World Cup Shock: Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 at MetLife to reach the Round of 32 for the first time since 2006, with Gonzalo Plata’s late winner after Leroy Sané’s early strike and Nilson Angulo’s equaliser. Pension Pressure: Germany’s proposed pension overhaul would ease the burden on younger workers, but analysts warn the road to long-term stability is still steep as the baby-boomer wave hits. Heat and Daily Life: A record-breaking heatwave is pushing alerts and disrupting routines across Europe, with Germany’s travel and public life feeling the strain. AfD Fallout: A far-right AfD lawmaker faces scrutiny after a photo surfaced allegedly showing a Nazi salute, adding fuel to the party’s push ahead of eastern state elections. Cross-Border Work: New figures show cross-border commuting into the Netherlands has risen again, with Belgium and Germany feeding the flow. Business Watch: Merck KGaA’s $11B+ Bio-Techne deal boosts its life-sciences push, but investors see limited upside at current valuation. Culture and Community: Korea expands a young diaspora networking drive, with Munich set for July 4 as part of a wider global tour. Local Spotlight: SCHOTT executives met county officials in Germany during a business mission tied to glass-ceramics operations. Human Rights/Justice: Germany-based GoreBox’s developer declined to attend a Philippine Senate inquiry tied to a fatal school shooting.