British PM Boris Johnson is set to table out later today plans for the final step in easing England's Covid-19 lockdown, including further guidance on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, news wires reported. As of 19 July most restrictions in England will be lifted with final decision due on 12 July.

Norway's largest pension fund announced on Monday it had divested assets in 16 companies for their links to Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including telecom equipment giant Motorola, AFP reported. "Motorola and other companies risk complicity in international law violations in occupied Palestine," KLP, which manages some $95 bn (€80bn) worth of assets, said in a statement.

UK announced wearing of facemasks would not be mandatory but would become a personal choice and further information will determine if other lockdown restrictions may be waived as the situation this month was looking "very positive", Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said, quoted by Reuters.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel voiced strong concerns over crowded soccer matches from the Euro-2020 championship, saying that may lead to a surge in Covid-19 infections, Reuters reported. Merkel’s worries were provoked by massive gathering of fans at the Wembley stadium. However her comments were downplayed by UK PM Boris Johnson. The two met as part of Merkel’s last formal visit to UK.

The post-Brexit requirement for drivers from the UK to obtain a 'green card' from their insurance company before visiting Europe is set to be dropped after the European Commission agreed to waive the requirement.

UK announced it had received six million applications over its settlement scheme for EU nationals by the campaign deadline on 30 June, Reuters reported. London elaborated that only in the last 30 days prior the deadline were received 400,000 applications.

UK announced plans to amend legislation to spur state financial support to troubled companies and sectors, BBC reported. Britain enjoys its independence to direct subsidies without having to wait for approval by Brussels. The new laws set to replace EU rules will grant the government and councils greater freedom to back businesses.

Britain is on course to be able to lift most remaining Covid-19 restrictions on 19 July, PM Boris Johnson said on Monday, cited by news agencies. This is his most confident statement yet that the so-called "Freedom Day" will finally take place.

Iceland lifted all domestic Covid-19 restrictions after up to 87% of its citizens over 16 received at least one vaccine dose, and new coronavirus cases are close to zero, news wires reported. About 48% of those 16 and over are fully vaccinated. The island nation, with a population of about 369,000, has seen 6,637 cases, with 30 deaths overall.

Sensitive defense documents containing details about the British military have been found at a bus stop in England, the BBC reported Sunday.