Paris (AFP)

New assessments, new measures, highlights: an update on the latest developments related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

- Trump breaks with the WHO -

President Donald Trump has announced that he has ended the relationship between his country and the World Health Organization, which he has accused since the start of the pandemic of being too lenient with Beijing.

"We will (...) redirect these funds to other urgent and global public health needs that deserve them," he said.

- Death record in Russia -

Russia recorded a new daily death record (232), bringing the total to 4,374 deaths, despite generally stable epidemiological data.

The main source of the epidemic in Russia, Moscow revised its April data to respond to suspicions of statistical manipulation, bringing the death toll in the capital to 1,561.

- New York: next partial deconfinement -

- Chloroquine: new twist -

Dozens of scientists have published an open letter expressing their "concerns" over the methods of the large study published in The Lancet on May 22, which led to the suspension of clinical trials on hydroxychloroquine.

The study concludes that the controversial hydroxychloroquine does not seem to be beneficial for Covid-19 patients and may even be harmful.

- More than 362,000 dead -

The pandemic has killed at least 362,028 people worldwide since its onset in December in China, according to an assessment by AFP from official sources Friday at 7:00 p.m. GMT.

More than 5,862,890 cases have been diagnosed in 196 countries and territories.

The United States is the most affected country in terms of number of deaths and cases, with 102,798 deaths (+1,225 in 24 hours) for 1,745,606 cases. Follow the United Kingdom with 38,161 dead, Italy (33,229), France (28,714) and, since Friday evening, Brazil (27,878) which overtook Spain (27,121).

The South American giant had a new day with more than a thousand dead (1,124 in 24 hours) and a record number of contaminations, with 26,928 in a day.

- Economic impact -

The Canadian economy contracted 8.2% year-on-year in the first quarter, the largest decline since early 2009.

In the United Kingdom, companies will have to contribute to the financing of short-time working from August and cover up to 20% of wages by October.

French automaker Renault has announced the loss of around 15,000 jobs worldwide, including 4,600 in France, as part of a savings plan of more than 2 billion euros over three years.

The rescue of 9 billion euros from Lufthansa passed a crucial new step on Friday with an agreement between the German government and the European Commission on the main conditions of this operation which must avoid the bankruptcy of the group.

- Spain: a minimum income -

The Spanish government has approved the creation of a living wage to fight poverty further exacerbated by the coronavirus crisis which has exploded demand for food aid.

- Opening of the borders -

Greece will open its airports in Athens and Thessaloniki (north) to tourists from 29 countries from June 15.

Denmark has announced the opening of its borders to German, Norwegian and Icelandic nationals on this date, postponing until late summer the entry of nationals from other EU countries, including neighboring Sweden, and the Kingdom -United.

- Death of an infant in Switzerland -

An infant died of Covid-19 in Switzerland after being infected abroad, announced the Ministry of Health.

- Turkish prayers -

Several thousand believers took part in collective prayers held in mosques in Turkey on Friday, after more than two months of prohibition as part of measures to stem the pandemic caused by the new coronavirus.

- Canada without immigration -

Canada hoped to welcome a record number of immigrants in 2020 (370,000), but ultimately risks receiving 170,000 fewer than expected due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study published Friday.

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© 2020 AFP