Volkswagen has announced plans to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as its profits have dropped to their lowest point since 2016.

• Net profit after tax fell from €12.4bn to €6.9bn in 2025.
• The cuts will affect the Volkswagen Group, including brands like Audi and Porsche, under the direction of Chief Executive Oliver Blume.
• Factors contributing to the downturn include US import tariffs, intense competition from China, and high restructuring costs for the shift to electric vehicles.

The cost of goods will increase for consumers as shipping companies pass on higher expenses due to the conflict in Iran, according to the CEO of Maersk.

• Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk, stated that companies have "traditional contracting mechanisms" to pass fuel fluctuations onto customers.
• The conflict has disrupted vital shipping routes like the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
• Extra costs equate to approximately USD 200 per standard 20ft shipping container, representing a 15% to 20% increase in freight costs.

The G7 nations are set to support a potential record release of oil from reserves, coordinated with the International Energy Agency (IEA), in an effort to combat soaring oil prices exacerbated by regional conflict.

• The IEA is reportedly preparing to release between 300 to 400 million barrels of oil.
• This collective action involves G7 energy ministers and aims to stabilize prices driven up by disruptions in supply routes like the Strait of Hormuz.
• While seen as a proactive measure, experts caution that this might only offer a short-term solution due to refining capacity limitations and the finite nature of reserves.