Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Saudi oil exports hindered by pipeline attack and Houthi advance
Saudi Arabia's oil exports are facing severe disruptions after a drone attack damaged the critical East-West pipeline, with repairs expected to take several weeks. Concurrently, Houthi rebels in Yemen...
NS makes exception: passengers get money back for delays caused by malfunctions
NS is offering compensation to passengers affected by Tuesday's train delays caused by reported sabotage at 27 locations across the Netherlands. While sabotage is typically considered a force majeure ...
Cleaners strike for second day, Schiphol and stations see little impact
Cleaners at Schiphol and Dutch train stations have launched a week-long strike, though the impact on operations remains limited. The protest follows the FNV union's rejection of a new collective labor...
Gasoline prices soar again, nearing last week's record
Fuel prices in the Netherlands have increased significantly, with diesel nearing its record high amid global market instability. The rise is primarily linked to a drone attack on a key Saudi Arabian o...
Buying a home is becoming increasingly difficult in Spain as well
Spain is facing an intensifying housing crisis as property prices continue to rise due to insufficient construction and growing population demand. The European Commission has proposed new legislation ...
Tech companies have more debt than before, some of which is 'invisible'
Major tech companies have accumulated trillions in off-balance-sheet liabilities through long-term infrastructure and data center contracts. While experts believe these firms remain stable, the potent...
Business travelers surprised by rising tourist tax: ‘It’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to stay in the city’
Business travelers attending events in Amsterdam are criticizing the city's rising tourist taxes and VAT rates. Many visitors feel these increased costs are hindering professional attendance and impac...
Joachime places flowers by the throne and fears a pricier bouquet: ‘Doesn't everyone love flowers?’
The Dutch flower industry faces a potential tax increase as leaked plans suggest raising the VAT on cut flowers from 9 to 21 percent. Florist Joachime Hutten expressed disappointment regarding the pro...
AI makers use doomsday scenarios to push for regulations that strengthen their position
Major AI industry leaders are calling for slower development and increased regulation, citing potential existential risks from advanced superintelligence. Critics argue this approach serves as a strat...
India can sell more steel to Europe, but CO2 tax remains
India has secured a trade deal allowing a fixed quota of its steel to enter the European Union under favorable terms. However, all steel exports, regardless of this quota, remain subject to EU carbon ...
More and more container ships are sailing through the Suez Canal again
Container shipping companies are shifting their routes back to the Suez Canal after having navigated around Africa to avoid Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea. This change allows for faster delivery ...
Petrol in Germany is more expensive than ever
Fuel prices in Germany have hit record highs following a recent spike in crude oil costs caused by supply chain disruptions in Saudi Arabia. Despite these increases, fuel remains significantly more ex...
FNV demands 5.5 percent wage increase and warns cabinet again about WIA and unemployment benefits
Dutch trade unions FNV and CNV are demanding wage increases of up to 5.5 percent, citing inflation and corporate profitability as key drivers. Additionally, the FNV is pressuring the cabinet to scrap ...
FNV wants 5.5 percent wage increase plus 80 euros next year
The FNV trade union is demanding a 5.5 percent wage increase plus an additional 80 euros per month for the upcoming collective labor agreement period in the Netherlands. The union also plans to push f...
Schiphol shrinkage a step closer, but protection for local residents needs to be clearer
The Dutch government has proposed capping annual flight movements at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 478,000 to reduce noise pollution for local residents by 2029. While the Council of State supports th...
New strike announced: week-long walkout by cleaners at Schiphol, stations and other locations
Cleaners represented by the FNV union are launching a five-day strike across the Netherlands, impacting Schiphol Airport, train stations, and various educational institutions. The action follows the r...
Cleaners to strike for a week at locations including Schiphol and train stations
Cleaning staff represented by the FNV union have launched a week-long strike across the Netherlands to demand a better collective labor agreement. The workers are protesting at key locations including...
Online bank Revolut misled by cybercriminals posing as government officials
Online bank Revolut has admitted to mistakenly providing sensitive customer data to cybercriminals who posed as government officials. The breach, which affected customers in various countries includin...
The die is cast: Schiphol will definitively shrink and noise limits will finally be enforced
The Council of State has approved government plans to implement stricter noise regulations and flight caps at Schiphol Airport starting November 1. These measures aim to significantly reduce noise pol...
Editor-in-chief Freek Staps steps down at ANP: 'Space for new leadership'
Freek Staps is stepping down as editor-in-chief of the Dutch news agency ANP after seven and a half years of leadership. Director Martha Riemsma praised his contributions to the organization's journal...
Oil prices rise again due to closed oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia
Global oil prices have reached their highest levels since May after a drone attack forced Saudi Arabia to close a key pipeline. The disruption is tightening oil supplies, leading to significant price ...
Amazon temporarily suspends work with air freight carrier after fatal plane crash
Amazon has suspended its contract with air freight provider 21 Air following a fatal plane crash that killed five people on the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the in...
Energy bills to rise significantly due to power grid expansion: 140 euros extra per year
Dutch households will face an average annual energy bill increase of 140 euros next year due to rising grid tariffs. The surge is primarily driven by the need for extensive investments in power infras...
New climate lawsuit against the State: Malaysian rainforest disappears into Dutch power plants
Comité Schone Lucht has launched a lawsuit against the Dutch government, claiming that wood from Malaysian rainforests is being incorrectly certified as sustainable biomass for energy plants. Despite...
Hospitality leader Pim Evers: ‘Amsterdam is driving away the visitors who spend the most and cause the least nuisance’
Amsterdam hospitality leader Pim Evers warns that current municipal policies are damaging business confidence and alienating high-spending corporate travelers. He argues that the industry is unfairly ...
Cuban tobacco industry smoked out: rationed even in the Netherlands
The Cuban cigar industry is suffering from a major crisis caused by global shortages and skyrocketing prices. Retailers in the Netherlands are now rationing these luxury items to manage limited supply...
Shop theft damages increase today from 181 to 242 euros
The fixed compensation fee for shoplifting in the Netherlands has risen from 181 to 242 euros starting today. The increase, implemented by the Service Organization for Direct Liability (Soda), aims to...
Small restaurants struggling with no-shows: "Can be the difference between profit and loss"
Small restaurants in Amsterdam are increasingly struggling with guests who fail to honor reservations without notifying the staff. This issue creates significant financial strain and operational chall...
OpenAI will not go public this year; company focuses on 'safety' first
OpenAI has postponed its plans for an initial public offering this year to focus on improving the safety of its AI models. The decision follows recent technical incidents and growing industry-wide con...
Chinese competition increasingly penetrating Dutch industry
Dutch industries are facing rising competition and supply chain dependencies on Chinese products, spanning sectors from electronics to chemicals. Experts warn that while affordable imports currently b...