In a move poised to be one of the most extensive corporate layoffs in recent history, one of the world’s leading car manufacturers is facing a transformative restructuring that could see the loss of up to 100,000 jobs and multiple factory closures.

Volkswagen is navigating increased competition from Chinese automakers, declining profits, significant investments in electric vehicles, and potential US import tariffs. In response to these mounting challenges, the automotive giant is considering cutting approximately 16% of its global workforce.

As reported by the German business publication Manager Magazin, the proposed plan aims to substantially extend the company’s current restructuring efforts, potentially impacting 100,000 employees worldwide if implemented.

Volkswagen’s global workforce currently encompasses approximately 625,000 individuals, underscoring the significant impact this proposed downsizing could have on its operations and employees.

Should this plan move forward, production is expected to halt at several German manufacturing facilities, including those located in Emden, Zwickau, and Hanover, as well as an Audi plant in Neckarsulm.

The proposals are expected to be presented to the company’s supervisory board on July 9, setting the stage for what could become a fierce showdown between executives and labor unions.

The alarming reports come just days after CEO Oliver Blume issued one of his starkest warnings yet about the company’s future.

‘Never has the risk situation been so high,’ he told shareholders.

While the automaker has declined to comment directly on the reported plans, it acknowledged that its long-standing business model is under severe strain.

‘The Executive Board has repeatedly stated that our current business model no longer works across all brands: developing cars in Germany, producing them in Europe and exporting them to the world,’ a company spokesperson said.

The manufacturer has already been trying to slim down its operations.

Last year it announced plans to cut around 50,000 jobs in Germany by the end of the decade while reducing production capacity by roughly half a million vehicles.

The latest proposal would reportedly double those cuts.

The financial pressures have been mounting rapidly.

Although revenue remained relatively steady in 2025, operating profit plunged by more than 50 percent compared with the previous year.

Operating earnings tumbled from $21.8 billion to just $10.2 billion, while net income fell from $14.2 billion to $7.9 billion.

One of Volkswagen’s biggest headaches continues to be China – once its most important growth market.

Vehicle deliveries there slipped 8 percent last year, while battery-electric vehicle sales plunged by more than 44 percent as domestic Chinese manufacturers intensified a brutal price war.

At the same time, the company has struggled to generate strong profits from electric vehicles, while rising manufacturing costs and new US tariffs have further squeezed margins.

The restructuring effort is already well underway.

Earlier this year, the automaker closed a small production site in Dresden and has been searching for a buyer for its Osnabrück factory, where production is expected to end next year.

Blume has previously insisted that permanently shutting factories is not his preferred option, suggesting some facilities could instead build vehicles for Chinese brands or even be repurposed by defense companies.

But labor leaders have reacted furiously to the latest reports.

Union officials warned they would fight any attempt to push through such deep job losses.

‘Should such plans be pursued, we would oppose them with all our might,’ workers’ representatives said in a joint statement.

They accused management of reacting blindly to mounting challenges instead of delivering a coherent long-term strategy for one of Germany’s most important industrial employers.

The company has been aggressively searching for savings elsewhere.

It recently agreed to sell its marine engines business in an $8.5 billion deal and has targeted nearly $7 billion in annual cost reductions by 2030.

Executives have repeatedly described cutting costs as their biggest priority as competition intensifies across the global automotive industry.

For decades, the manufacturer symbolized Germany’s industrial strength and engineering excellence.

Now, as Chinese competitors race ahead in electric vehicles and global demand shifts, the company finds itself confronting one of the biggest crises in its history – with tens of thousands of jobs potentially hanging in the balance.

In a noteworthy move on Monday, President Trump announced his nomination of Keith Sonderling as the permanent United States Secretary of Labor. Sonderling has been serving in an acting capacity since the departure of his predecessor.

President Trump shared the news on Truth Social, expressing his confidence in Sonderling, “It is my Great Honor to announce that I am nominating Keith E. Sonderling, the outstanding Acting United States Secretary of Labor, to be permanent.”

Reacting to this nomination, Sonderling conveyed his immense gratitude towards the president for this opportunity.

