For several years now, Estonia has been among the top-ranked countries in international rankings analyzing school performance. In the OECD's 2022 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) ranking of 690,000 15-year-old students in 81 countries, Estonia is ranked 7th, behind such major Asian nations as Singapore, Macao, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Estonia is therefore Europe's top performer in this ranking, far ahead of Belgium, ranked 21st (in the distinction of Belgian pupils by Community, pupils from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are in 29th and 31st position, depending on the subject). How do we explain the performance of Estonia, this tiny country of 1.3 million inhabitants?
For several years now, Estonia has been among the top-ranked countries in international rankings analyzing school performance. In the OECD's 2022 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) ranking of 690,000 15-year-old students in 81 countries, Estonia is ranked 7th, behind such major Asian nations as Singapore, Macao, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Estonia is therefore Europe's top performer in this ranking, far ahead of Belgium, ranked 21st (in the distinction of Belgian pupils by Community, pupils from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are in 29th and 31st position, depending on the subject). How do we explain the performance of Estonia, this tiny country of 1.3 million inhabitants?
At the age of 18, Vladyslav Plakhotnik left his home in Lutsk without telling his mother that he was going to join the Azov regiment. He served as a medic in the unit since the summer of 2023. At the end of December, he was taken into Russian captivity, and in 2024, he was convicted of terrorism in Russia and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
At the age of 18, Vladyslav Plakhotnik left his home in Lutsk without telling his mother that he was going to join the Azov regiment. He served as a medic in the unit since the summer of 2023. At the end of December, he was taken into Russian captivity, and in 2024, he was convicted of terrorism in Russia and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
Five years ago, the first Covid-19 lockdown in Switzerland resulted in many restrictions – but also new opportunities. A train driver, a café owner and a potter look back at their successful decisions to start new careers in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.
Five years ago, the first Covid-19 lockdown in Switzerland resulted in many restrictions – but also new opportunities. A train driver, a café owner and a potter look back at their successful decisions to start new careers in the middle of the coronavirus crisis.
Estonia will not be able to meet the climate target agreed upon for the forestry and land use sector for the years 2021-2025 and will therefore likely have to purchase greenhouse gas emission allowances worth tens of millions of euros.
Estonia will not be able to meet the climate target agreed upon for the forestry and land use sector for the years 2021-2025 and will therefore likely have to purchase greenhouse gas emission allowances worth tens of millions of euros.
A motion from Senator Carlo Sommaruga is calling for a special immigration quota for the descendants of Swiss emigrants without citizenship so that they can find work in Switzerland more easily. The Swiss government has rejected the motion – now it's up to parliament to decide.
A motion from Senator Carlo Sommaruga is calling for a special immigration quota for the descendants of Swiss emigrants without citizenship so that they can find work in Switzerland more easily. The Swiss government has rejected the motion – now it's up to parliament to decide.
The existing ban on importing agricultural products from Russia and Belarus must stay, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says as Lithuania’s parliament, Seimas, is debating the government’s proposal to extend the existing national sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
The existing ban on importing agricultural products from Russia and Belarus must stay, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys says as Lithuania’s parliament, Seimas, is debating the government’s proposal to extend the existing national sanctions on Russia and Belarus.
The figures arrived at by experts from the European Commission are not the same as those presented by Slovakia regarding the losses related to the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, Energy Commissioner Dan Jörgensen said. The Slovak data is now being analysed by experts and the EU commissioner said he takes it very seriously when “a member state tells him that it is in trouble”.
The figures arrived at by experts from the European Commission are not the same as those presented by Slovakia regarding the losses related to the suspension of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, Energy Commissioner Dan Jörgensen said. The Slovak data is now being analysed by experts and the EU commissioner said he takes it very seriously when “a member state tells him that it is in trouble”.
With constant discussions about a potential Russian invasion, the Lithuanian public is experiencing heightened stress and anger. However, a military psychologist suggests that this situation should be used as an opportunity to prepare and build resilience.
With constant discussions about a potential Russian invasion, the Lithuanian public is experiencing heightened stress and anger. However, a military psychologist suggests that this situation should be used as an opportunity to prepare and build resilience.
Complutense University professor José María Faraldo believes that there will be no peace as long as Putin remains in the Kremlin.
Complutense University professor José María Faraldo believes that there will be no peace as long as Putin remains in the Kremlin.
Mons family planning center, September 14. Céline Honorez - the coordinator - ends her telephone conversation with a sigh: once again, she has had to refuse an abortion.
Mons family planning center, September 14. Céline Honorez - the coordinator - ends her telephone conversation with a sigh: once again, she has had to refuse an abortion.
Last year broke all climate records and CO₂ concentration was the highest in 800,000 years.
Last year broke all climate records and CO₂ concentration was the highest in 800,000 years.
Five people have been charged with active corruption or money laundering as part of the investigation targeting Chinese company Huawei for suspicions of corruption within the European Parliament, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday.
Five people have been charged with active corruption or money laundering as part of the investigation targeting Chinese company Huawei for suspicions of corruption within the European Parliament, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office announced on Tuesday.
23 cats, six adult dogs and four puppies were evacuated by volunteers from Dnipro during one trip to frontline settlements. The team of Save Animals Ukraine has been rescuing them from Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. During this time, almost 2500 animals have been taken away.
23 cats, six adult dogs and four puppies were evacuated by volunteers from Dnipro during one trip to frontline settlements. The team of Save Animals Ukraine has been rescuing them from Donetsk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. During this time, almost 2500 animals have been taken away.
Baltic and Polish defense ministers on Tuesday said they recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, as regional security threats increase.
Baltic and Polish defense ministers on Tuesday said they recommend withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines, as regional security threats increase.
Nagorno-Karabakh is under Azeri control although the majority of its population is Armenian.
Nagorno-Karabakh is under Azeri control although the majority of its population is Armenian.
As we know, the De Wever government is looking for around 4 billion euros this year to finance accelerated spending in the defense sector. For the entire legislature, a total of 17.2 billion euros will have to be found.
As we know, the De Wever government is looking for around 4 billion euros this year to finance accelerated spending in the defense sector. For the entire legislature, a total of 17.2 billion euros will have to be found.
Lithuanian prosecutors consider the fire at the Ikea store in Vilnius last May to be a terrorist attack as they have referred the case to court.
Lithuanian prosecutors consider the fire at the Ikea store in Vilnius last May to be a terrorist attack as they have referred the case to court.
The appeal filed by the parent, represented by the group Christian Lawyers, is thus dismissed.
The appeal filed by the parent, represented by the group Christian Lawyers, is thus dismissed.
Climate change is affecting the Baltic Sea and every winter less ice coverage forms. When there is less ice, the waves become stronger.
Climate change is affecting the Baltic Sea and every winter less ice coverage forms. When there is less ice, the waves become stronger.
The world’s first government-commissioned study, by Switzerland, on intimidation of Tibetan and Uyghur communities sheds a light on transnational repression by China. Are countries such as Switzerland doing enough to protect its people from transnational repression?
The world’s first government-commissioned study, by Switzerland, on intimidation of Tibetan and Uyghur communities sheds a light on transnational repression by China. Are countries such as Switzerland doing enough to protect its people from transnational repression?
