Eurotopics.net

The OECD on Tuesday presented the results of the Pisa student assessment study, this time with data from 79 countries. In 2018, particular focus was put on reading skills. The alarming result: 25 percent of 15-year-olds can neither understand nor relate to the ideas of even simple texts. Are they too distracted by digital media? And what role do country-specific factors play?

Finland's social democratic Prime Minister Antti Rinne resigned on Tuesday after the Centre Party, which forms part of his coalition government, withdrew its support in a dispute over pay for postal service workers. His successor as leader of the coalition has yet to be chosen. In the media's view, this still isn't the end of the affair.

The opposition in Malta has been protesting for days against Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's delayed resignation. The European Parliament is now also pondering action over the Maltese government's involvement in the 2017 murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia after a delegation that visited the island voiced doubts about Muscat's credibility. Commentators call for a tougher response from the EU.

A peaceful mood is not to be expected at the meeting of Nato members in London to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Alliance's inception. US President Trump, French President Macron and Turkey have been at the heart of considerable discord within the military alliance in recent times. What stands in the way of a successful future for Nato?