England starts today to slowly go out of lockdown with people allowed to meet up outside in groups of six for the first time in nearly three months, news wires reported. At the same time PM Boris Johnson urged caution due to rising coronavirus cases in Europe. Britain entered its third national lockdown on 4 January.

Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass for a second time in the pandemic without crowds of faithful, Pope Francis said while shock dominated the first year of the COVID-19 health emergency, now people are more weary, with the economic crisis growing heavier.

Security forces in Belarus on Saturday cracked down on fresh protests against long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko, detaining more than 170 people and reportedly using force, dpa reported. Images and video footage posted online showed police using violent tactics. For instance, officers clad in black could be seen pushing a man to the ground while women rushed to the scene to separate them.

Ten people were reportedly arrested in the city of Bristol in southwest England on Friday after protests over a new policing bill once again turned violent with people throwing glass bottles and bricks at officers.

Catalonia's lawmakers spent more than 10 hours in an effort to elect a new head of government - six weeks after the Spanish region voted for a new regional parliament - but came up empty in the first round.

The Bank of England called on lenders on Friday to provide enough credit to companies to see them through the coronavirus crisis as the government closes its emergency lending guarantee schemes.

Switzerland on 25 March extended border controls to all Schengen Member Countries in an attempt to increase protection for its citizens in the fight against the coronavirus, news wires reported.

Britain pledged a further 1.5 billion pounds ($2.06 billion) in tax relief for companies hit by the coronavirus crisis but which until now had not qualified for exemption from paying business rates, a charge based on the value of commercial property.

The design of the brand new Bank of England's 50-pound banknote, featuring the computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing was revealed on Thursday, BBC reported. The new note will officially enter mass circulation on 23 June, when is the birthday of the famous mathematician.

Britain is going to significantly reduce the number of its soldiers, the Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced on Monday. He told parliament he had decided to reduce the size of Britain's army from 76,500 to 72,500 by 2025, dpa reported.