Thursday briefing: How Geert Wilders’ exit from Dutch coalition might set up his own comeback

<p>In today’s newsletter: The Dutch government collapsed after Wilders pulled out of the coalition – leaving renewed political uncertainty as parties scramble to redefine their positions</p><p></p><p>Good morning. The Dutch government dramatically <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/03/netherlands-government-collapse-geert-wilders">collapsed on Tuesday</a> after far-right politician Geert Wilders pulled out of the coalition, citing his frustration over immigration and asylum policy.</p><p>Shortly afterwards the prime minister, Dick Schoof, handed in his resignation to King Willem-Alexander. Fresh elections are expected in October. Until then ministers will remain in place in a caretaker capacity.</p><p><em><strong>US news</strong></em> | Donald Trump has signed a sweeping order <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/04/trump-proclamation-travel-ban">banning travel from 12 countries</a> and restricting travel from seven others, reviving and expanding the travel bans from his first term. Security concerns and visa overstays, the US president said, justified the move.</p><p><em><strong>Fuel poverty </strong></em>| Bereaved families of tens of thousands of dead pensioners could be pursued by tax officials to recoup winter fuel payments <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/04/bereaved-families-of-dead-pensioners-could-be-pursued-over-winter-fuel-payments">under a new system being explored by the Treasury</a>, the Guardian has learned.</p><p><em><strong>Israel-Gaza war </strong></em>| The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has detailed the harrowing account of one of its paramedics, Asaad al-Nasasra, 47, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/04/palestinian-red-crescent-details-medics-account-of-15-colleagues-slaughter">who told the organisation</a> he heard Israeli troops shoot first responders. The attack on a convoy of emergency vehicles killed 15 others.</p><p><em><strong>UK economy </strong></em>| Keir Starmer has said he hopes a trade deal struck last month with the US can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/03/white-house-signals-uk-to-be-spared-50-steel-and-aluminium-tariffs">come into effect</a> “in just a couple of weeks”, as the White House has signalled that the UK will be spared the 50% steel and aluminium tariffs that came into force on Wednesday.</p><p><em><strong>Global health </strong></em>| A cure for HIV may be closer after researchers discovered a new way <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/jun/05/breakthrough-in-search-for-hiv-cure-leaves-researchers-overwhelmed">to force the virus out of hiding</a> in human cells. This “overwhelming” breakthrough could help overcome one of the biggest obstacles to a cure: the virus’s ability to lie dormant in certain white blood cells.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/05/thursday-briefing-how-geert-wilders-exit-from-dutch-coalition-might-set-up-his-own-comeback">Continue reading...</a>