Eurotopics.net

Eight EU states have recognised Venezuela's opposition leader Guaidó as interim president after head of state Nicolás Maduro failed to meet a deadline for convoking new elections. Speaking about the situation on Sunday US President Donald Trump did not exclude the possibility of military intervention. For some commentators pressure from abroad is the only solution to the crisis. Others argue that foreign intervention must be avoided at all cost.

In its newly published index for 2018 NGO Transparency International reports a global increase in corruption in the economy, politics and administration. A number of European countries including Hungary and Turkey also slipped down in the rankings. But there are also positive examples, commentators point out.

The withdrawal by the US and Russia from the INF Treaty banning the use of land-based mid-range nuclear missiles has stoked fears of a new arms race. Both sides accuse each other of violating the terms of the treaty. Commentators examine who will be hardest hit by the move.

The Finn Matti Nykänen, one of the most successful ski jumpers of all times, has died aged 55. The list of his successes in the 1980s is long: Olympic gold, World Championship titles, World Cup overall titles and Four Hills Tournament victories. But after the end of his sports career the athlete's life was overshadowed by alcoholism, violence and spells in jail. The obituaries reflect the varying emotions Nykänen provoked.

Francis has become the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula. On Monday in Abu Dhabi he and the grand imam of al-Azhar university, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, signed a declaration against war and terror. Observers explain the historic significance of the visit and the document.