Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap!
Five people were injured, including two critically, after a man drove his car into pedestrians and cyclists on the French island of Oléron this morning (11:50, 14:44, 15:23).
The suspect, a 35-year-old French national who lived locally, refused to speak with investigators as they try to understand his motive amid concerns about mental health or radicalisation (12:09, 12:23, 13:59).
A parliamentary assistant to a member of French parliament from the far-right National Rally party is among the seriously injured, the party’s parliamentary spokesperson said (13:07, 14:23).
In other news,
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has insisted that “the US force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years,” as he faced questions over partial US withdrawal from Romania (16:02)
Former senior minister Wouter Koolmees of the centrist D66 party has been picked as “the scout” to lead early exploratory talks on forming the next Dutch government, with early disagreements between the parties tipped to form the next administration (11:10, 16:28)
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul warned that the destruction of Syria was “worse” than “Germany in 1945,” as the co-ruling Christian Democrats party continued to grapple with questions about the future of one million Syrians living in the country.
The European Commission sketched out a world where trains could reach speeds well above 250km per hour, as it revealed plans to dramatically cut journey times between major cities (16:47)
France started proceedings on Wednesday to suspend online fast-fashion retailer Shein until it complies with French laws after the discovery of childlike sex dolls on its website (16:15).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Syrian destruction 'worse than Germany in 1945,' German foreign minister tells lawmakers
in Berlin
A deep rift within Germany’s conservative co-ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) about the future of the around one million Syrians living in the country has taken on new fervour since the foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, was quoted with an emotionally charged comparison.
Wadephul told MPs the destruction he witnessed on a trip to Syria last week was “worse” than “Germany in 1945”. The remarks, first reported by the mass-selling daily Bild, came during a heated meeting of the CDU parliamentary group.
Wadephul had previously antagonised some hardline MPs with comments doubting whether there could be mass-scale returns to Syria given the “apocalyptic” landscape left behind by the civil war in some areas.
Conservatives accused the minister of undermining the government of chancellor Friedrich Merz, which has sought to project a tough line on migration to beat back the rise of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland, which is leading in some national polls.
This week the chancellor pulled rank on the question of Syrians, stating: “There are now no longer any grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can also begin with repatriations,” he said. Those who refused to return could face deportation “in the near future”.
Wadephul has insisted he and Merz are on the same page. But behind closed doors, he evidently felt a need to share the shock and empathy he experienced on his Syria trip with his fellow Christian Democrats.
After the meeting, several of the MPs revealed Wadephul’s remarks referencing the aftermath of the second world war and the fall of the Nazi regime with Bild, some of them expressing surprise about the drastic comparison.
Bild said Wadephul seemed to be pushing back against conservatives who had argued that just as Germans rebuilt their country after the war, albeit with massive foreign assistance, so too must Syrians return to do their bit.
Wadephul stressed, according to the accounts, he supported the deportation of convicted criminals, which has already begun, as well as those who rely on state benefits.
Merz, who took part in the meeting, reportedly praised Wadephul for his “high standing” in the region but reiterated that the end of the civil war meant Syrians no longer had grounds for seeking asylum in Germany.
Wadephul has received some support from leading Social Democrats, junior partners in the ruling coalition.
But the AfD saw a chance to pile on, with co-leader Alice Weidel on X calling for the minister’s resignation: “A disrespectful foreign minister who tramples on the hard work and sacrifice of the postwar generations who rebuilt this country. Wadephul is completely unsuitable for his position in the foreign office.”
Analysts said the episode has compounded a sense of drift and division within the government, one year after the previous centre-left-led coalition collapsed in rancour, paving the way to the snap election in February that brought Merz to power.
High-speed rail network possible by 2040, says European Commission
Brussels correspondent
Breakfast in Berlin, lunch in Copenhagen, with a fast and easy train journey to pass the morning? Or a midday meal in Sofia, then taking the high-speed line to arrive in Athens just in time for an evening aperitif? Both could be possible if a vision for European high-speed rail travel ever becomes a reality.
