Europe's democratic renewal needs a feminist slant - by Iratxe García Pérez

If the Covid-19 outbreak has taught us anything, it’s that preparedness for crises is crucial to save lives. To be better prepared, we need to have a discussion about the future of the European Union. And not just among politicians. This is where the Conference on the Future of Europe comes in, which had been proposed already before the pandemic because, even back then, it was necessary to update our common vision and to speed up decision-making in our union of 27 member states.

Now, the time has come to get out of the ‘Brussels bubble’, listen to people and advance towards a feminist Europe. We need a new concept of power, a new approach to representative democracy and a new mindset in the EU institutions. This transformation should also be reflected in the institutional architecture. We must ensure that the conference plenary does not just become a political theatre for EU politicians to debate among themselves. Instead, it needs to be a forum to give a voice to citizens

Read more at: Europe's democratic renewal needs a feminist slant – Iratxe García Pérez

The Netherlands - Eurovision Song Contest: Postcards from the Netherlands soon to be delivered

As postcard production nears completion, Eurovision.tv can share with you a special behind-the-scenes video available to watch on the official Eurovision YouTube channel. It features an exclusive interview with Head of Show Gerben Bakker, shot when the postcards for Veluwezoom National Park and the Koppelpoort (a medieval gate in Amersfoort) were being filmed.

Read more at: Postcards from the Netherlands soon to be delivered - Eurovision Song Contest

Netherlands joins Ireland in Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine suspension over blood clot concerns

The Netherlands has joined Ireland in suspending use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine as a precautionary measure following further reports of blood clots in people who have received it, this time from Norway.

Announcing the move late on Sunday, the Dutch health ministry said there was no proof yet of a direct link between the vaccine and reports of possible side-effects from Norway and Denmark and it had not recorded any cases in the Netherlands.

Read mre at: Netherlands joins Ireland in vaccine suspension over blood clot concerns | Coronavirus | The Guardian

EU Coronavirus - Vaccine: EU puts faith in Pfizer jab with plan for 1.8 billion doses - "Too little, too late"??

The EU has announced plans to buy 1.8 billion doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine through 2023. The bloc is also bringing forward shorter-term Pfizer deliveries after suspending orders for the Johnson & Johnson.

On Wednesday, European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said the EU planned to order 1.8 billion doses of the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine by 2023.

Von der Leyen said Brussels had full confidence in the technology behind the Pfizer vaccine. The manufacturing process used for the Pfizer product — dependent on mRNA — is different then the one behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, which uses a cold virus to transport a segment of the coronavirus to the recipients' cells.

Read more at: EU puts faith in Pfizer jab with plan for 1.8 billion doses | Europe| News and current affairs from around the continent | DW | 14.04.2021

The Netherlands: Dutch lockdown measures remain until at least April 28, ANP says

The Dutch government on Sunday dashed hopes of an early easing of lockdown, saying a night-time curfew and other restrictions would remain until at least April 28 as daily infections rose to a two-week high.

Read more at: Dutch lockdown measures remain until at least April 28, ANP says | Reuters

EU's Michel 'hasn't slept well' since chair gaffe in Turkey

Meeting between Turkey and EU, was a poorly planned EU disaster and is causing Michel many sleepless nights.

Read more at: EU's Michel 'hasn't slept well' since chair gaffe in Turkey | Euronews

The Netherlands: ‘Urban Chess’ initiative continues to expand in the Netherlands

Jesús Medina Molina initiated a national program in the Netherlands which promotes the placement of public chess tables in open spaces. Medina has succeeded in getting his initiative approved in 21 Dutch cities so far, with the first three public tables inaugurated in Máxima Park in Utrecht back in 2018.

Not only has Medina worked in IT and tourism, but he also holds a Bachelor’s degree in education. Fluent in Dutch, Spanish, English and Italian, he learned to play chess when his daughter was struggling in school — he thought that chess might help her to strengthen her calculation skills.

Read more at: ‘Urban Chess’ initiative continues to expand in the Netherlands | ChessBase