Belgium to strengthen air safety centre, think about anti-drone measures in response to airspace disruptions
Again to Belgium, the nation’s defence minister Theo Francken mentioned the Nationwide Air Safety Centre in Beauvechain might be strengthened and made operational within the coming months in response to the newest drone incident that affected Brussels airport.
In feedback after the nationwide safety council assembly, he additionally mentioned there was a dialogue on counter-drone measures, with extra particulars to be labored out within the coming days.
He additionally mentioned that the steering to authorities is evident that if attainable: any drones disrupting Belgian airspace ought to be shot down, VRT reported.
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Italian journalist sacked after query drawing comparability between Russia and Israel
Angela Giuffrida
in Rome
An Italian journalist was sacked from his job for asking a query about Israel throughout a press convention in Brussels.
Addressing the European Fee spokesperson Paula Pinho throughout the occasion on 13 October, Gabriele Nunziati, a journalist with the Rome-based information company, Nova, mentioned:
“You will have been repeating a number of instances that Russia ought to repay for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Do you imagine Israel ought to repay for the reconstruction of Gaza, since they destroyed nearly all of the Strip and civilian infrastructure?”
Pinho replied: “It’s undoubtedly an fascinating query on which I might not have any remark at this stage.”
Two weeks later, Nunziati was fired after a few “tense calls” together with his bosses, he instructed the Italian information outlet, Fanpage.
In a response to Fanpage, Nova didn’t deny sending the journalist a termination letter, arguing that his query was “utterly misplaced and technically incorrect” as a result of Russia invaded a rustic whereas Israel “suffered armed aggression”.
Amid an outcry in Italy, the European Fee’s deputy chief spokesperson, Olof Gill, “categorically confirmed” on Thursday that it didn’t ask Nova to take motion towards the journalist.
“The European Fee attaches the utmost significance to freedom of the press,” he mentioned throughout a media briefing when requested in regards to the case.
“We display that dedication every day right here on this press room, right here at our noon press briefing. In relation to the case in query, the fee has not been involved with the media involved. Questions on this particular determination ought to be addressed to that media.”
The Italian journalists’ guild expressed its “dismay” over the case, saying “you can’t be fired for asking a query”.
Sandro Ruotolo, an MEP for the centre-left Democratic social gathering, mentioned: “Firing a journalist for asking a query, irrespective of how uncomfortable or controversial, is a really severe matter that ought to alarm anybody who cares about press freedom.”
Nicola Fratoianni, who leads the Inexperienced-Left Alliance, mentioned Nunziati’s dismissal was a “disconcerting and severe matter for which we’ll maintain parliament accountable”. Fratoianni urged Nova to rethink its determination.
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Up to date at 07.24 EST
Outgoing Czech authorities set to formally resign right now
We’re additionally getting an essential course of replace from the Czech Republic, because the outgoing prime minister Petr Fiala and his ministers are shifting to formally resign from the federal government later right now.
Czech Republic’s outgoing prime minister Petr Fiala speaks throughout a press convention final month. {Photograph}: Nicolas Tucat/AFP/Getty Pictures
After this morning’s authorities assembly, Fiala mentioned he would personally hand in his resignation to the nation’s president, Petr Pavel, this afternoon.
The outgoing cupboard will stay in workplace till the following coalition authorities, led by controversial populist billionaire Andrej Babiš, will get appointed within the coming weeks.
Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) social gathering’s chair Tomio Okamura, ANO (YES) motion’s chair Andrej Babiš, and Motorists social gathering’s chair Petr Macinka pose with paperwork after signing a brand new coalition authorities settlement in Prague, Czech Republic. {Photograph}: Martin Divíšek/EPA
Babiš is hoping to type the brand new administration by the tip of November, as excellent points – together with on his private battle of pursuits – are getting resolved.
He’s anticipated to go to president Pavel on the Hrad subsequent week – on 12 January – to debate the following steps within the authorities formation course of.
