Amsterdam Times

The Hague Hosts Dialogue on South Caucasus Peace and Democratic Resilience

Civil society representatives from Azerbaijan gathered in The Hague for discussions on regional peace efforts and democratic development, reinforcing the Dutch city's role as a venue for international mediation and diplomatic engagement.

Dutch Trade Union Prepares Resistance Campaign Against Proposed Pension and Welfare Reforms

The Netherlands' largest labor union, FNV, has pledged organized opposition to planned social security and pension changes proposed by the incoming minority cabinet, raising the prospect of industrial action across key sectors of the eco...

Schiphol Launches World's First Electric TaxiBot for Commercial Aircraft

Schiphol Airport has deployed the world's first fully electric TaxiBot system in partnership with easyJet, Airbus and Menzies Aviation, aiming to cut fuel use and emissions by towing aircraft to runways without relying on jet engines.

Netherlands Ends Role in UK-Led Ukrainian Troop Training Mission

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has concluded its participation in Operation Interflex, which has trained more than 63,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the United Kingdom, and will redirect resources toward specialized military instruction includ...

ASML Invitation to Elon Musk Sparks Internal Backlash and Boycott Threats

Employees at Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML have criticized the company's decision to invite Elon Musk to speak virtually at an internal technology conference, exposing tensions between European corporate culture and the polari...

Feyenoord Dismisses Robin van Persie in Major Sporting Shake-Up

The Rotterdam club removed the former Dutch football star from his managerial role as new executives pursue a broader strategic overhaul of the organisation.

Prince Albert’s Netherlands-Based Hospitality and Tourism Links Gain Visibility as Amsterdam Expands Luxury Appeal

Amsterdam’s growing calendar of international events and high-end tourism initiatives continues to attract global attention as European cities compete for affluent travellers and major business gatherings.

Amsterdam Centraal Hosts Solheim Cup Countdown Promotion

Organisers installed a giant golf ball inside the city’s main railway station to mark 100 days until the prestigious women’s team competition begins.

Nelly Korda Becomes First Player to Qualify for Solheim Cup in the Netherlands

The world number one secured her place on the United States team for the September tournament, boosting anticipation for the event’s first staging in the Netherlands.

Thailand Promotes Culinary Tourism to Dutch Travellers Through Amsterdam Campaign

Thailand’s tourism authority has launched a marketing initiative at Amsterdam’s De Bijenkorf department store aimed at attracting higher-spending European visitors.

Amsterdam to Host First European Edition of World’s 50 Best Bars Awards

The Dutch capital will welcome leading figures from the global hospitality industry later this month, further strengthening its profile as a destination for food, drink and tourism.

ASML Employees Threaten Boycott Over Elon Musk Conference Appearance

Staff members at the semiconductor equipment maker have voiced opposition to Musk’s planned participation in an internal technology event, citing concerns over his political activities and public comments.

Dutch Court Jails Woman for Recruiting Son as Islamic State Child Soldier

A court sentenced a mother to seven years in prison after finding she indoctrinated and recruited her own son to fight for Islamic State in Syria, establishing a significant legal precedent.

Healthcare Fraud Investigation Leads to Five Arrests in the Netherlands

Authorities arrested five suspects accused of laundering money and fraudulently obtaining more than €5 million through false healthcare claims.

Tobacco Companies Enter Dutch Government Cannabis Experiment

Major tobacco firms have acquired stakes in a licensed cannabis producer participating in the Netherlands’ regulated cannabis programme, expanding corporate involvement in the emerging sector.

Dutch Coalition Proposes Easier Launch of Child Abuse Investigations

Lawmakers are advancing legislation that would allow authorities to begin serious child welfare investigations without parental consent, prompting debate over child protection and privacy rights.

Royal IHC Challenges Damen for UK Naval Shipbuilding Contracts

The Dutch maritime engineering company is competing aggressively for British naval projects, highlighting growing opportunities for European defence manufacturers as military spending rises.

World’s First Commercial Cell-Based Meat Farm Opens in the Netherlands

A new facility in Schipluiden dedicated to cultivating meat from animal cells marks a major milestone for the alternative protein industry and Dutch agricultural technology.

Schiphol Launches Commercial Use of Fully Electric Aircraft Taxiing System

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has begun operating an autonomous electric towing system that moves aircraft to runways without using jet engines, aiming to cut fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

Air France-KLM Signals Openness to Potential easyJet Acquisition

The airline group said it would be willing to explore a takeover of easyJet, a move that could significantly reshape competition in the European aviation market.

Dutch Military Sites Reportedly Exposed Through Mobile Gaming Data

Reports that location data generated through Pokémon Go may have been used in military drone-targeting research have prompted parliamentary questions about data security and the protection of sensitive infrastructure.

