Mark Cavendish finished runner-up on the second stage of the Ster ZLM Toer, but time bonuses meant Team Sky's world champion took the overall lead in his final race before the Tour de France.

A ban on foreign tourists buying marijuana came into effect in parts of the Netherlands today, with a protest planned in the southern city of Maastricht.

A Dutch scientist has made 'meat' from stem cells – and wants Heston Blumenthal to cook the first batch. By Steve Connor

A Dutch scientist has created 'meat' from stem cells – and wants Heston Blumenthal to cook the first batch. Steve Connor reports on the ultimate in culinary experimentation

Drivers scrambled for banknotes on a busy road in the Netherlands yesterday after a package containing euro bills fell from a bank's lorry and broke open.

The words are in French but still familiar - “Once upon a time...” – and the story which follows, Cendrillon (that’s Cinderella to you and me), is writ large across the surfaces of Barbara de Limburg’s set, opening like a pop-up book of fairytales whose sliding panels have our eyes hanging on to every word.

Teenage Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku says he will be at the club for pre-season training, despite reported interest from Chelsea.

The number of British teenagers applying to one of Europe's leading universities has risen dramatically this year. Maastricht University in the Netherlands has seen a tenfold increase with more than 400 applications from UK students compared with just 35 at the same time last year.

Whoa! It all went right for once! It's not often I get to say that. My horticultural experiments quite often remain dubious, though passers-by do try to be nice about them. But my front garden this year is great: a proper spring picture.

It is known as the most international university in the Netherlands, but until last year there were only 50 UK students enrolled at what is one of the top universities in the country. Now, with more than twice the number of British students than this time last year and with almost four times as many UK graduates signing up to study for a Masters degree, the University of Maastricht is hoping to be the next big benefactor of Britain's cuts to higher education.

On 11 December 1991 the Maastricht Treaty was signed - an event which had huge significance for the future of Europe as the treaty laid out plans for a single currency and increased powers for Europe's Parliament.

Today

Mexico is in a party mood, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1910 Revolution. Festivities include fireworks and parades, with a number of spin-off events, including a food festival in Playa del Carmen tomorrow ( tasteofplaya.com).

No drugs please, you're foreigners.