Latest Mark Rutte News
Dutch government eases lockdown despite soaring infections
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Rutte further eased the Netherlands' coronavirus lockdown, allowing bars, restaurants, museums, theaters and other venues to reopen from Wednesday for the first time this year. But Rutte warned that the move wasn't without risks. ...
Man who threatened Dutch minister gets 6 months in prison
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A man who stood outside the home of a former Dutch foreign minister shouting and waving a burning torch was sent to prison Wednesday for six months, Dutch media reported. Threats aimed at Dutch politicians have increased in recent years amid a...
"The Voice of Holland" talent show hit by #MeToo scandal
AMSTERDAM (AP) — The Dutch talent show “The Voice of Holland” has been taken off the air in the Netherlands amid a sexual misconduct scandal that has cast a shadow over the future of the TV ratings juggernaut in the country where it was first conceived by a media mogul. The...
Dutch government eases lockdown, but not for hospitality
VALKENBURG, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government eased its coronavirus lockdown Friday, allowing non-essential stores, universities, sports clubs and “contact businesses” like hairdressers to reopen for the first time in nearly a month. But while many businesses can open...
Frustration grows as Dutch Cabinet mulls future of lockdown
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The new Dutch government met Thursday to discuss whether to extend or ease its coronavirus lockdown amid growing anger among owners of businesses that have been shuttered for weeks. The Netherlands has been in a strict lockdown since mid-December, with...
Dutch king swears in new ruling coalition, Rutte's 4th
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte embarked on a fourth term Monday, leading a coalition that took office amid a nationwide coronavirus lockdown and policy challenges ranging from climate change and housing shortages to the future of agriculture. King...
Netherlands 'going into lockdown again' to curb omicron
LONDON (AP) — Nations across Europe moved to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, with the Netherlands leading the way by imposing a nationwide lockdown. All non-essential stores, bars and...
Soaring infections rattle Europe, fuel dread about holidays
LONDON (AP) — Soaring infections in Britain driven in part by the omicron variant of the coronavirus rattled Europe on Thursday, prompting new restrictions on the Continent and fueling a familiar dread on both sides of the Atlantic about entering a new phase of the pandemic just in time for the...
New Dutch coalition vows to spend big on broad reforms
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The leaders of four political parties set to join forces in the next Dutch ruling coalition pledged Wednesday to tackle thorny problems including climate change and housing shortages and to strengthen education and a health care system that has been stretched almost...
Dutch extend COVID lockdown; school holidays to start early
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government on Tuesday ordered elementary schools to close a week early for Christmas holidays as authorities battle to rein in coronavirus infections amid concerns about the swift spread of the new omicron variant. Caretaker Prime Minister...