A faster, “truly European” high-speed rail network could be possible by 2040, the EU executive said on Wednesday, as it revealed plans to dramatically cut journey times between major cities.
The European Commission sketched out a world where trains could reach speeds well above 250km per hour, when feasible, to ensure faster connections across the continent.
If the plan is realised, rail passengers could travel betweenthe German and Danish capitals in four hours by 2030, instead of seven hours today, while Sofia and Athens would be just six hours apart by 2035, instead of nearly 14.
New cross-border links would dramatically speed up travel between Tallinn and Riga to 1hr45 compared to 6h10 now. On the other side of the continent, a journey between Lisbon and Madrid would be cut to three hours, down from nine.
The EU transport commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, a self-declared “train guy”, said the plans set out how to create “a faster, truly European high-speed rail [network] by 2040”. The commission has predicted this would make rail travel a more appealing alternative to short-haul and possibly longer flights on many routes.
Despite repeated calls to boost rail travel, fast cross-border train journeys remain rare. Operators focused on national priorities, inadequate infrastructure, incompatible systems, clashing regulations and fiendishly complicated ticketing means that high-speed rail has not taken off as quickly, nor spread as widely, as advocates hoped.
The 12,128km of Europe’s existing high-speed rail network, the commission said, is largely concentrated in four western EU member states – France, Germany, Italy and Spain – while central and eastern Europe remain “poorly connected”.
External experts cited by the commission estimate that €546bn (£481bn) is needed to triple the size of the high-speed network, allowing trains to run at speeds in excess of 250km an hour. As part of a lengthy list of actions, the EU executive has promised a financing strategy and will seek to use EU funds to incentivise national government and private investment, in particular to pay for infrastructure and rolling stock.
Nordic correspondent
Authorities in Denmark are urgently studying how to close an apparent security loophole in hundreds of Chinese-made electric buses that enables them to be remotely deactivated.
The investigation comes after transport authorities in Norway, where the Yutong buses are also in service, found that the Chinese supplier had remote access for software updates and diagnostics to the vehicles’ control systems – which could be exploited to affect buses while in transit.
Amid concerns over potential security risks, the Norwegian public transport authority Ruter decided to test two electric buses in an isolated environment.
Bernt Reitan Jenssen, Ruter’s chief executive, said: “The testing revealed risks that we are now taking measures against. National and local authorities have been informed and must assist with additional measures at a national level.”
Their investigations found that remote deactivation could be prevented by removing the buses’ sim cards, but they decided against this because it would also disconnect the bus from other systems.
Ruter said it planned to bring in stricter security requirements for future procurements. Jenssen said it must act before the arrival of the next generation of buses, which could be even “more integrated and harder to secure”.
Movia, Denmark’s largest public transport company, has 469 Chinese electric buses in operation – 262 of which were manufactured by Yutong.
Updated
Conservative-liberal VVD party rules out forming coalition government with centre-left GL-PvdA
There is also a further update on the Dutch coalition forming process, as Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius, leader of the conservative-liberal VVD party, appeared to double down on her refusal to engage in talks about joining a government with centre-left GL-PvdA party.
In a letter to the “scout” looking at potential coalition combinations (11:10), she insisted that “a left-wing coalition with the GreenLeft-Labour Party is incapable of solving the problems that have long worried many Dutch people.”
“This has not changed since the elections,” she said, stressing that the VVD “will neither participate in such a coalition nor facilitate it from the House of Representatives.”
Instead she suggested a broader right-leaning coalition with the hard right JA21 party, saying it would be easier to manage as “these parties agree on substance” when it comes to defence, migration, and economy.
“This gives this coalition the clout to quickly reach an agreement and implement it decisively,” she said.
The talks are expected to continue for almost a week before the scout reports back to the parliament.
