Amsterdam Times

Ukrainian Drone Barrage Kills Eight and Strikes Russian Logistics Network

Warehouses operated by Russia's largest online retailer burned in coordinated attacks that Kyiv said targeted supply routes for drone and navigation components.

Rabobank Warns Grid Constraints and Trade Tensions Will Limit Dutch Economic Growth

Rabobank forecasts economic growth of 1.3 percent in both 2026 and 2027, saying electricity grid congestion, nitrogen regulations and increasing global trade barriers are expected to continue weighing on investment and industrial expansion.

Nearfield Instruments Secures Major Funding Round to Expand Semiconductor Technology

Leiden-based Nearfield Instruments raised 380 million US dollars in Series D financing led by Fidelity Investments, marking one of Europe's largest venture capital rounds and reinforcing the Netherlands' position in advanced semiconducto...

Government Declares National Water Shortage as Drought Disrupts Shipping and Agriculture

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management declared an official water shortage after prolonged dry conditions lowered river levels, prompting restrictions on lock operations to limit saltwater intrusion and affecting inland ship...

Government Blocks Foreign Takeover of DigiD Technology Provider Solvinity

Dutch authorities blocked the proposed acquisition of Solvinity by a United States company, citing concerns that the operator of the national DigiD digital identity platform could become subject to foreign data access laws.

Netherlands Joins Global AI Chip Alliance While Defending European Technology Interests

The Dutch government joined the United States-led Pax Silica alliance to strengthen semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains, while continuing to resist broader United States export restrictions that could affect Dutch com...

Dutch Government Presses United States to Preserve ASML Support Services in China

Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma met United States officials in Washington to oppose proposed legislation that would prevent ASML from servicing existing deep ultraviolet lithography systems in China, warning the move could disrupt global...

ASML Expands Chipmaking Capacity as Artificial Intelligence Demand Lifts Growth Outlook

ASML plans to increase annual production capacity for its extreme ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet lithography systems by 30 percent through 2028 after reporting more than nine billion euros in second-quarter sales and raising its 2026 r...

The Ten World Cup Finals That Defined Football History

From Pelé’s emergence in Sweden and Uruguay’s shock at the Maracanã to Zidane’s final act and Messi’s triumph in Qatar, these matches set the standard awaiting Argentina and Spain in the 2026 final.

Smartphones Are Getting More Expensive, Sales Are Collapsing, and Even Apple Admits: "Prices Will Rise"

Surging memory prices, soaring demand for artificial intelligence hardware and supply chain disruptions are driving smartphone prices higher while analysts forecast the steepest annual market contraction on record.

Dutch Clean Tech Expands Into Latin America With Water Infrastructure Investment

Dutch Clean Tech has raised €15 million and acquired a 25 percent stake in Guatemala's Agua del Mariscal, expanding the international reach of Dutch water treatment technology.

Dawnguard Raises Funding for Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Platform

Dutch cybersecurity startup Dawnguard has secured €2.8 million to develop artificial intelligence-based systems that automatically detect and respond to advanced cyber threats.

Anterra Capital Raises €86 Million for Artificial Intelligence Agritech Fund

Amsterdam venture capital firm Anterra Capital has completed the first €86 million close of a new fund focused on artificial intelligence technologies for agriculture and food supply chains.

Leyden Labs Secures €40 Million for Broad-Spectrum Respiratory Virus Research

Leiden biotechnology company Leyden Labs has raised €40 million to advance clinical development of intranasal therapies designed to protect against existing and emerging respiratory viruses.

Leiden Startup Whispp Raises €5 Million for Voice Reconstruction Technology

Artificial intelligence healthcare company Whispp has secured €5 million in seed funding to expand software that converts impaired speech into natural-sounding voices in real time.

Booking.com Updates Platform to Meet European Union Digital Rules

Booking.com is making extensive changes to its European platform to comply with the Digital Markets Act, adapting its operations to meet tougher competition requirements while avoiding regulatory penalties.

Adyen Expands North American Enterprise Payments Business

Amsterdam-based payments company Adyen has secured new long-term contracts with major retailers as it expands digital payment infrastructure across North America.

ING Launches Major Financing Programme for Europe's Green Industry

ING Group has committed a multi-billion-euro lending programme to support projects in green steel, offshore wind and hydrogen infrastructure, reinforcing the Dutch bank's role in financing Europe's industrial transition.

KLM Expands Winter Services to Regional United Kingdom Destinations

KLM will increase winter flight frequencies between Amsterdam Schiphol and regional business destinations including Teesside, strengthening international connectivity for business travellers and exporters.

Schiphol Cancels Flights Amid Summer Capacity Constraints

More than 30 flights operated by KLM, Air France and Delta Air Lines were cancelled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport as ground handling shortages and wider European air traffic control constraints disrupted peak summer travel.

