Eurotopics.net

180 countries in comparison: Reporters Without Borders has published its 2021 Press Freedom Index. Due to the many attacks on those covering demonstrations against coronavirus measures, Germany has slipped down two spots to 13th place, and for the first time its press freedom is only rated as "satisfactory" instead of "good". Placed 112th, Bulgaria once again brings up the rear in the EU. Commentators from both countries examine the reasons.

On Monday night, twelve leading European football clubs announced the launch of their own new league. Now the six British clubs have withdrawn their support, but the plans are not yet entirely off the table. Europe's best and most popular clubs have long been demanding more money from the marketing of the Uefa Champions League, for which the Super League would be a direct rival.

The Shanghai-based Fudan University plans to open a campus in Budapest in 2024, with a capacity of around 5,000 students and 500 teaching staff. Hungary's Minister of Innovation and Technology, László Palkovics, signed a corresponding agreement with the university's president in Shanghai in 2019. Hotly debated in Hungary, the decision is also causing consternation in neighbouring Austria.

On Monday night, twelve leading European football clubs announced the launch of their own new league. Called the Super League, it is planned as a closed group without relegated teams. Europe's best and most popular clubs have long been demanding more money from the marketing of the Uefa Champions League. Now the Super League will be a direct rival. For the most part Europe's media don't think the elite league is a good idea.

The leadership of Germany's The Greens party is sending Annalena Baerbock into the race for the chancellorship - making her the party's first ever chancellor candidate. Should the Greens lead the government after the general election in September, the 40-year-old would become chancellor. Commentators see the nomination as a sign of change. While criticising the established CDU/CSU and SPD parties, they also discuss what Baerbock actually stands for.