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Belgium to strengthen air safety centre, think about anti-drone measures in response to airspace disruptions
Again to Belgium, the nation’s defence minister Theo Francken mentioned the Nationwide Air Safety Centre in Beauvechain might be strengthened and made operational within the coming months in response to the newest drone incident that affected Brussels airport.
In feedback after the nationwide safety council assembly, he additionally mentioned there was a dialogue on counter-drone measures, with extra particulars to be labored out within the coming days.
He additionally mentioned that the steering to authorities is evident that if attainable: any drones disrupting Belgian airspace ought to be shot down, VRT reported.
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European Fee takes considerations about Shein ‘extraordinarily severely,’ spokesperson says
EU’s digital spokesperson Thomas Regnier mentioned the European Fee “takes observe of the choice taken in France” relating to the Chinese language on-line retailer Shein (10:42), noting that the EU had already expressed comparable considerations earlier than.
“We’re in contact with Shein, however we may also be in contact right now with the French authorities.
I can verify now, as we communicate, that within the subsequent two hours, [executive vice-president] Virkkunen will meet with the digital minister of France Anne le Henanff.
So discussions are happening. We take this very severely.”
He individually mentioned:
“A platform that’s permitting on its service for graphic content material or, the promoting of weapons doesn’t meet EU requirements, EU values and EU laws.”
Regnier additionally added that no different member states raised considerations about Shein up to now, and mentioned the bloc typically has “not intention to droop any platform EU-wide.”
“That is the final resort,” he mentioned.
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Up to date at 06.26 EST
European Fee pays tribute to ex Guardian journalist David Gow
In a stunning contact, the European Fee’s noon briefing has simply began with the EU’s tribute to David Gow, our former Germany correspondent and European enterprise editor, who died earlier this week on the age of 80.
Opening the briefing, EU deputy chief spokesperson Olof Gill mentioned:
“I’ll begin by saying just a few phrases in regards to the passing of the journalist David Gow. Over his lengthy profession as a journalist, David notably served because the Scotsman’s first European correspondent and because the Guardian’s European enterprise editor from 2004 to 2012.
We want to prolong our deepest condolences to his household and family members, in addition to his former colleagues and naturally, his present colleagues Jennifer [Rankin] and Lisa [O’Carroll], who proceed to serve the Guardian right here in our press room with such distinction.”
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Dutch courtroom throws out bid to ban arms to Israel over Gaza
A Dutch courtroom threw out a case introduced by pro-Palestinian activists searching for to pressure the Netherlands to halt commerce and weapons exports to Israel over the struggle in Gaza, AFP reported.
A bunch of 10 NGOs had accused the Dutch state of doing too little to forestall what they described as “genocide” in Gaza with a “clearly illegal” international coverage in direction of Israel.
They urged judges to impose a blanket ban on weapons exports to Israel, a ban on exporting army canines, and a ban on buying and selling in occupied territories, AFP mentioned.
The Appeals Courtroom in The Hague dismissed all of the grounds for enchantment made by the organisations and ordered them to pay authorized prices.
“Whereas it’s believable that there’s a danger of genocide and severe human rights violations, it’s not, in precept, as much as the courtroom to prescribe to the State what measures should be taken to forestall this,” mentioned the courtroom in a press release.
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Up to date at 05.51 EST
Oleron attacker suspected of ‘self-radicalisation,’ however nonetheless not clear if assault was religiously motivated, French minister says
We’re getting a bit extra element on n the principle suspect in yesterday’s assault on Oleron island off France’s coast, which left 5 injured, together with two critically.
Forensic police and French gendarmes examine the location the place a burnt automobile was present in Saint-Pierre-d’Oleron on November 5, 2025, following an incident through which a automobile rammed into pedestrians and cyclists on the French Atlantic island of Oleron. {Photograph}: Christophe Archambault/AFP/Getty Pictures
The nation’s inside minister, Laurent Nuñez, mentioned the attacker is suspected of “self-radicalisation” and had “specific spiritual references” at dwelling, Reuters reported.
