Paris (AFP)

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

- More than 6 million cases in Europe -

More than 6 million cases of the new coronavirus have been officially detected in Europe since the appearance of the first cases in January in the region, according to an assessment made by AFP from official sources on Wednesday afternoon.

Over the last seven days, 543,137 new cases were detected in the region, 26% more than the previous week.

Globally, a total of nearly 35.9 million cases of infection have been diagnosed, including at least 1,051,149 deaths.

The United States is the most bereaved country with 210,918 deaths.

Followed by Brazil (147,494 dead), India (104,555 dead), Mexico (82,348 dead), and the United Kingdom (42,445 dead).

- Poverty on the rise -

The pandemic will push into extreme poverty between 88 and 115 million additional people in the world this year, announced Wednesday the World Bank, stressing that more and more city dwellers are concerned.

This is the first time in more than twenty years that the global rate of extreme poverty will increase, underlines the Washington institution.

- No more symptoms or fever for Trump -

US President Donald Trump, who tested positive for Covid-19 a week ago, has had no symptoms for 24 hours and no fever for 4 days, his doctor said on Wednesday.

- Increasingly wealthy billionaires -

Billionaires are seeing their fortunes reach new heights thanks to the sharp rebound in financial markets from which tech and health giants have benefited, according to a study released Wednesday.

At the end of July, the cumulative fortune of billionaires was around $ 10.2 trillion, exceeding the previous peak of 2017 when it peaked at $ 8.9 trillion.

- A shift towards a green economy?

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The pandemic has plunged the world economy into a deep recession but it represents a unique opportunity for governments to take the path of green and sustainable growth, underlines the IMF in a report published Wednesday ahead of its autumn meetings.

- Health coverage for all -

The United Nations called on Wednesday that its members redouble their efforts to allow universal health coverage as soon as possible, even more necessary, according to the Organization, in a period of pandemic despite its cost.

- Cafés and bars are closing in Brussels -

Cafes and bars will have to close from Thursday morning throughout the territory of the Brussels region to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which is accelerating in the Belgian capital, the authorities announced on Wednesday.

- Spain unveils its recovery plan -

Spain intends to "create more than 800,000 new jobs in three years" with funds from the European recovery plan, announced the head of government Pedro Sanchez.

Madrid will spread over six years, from 2021 to 2026, the use of the 140 billion euros allocated by Brussels to Spain to restore its economy, which has been hit by the pandemic.

- Davos 2021, near Lucerne -

The World Economic Forum announced on Wednesday that the Davos 2021 summit will ultimately be held May 18-21 in the Lucerne region, rather than in the famous Swiss ski resort that gave it its name.

The annual meeting of the powerful of this world, which combines big names in the economy, diplomacy and sometimes entertainment, will have as its theme "the Great Reinitialization", the Forum having had to cancel its traditional meeting in January because of the pandemic.

burs-fm / cds / avz

© 2020 AFP