Rotterdam Deploys Artificial Intelligence Cargo Screening

Dutch customs authorities have introduced artificial intelligence-powered cargo screening at the Port of Rotterdam to improve the detection of organised crime while maintaining the efficient movement of freight through Europe's largest p...

Zuidasdok Project Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Delays and Costs

The large-scale Zuidasdok redevelopment in Amsterdam is under renewed political pressure after reports of engineering delays and rising costs, raising concerns over future transport capacity in the city's financial district.

Amsterdam House Price Growth Slows as Buyers Look Beyond the City

Residential price growth in Amsterdam slowed to between 1.5 and 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026, with high borrowing costs and affordability pressures encouraging more buyers to move to surrounding Randstad municipalities.

Affordable Rent Act Drives Landlord Sell-Off in Amsterdam

The Netherlands' Affordable Rent Act has prompted many landlords to sell rental properties, reducing the supply of private-sector housing and pushing average rents in Amsterdam above €2,400 per month despite more homes entering the owner...

NXP Strengthens European Automotive Chip Partnerships

Eindhoven-based NXP Semiconductors has launched a new initiative with European carmakers to integrate software-defined vehicle processors, reinforcing regional supply chains for electric and autonomous vehicles.

ASML Awards Global Workforce €20,000 Bonus

ASML will pay a one-time €20,000 bonus to employees worldwide after strong financial results, reflecting intense competition for engineering talent as semiconductor manufacturers expand production.

Tata Steel Negotiates Government Support for Green Hydrogen Transition

Tata Steel is in final-stage talks with the Dutch government over billions of euros in support for converting its IJmuiden steelworks from coal-based production to green hydrogen, a project with major implications for industry and emissi...

Shell Advances North Sea Hydrogen Pipeline Plans

Shell has begun detailed engineering work on an offshore hydrogen pipeline network linking North Sea wind farms with industrial hubs in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, supporting the Netherlands' long-term clean energy strategy.

Destinus to Lead European Anti-Missile Defence Consortium

Dutch aerospace company Destinus has been selected to lead a European consortium developing a next-generation missile defence system, highlighting the growing role of the Netherlands' defence technology sector in European security.

Port of Rotterdam Faces Landmark Lawsuit Over Fossil Fuel Operations

Environmental groups have launched a major legal challenge seeking to accelerate the Port of Rotterdam's transition away from fossil fuel shipping, a case that could influence future investment in hydrogen and offshore renewable energy i...

Dutch Intelligence Warns of Escalating Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure

The Netherlands' intelligence service has warned that state-backed cyber campaigns are increasingly targeting energy networks, telecommunications systems and maritime logistics databases, urging operators to strengthen security against s...

ASML Expands Lithography Production Capacity Through 2028

ASML plans to increase annual manufacturing capacity for its extreme ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet lithography systems by 30 percent over the next two years, requiring significant investment in facilities and skilled workers across th...

Dutch Government Secures Support for Higher Defence Spending

Prime Minister Rob Jetten's minority government won parliamentary backing for a €19 billion defence expansion that aims to lift military spending to 3.5 percent of gross domestic product in the early 2030s, strengthening the Netherlands'...

ASML Beats Second-Quarter Forecasts as Artificial Intelligence Chip Demand Lifts Sales

Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML reported second-quarter net sales of €9.3 billion and nearly €3 billion in net income, exceeding market expectations as global investment in advanced chips for artificial intelligence data centres...

EU Carbon Border Tax Reshapes Dutch Industrial Trade Flows

The Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges reported weaker imports of steel and other general cargo, attributing the decline to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which is prompting companies to adjust sourcing strat...

KLM Expands European Network to Strengthen Schiphol Hub

KLM increased regional services, including more flights between Amsterdam Schiphol and Teesside International Airport, to attract additional corporate travellers and strengthen international connectivity through its Dutch hub.

Police Arrest Armed Kidnapping Suspects After Chase in Amsterdam

Specialist police units, supported by drones and aviation assets, ended a high-speed pursuit in Amsterdam Nieuw-West and arrested two suspects from Rotterdam following an alleged kidnapping, firing warning shots during the operation.

New Rent Controls Take Effect Across the Netherlands

The Dutch government introduced a cap limiting annual rent increases in the liberalized private housing sector to 4.4 percent, alongside municipal measures aimed at increasing housing supply and improving affordability.

Dutch Minimum Wage Rises to Nearly Fifteen Euros an Hour

The statutory minimum wage increased to 14.99 euros per hour as part of broader labour reforms intended to support household purchasing power and address persistent labour shortages.

Dutch Trade Minister Faces Criticism Over China Visit and Human Rights Concerns

The World Uyghur Congress criticized Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma for not raising allegations of forced labour in Xinjiang during his trade mission to Beijing, despite a parliamentary motion calling...