It turns out Mark Rutte doesn’t have the most unreliable memory in the Netherlands: that accolade goes to his trusty old Nokia 301. We digest the fall-out from Nokiagate and ask what happened to Rutte’s promises of a more open style of government. Collective paralysis also seems to have afflicted the coronavirus response, with health experts warning of an autumn lockdown as minister Ernst Kuipers tells businesses to make their own pandemic control plans. The CBS warns of economic stagnation as the war in Ukraine and a chronic shortage of staff take their toll. And a homing pigeon proves that not all memories are prone to real-time archiving as it completes a 15-year round trip.

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Ophef of the week: Staff shortage plunges road tunnel users into deep despair

News

Prime minister Mark Rutte deleted text messages to clear space on his old Nokia

‘New lockdowns loom’ if government fails to prepare for autumn coronavirus wave

Senators set to block extension to coronavirus law, legislation will expire on June 1

Health minister Ernst Kuipers calls on sectors to produce their own corona plans

Unions call for €150m fund to compensate Long Covid sufferers

Hybrid heat pumps should be the norm from 2026, says housing minister

‘Plan to make heat pumps compulsory sparks opposition backlash

Economic growth stalls in Q1 as war and lockdown take their toll

Employers struggle to fill vacancies as number of people in work passes 9 million

Racing pigeon finds its way home after 15 years

Sport

Heracles sack Frank Wormuth after dropping into play-off spot (NOS, Dutch)

First blood to Heerenveen and Utrecht in European play-offs (NOS, Dutch)

Cambuur goalkeeper has to stop playing because of heart problems (NOS, Dutch)