Three months after introducing a curfew to drive coronavirus infections down, Mark Rutte says it’s ‘responsible’ to lift restrictions now that cases are 40% higher and hospitals have started cancelling heart surgery. There’s another setback in the efforts to form the next government as it emerges ministers pre-cooked the evidence they gave to parliament about the tax office scandal. There’s shocking footage of a journalist’s car being attacked by a shovel truck in Gelderland. And we investigate whether curfews are cool for cats.

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Ophef of the week: Tweede Kamer’s temporary home draws comparisons with casino, brothel and Trump towers

Coronavirus news

Rutte says lifting curfew and opening bars is ‘responsible risk’

MPs back plan to lift curfew despite warnings from health experts

Nearly 9,700 coronavirus cases recorded as hospitals cut back regular care

No plans to ban flights from India despite surge in infections and deaths

Janssen vaccinations begin after EMA says risk of blood clots is marginal

Politics news

Ministers face fresh accusations of misleading MPs over child benefits scandal

Other news

Statistics agency to stop using ‘divisive’ western and non-western categories

Curfew for cats would save many young birds, says city ecologist

Sport

Ajax beat Vitesse Arnhem 2-1 to win KNVB Cup

Ajax condemns ‘disappointing’ plan to create European Super League