Sci/tech

About two thousand ASML employees held a walkout to protest against planned layoffs and a lack of transparency from management. Union leaders and international staff expressed deep concerns over increased workloads and the specific residency challenges facing the expat community. The scale of the protest is intended to pressure the company into reconsidering its current reorganisation strategy.

The police briefly stated that passwords may have been stolen in the Odido hack, despite Odido confirming that login details were not compromised. The claim was removed after the company contacted the police. The police have not yet responded publicly about the correction.

European email services are gaining popularity as secure alternatives to traditional providers like Gmail. These companies, based in countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland, offer encrypted communication and strict data protection. Users can choose from various plans that prioritise either personal privacy or professional productivity.

The Veldhoven chip-machine giant ASML is planning to expand its expertise into the field of advanced packaging to support the AI revolution. By developing tools that connect specialised chips, the company aims to secure its position in the semiconductor industry for the next fifteen years.

Hackers have released what appears to be the remaining stolen customer data from telecoms provider Odido. The latest file is far larger than earlier leaks and may contain details of more than 6.5 million people. Police are urging customers to stay alert to fraud and not to download the data themselves.

ASML employees will stage a walk-out on 3 March to protest against the company’s plan to cut 1,700 jobs. Trade unions are organising the action to challenge the necessity of the redundancies and demand better protection for the workforce.

Authorities have announced nightly road closures between Geldrop and Heeze to protect migrating amphibians. The measure aims to provide a safe passage for toads, frogs, and newts as they move toward local breeding waters.

A study claiming that the painkiller lidocaine can help post-covid patients has been withdrawn by researchers in Amsterdam. The move follows an investigation into whether the clinic involved bypassed essential ethical approvals and scientific standards.