Amsterdam Times

French National Assembly Overrides Senate to Pass Historic Assisted-Dying Legislation

A decisive lower house vote concludes years of intense national debate, establishing a legal framework for medically assisted suicide amid constitutional challenges.

Spanish Prime Minister's Wife Ordered to Stand Trial as Corruption Probes Encircle Governing Party

Judge bans Begoña Gómez from leaving the country while spreading investigations into Pedro Sánchez's inner circle weaken Spain's fragile ruling coalition.

Zelensky Faces Kyiv Protests Over Ousting of Dynamic Ukrainian Defense Minister

The sudden removal of Mykhaylo Fedorov after six months in office sparks rare wartime demonstrations and exposes a bitter public rift between the former minister and military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.

Thomas Tuchel Faces Fierce Backlash After Tactical Retreat Costs England World Cup Final Berth

English manager's defensive substitutions and post-match remarks ignite a national controversy following a late collapse against Argentina in the semi-final.

A Quiet Bastille Day: France Grapples with World Cup Heartbreak and Leftover Fireworks

After a devastating semi-final loss to Spain on their national holiday, French fans experience the bitter reality of digital-era football as the national team heads south for a third-place playoff.

Gelderland Expands Buyout Programme for Livestock Farms Near Protected Nature Areas

The province launched a voluntary compensation scheme for livestock farmers willing to close operations near Natura 2000 sites, advancing efforts to reduce nitrogen emissions and ease long-running constraints on construction permits.

Dutch Government Signals Defence Spending Will Exceed NATO Benchmark

The Ministry of Defence indicated long-term military spending will rise above NATO's two percent target, supporting investments in naval capabilities, autonomous systems and submarine modernisation.

International Criminal Court Issues New War Crimes Arrest Warrants

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued a new series of arrest warrants targeting senior military commanders, reinforcing the city's role in international justice while adding to diplomatic tensions with the countries concer...

TomTom Wins Autonomous Driving Mapping Agreement With European Carmaker

TomTom secured a multi-year contract to provide high-definition mapping technology for a European automotive manufacturer's autonomous vehicle programme, reinforcing its position in advanced mobility software.

KLM Commits to Major Sustainable Aviation Fuel Purchases

KLM signed one of Europe's largest sustainable aviation fuel procurement agreements, helping the airline comply with stricter European Union fuel blending requirements while supporting lower-emission aviation.

Schiphol Handles Peak Summer Travel With Stable Operations

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol processed around 1,390 daily flights during the busy mid-July travel period without major disruption, marking a significant operational improvement after previous capacity challenges.

Heineken Expands Focus on Premium Zero-Alcohol Beverages

Heineken reported strong growth in sales of its zero-alcohol portfolio, offsetting weaker traditional beer volumes in Western Europe and reinforcing its strategy to invest further in premium low- and no-alcohol products.

Philips Wins US Clearance for Artificial Intelligence-Powered Medical Imaging Systems

Philips received expedited US regulatory approval for new MRI and CT scanners using artificial intelligence to shorten scan times and improve diagnostic performance, strengthening its position in the North American healthcare market.

Booking Holdings Reports Record European Summer Travel Demand

Booking Holdings said European booking volumes reached new highs despite persistent inflation, indicating that travel spending continues to outperform broader consumer spending across the region.

Flevoland Extends Ban on New Hyperscale Data Centres

Provincial authorities prolonged a moratorium on large data centre developments, citing growing concerns over electricity demand, water consumption and the use of agricultural land as artificial intelligence infrastructure expands.

Government Backs Billion-Euro Infrastructure Expansion Around Eindhoven Brainport

The national government and local authorities created a major investment fund to expand housing, transport and electricity infrastructure around Eindhoven, supporting the continued growth of ASML and the wider high-technology sector.

Amsterdam Tightens Rules on Foreign Residential Property Investment

Amsterdam introduced stricter zoning and tax measures to discourage large-scale purchases of residential property by overseas investors, seeking to improve housing affordability despite concerns from developers about reduced investment.

Adyen Expands Latin American Business With New Enterprise Payment Contracts

Adyen secured major payment processing agreements with leading e-commerce platforms in Latin America, driving growth outside its established European and North American markets.

Prosus Launches €400 Million Artificial Intelligence Investment Fund

Prosus unveiled a €400 million venture fund to back early-stage artificial intelligence and machine learning companies across Europe, aiming to strengthen the region's technology ecosystem.

ING Beats Profit Forecasts but Warns on Commercial Property Risks

ING reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter earnings while increasing provisions against potential losses in commercial real estate, citing growing pressure across office and retail property markets in the Netherlands and Germany.

Dutch Police Dismantle International Investment Fraud Network

Authorities, working with Europol and Belgian investigators, dismantled an alleged cross-border fraud operation accused of generating more than €100 million a month through fraudulent call centres and shell companies.

Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect Across the Netherlands

The statutory minimum wage rose to €14.99 per hour for workers aged 21 and older, with labour unions welcoming additional support against rising living costs while business groups warned of higher operating costs and faster automation.

Dutch Provinces Launch Joint Cybersecurity Operations Centre

Seven Dutch provinces established a shared Security Operations Center to monitor critical infrastructure and meet new European Union cybersecurity requirements, including rapid reporting of significant cyber incidents.