Updated
France moves to suspend Shein over sex dolls as Paris store opens
In other French news, the French government started proceedings on Wednesday to suspend online fast-fashion retailer Shein until it complies with French laws, the finance ministry said.
Reuters reported that the discovery of childlike sex dolls on Shein’s website on Saturday fuelled an outcry. Shein said it had sanctioned the sellers and implemented a full ban on sex dolls.
A Shein spokesperson told Reuters the company was seeking urgent consultations with authorities over the suspension.
Protesters bearing “Shame on Shein” placards had gathered outside BHV on Wednesday as the online fast-fashion retailer opened its first shop amid fierce criticism of its low-cost business model.
Reuters noted that it was not immediately clear if the planned suspension would impact its Paris store, which opened at 1 pm on Wednesday.
Nato's Rutte plays down fears about US troops reduction in Romania
Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has insisted that “the US force posture in Europe remains larger than it has been for many years,” as he faced questions over partial US withdrawal from Romania.
During his visit to Bucharest, Rutte insisted that force posture reviews and adjustments “are not unusual,” and insisted that the US commitment to defending Nato members remains in place.
“I really think we are making a little bit too much out of this [decision],” he said, adding that it was all about the US “always looking how they can make the best use of their resources they have in Europe.”
“Please don’t read too much into that,” he urged the host nation.
He also pointed to Nato’s new initiatives on the Eastern flank, including the new Eastern Sentry mission, as reasons to be reassured.
Speaking alongside Romanian president, Nicușor Dan, Rutte said that “there should be no doubt of Nato’s resolve to protect the alliance,” and to “defend every inch of allied territory.”
"If an attack would take place from whoever, be it the Russians or whoever, would attack Nato or would attack Romania particularly, it is not only Eastern Sentry which will help you; not only the Forward Land Forces which will help you – it is then the whole of Nato which will come to the rescue, with its fleet of F-35, its full naval capacity and its full land forces capacity,” he said.
Let’s take a look at other news now.
Christophe Sueur, mayor of Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, told reporters that he struggled to comprehend how something like this happened in “a small town” like his on “a calm, rather peaceful island.”
But he also stressed that the incident was now contained, and this should reassure people that there was no further danger.
Five people injured, two in very serious condition, interior minister confirms
French interior minister Laurent Nuñez is briefing the media now from Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron.
He says he wanted to express his support for the victims and the first responders.
Summing up what we know about the incident, he says that around 8.40am local time this morning, an individual deliberately drove his car into several people in his path, some on foot, and some on bicycles.
He says that during the 35-minute incident, he hit five people, and two of them are in very serious condition, including a 22-year-old woman.
He adds there will be also “several” people affected by witnessing the scene.
He commends the first responders for arresting the suspect, who resisted arrest, and attempted to set fire to his vehicle. The suspect remains in custody, but refuses to speak to investigators. He was not known to intelligence services.
Nuñez adds representative of the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor is at scene, but only as an observer and not currently handling the investigation.
He sidesteps a question on whether the perpetrator shouted any slogans during the incident, saying it will be for the investigators to look into the motive in detail and decide whether anti-terrorism prosecutors would need to be involved.
Updated
Two people seriously injured, junior minister says
Moments ago, junior interior minister Marie-Pierre Vedrenne offered a brief update to lawmakers gathered in the National Assembly.
Responding to a question from the National Rally party, she confirmed that two victims remained in “serious condition,” including the parliamentary assistant to a RN lawmaker, as reported earlier (13:07, 14:23).
Clearly moved by the situation, she condemned what she called “a tragic and heinous act,” as she said that the perpetrator was a 35-year-old French national, who lived on the Oléron island. He was known to local authorities for “common law offences,” but not known by intelligence services, she said.
Interior minister Laurent Nuñez is now on scene as well and we should hear from him soon.
