Paris (AFP)

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

- Setback in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria -

The Covid-19 has had a "devastating impact" on the fight against AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, which has experienced an unprecedented decline, the Global Fund to fight against these diseases lamented in its annual report on Wednesday.

For the first time since its creation in 2002, the Fund is reporting backtracking: it is particularly concerned about significant reductions in HIV testing and prevention services for key and vulnerable populations, and the "catastrophic" consequences in the fight against tuberculosis.

- No postponement of COP26, despite the Covid -

The UN refused to postpone the November COP26 in Glasgow (Scotland), as demanded by NGOs who believed that the climate conference could not be "fair and inclusive" because of the difficulties poor countries have to access it. inequalities in vaccination or imposed quarantines.

The world facing the coronavirus Simon MALFATTO AFP

- Riyadh lifts travel restrictions for the Emirates -

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday lifted travel restrictions to and from the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and Argentina, imposed so far due to the pandemic, the official SPA agency reported. .

- IMF loan to Tanzania -

The International Monetary Fund has granted Tanzania a loan of 567 million dollars (478 million euros) to finance the "urgent" needs of its economy hard hit by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, especially in the tourism sector .

- Vigilance in India before the Hindu festivals -

Indian authorities will impose restrictions on major Hindu festivals which begin this week and usually draw huge crowds, citing the threat of another wave of Covid-19.

After a devastating outbreak of the coronavirus in April and May, state governments in this country of 1.3 billion people are worried about the health situation ahead of the Hindu popular festival of Ganesh, which begins on Friday and lasts 11 days.

Covid-19: AFP global report

- More than 4.58 million dead -

The Covid-19 pandemic has killed at least 4,583,765 people around the world since the end of December 2019, according to a report established on Wednesday at 10 a.m. GMT by AFP from official sources.

The United States is the country with the most deaths (650,511), ahead of Brazil (584,171), India (441,411), Mexico (264,541) and Peru (198,568), according to official figures.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic could be two to three times higher.

burs-jba / mw / mba

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