The Dutch government's revenue from tobacco excise tax fell by 15% to 2.6 billion euros in 2025. According to CBS data, the decline is driven by a decrease in smoking and an increase in consumers purchasing tobacco products in neighboring countries.
Columnist Haroon Ali discusses the "looksmaxxing" trend, where young men use extreme and often harmful methods to achieve physical perfection. He highlights that while these individuals are often mocked, their actions are frequently a way to cope with deep-seated inner pain as the subculture moves into the mainstream.
Nick Olij is set to make his debut for PSV in the Eredivisie after a season of setbacks, including injuries and losing the starting spot to Matej Kovar. The 30-year-old goalkeeper, who is originally from Haarlem, joined the club from Sparta last summer but has yet to play a league match.
The Greek parliament has lifted the legal immunity of thirteen politicians from the ruling Néa Dimokratía party to allow for their prosecution in an EU subsidy fraud case. The scandal involves dozens of individuals who allegedly falsified land ownership records to illegally obtain European Union funds.
Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen has expressed openness to taxing the excess profits of companies benefiting from conflicts in the Middle East, such as those in the oil sector. However, he stated that the measure will not be implemented immediately as several procedural steps must first be completed.
A Dutch judge ruled that the societal need for humanitarian asylum housing outweighs the interests of local residents in participating in the decision-making process. The case involved thirteen residents and entrepreneurs attempting to block the temporary placement of 110 asylum seekers in a vacant town hall in Loosdrecht.