In a significant development, Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israeli military operations in Lebanon will intensify, despite an alleged truce. This comes after more than 120 airstrikes were launched in a single day, with Beirut experiencing renewed attacks for the first time in weeks. The United Nations has described the scale of destruction as “horrific.”
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a high-profile week as Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić was awarded China’s Friendship Medal. This occasion also marked a fresh Chinese investment worth one billion euros in Serbia. However, while celebrations took place in Beijing, Belgrade saw mass anti-government protests. Demonstrators voiced anger over alleged corruption and opaque Chinese-backed infrastructure deals, particularly following the deadly collapse of a train station canopy that resulted in sixteen fatalities.
Across Western Europe, a record-breaking May heatwave brought scorching temperatures. Parisians, seeking relief and social media attention, were seen diving into the Seine and Canal Saint-Martin, despite police issuing fines to those caught entering the water.
In Scottish political news, Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty to embezzling party funds. Police characterized his spending as a “lavish lifestyle he couldn’t afford.”
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