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In an Independence Day speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined economic growth plans that include building eight new chip factories and five nuclear reactors to help India become a high-income nation by 2047. To address recent youth protests over limited job opportunities and leaked exams, Modi also announced free online education and exam training for millions of young people.

Fastned stood out as one of the top gainers on the Amsterdam stock market on Friday, with its shares climbing 5.5 per cent following a strong first-half performance and upgraded profit forecasts for 2026. The electric vehicle charging operator benefited from record station openings, reduced losses, and analyst price target increases from Deutsche Bank and Jefferies, even as the broader AEX index dipped 0.2 per cent amid mixed performances across European markets.

Organisers of a farmers' protest in Zeeland modified their demonstration following a fatal road collision in North Brabant, holding a minute's silence and speeding up their procession along the N59 to reduce traffic risks. Several hundred farmers in tractor convoys took to the popular tourist route to protest against government nitrogen regulations and express solidarity with five Brabant poultry farms facing the revocation of their environmental permits, warning that escalating red tape threatens the future of agricultural businesses.

Dutch household purchasing power is set to contract by 0.3% in 2027 as planned income tax increases take effect, according to new forecasts from the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB). While 2026 will offer brief respite with a modest 0.6% gain as pay growth outpaces inflation, almost all demographics face a squeeze by 2027, with childless families hit hardest. Pensioners remain the main exception due to recent pension indexation reforms, while expanded housing benefit eligibility will help keep national poverty levels broadly stable at around 460,000 to 470,000 people.

Air traffic across Sicily faces prolonged disruption as Mount Etna’s ongoing eruption has forced the closure of Catania Airport—the island's main hub—until early Saturday. The sudden shutdown during peak summer holiday travel has led to flight cancellations, including services from Amsterdam Schiphol, while airlines struggle to divert passengers to Palermo's smaller-capacity airport via coach transfers.

Amsterdam’s AEX index extended its record rally on Friday morning, rising 0.3% to 1,123.44 points after opening, driven by ~3% gains in RELX and Wolters Kluwer. Broader market sentiment was bolstered by Wall Street's overnight record high, where optimism mounted that the US Federal Reserve will hold interest rates steady in September. Meanwhile, the MidKap added 0.4% and Frankfurt gained 0.6%, while markets in Paris and London remained virtually flat.

Despite enduring severe drought, the Netherlands has stopped short of declaring an official national crisis, with the Water Shortage Management Team confirming that immediate large-scale restrictions are not yet necessary. Although the country remains under its second-highest drought alert level, Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Vincent Karremans stressed that central government control will only be invoked if major "societal disruption"—such as drinking water or power failures—occurs. With upcoming rainfall expected to offer minimal relief to parched soils, authorities are prioritising structural flood defences over commercial interests, enforcing tough restrictions on farming, industry, and shipping to protect vulnerable, drought-cracked dikes from collapsing.

A new ECB survey shows a slight rebound in cash acceptance: 92% of businesses now allow cash payments, reversing the downward trend seen during and after the pandemic.