Quantum & R&D: Quantum Machines buys Hungary’s PCB Engineering, opening a Budapest R&D hub and expanding its quantum control footprint across 22 countries. Work & Wellbeing: Spain’s absenteeism is costing about €33bn a year and effectively cuts the working week to 32 hours, with rates higher than the EU average. Healthcare Staffing: Spain’s Health Ministry is scrambling to cover vacant MIR training posts amid doctor shortages and pressure over on-call duties, while regions run day-to-day resident management. Tech Scale-Up: A Europe+US study warns silicon photonics growth is being held back by slow prototyping and limited scale-up infrastructure. Robotics & Standards: Italy’s cobotics push, led by Idea Prototipi’s Massimo Agostini, targets new ISO-aligned safety and “soft robotics” momentum. Security & Ports: Brussels is alarmed by China’s expanding role in Spain’s ports, including SAIC plans near the Ferrol naval base. Jobs & Hiring Climate: Germany’s auto suppliers report worsening conditions, with hiring at a new low and investment shifting abroad. EU Health Policy: EU health ministers discuss how a wastewater directive’s extended producer responsibility could affect medicine availability and prices. Labour & Ageing: South Korea’s unions demand a gradual rise in retirement age to close the pension eligibility gap. UK Skills: UK employers say talent shortages are the main barrier to advanced AI adoption, with long hiring times and a big productivity gap. Sports & Economy (UK): The 2026 World Cup could add £7.6bn to Britain, but absenteeism and lost productivity may offset gains.