British officials are prepared to water down Boris Johnson's controversial lawbreaking Brexit legislation in a move that could revive failing talks with the EU, according to people familiar with the matter. Negotiations over the two sides' future relationship have stalled, with the PM announcing last Friday that he will focus on preparations to leave the EU's single market and Customs Union at the year-end without a trade deal.

Poland’s government announced on Monday it would open a temporary hospital at the national stadium in Warsaw as the country faces a spike in coronavirus cases.

The Slovak government on Sunday approved plans to use up to 8,000 armed forces personnel to support mass testing of the population for COVID-19 as it battles a surge of infections, Reuters reported. The government wants to avoid harsh lockdowns again after a costly economic hit in the second quarter. PM Igor Matovic said high testing turnout would help avoid this threat.

Italy's PM Giuseppe Conte gave mayors the power to shut public squares from 9 p.m. to halt gatherings as he unveiled a further package of measures on Sunday, news wires reported. As daily cases in Italy hit a new record 11,705 on Sunday, Conte said the situation had become critical but his government has been determined to avoid a repeat of the lockdown imposed at the start of the crisis in March.

Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats are considering holding a virtual party congress in early December to elect a new leader and potential successor to Chancellor Angela Merkel, Handelsblatt reported on Sunday citing an unnamed party leader.

The Czech Republic, which has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Europe, will wait at least two weeks before deciding whether to order a full lockdown or not, Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek said on Sunday.

In France, numerous solidarity demonstrations are expected across the country on Sunday following the suspected Islamist murder of a teacher. The editors of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo called for a demonstration in Paris on Sunday afternoon together with the organisation SOS Racisme and teachers' unions.

Italy has approved a new stimulus package in its 2021 budget to foster an economic rebound from the recession caused by the Covid-19 crisis, a government statement said on Sunday after a late-night cabinet meeting. The ruling coalition, led by the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement and centre-left PD party, agreed a preliminary version of the stimulus package, a government source said, leaving final details to be hammered out.

The European Commission has launched this week Access2Markets online portal to help small and medium-sized firms trade beyond the EU’s borders. The new portal responds to requests from stakeholders to better explain trade agreements and help companies ensure their products are eligible for duty discounts. It will serve both companies that already trade internationally and those that are only starting to explore opportunities in foreign markets.

Swedish authorities want to bring in local lockdowns to stem the rapid spread of coronavirus in the country. The move marks a new approach in Sweden’s handling of the virus as the country has kept bars and restaurants open while the rest of Europe shut down in March this year.