Amsterdam Times

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.

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...

Low Rhine Water Levels Threaten Dutch Inland Shipping and European Supply Chains

Dutch water authorities warned that prolonged drought and falling water levels on the Rhine and Meuse rivers are disrupting inland shipping, forcing freight onto rail and road networks and increasing pressure on logistics linked to the P...

Netherlands Plans New Innovation Agency After Research Investment Falls Behind

The Netherlands retained its position as one of Europe's leading innovation economies, ranking third in the latest European Innovation Scoreboard. The government is preparing a new Agency for Disruptive Innovation and a National Investme...

ASML Raises 2026 Revenue Forecast as Global Artificial Intelligence Demand Accelerates

Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML reported second-quarter net sales of nine point three billion euros and raised its 2026 revenue forecast to between forty-three billion and forty-five billion euros. The company also plans to expa...

Harvard Astrophysicist to Lead U.S. Scientific Advisory on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena

Professor Avi Loeb appointed to advise the government on UAP data collection and analysis, emphasizing a data-driven approach over speculation.

Emergency Sirens Activated Across Bahrain as Interior Ministry Issues Shelter Directives

Authorities in the Gulf nation have instructed all citizens and residents to remain calm and proceed immediately to the nearest secure location following a sudden public alert.

Netherlands Introduces New Surcharge on Low-Value Non-European Union Parcels

The Dutch government has removed the tax exemption for small parcels valued below one hundred and fifty euros, introducing a three-euro surcharge on shipments from outside the European Union.

Heatwave Forces Cancellation of Labour Demonstrations

Trade unions cancelled planned demonstrations in Eindhoven and Nijmegen after extreme heat warnings were issued, while protests in Rotterdam are continuing under revised safety measures.

Police Seize Drugs and Illegal Medicines in Amsterdam-Noord Raid

Police and organised crime investigators seized cocaine, ketamine, ecstasy, and illegal prescription medicines during a coordinated operation in Amsterdam-Noord targeting criminal distribution networks.

Revost Begins Trials of Smart Electric Bicycle Charging System

Mobility startup Revost has started testing its automated bicycle rack that locks and charges electric bicycles simultaneously, with plans to expand the technology to hospitals, universities, and corporate campuses.

Promptwatch Raises Six Million Euros to Expand Artificial Intelligence Business

Amsterdam artificial intelligence startup Promptwatch has raised six million euros to accelerate expansion into the United States, focusing on software that helps businesses improve visibility within generative AI platforms.

Dutch Semiconductor Startup Invisix Raises Twenty Million Euros

Eindhoven-based semiconductor company Invisix, founded as an ASML spinout, has secured a twenty million euro seed round to develop manufacturing technologies that expand chip production using existing fabrication facilities.

Schiphol Faces Flight Cancellations Amid Capacity Constraints

More than thirty flights were cancelled at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport after operational pressures involving ground services, air traffic control, and limited runway capacity disrupted schedules during the summer travel peak.

Schiphol Expects Twelve Point Seven Million Summer Passengers

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport expects to handle twelve point seven million travellers during the peak summer season, supported by expanded baggage handling and security operations to manage heavy passenger flows.

Amsterdam Cuts Free Bicycle Storage Period to Ease Congestion

Amsterdam has reduced the maximum free storage period at municipal bicycle parking facilities from four weeks to seven days to discourage abandoned bicycles and improve turnover at busy transport hubs.

Amsterdam Bans Fat Bikes in Vondelpark

The City of Amsterdam has prohibited electric fat bikes with tyres wider than seven centimetres from Vondelpark in an effort to improve pedestrian safety after a rise in high-speed collisions.

Amsterdam Home Prices Ease as Former Rental Properties Enter Market

Amsterdam recorded a two point nine percent annual decline in home prices as more former rental apartments were listed for sale, although housing officials say shortages of larger family homes remain unresolved.

Dutch Housing Market Sees Record Increase in Rental Property Sales

A record number of existing homes came onto the market during the second quarter as private landlords continued selling rental properties, reflecting the impact of tighter rent controls and higher taxation.

Dutch Authorities Warn of Drought as River Levels Continue to Fall

Water authorities have issued fresh drought warnings as prolonged heat drives river levels lower, raising concerns for agriculture, inland shipping, and freshwater management across the Netherlands.

