Natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and wildfires, caused 87 billion euros in global damages during the first half of 2026. According to data from the reinsurer Swiss Re, these figures are lower than the previous year, although the hurricane season has yet to peak.
Low water levels in the Rhine river are causing fuel supply disruptions in Germany, leading to significant increases in gasoline and diesel prices. The difficulty in transporting fuel via the river is creating a noticeable impact at fuel stations across parts of the country.
Economists are warning against increasing the national debt in the Netherlands to fund urgent maintenance for roads, bridges, and dikes. While some politicians in The Hague advocate for borrowing more money to address the multi-billion euro shortfall, experts argue that this approach is financially unwise.
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) reports that customer data from 12 companies may have been compromised following a cyberattack on logistics partner Ceva Logistics. Among the affected businesses are major retailers such as Bol and De Bijenkorf.
The Dutch bicycle manufacturer Accell, which produces well-known brands such as Batavus, Sparta, and Koga, has been declared bankrupt by a court in Amsterdam. This ruling puts the future of these prominent bicycle brands at risk.
