VW to slash models, Austria budget vote, Wally Funk dies, France in World Cup semis

Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume has unveiled a "future plan" aimed at streamlining the company's model lineup and reducing customization options by 2030. The plan includes a comprehensive package of twelve initiatives. Specifically, the model range will be gradually reduced by up to 50 percent, and the number of available equipment options will decrease by as much as 75 percent. Details regarding potential job cuts and factory closures were not disclosed at this time.

Meanwhile, Austria's National Council is set to approve a double budget for 2027 and 2028 today. Following three days of budget deliberations, the plenary session will debate the remaining chapters concerning family and youth, mobility and research, defense, and finance. The final votes on the federal financial laws for 2027 and 2028, along with the financial framework, will precede the National Council's summer recess.

In other news, pioneering US aviator Wally Funk has died at the age of 82 in Grapevine, Texas. Funk, who set an age record by flying into space in 2021, passed away peacefully at home. "We are deeply saddened by the death of Wally Funk," said the US space company Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos. Funk traveled to space aboard Blue Origin's "New Shepard" spacecraft, becoming the oldest woman to journey into the cosmos. She was also the first woman to serve as an aviation safety inspector for the US National Transportation Safety Board and the first flight instructor for the Federal Aviation Administration. In the 1960s, she participated in a training program for women aspiring to space travel but was not selected for a mission.

France has advanced to the World Cup semifinals with a decisive 2-0 victory over Morocco. Despite superstar Kylian Mbappé missing a penalty in the 28th minute, he scored his eighth World Cup goal in the 60th minute, putting France ahead. Ousmane Dembélé added another goal in the 66th minute. France will face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals on Tuesday.

In northern Mali, a convoy carrying Malian soldiers and fighters from the Russian Africa Corps was attacked. The convoy reportedly included over 200 Russian fighters and more than 100 Malian soldiers.

“

We are deeply saddened by the death of Wally Funk. We felt honored to be part of her journey.