Rabobank Raises European Natural Gas Price Forecast

Rabobank has increased its outlook for European natural gas prices, warning that tighter global liquefied natural gas supplies and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz could leave industrial consumers exposed to higher costs this winter.

World's Largest LNG Container Ship Completes Record Bio-LNG Refuelling in Rotterdam

The CMA CGM *Notre Dame* has completed the largest bio-LNG bunkering operation to date at the Port of Rotterdam, using European biomethane derived from agricultural waste to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Rotterdam Reports Sixfold Increase in Bio-LNG Marine Fuel Demand

The Port of Rotterdam says bio-liquefied natural gas bunkering volumes have increased sixfold from a year earlier, underscoring accelerating demand for lower-emission fuels across the global shipping industry.

Philips Unveils Artificial Intelligence-Powered Alturion Ultrasound System

Royal Philips has launched its new Alturion ultrasound platform, integrating artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic workflows and strengthen its focus on advanced healthcare technology.

Heineken Advances One Point Five Billion Euro Share Buyback

Heineken has repurchased nearly five million shares worth more than three hundred and forty-six million euros as it continues the second tranche of its one point five billion euro capital return programme.

ING Accelerates One Billion Euro Share Buyback Programme

ING has repurchased nearly one million shares worth twenty-six point nine million euros, bringing completion of its one billion euro share buyback programme to almost forty percent.

Adyen Wins Global Payments Partnership with Xiaomi

Adyen has signed a global agreement to process consumer payments for Xiaomi across eighteen international markets, extending its presence among multinational technology and retail companies.

Adyen Joins European Payments Initiative to Support Wero Digital Wallet

Dutch payments company Adyen has become a principal member of the European Payments Initiative, expanding support for the Wero digital wallet as Europe seeks to strengthen its own cross-border payments infrastructure.

ING and Rabobank Prepare Bids for Belgium's Belfius Bank

ING and Rabobank are preparing offers for a twenty percent stake in Belgian state-owned lender Belfius, joining France's Crédit Agricole in a transaction that could reshape banking competition across the Benelux region.

Dutch Minimum Wage Rises to Fourteen Euros and Ninety-Nine Cents Per Hour

A nationwide increase in the statutory minimum wage has taken effect, lifting the hourly rate for workers aged twenty-one and older to fourteen euros and ninety-nine cents, with corresponding increases applied to youth wage levels.

Netherlands Sells TenneT Germany Stake to KfW

The Dutch state has completed the sale of a twenty-five point one percent stake in TenneT's German operations to German state-backed lender KfW, raising capital while supporting long-term investment in cross-border electricity infrastruc...

The Hague to Host International Claims Commission for Ukraine

The Dutch government has confirmed that The Hague will host the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, reinforcing the city's position as a global centre for international justice and the adjudication of war-related compensation cl...

Council of State Warns Against Repealing Dutch Asylum Distribution Law

The Council of State has cautioned against repealing legislation requiring municipalities to share responsibility for housing asylum seekers, warning that removing the framework could intensify pressure on the Ter Apel reception centre a...

Dutch Government Launches National Strategy to Attract High-Tech Talent

The Dutch cabinet has unveiled a national talent strategy focused on recruiting skilled professionals in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, defence, climate technology, and life sciences while preserving the thirty percent tax rulin...

Netherlands Joins Pax Silica Alliance to Strengthen Semiconductor Supply Chains

The Dutch government has formally joined the Pax Silica alliance, with Foreign Trade Minister Sjoerd Sjoerdsma saying the move will help safeguard semiconductor and artificial intelligence supply chains while supporting the long-term com...

ASML Faces Heightened Market Volatility Ahead of Second-Quarter Results

Options markets are pricing in a potential seven percent swing in ASML shares as investors await the chip equipment maker's second-quarter earnings, with demand, Chinese export restrictions, and order bookings viewed as key indicators fo...

Dutch Scientists Warn Amazon Changes Could Affect European Climate

Climate researchers warned that continued degradation of the Amazon rainforest could alter global weather systems, with long-term consequences for flood risk, agriculture, and climate conditions in the Netherlands.