Economy

Zeiss, the German optics specialist and key supplier to ASML, says it is well positioned to meet the growing global demand for semiconductor equipment....

July became another expensive month, both in the Netherlands and the wider eurozone, driven mainly by another jump in energy prices. Dutch households saw everyday costs increase after June’s brief slowdown, while Eurostat reports that inflation across Europe also picked up as oil and gas became more expensive.

Despite investing heavily in expanding the electricity grid, Enexis reports that waiting lists for new connections continue to rise. Recent regulatory changes mean households, small businesses, and charging stations are no longer guaranteed capacity, leading to a surge in applications and growing uncertainty across the regions Enexis serves.

Consumers in the Netherlands will face smaller and pricier fruit this autumn as drought across Europe reduces harvest volumes. Despite good flavour quality from high sugar levels, growers warn of hail damage, water shortages, and crop‑cooling challenges that could make 2026 a financially difficult year for many.

KLM’s quarterly profit has improved, yet the airline says its financial performance is still not strong enough. CEO Marjan Rintel plans to continue cost‑saving measures while demand for cargo and holiday travel remains high. Meanwhile, Air France‑KLM will cut flights later this year due to soaring fuel prices, affecting short‑ and medium‑haul routes across Europe.

Diesel prices climbed above petrol on Friday as Middle East unrest continues to push costs higher. Diesel rose to 2.637 euros per liter, while petrol reached 2.634 euros. Oil prices dipped slightly after Thursday’s surge.

The European Commission says TikTok is again violating the Digital Services Act by failing to protect minors’ accounts and content. Children’s profiles remain easily accessible, and their videos appear on the For You page despite DSA rules.

Schiphol handled fewer flights in early 2026 due to weather disruptions and Middle East air‑traffic restrictions, but passenger numbers per flight increased. Despite a temporary fee discount for airlines, the airport posted higher profit while investing heavily in upgrades.