Recent news: Philips annual profit, American tech in the Netherlands, arrests for IS propaganda, debate on electoral threshold, sex abuse cases in France and Groningen, attack on Colombian president, New York stock exchange (Wednesday, February 11)

Philips made a profit again last year for the first time since 2021. The company recorded a profit of 897 million euros, aided by increased sales of toothbrushes and shavers. Philips now wants to work more with artificial intelligence and also expects costs this year due to American import tariffs.

The House of Representatives is concerned about American influence at IT company Solvinity. Dutch banks want to be less dependent on American technology. The Dutch Railways (NS) outsources part of its IT management to a subsidiary of an American supplier.

The police have arrested fifteen people for spreading IS propaganda on social media. The suspects are between 16 and 53 years old and come from various parts of the Netherlands. According to the Public Prosecution Service, thirteen of them are of Syrian nationality and three are Dutch.

The opposition in the House of Representatives does not want an investigation into a higher electoral threshold. Coalition parties D66, VVD and CDA had proposed that investigation. A majority voted against it because earlier advice was negative.

In France, a 79-year-old man has been arrested who is suspected of abusing 89 boys in nine countries since 1967. The justice department is trying to find all the victims and the man has already been in custody for almost two years. In Groningen, Mark S. is on trial; he is suspected of extorting about 120 girls.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro says he escaped an assassination attempt this week. According to Petro, drug gangs have been after him for months. A senator has also been kidnapped by the FARC, Petro reports.

The stock markets in New York closed on Tuesday with mixed results. The Nasdaq fell by 0.59%, the S&P 500 by 0.33%, and the Dow Jones rose by 0.10%. Investors are looking forward to the American jobs report that will be released on Wednesday.

Sources: Nederlands Dagblad, NOS Binnenland, NOS Tech, RTV Noord, NOS Politiek, FD, NU.nl Tech, AD, NOS Buitenland, NU.nl, NOS Economie, NRC, NU.nl Economie (28 articles)