MARK RUTTE

Farmers are protesting around the Netherlands as lawmakers vote on proposals to slash emissions of damaging pollutants.

Thousands of farmers have gathered in the central Netherlands to protest the Dutch government’s plans to rein in emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia.

The Dutch government has formally apologized to soldiers who were sent as U.N. peacekeepers to defend the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica with insufficient firepower and manpower to keep the peace.

The leaders of seven NATO nations from across Europe have pledged their support for Sweden and Finland’s bids to join the alliance and for providing more weapons to help Ukraine battle Russia.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday said there is a "limit to what a government can do" to help people amid surging inflation.

(AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — The long-serving Dutch prime minister is in hot water over his low-tech cell phone. Mark Rutte is facing unusual political and public pressure after revelations that he has been deleting text messages about official matters for years. Critics accuse him of concealing state activity – but he says the messages just took up too much space in his years-old Nokia phone. Rutte survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Thursday over the deleted text messages, but opposition parties are calling for further inquiry. Written communication, including text messages, can be disclosed to journalists under the Open Government Act, while phone calls are not required to be recorded.

The long-serving Dutch prime minister is facing unusual political and public pressure after revelations that he has been deleting text messages about official matters for years.

Four EU countries plan to speed up the continent’s green transition and help wean it off Russian energy imports through a large new project to build wind farms in the North Sea.

New satellite images show what appear to be mass graves near the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

President Joe Biden has pledged $1.3 billion more for new weapons and economic assistance to help Ukraine in its strong but increasingly difficult battle against the Russian invasion.

Netherlands Invictus Games Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, left, athletes and the audience gave a long standing ovation to the team from Ukraine, center with blue and yellow flags, during the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — The Invictus Games competition for wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans opened Saturday night in the Netherlands with a standing ovation and a tribute from Prince Harry for the Ukrainian team members who left their war-torn nation to compete. Harry founded the Invictus Games to aid the rehabilitation of injured or sick military service members and veterans by giving them the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics. Welcoming all competitors, Harry singled out the Ukrainian team and their supporters. I’d like to extend a special welcome to the Ukrainian team," he said as applause and cheers erupted.

The Invictus Games competition for wounded, injured and ill service personnel and veterans has opened with a standing ovation and a tribute from Prince Harry for the Ukrainian team members who left their war-torn nation to compete.

The European Union has preserved a sense of rarely seen unity through four rounds of unprecedented sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces blocked a humanitarian convoy trying to reach besieged Mariupol with desperately needed supplies and took captive some of the rescue workers and bus drivers.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address the U.S. Congress — the next stop as the actor-turned-wartime leader uses the Western world’s great legislative bodies as a global stage to help his country.

The Dutch government says it will drop its last remaining COVID-19 restrictions next week despite a recent rise in infections as the nation learns to live with the coronavirus.

European Union leaders have ruled out fulfilling Ukraine’s demand for a fast-track integration with the bloc as they discussed ways to help the eastern country in its war against Russia.

Europe faces a rough choice: is it worth a recession to choke off oil and gas money to Russia while it fights a war in Ukraine.

Russia has lost influence and friends since the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1989.

But critics say the British government is trying — belatedly — to fix problems of its own making. Johnson has repeatedly claimed that Britain is leading international efforts to punish Putin over the invasion of Ukraine. Critics say the current rules involve too much legal red tape that can be used to forestall sanctions. Transparency campaigners say the governing Conservatives have received 2 million pounds ($2.7 million) in donations from people linked to Russia since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. Johnson’s office said all peerages are vetted by an appointments commission, and Johnson denied intervening to overrule concerns about Lebedev.

Queen Elizabeth II met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, smiling and greeting him in front of a large bouquet of blue and yellow flowers, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Britain Russia Ukraine War From left, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte greet each other during a meeting at RAF Northolt RAF Northolt in London, Monday, March 7, 2022. But critics say the British government is trying — belatedly — to fix problems of its own making. Johnson has repeatedly claimed that Britain is leading international efforts to punish Putin over the invasion of Ukraine. Transparency campaigners say the governing Conservatives have received 2 million pounds ($2.7 million) in donations from people linked to Russia since Johnson became prime minister in 2019. Johnson’s office said all peerages are vetted by an appointments commission, and Johnson denied intervening to overrule concerns about Lebedev.

