Eurotopics.net

A reading list for students at a religious school in Istanbul which reportedly recommended authors such as Victor Hugo and Martin Heidegger is causing a stir. Conservative social media groups expressed outrage about the list, calling it a scandal. The Istanbul Governor's Office launched an official investigation and suspended the headteacher, who claims his signature was forged.

The singer Dara from Bulgaria has won the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna by an unprecedented margin. Her country, which had refrained from participating for the past three years for cost reasons, will now host the event in 2027. Israel, over whose participation five countries boycotted the contest, came in second again. Europe's media examine the cultural and political importance of the musical extravaganza.

As well as friendly words about collaboration, China's head of state Xi also issued a stark warning to the visiting US president. The Taiwan issue has top priority in their bilateral relations, Xi insisted. If it was not handled properly, it could result in an "extremely dangerous situation". Trump, meanwhile, has said he has yet to greenlight a US arms package to Taiwan, describing it as a useful bargaining chip against China.

At the latest since the scaled-down military parade on 9 May, a growing number of voices are saying that Russia is struggling. Popular support for Putin appears to be waning, people are starting to whisper about a coup and Russia's military position in its war of aggression against Ukraine has deteriorated. Commentators debate whether the tide is now turning.

During the change of government last week, Hungary's new prime minister, Péter Magyar, gave a video tour of the interior of the official residence of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán – a converted Carmelite monastery – and several ministries. Magyar drew attention to the excess luxury on display, including an array of prized museum pieces.