies in the sector had pledged in the spring not to fire anyone until September 30, in exchange for subsidies totaling $ 25 billion.

American Airlines was the first to confirm Wednesday evening that it was going to begin "the difficult process" of technically laying off 19,000 of its employees.

United Airlines later announced the dismissal of 13,432 employees.

- E-commerce boom -

Thanks to containment, Latin America is witnessing a boom in electronic commerce.

More than 10 million Latin Americans who had never shopped online now do so regularly, according to consulting firm KPMG.

- Rugby: nine positive cases in Racing 92 -

Racing 92 rugby club, which qualified for the European Cup final, carried out Covid-19 tests which revealed nine positive cases in its group.

The match between La Rochelle and the Ile-de-France club, scheduled for Saturday for the 3rd day of the Top 14, has been postponed "to a later date".

burs-fm / ber / sba

© 2020 AFP