MARK RUTTE

The meeting followed the refusal of lawmakers in Rutte’s center-right People's Party for Freedom and Democracy to support legislation that could compel municipalities to offer accommodation to asylum-seekers. “There is no crisis,” Rutte told reporters at the Dutch parliament after he held hours of talks with his party. After the meeting, the leader of the party's lawmakers, Sophie Hermans, said the party would support the legislation. Rutte's coalition, made up of his party, two Christian-based parties and the centrist Democrats 66, has been in power since Jan. 10. The coalition, Rutte's fourth administration, has a narrow majority in the 150-seat lower house of Dutch parliament, but are in the minority in the upper house.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has met with lawmakers from his party to discuss their concerns about rising numbers of migrants seeking asylum in the Netherlands, amid tensions within his four-party coalition about how to tackle the issue.

European Union leaders are struggling to find immediate practical solutions on how to deal with the energy crisis but avoid an open rift between Germany and France.

European Union leaders enter a crucial stretch this week to make sure runaway energy prices and short supplies do not further weaken their struggling economies and foment unrest.

An independent expert appointed to mediate in the bitter dispute between the Dutch government and the nation’s farmers over plans to drastically slash emissions of nitrogen and ammonia has presented a report that includes a suggestion that the government buy out hundreds of the heaviest polluters.

The leader of the far-right Brothers of Italy has kept out of sight since winning the election.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Dutch King Willem-Alexander unveiled plans Tuesday from the Dutch government to help households squeezed by rising costs, in his annual address to the nation. Inflation, energy prices and the war in Ukraine were just some of the “uncertainties” the country is facing, the monarch said in his annual speech, made every year on the third Tuesday in September. He pledged an 18 billion euro ($17.9 million) aid package to help low- and middle-income households. The new budget includes 3.9 billion euros ($3.9 billion) for Ukraine, in both military and humanitarian aid. The government has also allotted one billion euros ($1 billion) to build housing for refugees.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander has unveiled government plans to help households squeezed by rising costs.

The Dutch agriculture minister has unexpectedly resigned following a tumultuous summer of protests by farmers over pollution regulations.

AMSTERDAM — (AP) — Amsterdam approved a plan Tuesday to temporarily accommodate at least 1,000 migrants on a cruise ship moored in the Dutch capital's port as the Netherlands seeks to end an accommodation crisis that last week saw hundreds of asylum-seekers sleeping outside a reception center. The ship will remain moored in Amsterdam for at least six months under an agreement between the city and the central government. It is the second Dutch city to approve plans for putting up migrants on a cruise liner. Together we must solve the shortage of accommodation so that refugees can find a place,” said Amsterdam alderman Rutger Groot Wassink. “Temporary large-scale accommodation is very important to restore calm to asylum accommodation,” he said.

Amsterdam has approved a plan to temporarily accommodate at least 1,000 migrants on a cruise ship moored in the Dutch capital’s port.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Six people were killed and seven others were hospitalized after a truck drove off a dike and crashed into a community barbecue in the Netherlands, authorities said. >> Read more trending newsThree men and three women were killed, ranging in age from 28 to 75, police told The Associated Press. One of the injured victims was in critical condition. Police spokesperson Mirjam Boers said the truck driver, a 46-year-old Spanish man, is suspected of causing the accident that happened early Saturday evening in the village of Nieuw-Beijerland, located south of Rotterdam. Truck driver, who wasn’t injured, taken in for questioning.

The death toll from an accident when a truck drove off a dike and slammed into a community barbecue in a village south of Rotterdam has risen to six, and police say a further seven people are in hospital, including one in critical condition.

Authorities have transferred hundreds of asylum-seekers away from a makeshift camp outside an overcrowded migrant reception center in the northeastern Netherlands.

“It is terrible what is happening in Ter Apel,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said, referring to the center in the northeastern village of Ter Apel. Van der Burg said the Dutch military would help set up a location to house some people now sleeping outside in Ter Apel. Hundreds of migrants have been sleeping outdoors in squalid conditions just outside Ter Apel because the asylum center there is too full to house them. Rutte conceded that, despite the new measures, some people seeking asylum would remain sleeping outside the Ter Apel complex over the weekend. A 3-month-old baby died at the Ter Apel center this week and authorities are investigating the cause of death.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he is ashamed that hundreds of asylum-seekers have been forced to sleep outside an overcrowded migrant reception center.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said Tuesday that members of his Cabinet have enough confidence in each other to keep working together as lawmakers broke into their summer vacations to debate the government's contentious plans to slash nitrogen emissions that have sparked angry protests by farmers. The debate was called after Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in a newspaper interview that the goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 wasn't set in stone. “This Cabinet is totally detached from reality,” Wilders said as the debate began. He said he would file a motion of no confidence in the government later in the debate, which was expected to last into the evening. The leader of the centrist D66 party, Sigrid Kaag, did not attend the debate because she was ill.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Dutch lawmakers broke into their summer vacations Tuesday to debate the government's contentious plans to slash nitrogen emissions that have sparked angry protests by farmers. The debate was called after Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said in a newspaper interview that the goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 was not set in stone. “This Cabinet is totally detached from reality,” Wilders said as the debate began. He said he would file a motion of no confidence in the government later in the debate. The leader of the centrist D66 party, Sigrid Kaag, did not attend the debate because she was ill.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says that members of his Cabinet have enough confidence in each other to keep working together as Dutch lawmakers broke into their summer vacations to debate the government’s contentious plans to slash nitrogen emissions that have sparked angry protests by farmers.

