Amsterdam Times

Dutch Architects MVRDV and OMA Win Major Climate-Resilient Urban Design Contracts Abroad

Rotterdam-based MVRDV and OMA have secured new master-planning projects in Asia and North America focused on sustainable urban development, climate adaptation and flood-resilient design.

North Sea Port Reports Higher Bulk Cargo Volumes Led by Energy-Transition Materials

North Sea Port, spanning the Netherlands and Belgium, has recorded increased dry-bulk traffic driven by lithium, copper and other metals used in Europe’s energy transition.

Fastned Wins New Highway Charging Concessions in Germany and France

Dutch electric-vehicle charging company Fastned has secured new public tenders to build and operate rapid-charging stations along major highway corridors in Germany and France.

Prosus Writes Down Legacy Software Investments While Expanding AI Portfolio

Amsterdam-listed Prosus has reduced the value of several pandemic-era education software investments while directing additional capital toward artificial intelligence and machine-learning companies.

AEX Index Nears Record Valuation as Dutch Technology Stocks Rally

The Netherlands’ benchmark AEX index has moved close to record capitalization levels, supported by foreign investment in major listed companies including ASML, Prosus and Adyen.

Adyen Reports Record Digital Transaction Volumes Across Europe and North America

Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen has recorded its highest daily transaction volumes across merchant networks in Europe and North America as digital retail and e-commerce spending remains resilient.

Rabobank Tightens Farm Lending Rules to Reflect Dutch Nitrogen Targets

Rabobank has introduced stricter environmental and sustainability requirements for agricultural loans, increasing pressure on Dutch farmers to adopt technologies that reduce emissions under national nitrogen policies.

NXP Unveils New Automotive Radar and Edge-Computing Chipset

Eindhoven-based NXP Semiconductors has launched a new radar and edge-computing platform for autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems as European automakers expand electric and connected vehicle development.

International Criminal Court Launches AI-Driven Digital Evidence Repository in The Hague

The International Criminal Court has introduced a secure digital system designed to process large volumes of battlefield video, satellite imagery and intercepted communications for international war-crimes investigations.

Amsterdam Expands Ban on New Hotels to Curb Tourism and Ease Housing Pressure

Amsterdam has tightened restrictions on new hotel development as the city seeks to limit mass tourism, protect residential space and reduce pressure on its constrained housing market.

Dutch Universities Tighten English-Language Enrollment Caps Amid Housing Pressure

Several Dutch research universities are limiting enrollment in English-taught bachelor’s programs as the government seeks to reduce pressure on student housing and address political concerns over the use of Dutch in higher education.

Shell and Eneco Advance Hollandse Kust Offshore Wind Project

Shell and Eneco have reached a new installation milestone at the Hollandse Kust offshore wind project off North Holland, advancing a major source of renewable electricity for the Dutch power system.

Netherlands Begins Urgent Bridge Renovations on Key Rotterdam Freight Corridor

Rijkswaterstaat has started structural repairs on aging bridges and viaducts along the A15, a major freight route connecting the Port of Rotterdam with inland European markets.

Dutch Police and Europol Disrupt International Ransomware Network

The Netherlands’ High Tech Crime Unit and Europol carried out raids targeting a ransomware syndicate and seized server infrastructure hosted in Dutch data centers as part of an international cybercrime operation.

Philips Moves Toward Final Settlement of U.S. Sleep Apnea Device Litigation

Philips says it is finalizing remaining financial settlements stemming from the recall of sleep apnea machines in the United States, bringing the Dutch healthcare group closer to resolving a prolonged legal crisis.

Tata Steel IJmuiden Submits Revised Green Hydrogen Transition Plan

Tata Steel has presented the Dutch government with an updated plan to replace coal-fired blast furnaces at its IJmuiden plant with direct-reduced iron technology powered by green hydrogen in an effort to cut industrial emissions.

Port of Rotterdam Advances Hydrogen and Carbon Pipeline Toward Germany’s Ruhr Region

The Port of Rotterdam and European energy partners have reached a permitting milestone for the Delta Rhine Corridor, an underground network designed to move green hydrogen and captured carbon between Rotterdam and industrial centers in G...

Dutch Water Boards Seek Billions in Additional Climate Adaptation Funding

The association representing Dutch water boards says billions of euros in additional federal funding are needed to reinforce dikes, coastal defenses and pumping systems as sea levels rise and extreme rainfall increases.

Netherlands Reports Highest Number of New Home Permits in a Decade

Building permits for new homes rose 21% to more than 67,000, the highest level in 10 years, offering early signs of increased construction activity as the Netherlands struggles with a persistent housing shortage.

Booking.com Faces Tighter EU Scrutiny Over Hotel Price Parity Practices

The European Commission is increasing oversight of Booking.com under the Digital Markets Act, requiring changes to contracting practices that prevented European hotels from offering lower prices through competing platforms.

ASML Expands Supply Chain Capacity for Next-Generation High-NA EUV Systems

ASML has reached new agreements with municipalities and major suppliers in the Brainport Eindhoven region to support increased production of its next-generation High-NA extreme-ultraviolet lithography equipment.

