Business News in English
Latest business headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.

Queen Máxima visits NS Train Modernization in Haarlem, joins everyone for group photo
Queen Máxima conducted a working visit to the NS Train Modernization workshop in Haarlem on Thursday. During her visit, she engaged with the staff and participated in a group photograph.

KLM announces hiring freeze due to soaring fuel prices
KLM has announced a temporary hiring freeze and a reduction in business travel due to rising fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran. The airline is also suspending the hire of external consu...

CEO Ben Smith sounds alarm over Middle East crisis: Hiring freeze at KLM
Air France KLM CEO Ben Smith has warned of financial pressure resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, leading the Dutch division KLM to implement a hiring freeze. To save costs, the airline is...
More sunshine yet fewer convertibles, how is that possible? ‘Air conditioning killed the convertible’
Despite the increasing number of sunny hours in the Netherlands, sales of convertible cars are significantly declining. Enthusiasts attribute this trend to the prevalence of air conditioning, which ha...

Third customer finds mouse in Jumbo frozen green beans
A third customer has reported finding a mouse inside a package of frozen green beans from the supermarket chain Jumbo. Following these reports, the company has removed all of the affected product pack...

Brother and sister sell three Haarlem businesses to buy Ootje Konkel in Scharwoude: ‘We used to eat here often ourselves’
Siblings Lisa and Kris Arents are selling their three businesses in Haarlem to acquire the family restaurant Ootje Konkel in Scharwoude. After nine years of operating a bakery, a crepe restaurant, and...

Gulf States allowed to buy $16.5 billion in weapons from US
The United States has approved the sale of 16.5 billion dollars worth of military equipment to the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. The U.S. State Department bypassed the requirement for Congressional...

Peter Vandermeersch suspended after using fabricated AI quotes
Former NRC editor-in-chief Peter Vandermeersch has been suspended by publisher Mediahuis for using artificial intelligence to generate newsletters. The suspension follows revelations that the newslett...

European billion-euro sustainability fund yields too little
The European Union's innovation fund for sustainability is yielding fewer results than expected due to the slow deployment of capital. Intended to support new technologies for reducing greenhouse gas ...

Qatari gas supply under pressure for years due to damage from Iranian attacks
Recent attacks from Iran have caused permanent damage to Qatar's LNG installations, which QatarEnergy warns could take years to repair. This disruption is expected to have long-term consequences for t...

New rules to bring peace to Rotterdam airport residents
The Dutch government is implementing new regulations to significantly reduce noise pollution near Rotterdam The Hague Airport. The airport will close almost entirely at night, and the frequency of fli...

KLM suspends flights to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam until May 17
KLM has suspended all flights to Dubai, Riyadh, and Dammam until May 17 due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This decision impacts routes from the airline's hub in the Netherlands to both t...

The nose eats too: how aromas and food perfumes are increasingly being used in the kitchen
Joeri Hottentot, the founder of perfume brand Van De Zotte, creates specialized scent concepts and food perfumes designed to enhance the culinary experience. Working from Alkmaar, he develops complex ...

Eurozone interest rate remains unchanged amid Iran unrest
The European Central Bank has kept the eurozone's key interest rate unchanged at 2 percent for the sixth consecutive time. This decision, made amid unrest in Iran, also saw the bank lower its economic...

Starmer condemns Iranian attack on Qatar gas facility
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned an Iranian attack on a gas facility in Qatar that occurred on Wednesday night. QatarEnergy reported significant damage and multiple fires at ...

Airlines warn ticket prices will rise due to Iran war
Major European airlines warn that flight ticket prices will increase as jet fuel costs rise due to the conflict in the Middle East. Travelers can expect higher fares as a direct result of these increa...

Mediators try to save new European fighter jet
France and Germany have appointed mediators to resolve a dispute between manufacturers and save their joint project for a new European fighter jet. The mediators have been given one month to reach an ...

14-year-old sentenced for attempted attack on Pizzabakkers branch
An Amsterdam court has sentenced a 14-year-old boy for attempting to detonate a homemade explosive at a De Pizzabakkers restaurant on September 3. The youth was caught in the act by police surveillanc...
Corendon is the new operator of the luxury W Hotel in Amsterdam

Lorde lets record deal expire: 'Starting with a clean slate'
New Zealand pop artist Lorde revealed that her recording contract with Universal Music expired last year, leaving her currently without a label. While she has not ruled out signing a new deal in the f...

European Parliament takes step toward approving US trade deal
The European Parliament's trade committee has approved a portion of a trade agreement between the European Union and the United States. This decision brings the overall trade deal one step closer to f...
Ditch the phone, at Mooie Boules you learn to talk to others again: ‘We’ve forgotten how’
Mooie Boules, a company nominated for the National Entrepreneur Prize, offers nine locations where people can play jeu de boules without using their phones. Founded after spontaneous games at Amsterda...
Which company wins our Entrepreneurship Award this year? Vote for one of these nine candidates!
The public is invited to vote for one of nine small and medium-sized enterprise nominees for the National Entrepreneurship Award. The winner of this year's competition will be decided by the votes cas...

Oil price rises by more than 10 percent due to Middle East war
The price of Brent crude oil rose by more than 10 percent on Thursday morning following conflict in the Middle East. This price hike is attributed to the ongoing war and recent Iranian attacks on ener...

Charities chase trillion-euro inheritance
Dutch elderly are expected to leave behind a record 1,000 billion euros in inheritances, marking the largest wealth transfer in history. Charities are increasingly targeting these funds, though some e...
New Jumbo CEO saw in first 75 days that Jumbo has lost its luster: 'We spend hours in meetings'
Jumbo's new CEO, Jesper Højer, observed during his first 75 days that the supermarket chain has become overly complex and lost its competitive edge. He aims to revitalize the company by improving pro...

European gas price jumps 35% after attack on massive Middle East gas fields
European gas prices surged by 35% on Thursday morning following attacks on gas installations in the Middle East. The price spike was recorded at the Amsterdam gas exchange, which serves as the benchma...

Arie 'completely done' with fiets.com over lack of goodwill after premature electric motor failure
A customer named Arie is seeking compensation after the Bosch motor on his €3,000 e-bike failed after only three years and 6,500 kilometers. Despite the bike being well-maintained, the retailer, fie...
Oil prices continue to rise: petrol and diesel more expensive again in the Netherlands
Oil prices have increased following attacks on major energy facilities in the Middle East, including a key gas production site in Qatar. This has led to a subsequent rise in the recommended prices for...
Philip Morris tobacco shops illegally promote heated tobacco as healthier alternative to cigarettes
An undercover investigation by the journalistic platform Pointer revealed that tobacco shops supported by Philip Morris are illegally promoting heated tobacco as a healthier alternative to traditional...