A man has been convicted of dumping straw on a Dutch road last month and sentenced to perform 80 hours of unpaid community service work.

Netherlands Farmers Protests FILE- Protesting farmers talk at a blockade outside a distribution center for supermarket chain Aldi in the town of Drachten, northern Netherlands, Monday, July 4, 2022. Representatives of Dutch farmers were meeting Friday, Aug. 5, 2022 with Prime Minister Mark Rutte and other Cabinet ministers to discuss the government's nitrogen emissions reduction goals that have sparked disruptive protests in recent weeks. Rutte has criticized what he said are small groups of farmers who he says have endangered others with the nature of their protests. Sjaak van der Tak, chairman of the main farmers' lobby group LTO, said the talks were vital. The Dutch minister responsible for nitrogen, Christianne van der Wal, said she had no expectations heading into the talks.

The leader of the Netherlands’ top agricultural lobby group says a first round of talks with a delegation led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte about the government’s nitrogen emissions reduction goals delivered “too little” for thousands of farmers living in uncertainty.

Netherlands Rutte FILE - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte points when joking with the media while waiting for the arrival of India's President Ram Nath Kovind in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Mark Rutte became the longest-serving Dutch prime minister Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022 and the leader known by some as “Teflon Mark” because scandals don't stick to him is showing no sign of slowing despite unrest gripping his nation and his party's popularity sliding in polls. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Mark Rutte became the longest-serving Dutch prime minister Tuesday, and the leader known by some as “Teflon Mark” because scandals don't stick to him is showing no sign of slowing despite unrest gripping his nation and his party's popularity sliding in polls. Rutte has been in charge for 4,311 days, or almost 13 years, since he first became prime minister in October 2010. Rutte is the second longest-serving elected leader in the 27-nation European Union, trailing only Hungary’s Viktor Orban.

Mark Rutte has become the longest-serving Dutch prime minister and the 55-year-old leader known by some as “Teflon Mark” because scandals don’t stick to him is showing no sign of slowing despite unrest gripping his nation and his party’s popularity sliding in polls.

Netherlands Farmers Protests FILE- Some 25 tractors were used to blockade a distribution center for supermarket chain Albert Heijn in the town of Zaandam, just north of Amsterdam, Monday, July 4, 2022. Dutch farmers angry at government plans to slash emissions used tractors and trucks Monday to blockade supermarket distribution centers, the latest actions in a summer of discontent in the country's lucrative agricultural sector. A handful of new protests took place overnight, including farmers burning hay bales near a major highway, despite police and security authorities appealing to farmers Wednesday to halt the dumping. “Wilfully endangering others, damaging our infrastructure and threatening people who help clean up is beyond all limits,” Rutte said in a tweet. It has called on provincial authorities to draw up plans to reduce emissions and earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($24.6 billion) to fund the changes.

Police say cars crashed into tires and other garbage piled on a highway in the northern Netherlands by radical farmers protesting against government plans to rein in nitrogen emissions.

Dutch farmers angry at government plans to slash emissions used tractors and trucks Monday to blockade supermarket distribution centers, the latest actions in a summer of discontent in the country's lucrative agricultural sector. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Dutch farmers protested government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions by dumping manure and garbage Wednesday on highways and setting fires alongside roads — the latest actions in a summer of discontent. Traffic authorities said several roads in the central and eastern Netherlands were completely or partially blocked by the early morning blockades and fire services rushed to clear roads as traffic built up. “We are doing everything to clear the roads but ... some contractors are being intimidated,” Fleuren told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. Earlier this year, the farmers blocked highways with tractors and blockaded supermarket distribution centers.

Dutch farmers are protesting government plans to reduce nitrogen emissions.

Dutch farmers angry at government plans to slash emissions are using tractors and trucks to blockade supermarket distribution centers, the latest actions in a summer of discontent in the country’s lucrative agricultural sector.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.