Netherlands Accelerates Procurement of New Frigates and Autonomous Drone Systems

The Dutch Defense Ministry is advancing plans for next-generation anti-submarine warfare frigates and autonomous drone networks to strengthen naval operations in the North Sea and improve cooperation with European and NATO forces.

TenneT Plans Multi-Billion-Euro Grid Expansion to Ease Dutch Power Bottlenecks

State-owned grid operator TenneT is preparing a major investment program to expand high-voltage capacity as congestion increasingly delays connections for businesses, housing developments and renewable-energy projects across the Netherla...

Dutch Budget to Prioritize Purchasing Power and Higher Defense Spending

The Finance Ministry is finalizing the national budget for Prinsjesdag, combining targeted measures to support household purchasing power with higher military spending aimed at meeting NATO commitments.

Netherlands Expands Export Controls on ASML Chipmaking Equipment

The Dutch government has widened licensing requirements for deep-ultraviolet lithography equipment, requiring ASML to seek approval for exports of additional manufacturing systems outside the European Union as restrictions on advanced se...

Dutch Cabinet Prepares Emergency Powers to Impose Tighter Asylum Restrictions Without Prior Parliamentary Approval

The Dutch government is preparing to invoke emergency asylum legislation that would freeze new decisions and restrict family reunification without prior approval from parliament, drawing strong criticism from legal experts and opposition...

Dutch Hospitality Sector Shifts Toward Autumn and Winter Season

Hotels and tourism businesses across the Netherlands are moving toward indoor and winter-focused programming as the autumn equinox brings the summer tourism season to a close.

More Than 50 Amsterdam Monuments Open Free to Public for National Heritage Event

More than 50 historic buildings and architectural sites in Amsterdam opened without charge for the Netherlands’ Open Monument Day, drawing residents and visitors to locations that are normally restricted.

Former Dutch Newspaper Editor Sanctioned Over AI-Generated Fabricated Quotes

A former senior editor at a major Dutch newspaper faced professional sanctions after an investigation found that fabricated quotations generated by artificial intelligence had appeared in published reporting.

Dutch Municipalities Launch Fireworks Amnesty Ahead of National Ban

Municipalities across the Netherlands began an anonymous surrender programme for illegal and leftover fireworks as authorities prepare to enforce the country’s permanent national fireworks ban.

Dutch Railways Adds Capacity as Strikes and Autumn Commuter Demand Strain Network

The Dutch national rail operator deployed extra carriages and adjusted passenger compensation measures as industrial action and the start of the academic year increased pressure on the rail network.

Teenager Arrested After Double Shooting at Amsterdam Nieuw-West Festival

Amsterdam police arrested a teenage suspect after two people were injured in a shooting at a festival in Sportpark Riekerhaven, renewing scrutiny of event security and youth gun violence.

Amsterdam Closes Overtoomsesluis Bridge to Cars Over Structural Deterioration

Amsterdam authorities closed the Overtoomsesluis Bridge to vehicular traffic after identifying serious structural deterioration, adding to concerns over maintenance pressures on the city’s ageing bridges and canals.

Dutch Universities Begin Academic Year Under Tighter International Student Rules

Universities in Amsterdam, Leiden and Utrecht opened the new academic year under stricter government measures aimed at limiting international student numbers and easing pressure on housing.

Amsterdam Reports 38% Drop in Premium Business Hotel Guests

Amsterdam has recorded a 38% decline in higher-value international business hotel guests, prompting debate over the city’s competitiveness and the effects of tourism policies on the corporate hospitality sector.

Shell Buys Back More Than 1.5 Million Shares for Cancellation

Shell purchased more than 1.5 million shares across London and Euronext Amsterdam for cancellation as part of its ongoing programme to return capital to shareholders.

Philips Raises €650 Million Through Green Bond

Philips priced a €650 million green bond to finance sustainable product development and energy-efficient manufacturing, with strong investor demand for the offering.

Philips Launches AI Ultrasound and Advanced Cardiac Imaging Technologies

Philips introduced an artificial intelligence-enabled women’s health ultrasound system and an advanced cardiac interventional laboratory as the Dutch company continues expanding its medical software and diagnostic technology portfolio.

Adyen Joins Open-Source Initiative Linking AI Shopping Agents With Payment Networks

Adyen partnered with Ant International on the Agentic Mobile Protocol, an open-source system designed to connect artificial intelligence shopping agents with global payment infrastructure.

Adyen Shares Fall as Investors Assess Costs of India and Asia-Pacific Expansion

Shares in Dutch payments company Adyen dropped more than 3% as investors weighed the costs and execution risks of its expansion into India and the wider Asia-Pacific region despite new licences and payments partnerships.

UK Air Traffic Control Failure Forces More Than 58 Amsterdam Schiphol Flight Cancellations

A software failure in Britain’s air traffic control system forced airlines to cancel more than 58 flights between the UK and Amsterdam Schiphol, disrupting services operated by KLM, British Airways and EasyJet.

Dutch Trade Shifts Toward Southern Europe as US Exports Decline

The Netherlands has redirected more trade toward Italy, Spain, France and Germany as shipments to the United States fall, with Italy replacing the US as the country’s fifth-largest export market.