UN chief praises Africa’s efforts to stem virus; Brazil sees record daily deaths; global cases hit 4.9m
- EU virus response chief: ‘Europe should brace itself for second wave’
- Brazil’s deadliest day as Trump calls US cases a ‘badge of honour’
- UK coronavirus updates – live
- US coronavirus updates – live
- Coronavirus latest: at a glance
4.06pm BST
France is to launch a complete shake up of the country’s health system, widely considered and rated one of the best in the world, but whose failings have been revealed by the coronavirus crisis, writes Kim Willsher, the Guardian’s Paris correspondent.
Macron had already promised to overhaul the “salaries, careers, speciality training and professional situation” of staff in hospitals and state-run nursing homes and to invest and reform financing of the health system. After a council of ministers (cabinet) meeting this morning, it was announced the plan will be launched next Monday (25 May) with a national consultation.
3.56pm BST
Thousands of delegates streaming into Beijing for China’s most important political event of the year have undergone nucleic acid tests and quarantines amid what state media have called “wartime measures”, writes Lily Kuo, the Guardian’s Beijing correspondent.
The National People’s Congress is usually a two-week affair of pomp and pageantry but this year’s event has been shortened and some sessions will be held over video link.
Related: China prepares to stage annual congress – and pretence of business as usual
