Volkswagen aims to cut costs by 20% by 2028 as part of a new restructuring plan.Plant closures are reportedly under consideration to secure long-term profitability. Chief executive Oliver Blume and finance chief Arno Antlitz outlined the savings drive to senior managers.The move responds to weak sales, high costs and the rapid expansion of Chinese carmakers in Europe. An earlier overhaul already included 35,000 job cuts by 2030 and a €10bn savings target.The company says previous measures have produced savings in the double-digit billions and helped absorb geopolitical pressures. EU data showing a growing trade deficit with China has intensified concern…
Author: OMN AI
OMN AI
This article was created with the assistance of OMN AI, the AI-powered editorial platform developed by OMN Group. Every article is reviewed, fact-checked, and approved by a human journalist before publication to ensure accuracy and editorial quality. Learn more at https://omngroup.com
U.S. Signals Backing for Orbán U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to deliver a clear message from former President Donald Trump, praising Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and emphasizing the benefits of their personal relationship. Speaking after the Munich Security Conference, Rubio highlighted Hungary’s recent one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports as an example of the advantages of that connection, saying, “We want you to continue… your success is our success.” During his Central Europe trip, Rubio also visited Slovakia, meeting with Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both Fico and Orbán have been outspoken Trump supporters…
Big Tech companies are rapidly increasing artificial intelligence investment. They plan to spend over 700 billion dollars in 2026, roughly 590 billion euros, a 75 percent rise from 2025. Several firms released earnings reports and detailed their 2026 spending plans. Analysts confirmed these projections and emphasised their strategic significance. Wall Street is closely watching the combined capital expenditure figure. More than 700 billion dollars will flow into AI infrastructure this year, surpassing Sweden’s nominal GDP for 2025, according to IMF estimates. Global chip sales are projected to reach one trillion dollars for the first time this year. The US Semiconductor…
Competing Visions for Europe and the West The Munich Security Conference highlighted deep divisions over the West’s future. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to join the U.S. in protecting a shared civilisation, warning that poorly designed policies on climate and migration risk a managed decline. He described America as a “child of Europe” with an inseparable destiny. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Rubio’s speech reassured her about transatlantic ties. But EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe needs saving, insisting the continent is not facing civilisational erasure. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy…
Drugmakers are racing to shift weight-loss treatment from injections to tablets.The change could expand access and push the market toward a projected $200bn value. Novo Nordisk recently launched the first daily oral version of Wegovy in the US.The pill mimics the same GLP-1 hormone targeted by popular injections.Early prescription numbers suggest strong demand.Patients cite convenience, lower cost and no need for refrigeration. Rival Eli Lilly is preparing to release its own pill, orforglipron.Competition between the two companies is intensifying as obesity rates climb globally.Analysts expect broader insurance coverage to further increase uptake. Injections still produce greater weight loss in trials.However,…
Health agencies warn that measles continue to threaten Europe, despite a decline in cases in 2025 compared with the previous year’s record. Experts call for urgent action to address vaccine hesitancy and prevent new outbreaks across the continent. Measles often fade from public attention, yet the virus continues to spread in multiple European countries. Europe reported 127,350 measles cases in 2024, the highest total since 1997. Cases fell in 2025, but infections still doubled compared with 2023, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Sabrina Bacci, head of the ECDC programme on vaccine-preventable diseases and immunisation, said…
Driver unrest dominated Formula One’s second pre-season test in Bahrain.Several top drivers openly criticised the sweeping new regulations. Verstappen called the new Red Bull “anti-racing”.He said complex energy management makes the car “not fun to drive”.He compared it to “Formula E on steroids”.He suggested he could leave the sport if he stops enjoying racing. Lewis Hamilton echoed the concerns.He said the new systems are too complex for fans.He argued drivers need near-expert knowledge to manage the cars properly. The 2026 rules introduce new engines, chassis and tyres.Engines now split power almost evenly between combustion and electric systems.Drivers must carefully control…
A Warning From Munich At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a clear message: Europe needs to be more involved in negotiations to end the war with Russia. He called it a “big mistake” that European leaders are not more present in U.S.-driven talks, arguing that any durable peace must reflect the security interests of the entire continent — not just Kyiv and Washington. With another round of trilateral discussions between Ukraine, the United States and Russia on the horizon, Zelenskyy acknowledged that progress toward a ceasefire has been limited. He voiced frustration that the sides often…
Aluminium prices fell on Friday, while zinc, nickel, and lead also declined. Investors reacted to reports that US President Donald Trump may ease tariffs on imported metals. Markets factored in the possible policy shift ahead of November’s midterm elections. The three-month aluminium contract on the London Metal Exchange dropped more than 2.5% to $2,965.75 per tonne by midday. On the Shanghai Futures Exchange, the most active aluminium contract fell 1.76% to 23,195 yuan per tonne. Industrial Metals Follow Aluminium Lower Zinc traded at $3,316.50 per tonne, down $51.95 or 1.54%. Nickel fell $257 to $16,993.38 per tonne, a decline of…
US inflation fell to 2.4% in January after last year’s tariff-driven price swings. The consumer price index rose 0.2% for the month, while core inflation increased 0.3%. Economists had expected a slight decline to 2.5%. Inflation reached 2.3% last April, climbed to 3% in September, and ended the year at 2.7%. The White House said its policies continue to control prices and dismissed concerns about tariff-related spikes. Investors now watch the Federal Reserve for signals on interest rates ahead of its March meeting. Fed chair Jerome Powell expects tariff effects to cause a temporary rise in goods prices before stabilizing…