Paris (AFP)

New assessments, new measures, highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic, which killed more than 233,000 people worldwide.

- May 1st confined -

Public holidays in many countries, Labor Day is confined to the traditional processions of unions, forcing them to compete in imagination to maintain mobilization, on balconies or social networks.

In Turkey, police arrested several union officials who marched despite the ban.

- Call of the foot of the WHO in Beijing -

The World Health Organization (WHO), severely criticized by the United States for not having immediately understood the seriousness of the new coronavirus, calls on Beijing to invite it to participate in investigations into the animal origins of the virus.

- Trump accuses China -

Trump could impose punitive "customs taxes" on China.

- More than 233,000 dead -

The pandemic has killed more than 233,176 people worldwide since its onset in December in China, according to a report compiled by AFP from official sources Friday at 11:00 GMT.

More than 3,264,200 cases of infection have been officially diagnosed in 195 countries and territories.

The United States is the country with the most deaths (63,019), ahead of Italy (27,967), the United Kingdom (26,711), Spain (24,824) and France (24,376).

- Leave for Chinese -

The Chinese begin five days of national holidays from May 1, their first real vacation since the start of the epidemic, but no huge influx is expected, people staying on their guard.

The Forbidden City reopened Friday after three months of closure.

- Economic consequences -

The Spanish government forecasts a contraction in GDP of 9.2% this year as well as a jump in the unemployment rate to 19%.

In France, the automotive market fell 88.8% in April.

In Macau, gaming revenues collapsed 97% in April.

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair has announced that it will cut up to 3,000 jobs.

- Extended confinement -

In Brazil, the state of Rio de Janeiro extended the confinement until May 11, in reverse of the positions of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro, who advocates the continuation of activities.

Equatorial Guinea extended at the last minute for two weeks the complete containment of the two main cities, Malabo and Bata, and other measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Sierra Leone announced a new three-day containment starting on Sunday.

- Light containment -

South Africa has started to gradually lift its containment, allowing the slow restart of several industrial sectors, including construction, textiles and cars, after the mines that had already restarted.

Rwanda will proceed from Monday to a partial deconfinement, allowing its population to move during the day, with a mask in public places.

- Queen sings for caregivers -

The British group Queen, with Adam Lambert on vocals, recorded for charity a new version of their famous song "We are the champions", available on Friday, renamed "You are the champions", celebrating caregivers.

Profits will be donated to the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund launched by WHO.

© 2020 AFP