Heat & drought in Austria: Austria saw record-breaking heat in July, with damage costs reported around EUR 1.4 billion, as drought fears intensify and extreme temperatures strain people and infrastructure. Water crisis across Central Europe: Low Danube levels are hitting transport and power generation, with Hungary forced to shut down a nuclear plant and Serbia’s hydropower output reduced; authorities also push back against claims that “upstream countries” are to blame. Wildfires in Europe: Greece’s wildfire northwest of Athens raged for days, destroying homes and pine forests and triggering evacuations, while Europe’s broader fire season is linked to record heat and low rainfall. Right to repair (EU): A new EU rule lets consumers demand repairs even after warranty ends, requiring spare parts, repair guidance, and making repair the default when it’s cost-competitive. Clean tech & logistics: DHL Freight received the first European-built SuperPanther eTopas 600 electric truck, with Austrian testing paving the way for commercial use in the Netherlands. Solar momentum in the EU: Solar met over 20% of EU electricity demand for three straight months, with Germany above 30%, boosting the need for storage and flexible grids. Austria in the spotlight: A Vienna-built Siemens driverless metro train for Sydney’s Western Sydney Airport Line was unveiled, highlighting Austria’s role in advanced transport manufacturing.