NXP Forms Joint Venture to Expand European Automotive Chip Manufacturing

NXP Semiconductors partnered with leading European automakers to build a new fabrication facility focused on advanced driver-assistance systems and electric vehicle power management, strengthening regional semiconductor supply chains.

Shell and Eneco Win Dutch Offshore Wind Project With Green Hydrogen Integration

A consortium led by Shell and Eneco secured a subsidy-free concession to build a two-gigawatt offshore wind farm off North Holland, combining renewable electricity with green hydrogen production to supply major industrial users in the Ra...

National Heat Plan Activated as High Temperatures Raise Water Supply Concerns

The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute issued Code Red heat warnings across seven provinces, while water authorities warned that declining Rhine and Meuse river levels could disrupt agriculture, logistics and water availability d...

Dutch Cabinet Pushes Ahead With Nuclear Power Plants Despite Regional Opposition

The government moved forward with plans for new nuclear power stations at Eemshaven and Terneuzen by securing land through pre-emption rights, prompting strong resistance from local authorities who argue the decision places long-term ris...

Humanitarian Groups Withdraw From Ter Apel Asylum Centre After Escalating Violence

The Dutch Council for Refugees and the Red Cross suspended operations around the Ter Apel reception centre following multiple stabbings and worsening security, while overcrowding left asylum seekers sleeping outside and intensified criti...

Port of Rotterdam Signs Hydrogen Pipeline Deal Linking Dutch Terminals to Germany's Ruhr Region

The Port of Rotterdam Authority agreed with German industrial partners to develop a cross-border hydrogen pipeline connecting Dutch import terminals with the Ruhr industrial heartland, strengthening Rotterdam's role in Europe's emerging ...

Netherlands Joins US-Led Semiconductor Alliance While Seeking to Limit New Export Restrictions

The Dutch government signed the "Pax Silica" semiconductor partnership with the United States while continuing efforts to prevent proposed US legislation that could restrict ASML from servicing lithography equipment already sold to custo...

ASML Raises Full-Year Outlook After Strong Second-Quarter Results Driven by Artificial Intelligence Demand

ASML reported second-quarter net sales of €9.3 billion and net income of €2.9 billion, beating market expectations and lifting its full-year revenue forecast to between €43 billion and €45 billion as demand for artificial intelligence ch...

Spain in Ecstasy: "We Feel Unbeatable, We Taught the Whole World a Lesson"

European champions Spain beat France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final, extending their unbeaten run to 37 matches and setting a record with eight consecutive knockout victories at major tournaments.

Spain and UK Dismantle Gibraltar Border Following Landmark Schengen Integration Treaty

A new diplomatic framework officially incorporates the British overseas territory into the European Union's passport-free zone, replacing a physical fence with a digitized security network.

Dutch Health Institute Reports More Than Nine Hundred Excess Deaths During June Heatwave

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment said more than nine hundred excess deaths were recorded during the late June heatwave, with older people and residents in the southern and eastern Netherlands most heavily affe...

Dutch Competition Authority Allows Maritime Data Sharing to Support Climate Goals

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets granted an antitrust exemption allowing maritime companies to share proprietary data in support of efforts to achieve a climate-neutral shipping sector by 2050, marking a significant re...

Port of Rotterdam Introduces Unified Towage Permit System to Strengthen Maritime Safety

The Port of Rotterdam has implemented mandatory permit requirements for all towage operators, requiring continuous round-the-clock availability and closer coordination with pilots and boatmen to improve safety and operational efficiency ...

Record Number of Homes Enter Dutch Housing Market as Landlords Sell Properties

Nearly fifty-seven thousand existing homes were listed for sale during the second quarter of 2026, the highest level since records began in 1995, as buy-to-let landlords respond to tighter rent controls, higher wealth taxes, and elevated...

KLM Suspends Middle East Flights as Regional Security Crisis Disrupts Air Travel

KLM has halted flights through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, Israel, and several Gulf countries, cancelling services to destinations including Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam through at least mid-July as escalating regional tensions force airlin...

Dutch Government Unveils New Strategy to Attract International Technology Talent

The Dutch cabinet launched a national recruitment strategy for highly skilled professionals in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, defense, and climate technology, confirming it will retain the thirty percent expatriate tax ruling an...

ASML Raises Revenue Outlook and Expands Advanced Chipmaking Capacity on Artificial Intelligence Demand

ASML reported second-quarter net sales of 9.3 billion euros and said it will increase High NA EUV production capacity by thirty percent for 2027 and 2028, while lifting its 2026 revenue outlook to as much as 45 billion euros as global in...

Hungary's "Puppet" President to Be Ousted, Orbán Fumes: "Democracy Is Dead"

Hungary's new prime minister, Péter Magyar, has secured a constitutional amendment intended to remove President Tamás Sulyok immediately. Viktor Orbán, whom Magyar defeated after 16 years in power, says the move is unlawful and has calle...

NATO Chief Mark Rutte Highlights Progress on Defence Commitments Agreed in The Hague

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said European allies and Canada are turning defence commitments made at the previous summit in The Hague into expanded military capabilities, supported by higher defence spending and new procurement prog...

European Commission Launches Legal Action Over Dutch Implementation Delays

The European Commission has opened infringement proceedings against the Netherlands after determining that fifteen European Union directives were not fully incorporated into national law, giving the Dutch government two months to respond.

KLM Expands Winter Flight Schedule From Schiphol

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will increase winter services from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, adding capacity on key business routes and improving onward connections to destinations including Washington, Dubai, and Toronto.