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Oil prices plunged by approximately 11% on Friday following the announcement that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened to commercial shipping. The strategic waterway, which carries 20% of the world's oil, had been largely closed by Iran during recent hostilities, causing significant market volatility. This de-escalation led US crude to fall to $83.30 and Brent crude to $87.90 a barrel, while European gas prices also dropped by nearly 8% as fears of a prolonged energy supply crisis began to fade.

Average mortgage interest rates have reached their highest level in over two years, with the 10-year fixed rate (NHG) climbing to 4.01%. Driven by rising capital market rates linked to geopolitical instability in the Middle East, this increase adds approximately €25 to the monthly net costs of a €400,000 mortgage. While experts at De Hypotheker believe the sharpest peaks are likely over, the combination of higher borrowing costs and global uncertainty has already led to increased buyer caution, stalling the growth of average mortgage amounts for the first time in three years.

Two major universities in Brabant are partnering to launch a master’s degree focused on bridging the gap between data technology and business management. Starting in 2026, the programme will train professionals to help organisations turn data into practical results. The course will be available in both English and Dutch to suit the needs of local and international sectors.

The Indian Tamil community in the Brainport region gathered at Theater De Schalm to celebrate Puthandu, the Tamil New Year. The event brought together eight hundred of high-tech professionals and their families for a day of traditional food, music, and dance. Veldhoven Mayor Marcel Delhez joined the festivities, highlighting the vital role this growing community plays in the region's cultural and economic life.

Booking.com says unauthorised third parties accessed customer booking data and that some guests have already received warnings. The company reports suspicious activity involving several reservations but has not said when the breach occurred or how many people are affected. An investigation is still under way.

Hackers have stolen personal data from Basic-Fit members in several countries, including about 200,000 people in the Netherlands. The attackers downloaded a large amount of information, but investigators have not found evidence of misuse. Basic-Fit says it is still monitoring the situation with external specialists.

Families and young fans gathered on the Hertogstraat to enjoy a relaxed view of PSV’s championship victory parade. The event featured clear skies, the distribution of thousands of commemorative items, and a sense of unity across different generations of supporters.

PSV has claimed the Dutch league title for the third year in a row after a season of unprecedented dominance. The championship was secured earlier than ever before, following a decisive collapse from their main rivals in Rotterdam. Despite a few late-season surprises, the Eindhoven club remained well ahead of the competition to secure their place in the record books.