What you need to know today about the virus outbreak

European leaders held muted commemorations Friday to mark the end of World War II on the continent as coronavirus lockdowns kept crowds from celebrating VE Day. Across the ocean, 20.5 million jobs disappeared in the U.S. in April, a monthly record.

The European celebrations came in stark contrast to the way millions of its citizens spilled onto the streets 75 years ago, waving flags, flashing victory signs and dancing in joy. Street parties this year were banned in Britain. In France, President Emmanuel Macron laid a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe monument at the top of a largely deserted Champs-Elysees.

Here are some of AP’s top stories Monday on the world’s coronavirus pandemic. Follow APNews.com/VirusOutbreak for updates through the day and APNews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak for stories explaining some of its complexities.

WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:

— The U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, with 20.5 million jobs vanishing in the worst monthly loss on record. The figures are stark evidence of the damage the coronavirus has done to the economy.

— From India to Argentina, untold millions who already were struggling to get by have had their lives made even harder by lockdowns and layoffs. How the world’s poor get through this pandemic will help determine how quickly the global economy recovers and how much aid is needed to keep countries afloat.

— The World Health Organization doesn’t recommend that markets selling live animals be shut down, even if a market in China likely played a role in the coronavirus pandemic. WHO food safety expert Peter Ben Embarek says the markets are critical to providing food for millions. He says authorities should focus on improving them rather than outlawing them.

— For...