European Water Rules Threaten Additional Delays for Dutch Construction Projects

Analysts say stricter EU water-quality requirements due to take effect from 2027 could add another layer of regulatory hurdles for housing and infrastructure development.

ABN Amro Warns Demographic Shifts Could Create Long-Term Surplus of Family Homes

The bank said an ageing population could bring hundreds of thousands of family properties onto the market by 2050, increasing pressure to develop more housing suited to older residents.

Grid Constraints and Environmental Rules Slow Dutch Homebuilding

New home sales fell sharply during the first four months of the year as electricity network congestion and nitrogen-emission restrictions delayed or halted residential development projects.

Dutch Housing Market Shows Early Signs of Cooling After Years of Rapid Growth

New research indicates price growth is slowing and aggressive overbidding is becoming less common, although a persistent shortage of new homes continues to challenge affordability.

Rotterdam Bunker Fuel Volumes Decline Amid Shipping Disruptions and Regulatory Changes

Traditional marine fuel sales fell 25% from a year earlier as volatile energy markets, new environmental rules and altered shipping routes affected demand.

Rotterdam Strengthens Position as Europe’s Alternative Marine Fuel Hub

Sales of liquefied biomethane, bio-methanol and other lower-emission shipping fuels surged in the first quarter, reinforcing Rotterdam’s role in the transition toward cleaner maritime transport.

Former Dutch Leaders Face Further Scrutiny in National COVID-19 Inquiry

Former prime minister Mark Rutte, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and former health minister Hugo de Jonge are scheduled to testify as investigators continue examining pandemic-era policies and emergency decision-making.

Dutch Parliament Seeks Answers on Government Efforts to Counter Foreign Interference

Lawmakers have launched an inquiry into how the Cabinet identifies and responds to foreign influence operations, reflecting growing concern over espionage, political interference and intellectual property theft.

ASML Warns Against Greater European Union Control of Strategic Technology Projects

Chief executive Christophe Fouquet said plans for increased European Commission oversight of state-backed technology initiatives could create additional bureaucracy and weaken Europe’s competitiveness in semiconductors and artificial int...

ASML Chief Executive and Elon Musk Discuss Potential Texas Semiconductor Megafactory

ASML chief executive Christophe Fouquet is preparing talks with Elon Musk regarding advanced chipmaking equipment for a proposed Texas facility linked to SpaceX and developed in partnership with Intel.

Dutch Government Spending Continues to Support Economy Amid Weak Growth

Rising expenditure on defence, healthcare and public safety is helping sustain economic activity, although labour shortages risk delaying infrastructure projects and leaving planned investments unused.

Rabobank Warns Middle East Conflict Is Dragging on Dutch Economic Growth

The Dutch lender said prolonged instability in the Middle East is raising logistics costs and helping keep interest rates elevated, weighing on manufacturers and construction firms even as the country avoids recession.

European Commission Orders Netherlands to End Emergency Border Checks

Brussels rejected a Dutch request to extend enhanced border controls until autumn 2026, arguing the measures had minimal impact on migration flows and challenging a key element of the government’s migration policy.

NATO Chief Mark Rutte Leads Historic North Atlantic Council Meeting in Kyiv

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte brought the alliance’s top decision-making body to Kyiv for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring continued Western support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.

ASML Revenue From China Falls Sharply as Export Controls Reshape Global Chip Trade

Sales to Chinese customers accounted for just 19% of ASML’s first-quarter 2026 revenue, down from 36% late last year, reflecting the growing impact of tighter Dutch and US restrictions on advanced semiconductor exports.

Amsterdam Expands Free Bicycle Parking Program Across the City

The municipality has introduced seven days of free bicycle parking at public facilities as part of efforts to reduce congestion and improve mobility in the historic center.

KLM Open Returns as One of Dutch Sport’s Premier Events

The 106th edition of the KLM Open has begun near Schiphol Airport, bringing together leading European golfers and major corporate sponsors.

Netherlands Football Team Departs for Final World Cup Preparations

Manager Ronald Koeman’s squad has traveled to North America for a key warm-up match against Uzbekistan before the expanded global tournament.

Arnhem Concert by Kanye West Draws Large Crowd Despite Protests

More than 40,000 people attended the rapper’s performance at Gelredome after a Dutch court rejected attempts to block the event over concerns raised by advocacy groups.

Deltares Showcases Dutch Water Expertise Ahead of Japanese Visit

The Delft-based research institute will demonstrate advanced flood defense and coastal protection technologies during engagements linked to the Japanese state visit.

Dutch Farmers Seek Clarity on Nitrogen Reduction Buyout Plans

Agricultural groups are pressing the government for certainty on funding and timelines for emissions-related farm buyout programs following recent political upheaval.