Semiconductors in Germany: Infineon has commissioned its €5bn Smart Power Fab in Dresden, doubling output and creating about 1,000 jobs; the fully digitalized plant uses digital twins and AI verification and is set to become Europe’s biggest smart-power and analog/mixed-signal hub. Heat and public health: Europe’s record heat is driving sharp mortality increases, with France reporting a near-30% jump in deaths for the week ending June 28, and officials warning the toll may rise further. Energy transition and batteries: A new report warns battery waste governance is lagging EV growth, with end-of-life risks concentrated in developing countries where lead-acid recycling is often informal and weakly regulated. Science education against hate: Germany’s University of Duisburg-Essen and the Claims Conference launched ShoutOut, a free 15-minute online game (German/English) to help students spot antisemitism and Holocaust distortion on social media. Industrial safety: Firefighters battled an out-of-control blaze at Stuttgart’s wholesale market, deploying 200+ responders and drawing water from the Neckar river as damage estimates remain unclear.