Brussels drone sightings part of 'hybrid threat,' defence minister tells lawmakers, with discussion on Nato Article 4
Briefly going back to drones in Belgium, defence minister Theo Francken told lawmakers that he considered the drone sightings that disrupted air traffic in Belgium to be a part of “hybrid threat” against the country, which he stressed was “real and serious.”
“The use of drones near airports, airbases, and barracks not only poses a security risk, but also directly affects our national security and prosperity,” he said in comments reported by Nieuwsblad and VRT News.
He said the authorities believed the drone sightings to be “intentional and disruptive,” with “semi-professional, professional large drones” flying “in formation.”
He told lawmakers that the country was considering triggering Article 4 consultations within Nato, but no decisions have been made yet.
Under Article 4, “the parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.”
It has been only used nine time in Nato’s history, but twice this year as Poland and Estonia triggered the process in September after incidents in their airspace.
It is a separate mechanism to Nato’s better known Article 5 mutual defence clause.
President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, has expressed her solidarity with the people affected by the Oleron incident.
She pointedly mentioned the National Rally MP Pascal Markowsky and his team, after a parliamentary aide was one of the people caught up in the incident (13:07).
We are getting a bit more detail on the suspect in the Oleron incident.
Le Parisien newspaper cited police as saying they were looking into the possibility that the suspect might be mentally ill. BFMTV reported that he was previously known to police for petty crime including drink-driving and drug offences.
The mayor of St Pierre d’Oléron, Christophe Sueur, said the suspect was “well-known, particularly by the gendarmerie, for problem behaviour, for problems with alcohol”.
The prosecutor said the suspect “was not on the S watchlist”, an investigators’ list of radicalised individuals. The Charente Libre newspaper said he was a French national.
Where is Île d’Oléron?
A parliamentary assistant to a local MP from the far-right National Rally party is among the injured, the party’s parliamentary spokesperson said on X.
Separately, the party’s president and potential 2027 presidential candidate, Jordan Bardella, expressed solidarity with all injured in the incident, and called for “an exemplary punishment” for the perpetrator.
At least nine people were injured, the mayor of Dolus-d’Oleron, Thibault Brechkoff, said in a post on Facebook.
He stressed the “deliberate” nature of the incident, and said that local authorities were setting up a crisis centre to coordinate their response.
“All services are mobilised to manage the situation!” he said.
French interior minister Laurent Nuñez – quoted earlier (11:50) – is on his way to the scene of the incident, French media reported.
The Sud-Ouest newspaper is quoting the local prosecutor, Arnaud Laraize, as saying that the suspect resisted arrest, and had to be tasered.
The suspect is reported to be a man in his 30s and a resident of a nearby town of La Cotinière, with conflicting reports as to whether he was previously known to the authorities.
Police have arrested the man and are investigating him for alleged “attempted murder”, but the man’s motive was not immediately clear, Laraize added in comments reported by AFP.
Updated
French broadcaster BFMTV reported the suspect in d’Oleron car ramming shouted “Allahu Akbar” (Arabic for “God is Greatest”) when arrested, Reuters said.
Sud-Ouest and Le Parisien newspapers reported the same, while adding that investigators were also looking into the possibility that the suspect might be mentally disturbed.
France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office was not in charge of the inquiry at this stage, French media reported.
Multiple people reported injured after car was driven into pedestrians in south-western France
At least five people were injured after a car was driven into pedestrians and cyclists in Saint Pierre d’Oléron on Île d’Oléron, off the west coast of France, the country’s interior minister said.
In a post on X, Laurent Nuñez said that two people were in intensive care, and further three had lighter injuries.
The suspect has been taken into custody, with investigation ongoing, he said.
Mayor of Dolus-d’Oléron said the man arrested at the scene was suspected of abusing drugs and alcohol, Reuters said.
Earlier, the French media reported that up to 10 people were affected by the incident, with sources close to the investigation suggesting the driver “deliberately” drove into people, Le Figaro said.
The Sud-Ouest newspaper said that ten people were injured, and four were receiving critical care.