U.K. lawmakers are set to pass a bill aimed at toughening sanctions on Russia and rooting out ill-gotten money from the British economy.

U.S. and European officials are holding one key financial sanction against Russia in reserve.

The sanctions must still be legally approved and published before they become effective.

A multi-year research project has concluded that Dutch troops used extreme violence during Indonesia’s war for independence and military leaders and politicians in the Netherlands largely ignored the excesses.

Social media was all too happy (or shocked) to comment on this trending weather topic.

The discussions would only happen if Russia “offers reciprocal transparency measures on two ground-launched missiles bases of our choosing in Russia,” the document said. NATO declined comment, but the text of the purported NATO document closely reflects statements made by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg as he laid out the 30-nation military organization’s position on Russia’s demands. The Netherlands is working out if the country can offer cyber defense expertise to Ukraine amid diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Russia. The specter of conflict between Russia and Ukraine is helping drive up prices across the 19 nations that use the euro currency. ___ Eric Tucker___Follow all AP stories on Russia and Ukraine tensions at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

From the re-opening of bars and restaurants to the dropping of legal requirements for masks, many of Europe's biggest economies are now relaxing Covid rules.

The new Dutch government was meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, to discuss whether to extend or ease its coronavirus lockdown amid growing anger and plans for civil disobedience from businesses that have been shuttered for weeks. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (Peter Dejong)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. “We are taking a big step today to unlock the Netherlands while the infections numbers are really going through the roof,” Rutte said Tuesday. Infections have spiked in recent weeks because of the omicron variant, despite the lockdown that was tougher than in most of Europe, but admissions to the country's intensive care units have been declining. The new measures apply for six weeks, but Rutte said the government would review them and their effect on infection numbers after three weeks.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has further eased his country’s coronavirus lockdown.

Dutch media report that a man who stood outside the home of a former Dutch foreign minister shouting and waving a burning torch has been sent to prison for six months.

The furor is one of the most serious #MeToo reckonings yet to hit the Dutch entertainment world and focuses on a show created in the Netherlands but broadcast in local versions around the globe. The Dutch scandal erupted after a local broadcaster's YouTube show called BOOS, the Dutch word for angry, contacted The Voice to say it has spoken to victims of “sexually transgressive behavior” and is planning a show about their allegations on Thursday. “I think everybody is very shocked and it’s good that it is investigated,” he told Dutch daily De Telegraaf. Dutch broadcaster RTL, which airs The Voice of Holland, reacted swiftly, saying over the weekend that it was suspending the show. The show’s pianist and band leader, Jeroen Rietbergen, quit over the weekend and issued a statement acknowledging his actions.

The new Dutch government was meeting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, to discuss whether to extend or ease its coronavirus lockdown amid growing anger and plans for civil disobedience from businesses that have been shuttered for weeks. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Shops, bars and restaurants in a southern Dutch town opened Friday in a protest action that underscored growing anger at weeks of coronavirus lockdown measures, a day before some of the restrictions are expected to be eased. A local broadcaster showed people eating and drinking at outdoor tables of restaurants in the main street of Valkenburg in open defiance of a lockdown in the Netherlands. Authorities in the tourist town, which was devastated by flooding last year, didn't take action to enforce coronavirus restrictions. The booster drive was slow to get started in the Netherlands, but has gathered pace in recent weeks.

Shops, bars and restaurants in a southern Dutch town have opened in a protest action that underscored growing anger at weeks of coronavirus lockdown measures.

The new Dutch government is meeting to discuss whether to extend or ease its coronavirus lockdown amid growing anger among owners of businesses that have been shuttered for weeks.

The ceremony in the ballroom at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague came after a record-breaking coalition formation process following athe March 17 general election that highlighted deep divisions in the splintered Dutch political landscape. Even so, Rutte will lead a coalition made up of the same four parties that quit to end his third term. Together, they command a narrow majority in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, but are in the minority in the upper house. For the first time in Dutch political history, half of the senior Cabinet ministers are women. Rutte said the coalition would seek to work together with “society and with our political colleagues” in parliament to implement reforms.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has embarked on a fourth term.

All non-essential stores, bars and restaurants in the Netherlands will be closed until January 14 starting Sunday.

