Dutch sovereign cloud: The Dutch government is designing a state-controlled “sovereign government cloud” to reduce reliance on big US providers, with hardware and access under government control and early deployments targeted for end-2026. AI governance in HR: EU privacy regulators in Brussels will scrutinize whether AI hiring tools breach GDPR rules, focusing on automated decision limits that already apply. Lithium push: A Nobian-led Dutch consortium won a €2m grant to pilot lower-carbon battery-grade lithium refining in the Netherlands, using European sources and recycled batteries. Quantum hardware in the Netherlands: Researchers built a compact optical-tweezer setup to isolate single strontium atoms for quantum computing, using fiber-distributed laser stability. Energy shock watch: A Middle East flare-up lifted oil and gas prices and rattled European markets, reviving inflation and rate fears. Agritech weighing upgrade: Trioliet will equip tandem-axle diet feeders with a new five-point DEDB load-cell weighing system for steadier, more accurate ration measurements. Health breakthrough: A trial reports setmelanotide can improve BMI in people with weight dysregulation after brain tumors. Cyber policy test: Mexico’s new national cyber plan faces an early stress test during the FIFA World Cup. Jobs and AI shift: Amsterdam hotel-software firm Mews cuts ~15% of staff to lean harder into AI. Defense industry tie-up: The UK and Netherlands will jointly build next-gen amphibious transport ships worth £2.4bn for NATO capability.