Economy News in English

End of war out of sight: oil prices rise again after new US and Iran attacks

Oil prices increased significantly on Thursday morning following new military attacks between the United States and Iran. These escalations, which included a strike on a U.S. airbase, have further dim...

Fire service, municipalities and VNG call on government to revise building regulations

Dutch municipalities, provinces, and the fire department are calling on the national government to modernize building regulations to keep pace with social and technological changes. A study by TNO rev...

Dutch economy grows faster, but finding work gets harder

The Dutch economy grew by 1.8% last year, an increase from the 1.1% growth seen in 2024. Although all provinces recorded economic expansion, Friesland saw the highest growth rate while Limburg experie...

Explainer | Artists stay in one place: why fans now have to go on 'tour'

Always entitled to a new device under warranty? Reader asks Ombudsman for clarification

A customer is seeking legal clarification after retailer Bol.com provided a refund instead of a replacement for a defective Philips hair removal device. The 269 euro device broke within two months of ...

Ban on US takeover of DigiD fits tougher stance against Big Tech

The Dutch government has blocked the American acquisition of the company behind DigiD to maintain national control over its crucial digital infrastructure. Experts support the decision as a move towar...

Deeper cuts at Spaarne Werkt: Snuffelmug, youth work and giant Cruquius building at risk

Participation company Spaarne Werkt is undergoing significant budget cuts affecting the Snuffelmug thrift store and youth programs to restore its financial stability. The municipalities of Haarlem, He...

US imposes sanctions on Iranian Strait of Hormuz authority

The United States Treasury Department announced sanctions on Wednesday against the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, an entity established by Iran to manage the Strait of Hormuz. This move targets the ad...

Chocolate statues as revenge for colonial injustice: Congolese collective buys back land with cocoa from our sprinkles

Heemskerk harness racing fees to rise in 2027: ‘Everything is getting more expensive and we also have to pay for traffic controllers’

The Harddraverijvereniging Heemskerk will increase entrance fees and membership contributions starting in 2027 due to rising operational costs. While sponsors previously helped absorb these expenses, ...

DigiD platform not in American hands, what now? ‘State-owned company is a very good idea’

The Dutch government has blocked the acquisition of IT service provider Solvinity by an American company to protect the security and privacy of the DigiD platform. This decision aims to prevent potent...

Al Ikhlaas Islamic primary school in Meerwijk to expand significantly with four new classrooms

Islamic primary school Al Ikhlaas in Haarlem's Meerwijk neighborhood is set to expand with the addition of four new classrooms. The 2 million euro project, approved by the city government, aims to add...

'Serious negligence' at broken IJmuiden locks: Lock island was inaccessible for days

Residents and volunteers are criticizing Rijkswaterstaat for 'serious negligence' after broken locks in IJmuiden left the lock island inaccessible for several days. The issues come four years after th...

Another Aldi supermarket threatens to leave Amsterdam due to city rules: ‘We have a real neighborhood function’

Solar farms in Haarlemmermeer allowed to stay five years longer

The municipality of Haarlemmermeer has extended the maximum lifespan of solar parks from 25 to 30 years. Local officials hope this extension will improve the financial viability of solar energy projec...

Energy supplier Kikker fails to meet licensing requirements

Kikker Energie faces the potential loss of its operating license due to significant financial and organizational mismanagement. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) reported that ...

Energy displays often lead to lower consumption, but not for everyone

Research from Tilburg University indicates that energy displays providing real-time data help households reduce their gas and electricity consumption on average. However, some residents prioritize per...

Parliament wants pubs to show World Cup matches for free

A majority of the Dutch House of Representatives wants the public broadcaster NOS to allow hospitality entrepreneurs to screen World Cup matches of the Dutch national team for free. The proposal sugge...

Frustration in Parliament over costly and delayed ERTMS rail system

The Dutch House of Representatives expressed frustration on Wednesday over the significant costs and delays associated with the new ERTMS rail safety system. A recent report suggests the project could...

Blocked DigiD takeover poorly received; US ambassador in frantic talks with Washington: ‘We are concerned’

U.S. Ambassador Joseph Popolo is in urgent consultations with Washington after the Dutch government blocked the acquisition of the company behind DigiD by the American firm Kyndryl. Popolo expressed c...

Keizersgracht has the most million-euro homes: 440 in one street

Amsterdam leads the Netherlands in high-value housing with 18,560 homes worth over one million euros, specifically concentrated in the Canal Belt and Oud-Zuid areas. The Keizersgracht is the street wi...

Haarlem municipality to co-fund TommyTomato lunch packages via special arrangement: 'Great example of impact entrepreneurship'

The municipality of Haarlem will support the local vegetable lunch delivery service TommyTomato using a social investment fund to bypass state aid restrictions. Alderman Diana van Loenen confirmed thi...

From ChatGPT to Gemini: AI systems often break the law in Dutch research

A study conducted in Amsterdam found that AI systems like ChatGPT and Gemini frequently violate laws by manipulating customers and exploiting vulnerable individuals. Even the best-performing systems f...

670 cartons of illegal cigarettes found during check on Randweg and Industrieweg in Beverwijk

Authorities in Beverwijk seized 670 cartons of illegal cigarettes, 400 flavored vapes, and numerous fatbikes during a joint inspection on Randweg and Industrieweg. The operation involved the local mun...

65 municipal reports on construction and more in Haarlem last week

The municipality of Haarlem processed 65 permit applications last week, with 64 specifically for Haarlem and one for Spaarndam. These reports primarily involve construction and development projects, a...

Power bank forces easyJet emergency landing in Rome, UK aviation authority sounds alarm

An easyJet flight heading to London made an emergency landing in Rome after a powerbank in the cargo hold posed a significant fire risk. While British aviation authorities report a rise in battery-rel...

Amsterdam has 18,560 million-euro homes, offering the least space for your money in the Netherlands

Sluizenroute restrictions in IJmuiden lifted after repairs to South and Small Locks

The Zuidersluis and Kleine Sluis in IJmuiden have returned to service following repairs to a defective gearbox and a sensor. The reopening resolves traffic restrictions on the Sluizenroute that had be...

Dutch people pay less often with cash at the checkout

Cash payments in the Netherlands have dropped significantly, now accounting for only 17% of point-of-sale transactions. Even among individuals aged 75 and older, there is a clear trend toward using de...

SpaceX to become the largest IPO ever, if the planets align

SpaceX is potentially headed for the largest initial public offering in history, provided market conditions are favorable. Investors would need to pay a high price and accept limited control, betting ...