LONDON — (AP) — The Dutch government says it is imposing a tough nationwide lockdown starting Sunday in an attempt to rein in sharply rising levels of infections with the omicron coronavirus mutation. “The Netherlands is going into lockdown again from tomorrow,” caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Saturday. Dutch Health Minister Hugo de Jonge didn't say what measures the government might impose as he headed into the meeting. Britain and other nations are also accelerating the pace of booster shots after early data showed that two doses of vaccine were less effective against the omicron variant. Omicron is now the dominant coronavirus variant in London and efforts were stepped up to reach people who haven't yet been vaccinated or boosted.

Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant.

Climate group Greenpeace welcomed parts of the plan, but said more was needed, including concrete measures to cut carbon emissions. It said it was “disappointed to see the emphasis on nuclear energy,” but voiced skepticism about whether the nuclear plan would materialize. The coalition parties also pledged to invest in all levels of the education system, tackle inequalities and intolerance in society and to fight organized crime amid fears about the growing power of drug gangs. Together, they command a narrow majority in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, but are in the minority in the upper house. The presentation of the deal came just under nine months after the March general election, making the coalition talks the longest in Dutch history.

Netherlands Politics FILE - In this file photo dated Friday, April 2, 2021, caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte leaves after surviving a no-confidence motion in parliament in The Hague, Netherlands. The parties, led by caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, planned to unveil their plans in the early afternoon. Together, they command a narrow majority in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, but are in the minority in the upper house. Following a parliamentary debate on the coalition accord, Rutte is expected to be appointed to oversee the allocation of Cabinet portfolios. The presentation of the deal comes just under nine months after the country's March 17 general election, making the coalition talks the longest in Dutch history.

The leaders of four political parties set to join forces in the next Dutch ruling coalition have pledged to tackle thorny problems including climate change and housing shortages and to strengthen education and a health care system that has been stretched almost to breaking point by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Dutch government on Tuesday Dec. 14, 2021, 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 Mark Rutte also extended the country's existing lockdown until Jan. 14, saying the government has to be alert for the new variant. “So yes, a disappointing but perhaps not very big surprise.”Rutte said school holidays will be extended from two weeks to three, starting Dec. 20. Rutte said that continuing high pressure on the health care system combined with the looming threat of the omicron variant made measures unavoidable. However, the institute warned that the omicron variant is expected to cause more infections and could in turn lead to an increase in hospital admissions.

The Dutch government has 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 omicron variant.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — The four parties negotiating to form the next Dutch coalition government agreed Monday on a policy blueprint, officials overseeing the talks announced, a major step toward the end of their marathon talks. It is now expected to reviewed by the four parties' parliamentary blocs before being sent to Parliament for debate. The two officials steering the talks announced earlier that they were planning to send the blueprint, known as a coalition accord, to Parliament on Wednesday. If these talks produce a new coalition, Rutte is poised to begin a fourth term as prime minister after leading a caretaker administration since the election. The four parties hammering out policies are the same four that made up the last Dutch coalition.

Officials say the four parties negotiating to form the next Dutch coalition government have agreed on a policy blueprint.

Nations across Europe are taking new measures in an attempt to keep a COVID-19 spike from spiraling out of control, hoping that action now will safeguard the joys of Christmas next month.

Virus Outbreak Netherlands In this image taken from video, demonstrators protest against government restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. But he said violence in Rotterdam and other smaller incidents in the Netherlands had “nothing to do with demonstrating. Prosecutors said four people suffered gunshot wounds in the rioting, but investigations are still underway into who fired the shots. Officers also fired warning shots. Rotterdam’s mayor, Ahmed Aboutaleb, who described the rioting in his city as an “orgy of violence” said football hooligans were believed to be involved.

Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte has condemned rioters in Rotterdam and other towns and cities across the Netherlands over the weekend as “idiots.”.

