This week the coalition talks moved into an exciting new phase as the four parties from the last government finally agreed to make up the numbers. Also making up numbers was junior justice minister Ankie Broekers-Knol, who was rounded on by all sides after she suggested 100,000 Afghans could be on their way to the Netherlands. Other numbers causing concern are the coronavirus infections, which are rising again, and the figures on your next gas bill. Can Wopke Hoekstra come up with a tax-free solution to the energy crisis? Or will we spend a desolate winter watching Stef Blok tell us to cook one-pot dinners through till spring?

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Ophef of the week: Uproar as men sweep the board at gender neutral Golden Calves ceremony

News

Rutte pledges a new start as four parties begin talks to form new government

Social affairs minister Wouter Koolmees steps down to lead coalition talks

Judge throws out legal challenge to coronavirus ‘test for entry’ regime

Coronavirus cases rose by 2% in last week, more cases in over-55s

Pandemic pets: cats and dogs are here to stay, rabbits not so lucky

Asylum minister under fire again for comments on Afghan refugees

Cabinet will compensate spiralling energy bills, says Hoekstra

Energy prices push inflation rate up to 2.7%, highest for two years

Seven neglected lions in Romania get second chance in Friesland

Sport

KNVB call for police to investigate matchfixing claims in youth league

PSV close gap at top of Eredivisie as Ajax suffer shock home defeat to Utrecht