Amsterdam Times

Rotterdam Celebrates Cape Verde's Historic Progress to the World Cup Knockout Stage

Large crowds from Rotterdam's Cape Verdean community gathered across the city after Cape Verde advanced to the knockout rounds of the Football World Cup, reflecting the city's strong cultural ties to the island nation.

Public Sector Workers Rally Against Proposed Social Security Cuts

Thousands of education and public sector workers demonstrated in Rotterdam against planned reductions to social security, even as extreme heat forced the cancellation of similar protests in Eindhoven and Nijmegen.

Japan's Emperor Concludes State Visit Focused on Climate and Water Management Cooperation

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako concluded their state visit to the Netherlands after meetings centred on flood protection, coastal resilience and water management, highlighting cooperation between two countries with longstanding expe...

Major Rail Operators Join Forces to Improve Freight Capacity at the Port of Rotterdam

Six European rail freight operators have launched the Track Together initiative, introducing a shared digital system that allows companies to transfer train operations during disruptions and improve reliability on freight corridors servi...

Dutch Cabinet Unveils €20 Billion Agricultural Reform Plan to Address Nitrogen Emissions

The government has presented a €20 billion package to reduce ammonia emissions around Natura 2000 protected areas, including new livestock density limits and relocation measures aimed at resolving the long-running nitrogen crisis and all...

Rabobank Warns Energy Supply Disruptions Will Continue Despite Strait of Hormuz Reopening

Rabobank said repairs to Gulf energy infrastructure and the clearance of naval mines could take months, meaning oil and liquefied natural gas shipments to the Port of Rotterdam are likely to remain constrained despite the reopening of th...

Dutch Central Bank Cuts Growth Outlook as Energy Costs Fuel Inflation Risks

De Nederlandsche Bank and Rabobank have lowered their economic growth forecasts to between 0.8% and 1% this year, warning that weaker global trade and higher energy prices linked to Middle East tensions are expected to lift inflation to ...

United States Backs Domestic Chip Equipment Rival to Challenge ASML

The US Commerce Department has awarded $150 million to startup xLight to accelerate development of alternative extreme ultraviolet lithography technology, signalling Washington's long-term effort to reduce dependence on ASML's dominant p...

ASML Raises Long-Term Revenue Outlook Despite Mounting Geopolitical Trade Restrictions

The Veldhoven-based chip equipment maker increased the upper end of its long-term revenue forecast to €40 billion, supported by strong artificial intelligence demand and discussions surrounding the Terafab chip manufacturing project, und...

The Netherlands Joins US-Led Pax Silica Alliance as New Export Controls Hit ASML

The Dutch government has joined the United States-led Pax Silica alliance on artificial intelligence hardware security, a move that triggered a sharp fall in ASML shares as investors assessed the impact of tighter export controls that wo...

The Hague Launches BlowUp Jubilee Open-Air Art Exhibition

The BlowUp Jubilee exhibition transformed central The Hague with large-scale inflatable artworks displayed around Lange Voorhout and the Hofvijver, marking the fifth anniversary of the city's public art initiative.

Netherlands Advance to FIFA World Cup Round of 32 With Victory Over Tunisia

The Dutch men's national team finished top of Group F after defeating Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City, securing a place in the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup.

Dutch Prosecutors Seek Lengthy Prison Terms in Major Sextortion Case

Prosecutors requested prison sentences of at least five years for suspects accused of operating a large-scale online sextortion network, reflecting the Netherlands' increasingly tough response to digital financial and sexual exploitation.

The Hague Prepares to Host International Cyber Threat Intelligence Conference

Leiden University completed preparations for the Hague Threat Intelligence Exchange, bringing together cybersecurity specialists, government agencies and technology companies to examine emerging threats, including the misuse of generativ...

European Union Approves Simpler Local Voting Rules for Mobile Citizens

New European Union legislation will require member states, including the Netherlands, to simplify municipal voter registration procedures for citizens living outside their home countries before the 2028 local elections.

European Union Tax Reform Could Ease Compliance for Dutch Multinationals

The European Commission proposed simplifying cross-border tax rules by removing complex imported hybrid mismatch provisions, potentially reducing compliance burdens for multinational companies based in the Netherlands.

Shell Unveils Electric Vehicle Concept Focused on Battery Efficiency

Shell introduced the Triple Ten Challenge concept vehicle, showcasing an alternative approach to electric vehicle design that emphasizes improved battery efficiency through advanced thermal management.

Ahold Delhaize Nominates Digital Executive Edmond Mesrobian to Supervisory Board

The retailer proposed Edmond Mesrobian for its Supervisory Board, adding digital commerce and technology expertise as the company expands its use of artificial intelligence.

Ahold Delhaize Names Claire Peters to Lead U.S. Business

Ahold Delhaize nominated retail executive Claire Peters as chief executive of Ahold Delhaize USA to oversee growth and continued digital modernization across its largest market.

Royal Philips Confirms Share Dividend Exchange Ratio

Philips finalized the exchange ratio for its 2025 dividend, issuing nearly 20 million new shares after around 43 percent of shareholders chose to receive cash instead of stock.

ING Accelerates Share Buyback Programme

ING Group repurchased more than 1.5 million shares in a single week as it continued returning capital to shareholders through its existing buyback programme.

