South Korea imposes a nationwide ban on private gatherings of more than four people in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 cases. The ban is in effect until August 1 with some exceptions. (The Korea Herald)
Thailand reports a record for the fourth consecutive day of 11,784 new cases of COVID-19, thereby bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 415,170. (Bangkok Post)
Vietnam imposes "Directive 16", the most stringent social distancing measures so far, in 16 provinces for the next two weeks, amid an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. (VNExpress)
Ireland begins to implement a EU Digital COVID Certificate and eases non-essential international travel restrictions for those who have been fully vaccinated, tested negative, or recovered from COVID-19. (RTÉ)
Most legal restrictions on social contact are ended in England. Face coverings in indoor public places are no longer required by law, though they are still recommended in some settings. There are no more limits on how many people can attend events, nightclubs can reopen and table service will not be necessary in pubs and restaurants. People working from home as a result of the pandemic are formally encouraged to return to their workplace. (BBC News)
Restrictions are also being eased across Scotland to level zero. Unlike in England, face coverings are still mandatory in indoor public places and on public transport. The change also means that four households can meet indoors at home, up to 10 households can meet in a pub or restaurant, up to 15 households can meet outdoors and up to 200 people can attend a wedding or funeral. (BBC News)
Afghanistan withdraws all of its senior diplomats from Pakistan after the abduction and alleged torture of the ambassador's daughter in Islamabad. Pakistan calls Kabul's decision "regrettable" and says that they should reconsider. (The Times)
Two United States citizens are convicted and sentenced in Japan for aiding former CEO of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn, in his escape from Japan to Lebanon in December 2019. Former U.S. Special Forces Michael Taylor is sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment while his son receives a 20 months' sentence. (DW)
The National Jury of Elections confirms Castillo as the winner of the election, thereby making him president-elect. He is expected to be sworn-in as President of Peru on July 28. (Mercopress)
According to the leaked data, NSO Group's Pegasus spyware was used to target Saudi-American journalist Jamal Khashoggi and his family and friends in the months before and after Khashoggi's killing. Khashoggi was assassinated and dismembered in Saudi Arabia's embassy in Istanbul in 2018 by Saudi operatives. NSO previously denied any implication in the killing. (The Guardian)