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European Edition
30th March 2026
 
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THE HOT STORY

Stress-related work absences soar in the Netherlands

Work absences in the Netherlands due to stress have surged, particularly among women aged 25 to 45, according to data from HumanCapitalCare and ArboNed. Over the past five years, stress-related sick days have increased by 43%, while women took twice as many sick days as men last year, often due to the pressures of pregnancy, hormonal changes, and heavy workloads. “That doesn't surprise me,” developmental psychologist Lianne Hulsbosch said. “It is the period in which many women become pregnant and give birth. Life is turned upside down then.” She added: “They get stuck and do not dare to ask for help.”
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CORPORATE

Microsoft announces overhaul of its human resources team

Microsoft is making changes across human resources, and the company's chief diversity officer, Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, is leaving to become chief people officer of another organisation. Meanwhile, the tech giant is close to hiring a new talent acquisition head who will report to Chief People Officer Amy Coleman. The company is going through an “AI-powered transformation,” wrote Coleman, who took on her role last year. “As technology and the way we work at Microsoft continue to evolve, we are transforming our people function so Microsoft remains a place where our employees can do their best work,” a spokesperson said in an email to CNBC. “The organisational updates we are making today align closely to our business priorities, and help us work more closely across teams, move faster, and simplify how we operate in support of our employees and customers.”
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STRATEGY

KPMG to cut almost 600 UK jobs as slowdown persists

Nearly 600 jobs are at risk at KPMG’s audit business in the UK while its advisory arm will slash about 120 roles as low attrition rates hamper cost-cutting efforts amid tough market conditions. "Current market conditions mean our attrition rates are very low within certain parts of our audit population, which is why we are proposing to right size those areas," a spokesperson for KPMG UK said. "This isn’t a decision we take lightly."

Belgian drugmaker UCB to Invest $2bn in suburban Atlanta plant

Belgian drug company UCB is to invest $2bn to build a drug-making facility in suburban Atlanta. The plant will employ about 330 people upon completion. “This decision reflects our confidence in UCB's long-term growth and our deep-rooted commitment to the United States,” company CEO Jean-Christophe Tellier said.
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RISK

Russia helps Iran ‘kill Americans’, top EU diplomat says

The European Union’s foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas has said Russian intelligence is helping Iran target Americans and US allies. “We see that Russia is helping Iran with intelligence to target Americans, to kill Americans,” Kallas told reporters before a gathering of Group of Seven foreign ministers outside Paris. “Russia is also supporting Iran now with the drones so that they can attack neighbouring countries and also US military bases.” Kallas called on the US to boost support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia. “It’s very clear to us where the lines are,” she said in an interview with Bloomberg. “Russia is not on the side of America and that’s very clear.”

UK says Chinese wind turbine maker poses national security threat

The UK government has said Chinese turbine maker Ming Yang’s products pose a national security risk and the company's plans to open the UK's largest wind turbine manufacturing plant in the Highlands of Scotland have been blocked. Ming Yang had proposed to open the facility at Ardersier Port near Nairn. In a statement, the company said it was disappointed by the decision but would continue to "engage constructively" with the UK government. Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant said the government had to be sure the investment in the port was "safe and secure." Bryant told the BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast programme the UK had to be "clear eyed" about its relationship with China and challenge it on issues such as human rights.
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ECONOMY

EU lawmakers approve trade deal with US

The European Parliament has backed legislation to implement a EU-US trade deal, following months of uncertainty over President Donald Trump's tariff threats. A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of the measures, but added a series of safeguards to ensure the US honours its side of the deal reached at President Donald Trump's Turnberry golf course in Scotland last July. The legislation would set tariffs at 15% for most EU goods - down from the 30% initially threatened - in exchange for European investment in the US and the removal of EU import duties on US industrial goods. Olof Gill, European Commission trade spokesman, said: “We look forward to the US administration fulfilling its part of the bargain and delivering on its commitments as set out in the [Turnberry] joint statement.

Eurozone consumer sentiment weakens as Iran conflict fuels inflation fears

Consumer confidence across the Eurozone’s economies has deteriorated, with sentiment in Germany falling to a two-year low and similar declines seen in France and Italy, as rising fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict heighten fears of renewed inflation. Economists warn conditions are likely to worsen as higher energy prices feed into food costs and broader living expenses, while tightening financial conditions, including expected European Central Bank rate hikes, risk further slowing growth and increasing recession concerns.
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INTERNATIONAL

Middle East conflict puts South Asia's Gulf remittances at risk

Millions of South Asian workers in the Gulf send home significant remittances that are crucial for their home economies, but economists warn that ongoing conflict in the region could disrupt these financial flows. "The duration of the conflict has so far been too short to severely impact employment of migrant workers or their remittance transfers," says Rajiv Biswas, CEO at the Singapore-based macroeconomic and geopolitical risk research firm Asia-Pacific Economics. "However, if the duration of the conflict does become more protracted and extends into months, then it will become increasingly likely that migrant worker jobs will be impacted, as key sectors such as tourism and commercial aviation suffer increasing economic losses."

GM to invest $600m in South Korean unit

GM plans to invest $600m in its South Korean unit to upgrade manufacturing facilities and products. The US automaker said it is adding a $300m investment to another $300m spending plan announced in December. The investment plan is good news for the company's Korean workers as they are still worried about a potential GM exit from the Asian country, ​workers' union leader Ahn Kyu-baek ⁠told Reuters.
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OTHER

Americans turn out for 'No Tyrants' protest in Amsterdam

Americans were among the protestors in Amsterdam's Museumplein against US President Donald Trump during the third "No Tyrants" rally on Saturday. Organiser Hayley Hughes from Indivisible Netherlands highlighted Trump's breaches of international law, particularly regarding the war in Iran, and attendees expressed their concerns about the impact of Trump's policies on global relations. Brooklynite Marian Vitale voiced her frustration, saying: "I feel like I can’t even go visit [my family] at this point." The protest also aimed to encourage Americans abroad to register to vote ahead of the midterm elections.
 
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