“Primarily based on various components that exist with this particular person, and the truth that he really shouted ’Allahu Akbar’ [’God is greatest’ in Arabic], there are spiritual references in his case which might be fairly clear and fairly specific”, Nuñez mentioned.
Nonetheless, Nuñez added that it wasn’t clear at this stage if Wednesday’s assault was religiously motivated.
The 35-year-old suspect is a French resident of Oleron, and was beforehand recognized to police for petty crimes together with drink driving and drug-related offences, officers have mentioned.
Contacted by Reuters, the nationwide anti-terrorism prosecutor’s workplace mentioned it remained in an statement position at this stage. For now, the inquiry is being dealt with by the native prosecutor’s workplace in La Rochelle.
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Poland begins ‘largest defence coaching in historical past’ with plans to coach 400,000 volunteers in 2026
Poland will roll out a brand new army coaching programme this month as a part of a broader plan to coach round 400,000 individuals in 2026, the defence ministry mentioned on Thursday.
Individuals participate within the ‘Prepare with the Military’ course for civilians in Opole, Poland in 2023. {Photograph}: Anadolu Company/Getty Pictures
Reuters mentioned that, dubbed by defence minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz as “the biggest defence coaching in Polish historical past”, the programme “At Readiness” might be voluntary and open to all residents – from schoolchildren to working adults, firms, and seniors.
The programme will provide a primary safety course, survival coaching, medical instruction, and cyber-hygiene courses.
“In November and December alone … we’ll prepare about 20,000 individuals in particular person coaching, however the whole quantity…, when it comes to all types of coaching, is about 100,000 individuals,” deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk instructed a convention.
First periods are scheduled for 22 November, and residents can join by Poland’s digital ID app, mObywatel.
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Louvre heist a ‘deafening wake-up name’ on safety, auditor says
Final month’s spectacular Louvre heist, through which robbers made off with a few of France’s crown jewels, was a “deafening wake-up name” for museum safety, the top of France’s highest audit establishment.
The doorway of the Louvre Pyramid, two weeks after a theft on the Louvre in Paris, France. {Photograph}: Adnan Farzat/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Upgrades to safety on the world-renowned museum have been shifting at a “woefully insufficient tempo,” added Pierre Moscovici at a press convention as he introduced his physique’s report on the Paris museum, as reported by AFP.
Reuters added that the report discovered that solely 39% of the museum’s rooms had cameras as of 2024, and a safety audit begun in 2015, which discovered the museum was not sufficiently monitored or ready for a disaster, solely led to a young for safety works on the finish of final 12 months.
“It is going to take a number of years to finish the mission, which, in keeping with the museum, is not anticipated to be completed till 2032,” the report mentioned.
Pierre Moscovici, France’s First President of the French Courtroom of Auditors (Cour des Comptes), presents a report on the Louvre Museum, weeks after thieves stole treasures from the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo gallery), throughout a press convention on the France’s supreme audit establishment in Paris, France. {Photograph}: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters
Reuters famous it additionally highlighted extreme spending to purchase art work and post-pandemic relaunch initiatives, in addition to missed revenues from inefficiencies and ticketing fraud, as contributing to the museum’s incapacity to repair its outdated infrastructure.
We’ll deliver you extra on this later.
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France urges EU to take motion towards Chinese language on-line retailer Shein
Lisa O’Carroll
In the meantime, France has urged the EU to take motion over Chinese language on-line retailer Shein after it was discovered to be promoting childlike intercourse dolls and banned weapons on its market place.
Queue of shoppers and protesters on the opening day of the Chinese language model Shein retailer at Bazar de l’Lodge de Ville (Le BHV Marais), in Paris. {Photograph}: Olivier Juszczak/SIPA/Shutterstock
It comes after the French prime minister moved to droop Shein’s operations in France for 48 hours whereas an investigation takes place amid big protests over the opening of its first ever bricks and mortar store in a division retailer in Paris on Wednesday.
