Paris (AFP)

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

- More than 10,000 dead in Belgium -

Belgium, one of the European countries most bereaved by the pandemic, crossed the 10,000 dead mark on Wednesday.

This country of approximately 11.5 million inhabitants with a high population density recorded 10,001 deaths (+13 in 24 hours), and 117,115 positive cases recorded in total.

Globally, the pandemic has killed at least 1,012,093 people since the end of December, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at 11:00 GMT.

The United States is the most affected country with 206,005 deaths.

Brazil follows with 142,921 dead, India with 97,497 dead, Mexico with 77,163 dead and the United Kingdom with 42,072 dead.

- Limited protests in Israel -

Israel's parliament has approved a law to restrict protests during the reconfinement, a measure denounced by critics as aimed at silencing the protest movement against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The law is the latest measure to tighten restrictions adopted by Israel to combat the spread of the virus.

- Northern Ireland restricts access to bars -

Northern Ireland has ordered bars and restaurants to close at 11 p.m. from Wednesday, following similar controversial measures elsewhere in the UK.

- In France, bars will "make noise" -

The owners and employees of restaurants, cafes, bars, caterers and nightclubs in France are called by their main organization to "make noise" every Friday at 11:45 in front of their establishment, to protest against restrictions and closures.

- Spain renounces budgetary discipline -

The Spanish government has announced that it will abandon fiscal discipline rules for 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the pandemic on public finances.

- Germany: restrictions for celebrations and family meals -

Germany will limit the number of participants to parties in public and private spaces depending on the evolution of infections in order to fight against a resurgence of the pandemic.

- Vaccines reserved for poor countries -

The World Bank has asked its Board of Directors to approve additional funding of $ 12 billion to help poor countries purchase and distribute Covid-19 vaccines.

One hundred million additional doses of future vaccines have also been reserved for poor countries, according to the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), which works with the World Health Organization (WHO).

burs-paj / cds / mba

© 2020 AFP