“Serving in both of President Trump’s Administrations has been the greatest honor of my life,” he expressed on social platform X. “If confirmed by the Senate, I look forward to continuing that service as Secretary of Labor and advancing the President’s agenda on behalf of America’s workers, families, unions, and job creators.”

Sonderling stepped into the role of acting Labor Secretary on April 20. His appointment followed the resignation of former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who left amid investigations into alleged misconduct involving her and her husband.

Prior to Chavez-DeRemer’s departure, Sonderling was her deputy for more than a year. During Trump’s first term in office, he ascended to acting administrator of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division. 

A lawyer, Sonderling was also was a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during the first Trump and Biden administrations. Last week, he became the acting director of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, an independent agency in charge of ensuring executive branch officials avoid conflicts of interest.

“Throughout his career, Keith has proven his dedication to delivering strong results for the Hardworking People of our Country, and I know he will do an incredible job in his new role,” Trump added in his post.

Before he can assume the full-time role, Sonderling will face questioning from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. If the GOP-controlled committee advances his nomination, Sonderling will face a full Senate vote. 

Last year, the HELP panel advanced Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination 14-9, with Republican Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) voting against her and three Democrats voting in favor. The Senate later confirmed her via a 67-32 vote. 

Earlier this year, the administration requested $9.9 billion from Congress for the Labor Department’s budget in fiscal 2027, a 25.9-percent decrease from the 2026 enacted level. 

Nearly half of the proposed cuts to the department’s budget came via the elimination of the Job Corps program — a no-cost education and vocational training program for individuals from ages 16 to 24. 

In May, Sonderling said the administration’s proposed budget for his department is “responsible and well-reasoned.”

“The Administration’s proposal focuses the Department on its highest priority functions and disinvests in programs that are wasteful, duplicative, unproven, non-essential, or ineffective,” he told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee.

Sonderling’s nomination comes as the unemployment rate has hovered between 4.1 and 4.5 percent throughout Trump’s second term in office, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Unemployment, in fact, has not topped 5 percent since August 2021, the BLS notes.

Inflation, though, is outpacing wage growth. Last month, the consumer price index rose by 4.2 percent, 0.8 points ahead of the annual wage growth of 3.4 percent, according to data calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED). 

In April, annual inflation hit 3.8 percent and annual wage growth was 3.6 percent. In recent months, inflation has increased to its highest level in three years, amid energy price hikes due to the Iran war.

This article was updated at 8:01 p.m. EDT.

A once rare tick-borne disease, with the potential to be deadly, is now making its way across the United States. Its origins can be traced back to a 1958 incident involving a young boy living on a farm.

This illness, identified as the Powassan virus, took its name from the Ontario town near where it was first detected.

The Boston Globe reports that at the time of his demise, Lincoln Byers, a four-year-old Canadian boy, succumbed to a mysterious condition that baffled doctors.

It wasn’t until years later, when researchers found a tick carrying the same virus on a deceased squirrel, that the mystery was solved, heralding a looming public health issue.

Once regarded as a rare medical curiosity, cases of Powassan virus in the U.S. have now surged to unprecedented levels, according to recent data.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 76 Americans were diagnosed with the virus in 2025, the highest annual total on record. Previously, the U.S. averaged just seven to eight diagnoses each year.

The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected woodchuck tick or deer tick. Like other tick-borne illnesses, Powassan is most prevalent from late spring through mid-fall, when tick populations peak and outdoor activity increases.

Public health experts warn that the virus’s transmission speed makes it uniquely dangerous.

“One of the most dangerous aspects is its rapid transmission,” Dr. Jorge P. Parada, a medical advisor at the National Pest Management Association in Chicago, told Fox News Digital.

“Powassan can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes after the infected tick bites, while Lyme disease usually requires a 36- to 48-hour attachment time for transmission.”

Parada noted that while Powassan remains rare compared to Lyme disease, it poses clinical concern.

Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst for Fox News, confirmed that the virus transmits significantly faster than Lyme disease. He noted that Powassan carries an incubation period of one to four weeks before symptoms manifest.

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting and weakness, though some infected individuals remain asymptomatic, according to the CDC.

The virus can progress to severe neurological complications, including encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord membranes).

