European Union

AstraZeneca delivered close to 30 million doses in the EU in the first quarter of this year, according to the European Commission on Wednesday. "The number of AstraZeneca deliveries expected by the end of this week is verging on 30 million," said a commission spokesperson. The British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm was contracted for 90 million.

A mini urban forest of 100 square metres is big enough to plant 15 to 30 tree types and recreate the ecosystem of a full-scale forest, according to Nicolas de Brabandère, founder of the Belgian company, Urban Forest. EURACTIV France reports.

Although the Norwegian Football Federation has postponed its decision on whether to boycott the 2022 World Cup, the debate about human rights violations in host country Qatar has gained new momentum: during qualifying matches, not only the Norwegians but also the German, Danish and Dutch teams wore T-shirts featuring protest slogans. Commentators discuss the motives behind such actions.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has been instructed by Germany's Constitutional Court not to sign off on a law ratifying the EU's coronavirus recovery fund because of a constitutional complaint against Germany's participation in the programme. The complaint was filed by a group led by former Alternative for Germany leader Bernd Lucke, who argues that it is illegal for the EU to take on joint debt to finance the package. This is about more than just a formality, European journalists conclude.

Transcripts of text messages published by the media show how a close confidant of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was given the top post at the major Austrian state holding company Öbag. The messages give insights into the cronyism in Austria's political landscape. Commentators call for consequences.

For the second year in a row the Easter holidays in Europe are taking place under the shadow of the pandemic. As before Christmas, many commentators see the holidays overshadowed - by the political dithering, frustrated restaurateurs, contradictory regulations on travel and meetings, and the prospect of crowded churches.