Business News in English

Robbers brandished guns in wholesaler and shot at fleeing employee; sole suspect denies charges

Employees at a consumer electronics wholesaler in Haarlemmermeer were assaulted and one was shot during an armed robbery in August 2024. A 4.5-year prison sentence has been demanded for a 43-year-old ...

What should plant-based chicken pieces be called? Well-known advertiser makes a suggestion

New regulations have banned terms like 'vegetarian chicken pieces' and 'vegetarian bacon', requiring meat substitute manufacturers to find alternative product names. A famous Dutch advertiser, known f...

Excise duty reduction only way to curb fuel prices, say experts

Experts suggest that reducing excise duties is the only way for the government to control rising fuel prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East. Although pump prices are increasing, it is curre...

Cabinet aims to provide more clarity for self-employed with new law

The Dutch government is drafting new legislation to provide greater clarity for self-employed professionals. This plan includes scrapping significant parts of current laws regarding false self-employm...

Ten reports of loud bangs at Harsco processing plant

The North Sea Canal Area Environment Service has received ten reports of loud bangs originating from the Tata Steel site. These incidents are specifically linked to activities at the processor Harsco.

Santpoort-Noord gets ATM back: residents can withdraw cash at Dekamarkt from March 23

Residents of Santpoort-Noord will regain access to a local ATM starting March 23, with a new Geldmaat machine being installed at the Dekamarkt supermarket. This move restores cash withdrawal services ...

Emirates resumes daily flights from Dubai to Schiphol starting Saturday

Emirates will resume daily flights from Dubai to dozens of destinations, including Schiphol Airport, starting this Saturday. The service was previously suspended due to regional tensions in the Middle...

How the ‘three Ms’ are refreshing Max Verstappen's Red Bull: Saying goodbye to the excuse culture

The appointment of Laurent Mekies as team principal eight months ago has triggered a cultural shift at Red Bull Racing, moving the team away from a culture of excuses. As the team prepares for a new e...

Months of delay for Tata Steel sustainability plan permit

Tata Steel's sustainability plans are facing several months of delay as the province of North Holland and the environmental agency require more information to assess the permit application. The evalua...

Fewer bus trips in Utrecht to make public transport more reliable

Public transport providers Transdev and Keolis are reducing bus schedules in the Utrecht region to improve service reliability and minimize unexpected cancellations. The decision follows a period of f...

Nancy and Rik open Schepsels ice cream parlor in Castricum with free ice cream for first 500 visitors: 'We feel something is in the air here'

Nancy Schaper and Rik Droog are opening a new ice cream cafe called Schepsels in Castricum on Saturday, March 7th. Located at the former site of Marx O’Larry’s, the shop will celebrate its grand o...

What are steel slags? How dangerous are they and how do I know if they are in my neighborhood?

This article explores the nature and safety concerns regarding steel slags, which have recently become a major topic of discussion across the Netherlands. It provides information on what these materia...

NS takes critical look at strike compensation

The Dutch railway operator NS is evaluating its current compensation scheme for passengers affected by train strikes, according to its annual report. Currently, travelers can receive up to 25 euros fo...

Construction wholesaler staff threatened with knife during robbery in Nieuw-West

Gas power plants were used more often last year during dips in solar and wind energy

Gas-fired power plants in the Netherlands significantly increased their natural gas consumption last year to compensate for fluctuations in solar and wind energy supply. This led to a 6.2 percent incr...

Diesel price reaches record high, gasoline price also nears peak

The national recommended price for diesel in the Netherlands has reached a record high of 2.375 euros per liter, matching levels seen four years ago. Gasoline prices are also increasing, though at a s...

Deborah fed up with caterer: why did it take months for her mother to get her money back?

Deborah expressed her frustration after a catering service took months to refund her mother for meal deliveries. While such services are a convenient option for the elderly or those who cannot cook, t...

US states sue over new Trump tariffs

A group of 24 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's recently imposed 10% import tariffs. The states argue that the president is acting unlawfully by ignoring a previous ruli...

Lower revenue for auto industry in 2025, but more electric cars sold

The automotive and motorcycle industry saw a 2.6 percent decrease in revenue in 2025 compared to the previous year, with importers and heavy vehicle sectors experiencing the most significant declines....

Solutions for housing shortage and strengthening neighborhoods in Beverwijk and Heemskerk: New performance agreements between municipalities and housing corporations

The municipalities of Heemskerk and Beverwijk have established new performance agreements with housing corporations and tenant organizations for the 2026–2029 period. These agreements prioritize add...

Prijsvrij and D-Reizen: Significant portion of stranded travelers back

Prijsvrij Vakanties and D-Reizen have begun repatriating stranded travelers from the Middle East to the Netherlands using scheduled flights. While a significant number of people have returned, hundred...

Waste dumping goes wrong at Tata Steel: pig iron and water cause explosions and fire

A waste disposal incident involving pig iron and water caused explosions and a fire at the Tata Steel site on Thursday evening. The event occurred near Harsco and resulted in significant commotion in ...

Veggie burgers can keep their name, but vegetarian chicken and steak will soon be banned

The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to restrict the use of meat-related terms for plant-based products. While terms like "veggie burger" and "tofu sausage" will remain ...

One last cheese and a chat as Peter and Joan retire their cheese van

Peter and Joan, a couple from Velsen-Noord, are retiring and closing their mobile cheese bus business after years of service. On their final day, many loyal customers expressed their sadness and share...

Experts surprised by cabinet response to US VAT software: ‘Distraction’

Experts are criticizing the Dutch government's decision to hire an American software company to manage VAT collection, calling the official justifications a diversionary maneuver. While State Secretar...

Druzhba oil pipeline may be out of service for another six weeks

The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukraine, is expected to remain out of service for four to six weeks following damage. Ukrainian President Volodym...

Is it wise to look to Groningen again in the gas crisis? This is what the gas expert says

Following a 67 percent increase in gas prices due to Middle East unrest, the Dutch House of Representatives is considering resuming gas drilling in Groningen. Expert Martien Visser addresses key quest...

Enexis significantly expands power grid, but electricity demand grows even faster

Grid operator Enexis invested a record 1.9 billion euros in the electricity grid last year to support the energy transition. Despite this investment, the grid remains congested in many areas as demand...

Coen van Oostrom succeeds Ingrid Thijssen as chair of employers' organization VNO-NCW

Coen van Oostrom has been appointed as the new chairman of the Dutch employers' organization VNO-NCW. He succeeds Ingrid Thijssen, who served in the role for nearly six years before becoming the chair...

Rachid Kaddour of Pure & Honest Meat in Weesp: ‘Halal rules determine how meat ends up on the plate’

Rachid Kaddour, owner of Puur & Eerlijk Vlees in Weesp, explains how halal regulations dictate the production of meat products during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The article highlights the proc...