Ford to axe 7,000 jobs globally, firms urge voters to hit the polls, and more top news

The news professionals in Europe are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Ford plans to cut 7,000 salaried jobs, or 10% of its white-collar workforce globally, by August. America’s second-biggest carmaker revealed earlier this year it will cut thousands of jobs from its European workforce, including 5,000 in Germany and 400 in Wales, as part of a revamp of its money-losing European business. The new reduction in management ranks is part of a $11 billion cost-saving plan announced by the company last year and comes as the industry faces “peak car,” according to Bloomberg. • Here’s what people are saying.

Some of Europe’s biggest companies are urging people to vote in this weekend’s European Parliament elections. Volkswagen has reached out to its 490,000 European employees in 16 languages appealing for a united Europe, while Lufthansa painted “SayYesToEurope” across an Airbus A320. Spotify has compiled a playlist of the top local EU artists and even US e-scooter firm Lime is getting involved — offering free rides to polling stations. Nearly 430 million Europeans are eligible to vote; in 2014, the turnout was just 43%. • Here’s what people are saying.

Ryanair's top exec Michael O’Leary has warned about the impact of “attritional fare wars" after Europe's largest low-cost airline reported its worst annual profit in four years. Average fares have dropped 6% at the same time carriers grapple with rising fuel costs. As the region’s largest customer for Boeing 737 MAX jets, Ryanair also said its annual profit would be hit by the plane’s grounding and ensuing delivery delays. The airline still plans to take about 47 this financial year. • Here’s what people are saying.

Also: Aviation workers in Italy will be striking for 24 hours today over pay and working conditions, leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights.

Ten Greenpeace campaigners were arrested yesterday after blockading the entrances to BP’s London headquarters. BP, which employs more than 70,000 people globally, was forced to close its office after determining that the building’s 300 staff could not safely gain access. The protesters, who encased themselves in heavy containers, say BP is behaving as if there weren't a climate emergency and called for a "rapid switch to 100% renewables”. BP's annual general meeting is set to take place in Aberdeen on Tuesday. • Here’s what people are saying.

Having employees focus exclusively on areas where they are strong may allow managers to avoid uncomfortable feedback sessions, but it does a disservice to employees and companies alike, argues the Center for Creative Leadership’s Craig Chappelow and Cindy McCauley. Avoiding weaknesses encourages employees to believe that those weak spots are not important. It also ignores the fact that the needs of a company (and entire industries) will change over time. Qualities that are not critical today may be essential tomorrow. • Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the day: Ray Dalio, co-chairman of Bridgewater Associates, gives out some advice to new grads transitioning “to the second phase” of life.

“Idealists who are not well grounded in reality create problems, not progress.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Capucine Yeomans