Stores selling non-essential items will have to close at 6 p.m.“Tonight we have a very unpleasant message with very unpleasant and far-reaching decisions,” Rutte said. As Rutte spoke, police in The Hague said they arrested a number of people protesting in a nearby street for setting off fireworks. The Netherlands is not alone in taking measures to rein in soaring coronavirus infections. The campaign had been set to start in December, but will now begin at the end of next week. The country, where nearly 85% of adults are fully vaccinated, largely ended lockdown restrictions at the end of September.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a three-week partial lockdown Friday amid surging COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands. THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch government is widely expected to announce a partial lockdown Friday amid soaring COVID-19 cases that are putting the country's health care sector under renewed strain. The campaign had been set to start in December, but will now begin at the end of next week. That could mean the Dutch national team playing a World Cup qualifier against Norway on Tuesday night behind closed doors. The Netherlands, where nearly 85% of adults are fully vaccinated, largely ended lockdown restrictions at the end of September.

Caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has announced a three-week partial lockdown amid surging COVID-19 cases in the Netherlands.

Canada and the Netherlands are counting on the weekend Group of 20 summit in Rome to make significant progress toward clinching an acceptable deal at the United Nations climate meeting starting immediately afterward.

Belgium EU Summit Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU summit in Brussels, Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool Photo via AP) (Olivier Hoslet)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Talks to hammer out a new ruling Dutch coalition broke the record Friday for the longest post-election government formation negotiations — 226 days and counting. The previous Dutch record was held by the last government, which was made up of the same four parties currently trying to broker agreements on a policy blueprint for a new four-year term. “There are more talks next week and probably more after that,” caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Dutch broadcaster NOS as he headed into coalition talks Thursday. That means he is in line for a fourth term as prime minister and set to become the country's longest-serving leader.

Talks to hammer out a new ruling Dutch coalition have broken the record for the longest post-election government formation negotiations.

Key European Union leaders are unconvinced by Polish arguments that fundamental judicial changes the country has made would not undermine the bloc and said that the withholding of billions in EU recovery funds would likely continue unless Warsaw falls back into line.

The trial has opened of two men charged with murder in the killing of Dutch crime reporter Peter R.

After hours of discussions, the leaders of smaller parties left, while the leaders of the three main parties that are expected to form the core of any new coalition government kept talking. “It’s up to them to decide what they want,” Jesse Klaver, leader of the Green Left party, told reporters. A total of 17 parties from across the political spectrum won seats in the lower house of the Dutch parliament in the March 17 election. The most recent round of failed negotiations focused on a minority coalition of those two parties together with the Christian Democrats. While the Greens and Labor reiterated a willingness to join a coalition, the main parties have so far balked at such a broad coalition.

Dutch political party leaders are meeting to force a breakthrough in deadlocked negotiations to form a new ruling coalition.

As Europe’s economic powerhouse Germany embarks on the task of piecing together a new ruling coalition after Sunday’s knife-edge election, observers need only look to its neighbors, Belgium and the Netherlands, to see how tricky the process can be.

New York City schools have been temporarily blocked from enforcing a vaccine mandate for its teachers and other workers by a federal appeals judge days before it was to take effect.

An uptick in anti-European Union rhetoric in Hungary and Poland has some observers worried the countries' right-wing governments might be planning to pull out of the 27-nation trade bloc.

Hungary’s right-wing government is attracting conservative thinkers from the United States who admire its approaches to migration, LGBT issues and national sovereignty.

A Dutch court has ruled that border police can use ethnicity as one of the criteria for selecting people for checks at the border.

The Dutch king has outlined a pared-back government plan for the coming year in the traditional speech opening the new parliamentary term.

Netherlands Holocaust Memorial A woman touches one of the name stones after King Willem-Alexander officially unveiled a new monument in the heart of Amsterdam's historic Jewish Quarter on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, honoring the 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) (Peter Dejong)AMSTERDAM — (AP) — King Willem-Alexander officially unveiled a new memorial in the heart of Amsterdam's historic Jewish Quarter on Sunday honoring more than 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust, and the Dutch prime minister vowed that it would remind citizens today to be vigilant against antisemitism. Jacques Grishaver, chairman of the Dutch Auschwitz Committee, officially opened the monument with the king in the presence of dignitaries and Holocaust survivors. The king helped Grishaver to pick up and put down his stone. Amsterdam Municipality granted permission for construction to start in 2017, but building work was delayed after residents argued that the monument was too big for the location.

King Willem-Alexander has officially unveiled a new memorial in the heart of Amsterdam’s historic Jewish Quarter to honor the more than 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust.

