Heat Crisis: Germany’s public health institute (RKI) says heat-related deaths have climbed to about 9,800 so far in 2026, with the worst toll among people aged 85+ as temperatures hit near-record highs. Wildfire Pressure: Across Europe, firefighters are still battling major blazes; in France, crews are working to contain hotspots after a wildfire burned an area about four times the size of Paris. Economy Under Stress: Record-low river levels are disrupting transport and power generation, with Reuters warning drought is already cutting output and shrinking earnings across Europe’s waterways. EU Tech Push: The European Commission unveiled plans to fund up to seven “AI gigafactories,” aiming to boost Europe’s access to computing power and attract major private investment. Security & Migration: Germany is weighing tougher border and deportation measures amid the Ceuta migrant surge, while the U.S. and allies issued an alert about North Korean IT workers allegedly funding weapons programs via online impersonation. Bavaria-Moldova Ties: Bavaria’s Markus Söder backed Moldova’s EU path and announced an intergovernmental commission to deepen economic cooperation with Chisinau. Auto Jobs: BMW plans voluntary job cuts of around 8,000 in Germany by 2027 as EV and demand pressures mount.