DutchNews podcast: The Grategate Edition

There are three levels of crisis in the Netherlands: moderate, severe and ‘call Johan Remkes’. The self-styled Plumber of Groningen has given himself a month to unclog the blockage in the coalition negotiations, which has grown fatter this week following Sigrid Kaag’s gossamer-veiled attack on Mark Rutte. There’s plenty of sporting success to cheer as Max Verstappen triumphs at Zandvoort, the Paralympic team comes home with a sackload of gold medals and Memphis Depay bags five goals in two matches for Oranje. Ophef of the week: Trouby’s cheesy treat tweet makes it into Newsweek I just walked into the kitchen to discover my boyfriend grating cheese directly into the dog’s mouth. — Molly Quell September 3, 2021 ‘You bloody fool’: Ripper the sweary Australian duck astonishes Dutch researcher News Coalition fixer Johan Remkes urges deadlocked parties to focus on the issues Minority cabinet looks likely as negotiations to form new Dutch government resume CDA vote on voluntary end of life could be new setback to coalition talks Officials warn coronavirus infections are set to rise after schools go back Shell considering mandatory vaccination for some workers, says leaked memo Bible Belt village of Urk has lowest vaccination rate in the country ‘No internationals’: Foreign students struggling to find a place to live King must choose between hunting and subsidies at Het Loo palace Rotterdam and Antwerp have become Europe’s drugs hub, says Europol Interview: ‘The Netherlands is the ideal environment for the international drugs trade’ Sport Max Verstappen wins first Dutch Grand Prix in 36 years to take championship lead Formula One return to Zandvoort hailed as a success on and off the track Turkish delight for Memphis Depay as Netherlands trounce Turkey 6-1 Botic van de Zandschulp’s run to US Open quarter-finals ended by Medvedev