Volkswagen Will Cut 100,000 Jobs by 2030, and Its Shares Rose 7%

The board of Volkswagen approved a plan to cut another 50,000 jobs, bringing the total the group intends to shed by 2030 to 100,000 after an equal cut announced in March. It is the largest restructuring in the company's nearly nine-decade history, and the group — Audi, Porsche, Skoda and the VW brand — is also weighing the future of four German plants.

Chief executive Oliver Blume called the move a "strong signal" for the firm's future and said it was "taking responsibility for our entire workforce." Shares rose about 7% in Frankfurt on Friday morning.

VW also said it will cut the number of models it produces by 50% by 2035 and reduce complexity by 75%, concentrating volume on fewer vehicles. Profits have fallen with sales, under pressure from Chinese competitors.

Leipzig, and a pattern

A month after drones packed with explosives were found at Leipzig airport — used by Ukraine to move military goods — Germany's interior minister declared that Russia is responsible, calling the incident part of a pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe. Moscow demands proof and calls the accusation absurd.

August then brought a series of suspicious fires at defence facilities from Italy to Estonia. Some governments have already blamed Russia; others are still investigating, and some of the fires may prove to be ordinary accidents. What is not in question is that military and defence-sector sites were the focus this time.

Indonesia

Around 2,000 students and teachers across Indonesia have fallen ill with food poisoning over three days, linked to the government's free school meals programme.

In the largest single case, 777 people — 752 students and 25 teachers — became unwell after Wednesday lunchtime at a high school in Lasem, Rembang, Central Java. "They had diarrhoea and took turns using the toilet," headteacher Juhartutik told BBC News Indonesia. "There are 40 toilets in total, so they can't accommodate everyone." Nearly 1,200 pupils and 95 staff were sent home.

The Makan Bergizi Gratis scheme is a signature policy of President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at improving child nutrition. It has also drawn allegations of corruption and criticism of its cost.

Nepal

Nepal says it will need billions in funding to rebuild after the flash floods, with authorities beginning clearance work amid the debris.

Sources: BBC — Volkswagen · BBC — sabotage in Europe · BBC — Indonesia school meals · BBC — Nepal rebuilding