King Willem-Alexander officially unveiled a new memorial in the heart of Amsterdam's historic Jewish Quarter on Sunday honoring more than 102,000 Dutch victims of the Holocaust, and the Dutch prime minister vowed that it would remind citizens today to be vigilant against antisemitism. Designed by Polish-Jewish architect Daniel Libeskind, the memorial is made up of walls shaped to form four Hebrew letters spelling out a word that translates as “In Memory Of.” The walls are built using bricks, each of which is inscribed with the name, date of birth and age when they died of one of the more than 102,000 Jews, Roma and Sinti who were murdered in Nazi concentration camps during World War II or who died on their way to the camps.

But it goes hand-in-hand with the use of digital passes showing if people have been fully vaccinated, have just tested negative or have recently recovered from COVID-19. Other European countries such as France already have similar rules requiring a COVID-19 pass to get into public venues like bars and restaurants. Caretaker Health Minister Hugo de Jonge denied that, but said more vaccinations would be a good side effect. People will again be able to attend outdoor music and arts festivals if they show a COVID-19 health pass. On Saturday, thousands took to the streets in cities across the Netherlands to demand a resumption of music festivals and similar events.

The Dutch government says social distancing will end in the Netherlands on Sept. 25.

The U.N.’s top climate official is urging governments to stop their “deferral and delay” tactics and instead embrace rapid, widespread measures to curb and adapt to global warming.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — The Netherlands appeared to be heading toward talks to form a minority coalition after efforts to piece together a Cabinet made up of five parties from across the political spectrum broke down Tuesday. More than five months after a general election left the Dutch political landscape fragmented, two key parties said they do not want to form a new government with a pair of leftist parties. The decision by caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, known by its Dutch acronym VVD, and the CDA Christian Democrats came after months of talks between party leaders and an official who is attempting to cobble together the Netherlands' next ruling coalition. Jesse Klaver, leader of the Green Left party, said Rutte's refusal to talk “did not fit in the Dutch tradition” of multi-party coalition negotiations. Anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders didn't want to wait for more negotiations and called in a tweet for a new election.

The Netherlands appears to be heading toward talks to form a minority coalition after efforts to piece together a Cabinet made up of five parties from across the political spectrum broke down Tuesday.

Albania has registered some 130,000 coronavirus cases and 2,456 deaths so far but no deaths have been reported in the past month or so. North Macedonia’s health minister, Venko Filipce, reiterated that mass immunization is the only way to end the pandemic and encouraged parents to have their children vaccinated. During an earlier surge in cases, in April, Iran reported the highest daily number of cases, 25,582. The health minister on Sunday announced 7,680 new confirmed cases over the previous 24-hour period, up from 5,261 daily cases a week earlier. Johnson’s office initially said the prime minister would instead take a daily coronavirus test as part of a pilot project.

Germany Europe Weather Residents clear mud and unusable furniture from houses in the city center of Bad Neuenahr, western Germany, Saturday, July 17, 2021. Belgium’s national crisis center put the country's confirmed death toll at 24 and said it expects the number to rise. Steinmeier said that people in the affected areas are counting on continuing support. The German military used armored vehicles to clear away cars and trucks overwhelmed by the floodwaters on a nearby road, some of which remained at least partly submerged. Southern parts of the Netherlands also have been hit by heavy flooding.

The rising death toll from disastrous flooding in Germany and Belgium came as rescue workers toiled to clear up the devastation revealed by receding water and prevent further damage.

Rescue workers labored to deal with damage laid bare by receding water as the death toll from disastrous flooding in Western Europe rose above 160.

Belgium EU Summit Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (John Thys, Pool Photo via AP) (John Thys)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands skyrocketed by more than 500% over the last week, the country's public health institute reported Tuesday. The Dutch public health institute said that of the infections that could be traced to their source, 37% happened in a hospitality venue such as a bar or club. Despite the alarming rise in confirmed cases, hospital admissions increased by a modest 11%, or 60 COVID-19 patients, over the week, the institute said. Health authorities said more than 1.3 million people would receive their first or second doses this week.

The Dutch public health institute says that coronavirus infections in the Netherlands skyrocketed by more than 500% over the last week.