Heineken Continues €1.5 Billion Share Buyback Programme

Heineken repurchased more than 4.2 million shares worth nearly €290 million as part of the second phase of its ongoing €1.5 billion share buyback initiative.

Air France-KLM Raises €500 Million Through Senior Bond Offering

Air France-KLM successfully issued €500 million in five-year senior notes, strengthening its balance sheet and demonstrating continued investor demand for the airline group's debt.

Amsterdam Aviation Summit Highlights Shift Toward Synthetic Aviation Fuels

SkyNRG and ICF presented the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Market Outlook 2026 in Amsterdam, concluding that the aviation industry is moving from planning to large-scale deployment of synthetic aviation fuels.

Schiphol Airport and EasyJet Deploy Electric TaxiBots to Cut Aircraft Emissions

Schiphol Airport introduced electric TaxiBots to tow EasyJet aircraft between gates and runways, reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions and noise on the airfield.

Adyen Wins North American Payments Contract With Aritzia

Adyen was selected as the exclusive payment services provider for fashion retailer Aritzia, managing transactions across its stores, websites and mobile applications throughout North America.

Adyen Launches Artificial Intelligence Commerce Platform for Global Businesses

Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen introduced Adyen Agentic, a new suite of application programming interfaces designed to help businesses process transactions across conversational artificial intelligence platforms.

ASML Expands Generative Artificial Intelligence Across Engineering Operations

ASML is broadening its collaboration with Mistral AI by integrating generative artificial intelligence into engineering workflows and customer support to accelerate product development and technical problem-solving.

Port of Rotterdam Introduces Digital Platform to Improve Rail Freight Coordination

The Port Authority launched the PortFlow application to help rail operators coordinate cargo movements and optimize freight capacity between Maasvlakte terminals and inland European destinations.

European Rail Operators Launch Shared Capacity System at Port of Rotterdam

Six rail freight operators signed the Track Together agreement, enabling companies to share capacity and take over delayed services to improve efficiency across Europe's largest port.

Port of Rotterdam Rejects Calls for Immediate Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

The Port of Rotterdam Authority dismissed demands for mandatory restrictions on fossil fuel activities, arguing that such measures would undermine European energy security and industrial competitiveness without reducing global emissions.

Extreme Heat Forces Cancellation of Major Public Events Across the Netherlands

Authorities canceled several large gatherings, including the Defqon.1 music festival and the National Veterans Day parade, citing unacceptable health and safety risks posed by the prolonged heatwave.

Construction Firms Suspend Outdoor Work as Extreme Heat Intensifies

Major Dutch construction companies, including BAM, Dura Vermeer and Strukton, halted non-essential outdoor operations to protect workers as temperatures reached dangerous levels.

Three People Die While Swimming During Dutch Heatwave

Emergency services confirmed three drowning deaths in Nijmegen and Utrecht after people entered rivers and lakes to escape the extreme heat, prompting renewed warnings about dangerous currents and unsafe swimming areas.

ASML Shares Retreat as Chinese Sales Decline Ahead of Stricter Export Controls

ASML shares fell after first-quarter figures showed China accounted for 19 percent of system sales, down from 36 percent late last year, suggesting earlier demand driven by advance purchases is beginning to fade.

Dutch Hospitals Report Sharp Rise in Heat-Related Medical Emergencies

Emergency departments across the Netherlands are treating increasing numbers of patients suffering from dehydration, heatstroke and aggravated cardiovascular and respiratory conditions as the prolonged heatwave intensifies.

Rijkswaterstaat and Dutch Rail Network Scale Back Operations During Heatwave

Rijkswaterstaat advised against non-essential road travel while Dutch Railways reduced services on key routes linking Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam and Rotterdam to limit heat-related damage to transport infrastructure.

Dutch Government Presses Washington to Preserve ASML Equipment Support for China

Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma is urging the United States to avoid new restrictions that would prevent ASML from servicing older semiconductor equipment in China, warning that the proposed measures could disrupt allied technology suppl...

ASML Faces Fresh Geopolitical Pressure as the Netherlands Joins Pax Silica Alliance

The Dutch government joined the United States-led Pax Silica alliance to coordinate artificial intelligence hardware export controls, placing ASML and the broader Dutch semiconductor industry at the center of intensifying technology comp...

The Netherlands Extends Code Red Heat Alert as Extreme Temperatures Disrupt Transport and Daily Life

Authorities extended the country's highest weather warning across Limburg, North Brabant, Gelderland and Overijssel through Saturday, cautioning that temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius could threaten public safety and strain cri...

Dutch Charitable Giving Falls to Lowest Share of GDP on Record

A new study reports that household charitable donations have declined to 0.54% of gross domestic product, reflecting changing financial behaviour and lower religious participation among younger generations.

Eindhoven Designers Showcase Sustainable Building Materials at Architecture Biennale

Students and architects from Eindhoven are presenting construction materials made from agricultural waste and recycled marine plastics, highlighting the Netherlands' leadership in circular design.

International Criminal Court Explores Framework for Cyber Warfare Prosecutions

Legal experts and diplomats meeting in The Hague are working on proposals that could allow the International Criminal Court to prosecute state-sponsored cyberattacks on critical infrastructure as war crimes.