Extreme Heat Crisis: Germany baked through a record-breaking heatwave, with the German Weather Service reporting 41.5°C in Drewitz—breaking the prior 41.3°C mark set just a day earlier—while transport took a hit as Autobahn sections suffered heat damage and rail operators urged people to avoid nonessential travel; Berlin even used water cannons for cooling mist near Brandenburg Gate. Defense & Recruitment: With Russia seen as a growing threat, Germany is struggling to recruit soldiers under a voluntary scheme, and a senior lawmaker says Berlin may have to decide on reintroducing compulsory military service by July 2027. Volkswagen Restructuring: Volkswagen is weighing deeper cost cuts, including up to 100,000 job losses worldwide and possible closures of four German plants, as part of a new 2030 strategy. Security & Society: A leaked domestic intelligence warning claims Islamists are pursuing a long-term strategy inside German institutions, reigniting debate over transparency and public trust. Local Life: Berlin police deployed water cannons to cool crowds during the heat, while a separate report highlights a new push for stricter ultra-fast fashion rules at EU level.