Coronavirus infections in the Netherlands skyrocketed by more than 500% over the last week, the country's public health institute reported Tuesday. The surge follows the scrapping of almost all remaining lockdown restrictions and the reopening of night clubs in late June. The weekly update showing that nearly 52,000 people in the Netherlands tested positive for COVID-19 over the past week came a day after caretaker Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte apologized for the June 26 lockdown relaxation and called it “an error of judgment.”

Belgium EU Summit Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, June 24, 2021. (John Thys, Pool Photo via AP) (John Thys)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — The Dutch leader apologized Monday for what he called “an error of judgment” in relaxing the Netherlands' coronavirus lockdown, a move that has led to a sharp surge in infections. On Saturday, the country's public health institute reported more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases, the highest number of positive tests since late December. “An error of judgment was made, we are sorry about that,” Rutte told reporters in The Hague. Caretaker Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said the relaxation combined with a lack of social distancing and the delta variant “has had, of course, an accelerating effect.

The Dutch leader has apologized for what he calls “an error of judgment” in relaxing the Netherlands’ coronavirus lockdown.

The Dutch leader apologized Monday for what he called “an error of judgment” in relaxing the Netherlands' coronavirus lockdown, a move that has led to a sharp surge in infections. Caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte's government scrapped most remaining restrictions just over three weeks ago amid declining infection numbers and hospital admissions. Since then, infections have skyrocketed.

Indonesia Food and Drug Monitoring Agency also announced the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by Moderna. Health officials say the benefits of the coronavirus vaccines far outweigh the small risks of side effects. Also, the EMA is recommending people who have a history of a rare condition that causes blood vessels to leak avoid the coronavirus vaccine made by Johnson & Johnson. ___BUDAPEST — Hungary’s capital city is offering free antibody testing to older people amid concerns that certain COVID-19 vaccines don’t provide adequate protection. The COVID-19 vaccines are being donated by the United States and delivered through the U.N.-backed COVAX program.

Hungary is coming under fire from other EU member states over a controversial anti-LGBTQ law passed in the country, which will see the banning of children’s content considered to “promote homosexuality.”This week, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte reportedly asked the prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, to respect LGBTQ laws or withdraw from the bloc altogether. The drama has unleashed a larger debate about what the EU should—or can—stand for, and whether it should take action against member

Germany and France want European Union leaders to host a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but other allies aren’t hearing much justification for a meeting beyond the fact that President Joe Biden did it first.

Western leaders have said they will bring Hungary "to its knees" over a law banning the promotion of homosexuality in schools at a bitter EU summit on Thursday. Mark Rutte, the prime minister of the Netherlands, said Hungary either "must leave" the EU or repeal the law, which bans TV shows and other content seen as championing LGBT lifestyles for the under-18s. However, some eastern European governments refused to join 17 of the bloc's 27 countries in a rare joint statement condemning a fellow m

(Koen van Weel/Pool via AP) (Koen van Weel)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Nearly 100 days after Dutch national election, talks to form a new ruling coalition remain deadlocked, the official who has led weeks of negotiations said Tuesday. The other big winner was the centrist D66 party led by caretaker Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag. “At the moment, there is no combination possible” among six parties from across the political spectrum that have expressed readiness to be part of the next government, said Mariette Hamer, a former lawmaker leading coalition talks. The document can then be used for a resumption of coalition talks in mid-August. In the absence of a new government, Rutte's last administration has been ruling the country in caretaker mode.

A shelter in place has been issued for parts of Deptford Township, Gloucester County. The area impacted is Pasadena Avenue and Hurffville Road.

Dutch zoos and theme parks will be allowed to re-open next week under strict conditions and bars and cafes can extend the opening hours of their outdoor terraces, if coronavirus infections and hospital admissions continue to fall, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Tuesday, May 11, 2021. But Rutte said he expects the current downward trends to continue and the easing of the lockdown to go ahead. Neighboring Belgium announced earlier Tuesday that it too is relaxing its lockdown as of next month. Dutch bars and cafes reopened their outdoor terraces last month, under strict conditions, after a six-month lockdown. Last month also saw huge crowds gather in Dutch cities, flouting social distancing rules, to celebrate the national King's Day holiday.