In a letter to the EU’s tech commissioner Henna Virkkunen, French economic system minister Roland Lescure and digital minister Anne le Henanff mentioned they believed “severe breaches” of buying and selling guidelines had been dedicated by Shein, which is already underneath the highlight in Brussels over the sale of products discovered to be bought on the platform which might be non compliant with EU laws.
“France alerts the European Fee and all member states to those severe breaches inside its borders, and expects there are comparable dangers related to this platform’s actions in different European Union international locations,” the French ministers mentioned.
On Wednesday international Mminister Jean-Noël Barrot instructed French radio station, RFI, that he thought Shein was “clearly” in breach of European guidelines.
“I imagine that the European Fee should take motion. It can not wait any longer,” he mentioned.
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Belgian inside minister expects proposals on drones after safety council assembly
Talking earlier than the safety council assembly, the Belgian inside minister Bernard Quintin instructed reporters that he wished to listen to what the nation’s safety companies manufactured from the drone incidents.
“I do know that the defence [ministry] will provide you with some proposals to ensure our safety. We’ll see what concrete measures will emerge from that,” he instructed VRT.
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Up to date at 04.26 EST
China prepared to discover commerce, funding offers with EU, minister says
Lisa O’Carroll
Individually, China mentioned on Thursday it’s prepared to discover the opportunity of numerous commerce and funding agreements with the EU.
Ministry spokesperson He Yadong instructed a press convention that the 2 sides share “in depth widespread pursuits and big house for cooperation.”
The remark adopted remarks by Chinese language international minister Wang Yi on Tuesday, who instructed his Estonian counterpart in Beijing that China was prepared to barter and signal a free commerce settlement with the bloc.
It comes amid pressing efforts by the EU to steer China to ease up on restrictions on the provision of chips and uncommon earths, important for automobile and different industries, one thing already achieved by Donald Trump.
Talking in Kuwait yesterday, commerce commissioner Maroš Šefčovič mentioned the EU had established a “particular channel” of communication with Chinese language authorities to safe the circulate of uncommon earth supplies important for EU industries,
He mentioned he had mentioned the problem instantly with commerce minister Wang Wentao a number of instances, stressing that poorly managed export procedures might have a “very unfavorable influence on manufacturing and manufacturing within the EU”.
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Belgium to debate response to drones
Jakub Krupa
The Belgian authorities will maintain an emergency assembly of the nationwide safety council this morning to debate the current drone sightings that disrupted the operations at Brussels airport and brought about concern after flying over army bases within the nation.
A no drone signal simply exterior the perimeter of Brussels Worldwide Airport in Zaventem, Belgium. {Photograph}: Virginia Mayo/AP
As our Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin says in our high story, the Belgian authorities has not mentioned who it thinks is liable for the drones, however a supply instructed the Belga information company that the safety companies had “little doubt” {that a} state actor was behind current sightings, “very most likely Russia”. The purpose was reported to have been made at a gathering to organize Thursday’s nationwide safety council, reported Le Soir.
In an indication of simply how severely that is being handled, Belgian defence minister Theo Francken spoke with Nato’s secretary normal Mark Rutte final evening, updating him on what the authorities know in regards to the incident. “Allies are offering welcome help to deal with the problem,” Nato spokesperson mentioned in a press release after their dialog.
The Belgian prime minister, Bart de Wever, faces a actually busy day forward: after attending the safety council assembly, he’s additionally anticipated to satisfy King Philippe for a chat amid a protracted disaster in regards to the nation’s funds. One to observe.
Individually, we’ll keep watch over the European statements on the COP30 summit in Brazil, Rutte’s time in Romania, and the French public audit workplace’s report on Louvre museum, which – going by the primary studies within the French media – might be scatching.
Heaps for us to cowl.
It’s Thursday, 6 November 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Reside.
Good morning.
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Up to date at 04.11 EST