In severe cases, patients may experience confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking and seizures, per the CDC.

Approximately 10% of Powassan cases involving severe neurological disease are fatal, and many survivors experience long-term neurological issues.

There are currently no specific medications or vaccines to treat or prevent Powassan virus; clinical care is limited to supportive therapy, such as intravenous fluids and respiratory support.

While anyone can develop severe illness, those at the highest risk include children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals, experts caution.

Asylum seekers in the UK might soon be required to reimburse the government for accommodation and basic living expenses, to the tune of around £10,000, or over $13,000, before being eligible to apply for settlement, as announced by officials on Monday.

This development emerges amidst the backdrop of immigration’s significant role in British politics, consistently ranking high on the list of voter concerns according to recent polls.

The proposed guidelines suggest that these repayments would be based on a person’s financial situation and only applicable to adults earning past a certain income level. The government assures the introduction of measures to prevent dire poverty, although specifics about income levels and enforcement remain undisclosed.

Importantly, these regulations would not apply retroactively, and minors would be exempt from these financial obligations.

“Receiving asylum support is a right, but it is also a responsibility,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said. “Once people can contribute and repay the generosity of the British people, we expect them to do so.”

Mahmood explained that her latest reforms aim to reduce the burden on taxpayers’ wallets.

The Home Office also said over the weekend that it aims to remove 45,000 more people with no legal right to remain and foreign criminals within the next decade, in addition to the tens of thousands already being removed on a yearly basis.

The center-left Labour Party has increased efforts to curb both legal and illegal immigration as it seeks to counter the rising popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has vowed to deport up to 600,000 asylum seekers and other people whose claims or appeals have failed.

“Mass migration has changed this country, certainly in many of our cities, literally beyond recognition,” Farage told News Media last week. “We’ve not been selective about who’s been able to come into the country. That is a major contributory factor.”

Refugee advocates and migration researchers have criticized the proposal, arguing it could punish people who fled persecution and questioning whether many refugees would earn enough to repay the proposed sum. Critics have also warned that tying repayment to settlement could create uncertainty for people trying to rebuild their lives in the UK.

The Labour Party has faced internal divisions over how tight its immigration policy should be, and the party is up against further overall uncertainty after its leader, Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced last week that he will resign.

Shania Twain’s wardrobe choice and dynamic performance at London’s Wembley Stadium set social media abuzz on Friday. Observers were quick to comment on the singer’s daring black lace dress and her provocative dance routines, with some considering them overly bold.

At 60, the beloved vocalist stirred online discussions with a widely shared TikTok video. Twain delivered an energetic rendition of her 1999 anthem “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” as she opened the show for Harry Styles at the renowned arena.

The posting user, under the handle @simpllysara, wrote ‘this was not on my bingo card for 2026’ as the five-time Grammy winner almost had a wardrobe malfunction in the high-profile weekend performance.

Numerous top remarks in the TikTok conversation about Twain’s performance labeled it ‘so tacky’ and suggested, ‘just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.’ Echoing the lyrics of a famous track, one commentator quipped, ‘That don’t impress me much.’

A commenter on the platform proposed that both Twain and Madonna might benefit from consulting Cher’s stylist. Another urged the singer to rethink her wardrobe choices, arguing Twain is ‘too talented and beautiful for this’ and proposed that ‘a new stylist’ could be beneficial.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Shania Twain’s team for additional insights and comments on the incident.

The Windsor, Canada-born beauty’s performance was a hot topic on the platform X as well, as a number of users made comments critical of certain aspects of the performance.

‘As if the outfits aren’t bad enough….the “dance” movements are tragic!’ one user said. ‘Granny underpants even with a lacy overlay are NOT particularly sexy. But the clunky moves are just too cringe.’

Another said of the You’re Still the One artist’s ensemble, ‘Looks like something you might find in a Frederick’s of Hollywood catalog. Trashy not classy.’

One user critical of the fashion choice said, ‘She could have made so many choices and settled on that?’ while another sarcastically asked, ‘Is this a new ad campaign for Depends?’

A user said that Twain’s talents were enough to carry the performance and the ensemble was unnecessary.