(Annegret Hilse/Pool Photo via AP) (Annegret Hilse)GENEVA — Germany and the World Health Organization say the country will set up and host a global monitoring center to help prepare for and prevent future public health threats like the COVID-19 pandemic. The “global hub for pandemic and epidemic intelligence” based in Berlin was announced Wednesday and will be coordinated by WHO. “The current COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we can only fight pandemics and epidemics together,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, saying the hub will bring together governmental, academic and private sectors. ___DETROIT — Teams of canvassers from Detroit’s health department have been fanning out across city neighborhoods to educate residents on where to get free COVID-19 vaccines. Various campaigns also are happening in Black and other communities of color across the U.S. to persuade people that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his entire Cabinet resigned Friday to take political responsibility for a scandal involving investigations into child welfare payments that wrongly labeled thousands of parents as fraudsters. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte rides a bicycle as he leaves a press conference in The Hague on January 15, 2021, following the resignation of his government over a scandal in which thousands of parents were falsely accused of benefit fraud. If he succeeds in forming a new coalition, Rutte would most likely again become prime minister. Ministers were to decide on their reaction to a scathing report issued last month, titled "Unprecedented Injustice," that said the tax office policies violated "fundamental principles of the rule of law." One of those parents waited near parliament as the Cabinet met and said she wanted it to resign.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte arrives on his bike before the Council of Ministers at the Binnenhof in The Hague. LONDON — The whole Dutch government collectively resigned on Friday after a scandal involving the mismanagement of childcare funds, which drove thousands of families into financial hardship. An investigation revealed in December that tax officials wrongly accused thousands of working families of fraud and ordered them to repay childcare benefits between 2013 and 2019. The government led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, in power since 2017, decided on Friday to accept responsibility and collectively leave office on the back of the scandal. Rutte, speaking at a press conference, said it would continue to lead the Covid-19 emergency response with a caretaker status.

From U.S. President Donald Trump to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, global decision-makers have frequently set bad examples, whether it's refusing to wear masks or breaking confinement rules aimed at protecting their citizens from COVID-19. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said normally she would fire Clark but that the country couldnt afford massive disruption in its health sector while it was fighting the virus. He and others didnt wear masks during those meetings, and Putin also didnt cover his face for events marking Nazi Germanys defeat in World War II. The prime minister has respected all guidelines, according to a statement read by a spokesman. And as such the prime minister was with her during her last night."

And it could derail or water down a French-German plan presented Monday that was seen as a groundbreaking way to deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis. The Netherlands has always taken a tough stance on economic aid for struggling southern European nations and the coronavirus pandemic does not appear to have changed that. Without going into detail, Rutte said the proposal by the nations dubbed by some the Frugal Four would likely include tough conditions for loans. It adds to a 540 billion-euro package agreed among finance ministers from the 19 EU countries that use the euro. That will be the decisive proposal, on the basis of which we will work, Merkel said.

European Union finance ministers agreed on Thursday on half-a-trillion euros worth of support for their coronavirus-battered economies after weeks of wrangling that exposed painful divisions in the bloc headed for a steep recession. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Europe has agreed the most important economic plan in its history. She said she and Conte agreed on the "urgent need for solidarity in Europe, which is going through one of its most difficult hours, if not the most difficult". Merkel made clear Berlin would not agree to jointly issued debt, but said other financial avenues were available. The package would bring the EU's total fiscal response to the epidemic to 3.2 trillion euros ($3.5 trillion US), the biggest in the world.

Bolton runs a super PAC and a PAC that are currently backing five Republican lawmakers: Sens. The PACs were originally created in 2013 to support candidates who favor strong national security policies. Onetime major Trump backer Robert Mercer spent millions investing in Bolton's super PAC. None of these donors gave to Bolton's PAC or super PAC since he departed the administration, Federal Election Commission filings show. Schwartz contributed $50,000 in 2018 to America First Action, a super PAC pushing Trump's reelection effort.

NBC News has not seen a copy of the manuscript or verified the report, which cited multiple sources familiar with Bolton's account. The contents of the manuscript were described as a rough account of how Bolton would testify should he be called as a witness in the Senate trial. "I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book," Trump said. "It's up to four Senate Republicans to ensure that John Bolton, Mick Mulvaney, and the others with direct knowledge of President Trump's actions testify in the Senate trial," Schumer tweeted.