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In the absence of Geert Wilders, the election debates kick off with an evening of shadow boxing between four parties who could all end up in government together. The Dutch government removes the CEO of a Chinese-based chip manufacturer, but was Washington pulling the strings? Rotterdam’s Cape Verde community celebrates as the tiny African country makes it to the World Cup for the first time. And the city’s rat catchers have an unlikely ally in their fight to control the rodent population.

Ophef of the week: Man torments neighbours for months with 5am alarm calls (AD)

Romanian man “checked out Drents Museum“ days before robbery

Enschede giant sequoia is named tree of the year (NOS)

Rijksmuseum show takes intimate look at home life in 17th century

Election news

D66 on rise in latest poll, Yesiilgöz rules out deal with GL-PvdA

Prosecutors say no evidence Wilders faces more threats

Debate produces no clear winner as parties quibble over spending

Election watch: Wilders returns, JA21 accused of fiddling figures

Other news

Anti-Semitic chanting and 29 arrests at Amsterdam far-right demo

Arrests as anti-refugee protests erupt around the Netherlands

Dutch flags at far-right protests spark debate and criticism

Government intervenes in Chinese-owner chip firm over security fears

US officials raised concerns about “problematic” Nexperia in June

Two women arrested for dating fraud which netted €550,000

Rotterdam rat catchers bite back with ferret patrol

Sport

Footballer Sherida Spitse retires after 248 international caps

Late drama costs Twente second Champions League point (NOS)

Jubilation in Rotterdam as Cape Verde reach first World Cup finals