Coronavirus: Latest Global Developments

A demonstrator wearing a protective face mask and a placard reading 'racism is also a pandemic' demonstrates on the place de la Concorde, near the US embassy compound, in Paris on 6 June, 2020. (AFP Photo)

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

Brazil Threatens WHO Exit

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro threatens to follow in the footsteps of United States (US) President Donald Trump and pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO).

"I'm telling you right now, the United States left the WHO, and we're studying that, in the future. Either the WHO works without ideological bias, or we leave, too," he told journalists outside the presidential palace.

Nearly 396,000 Deaths

The pandemic has killed at least 395,977 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT on Saturday, based on official sources.

The US is the worst-hit country with 109,143 deaths, followed by Britain with 40,261, Brazil with 35,026, Italy with 33,774, and France with 29,111 fatalities.

Global Rallies

Ignoring social distancing measures, a weekend of protests kicked-off against racism and police brutality in cities worldwide, from Sydney to London.

Tens of thousands of Australians defied Prime Minister Scott Morrison's call to "find a better way", while thousands in Britain ignored the health minister's warnings.

Events are also scheduled in Amsterdam, and in Madrid on Brussels on Sunday, as well as for the second weekend running across the US.

But in Paris, police ban a rally planned outside the US embassy compound and another near the Eiffel Tower.

Iran Warns Of Long Road

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has told Iranians to prepare to live with the virus "for a long time", as the country that is battling the Middle East's deadliest outbreak gradually eases restrictions but also sees a rising trajectory of infection figures.

"We must end all gatherings, be it marriage, mourning, or family visits, until told otherwise by the health minister," Rouhani says during the weekly virus taskforce meeting broadcast on TV.

France Reboots Tourism

France's Palace of Versailles reopened, but without the American and Chinese tourists that usually make up a third of its visitors. 

And its overseas territory French Polynesia says it will reopen to international travel next month.

Tokyo Olympics: 2021 Or Never

High-ranking Olympic official Pierre-Olivier Beckers confirms that the delayed Tokyo Olympics "will be held in 2021 or not at all", reiterating the stance put forward by Japan and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that next year is the last chance to hold postponed Games.

And... Action!

California will allow film, television and music production to resume from 12 June if conditions permit, the governor's office said. The reopening will be subject to approval by local health officers.

It is not yet clear if major Hollywood studios will also be able to resume operations from next week because Los Angeles county is one of the main epicentres for the virus in California, recording about half the infections and deaths in the state. - AFP