‘Her voice is still really good she does not need to be pulling up her short skirt at this age and she should not be wearing big white depend underwear either,’ the user said. ‘Especially if she is going to behave like that.’

Twain has in the past made clear she’s sending a confident message about aging and body image in shrugging off what people have to say about her wardrobe. 

 ‘I have a 60-year-old body, but I will walk on the beach in my bikini,’ she told The Independent in a June 20 chat. ‘I don’t really care if [people] are OK with it or not, right?’

Despite her defiance, her sexy stage presence has continued to draw mockery.  

Prior to the concerts this past weekend, an X user posted a video of Twain performing at a recent Styles concert in a sheer black lace dress that showcased her satin underwear with the question: ‘Shania… why?’

Both critics and fans of Shania gravitated to the post with their thoughts. 

‘Shania is in her second childhood phase of life, Trying to [be] relevant. Shania! You are still relevant. Don’t be one of those women!’ one critic said.

‘Sometimes… ya gotta realize, we’re all getting old and some things just aren’t appropriate anymore,’ another posted. 

The singer also drew multiple comparisons to Madonna: ‘This is just like Madonna and others not knowing when to hang ’em up,’ one wrote. 

‘It doesn’t work for Madonna. It doesn’t work for Shania. Try having a little class, ladies,’ another posted.

‘Sigh! She is trying a little too hard though she does pull it off somewhat better than Madonna did last month,’ another said. 

Yet many also came to Twain’s defense as they hit back against critics of her outfit. 

‘Why what? She looks incredible,’ one wrote. 

‘Because, at one time she was one of the hottest women in America (for quite a while). And even at her age (as, we all age), she still doing Hella better than most,’ another said. 

‘Shania why? Why what? Why make you jealous? lol,’ another said.  

‘You all are so mean. She’s having a blast while slinging and lookin good. CTFO,’ one said. 

It’s unclear when exactly the video was posted as Twain has been opening for Styles since his first Wembley concert on June 12, but the text of the video was complimentary towards the singer.

‘oh to look like THIS at 60,’ the video read.

Twain has been candid about the issues she faced with her own self-image while going through menopause. 

The You’re Still The One hitmaker recalled a time back in 2019 during her Let’s Go! Las Vegas residency where she ‘hated’ her body and was unable to look at her reflection in the mirror.

‘I stopped looking at myself in the mirror. I hated my body,’ Twain recently admitted to The Times. 

‘I’m, like, “Oh, I cannot stand this changing body.” But that was so unhealthy. Who cannot look at themselves in the mirror?’

The performer explained that she started to see changes with her body which she felt she had no ‘control’ over. 

‘So all of a sudden I’m bloating, and I’m definitely not in control. I can’t just lose five pounds.’

Twain added that she started to do ‘very unhealthy things’ in order to achieve weight loss.

‘And I was working my body more than I was feeding it to keep up with the strain,’ the singer further expressed.

The star became ‘malnourished’ and also sustained a thigh injury on stage during her Las Vegas residency at the time.

However, Twain has since taken on a positive mindset when it comes to menopause and aging.

‘Now I’m like, bring on the mirrors, I’m going to look at myself all day long!’ she shared before later adding that, ‘Menopause has been very good for me because I’ve learned that some things you cannot control.’

Twain will be joining Harry for all his London dates, which celebrates the release of his fourth studio album Kiss All the Time, Disco Occasionally. 

Opening act Twain ensured she wouldn’t be overshadowed on Styles’ first night earlier this month as she took to the stage in a sexy ensemble.

The legendary singer looked incredible as she slipped into a flesh-flashing corset paired with tiny hotpants.

Adding height to her frame, the mother-of-one sported a pair of knee high suede boots, while she accessorised with sheer fingerless gloves.

Shania whipped the crowd up into a frenzy as she performed hits such as That Don’t Impress Me Much and Man! I Feel Like A Woman! ahead of Harry taking to the stage.

Taking to Instagram the following day, Shania shared snaps from her performance and captioned the post: ‘Wembley Stadium… WOW! What a way to kick off this run of shows with my gorgeous friend @harrystyles.

‘You were so loud!! Thank you for welcoming this Canadian girl with so much love ❤️’.