Eurotopics.net

At a donor conference on Sunday attended by more than 30 heads of state and government representatives, around 200 million euros in emergency aid was pledged for the reconstruction of Lebanon after the devastating explosion in Beirut. The aid money is to be channelled through the UN, bypassing authorities suspected of corruption. Lebanon needs more than money now, commentators stress.

Protests broke out in cities across Belarus on Sunday after the announcement of a landslide victory for Viktor Lukashenko in Belarus's presidential election. According to the authorities the president won 80 percent of the vote while his main opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya received only 9.9 percent. However independent exit polls carried out with the help of foreign embassies give the opposition candidate 71 percent. Is the country's future on a knife edge?

In most European countries the school summer holidays don't end until September but in some the new school year is already beginning. School life is to go back to normal in as far as possible and the risk of infection minimised with masks, extensive ventilation and distancing. Most commentators welcome this approach but some also have their doubts.

The number of Covid-19 cases is rising sharply again in many areas in Spain. Health authorities have attributed half of the new infections to family celebrations and parties. The head of the coronavirus management team, Fernando Simón, has warned the country's youth: "You are endangering not only yourselves but the entire country." Commentators warn politicians against responding with more bans.

French President Macron has become the first foreign head of state to visit Lebanon after the devastating explosion in Beirut. Addressing citizens protesting against the government, he called for the setting up of an international aid programme to rebuild the battered country and stressed that the aid should go to the people directly. Commentators discuss whether this was the right gesture at the right time.