This week’s podcast was recorded before news broke of the first case of coronavirus in the Netherlands. We examine how the country has been preparing as the disease spreads through Europe and ask the key questions, such as: is Brexit muppet safe? Elsewhere, there’s a withering exposé of tax avoidance in the flower trade, Dutch clubs are knocked out of Europe and ophef champion Thierry Baudet threatens court action over a TV show that said what he was thinking. Our discussion looks at why Mark Rutte and the Frugal Four hit all the wrong notes at last week’s EU budget summit.

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Ophef of the week: Socialist MP’s ‘distracting’ outfit provokes heated Twitter exchanges (Libelle)

• Want to help improve road safety in your area? Report dangerous situations online to Veilig Verkeer Nederland

Top story: Coronavirus

Man in Tilburg is first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Netherlands

News

Thierry Baudet ponders taking VPRO to court for ‘scandalous lies’

Dutch rose growers accused of dodging taxes in Kenya

MH17 witnesses to be granted anonymity when trial begins next month

Military police taken to court for ethnic profiling

• Listen back to our discussion on the controversy surrounding the SyRI fraud detection system

Sport

Heracles too strong for Ajax as Eredivisie lead is cut to three points

Discussion: Rutte raises Merkel’s hackles at EU budget summit

Dutch and ‘frugal four’ stick to their guns on EU budget

Netherlands makes case for budget efficiency ahead of key summit

Dutch unwillingness to swallow bitter pill of EU budget share ‘shocking’ (Irish Times)

No EU budget deal in sight as leaders stand firm (Politico)