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Some people call it the most depressing day of the year: to others it’s known as the return of parliament. Geert Wilders’ coalition crisis roulette wheel lands on the spring budget cuts as he yet again vows not to budge an inch. The lawyer for drugs baron Ridouan Taghi is accused of abusing her privilege to run messages for her client in a case that has rocked the legal profession. Venezuela banishes Dutch diplomats in revenge for giving refuge to the opposition leader. The chair of the Elfstedentocht steering committee steps down after waiting for 20 years for Friesland to freeze over. And there’s news of a nine-goal thriller in the KNVB Beker and double Dutch delight in the draughts world championship.

Ophef of the week: Hepatitis A outbreak linked to unwashed blueberries

Twitchers thrilled as rare duck makes spectacular appearance on Texel

Parachutist goes ape after overshooting stadium and landing in zoo

News

Wilders says he will make no concessions in spring finance talks

Top lawyer Ines Weski on trial for passing messages to Taghi

• Patrons can listen to our special episode on the Marengo trial

Venezuela cuts Dutch embassy numbers after election protests

Dutch music industry sets new record for earnings abroad

Winterswijk outdoor ice rink first to open to skaters in 2025

Frosty days are increasingly rare, setting new record

Sport

KNVB test on-field announcements in Dutch Cup matches

PSV avoid shock against Excelsior, AZ knock out Ajax

Dutch sweep the board at European sprint skating championships

Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong wins European allround skating title

Dutch players out of Australian Open after Lamens loses in R2

Jan Groenendijk and Darya Tkachenko win world draughts titles