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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.

The Netherlands saw exceptionally little rainfall in July 2026, averaging just 12 millimeters nationwide, making it the second driest July since weather measurements began in 1906. Sunshine hours were unusually high, temperatures consistently warm, and only a few regions saw anything close to normal precipitation.

The Netherlands set a new temperature record for July 29 as De Bilt reached 31.7 degrees Celsius, breaking a historic mark set in 1948. Regional temperatures topped 35.2 degrees in the south, marking the ninth daily heat record of the year. Although cooler weather will arrive by the weekend, severe drought conditions persist nationwide, with meteorologists warning that light, continuous rain will be needed through late August to restore soil moisture levels.

Eindhoven chip manufacturer NXP Semiconductors reported a 19 percent year-on-year revenue increase to $3.5 billion for the second quarter, while net profit rose 33 percent to $918 million. Growth was led by a 41 percent jump in its communication infrastructure segment and a 12 percent rise in automotive chips, driven by expanding artificial intelligence applications in physical devices. NXP forecasts third-quarter revenue growth between 15 and 21 percent.

Dutch Railways (NS) saw punctuality drop slightly to 86.3 percent in the first half of the year due to severe weather and major infrastructure disruptions, including a week-long outage near Rotterdam. Despite operational challenges, NS returned to a 25 million euro profit, up from a 9 million euro loss last year, driven by a 6.5 percent ticket price increase and rising passenger volumes. While financial performance met government targets, NS warned that economic uncertainty and fleet investments will require continued cost management.

Europeans have already cast millions of votes on the future look of euro banknotes. With voting open until September, the ECB will soon choose between designs inspired by culture and those inspired by the natural world.

More Dutch swimming locations are facing warnings over poor water quality, with the number of affected sites more than doubling since late June. While most official swimming areas remain safe, authorities continue to monitor conditions as warm weather persists.

Apartment owners charging electric vehicles through shared VvE facilities may be paying VAT twice on the same electricity. VEH says this creates an unfair disadvantage and is calling on the government to introduce a practical solution as electric vehicle use continues to grow.