Updated
Koolmees picked to 'scout' early coalition talks in the Netherlands
Over in the Netherlands, former senior minister Wouter Koolmees of the centrist D66 party has been picked as “the scout” to lead early exploratory talks on forming the next Dutch government.
Koolmees was previously involved in negotiating coalition arrangements in 2017 and 2021, joining Mark Rutte’s governments as social affairs minister and, briefly, deputy prime minister.
In a formal letter with instructions, Rob Jetten, the leader of D66 which won the election last week, told him he wanted “a stable cabinet” with “broad support.”
He also indicated preference for a broad coalition of D66, liberal-conservative VVD, centre-left GL-PvdA, and centrist CDA, which would command 86 seats in the 150-seat parliament.
In the letter, posted on X, Jetten – the likely future prime minister – said that “after a long period of stagnation and instability, [the Dutch people] long for a politics of decisiveness and connection, one that resonates with as many Dutch people as possible.”
Outlining some key priorities of the new government – including housing, education, climate, migration, and economy – he said “it’s up to this generation of politicians to restore the Dutch people’s confidence that politics can truly improve their lives.”
The scout will now get on with talks to see what’s possible, with the VVD expected to be the most difficult party to get on board, as it previously appeared to rule out a coalition with the centre-left GL-PvdA.
But as part of his role, Koolmees will also look beyond the preferable scenario and speak with eight party leaders today, NOS reported. His early report will be submitted to the parliament by 11 November, with a debate on the next steps scheduled for 13 November.
Latvia postpones decision on withdrawing from Istanbul Convention on violence against women
In other news, the Latvian parliament has delayed a decision on withdrawing from the Istanbul Convention opposing violence against women, after pushback from the country’s president and protesters.
In a repeated vote on Wednesday morning, after president Edgars Rinkēvičs sent the original bill back to parliament, the lawmakers agreed to delay a decision on this issue until November 2026.
The parliament had originally voted to withdraw late last month, arguing the treaty introduces a definition of gender that goes beyond biological sex, framing it as a social construct, Reuters said.
The lawmakers also argued that domestic protections in Latvian law were sufficiently tightly drafted, and the withdrawal would not substantially change the legal situation.
But today’s move effectively means that the decision will be made by the next parliament, as Latvia is expected to hold parliamentary election in October 2026, potentially turning the issue into a key election topic.
Prime minister Evika Siliņa welcomed the move, saying it was “a victory of democracy, rule of law, and women’s rights.”
“It is a victory of the Latvian people. Latvia is a reliable partner and ally, and remains committed to European values,” she said.
In yet another drone incident, the local mayor of the city of Diest has just confirmed that four further drones were spotted above the Schaffen military base in the city last night.
Geert Cluckers said in a post on Facebook that “there is no reason to panic, but of course, our security services remain very vigilant.”
Belgian national security council meeting on drones confirmed for Thursday
The Belgian national security council meeting on drone disruptions has now been confirmed for Thursday morning, Nieuwsblad and De Standaard reported.
Morning opening: Drones, again
Brussels airport had to close on Tuesday night after reported drone sightings, disrupting dozens of flights and journeys of thousands of passengers.
It is the latest example of drones affecting civil airports in Europe, amid growing unease about the disruption they cause and potential motives behind their use.
Flights have resumed on Wednesday morning, but some disruption continued, with planes reported out of position as a result of airport closures, Niuewsblad reported. Some 400-500 passengers had to spend the night at the airport because of the sightings.
Separately, drones were also reported in the vicinity of the Kleine-Brogel and Florennes military airbases and a regional airport in Liège.
Belgium’s interior minister, Bernard Quintin, said the country “cannot accept our airports being disrupted by unauthorised drone flights,” calling for “a coordinated and national response.”
The Belgian national security council could meet today or tomorrow to discuss the incident.
But he did not want to jump to conclusions on who could be behind the sightings, saying “it could be Russia or a hobbyist” flying their drones, and leaving it open for the investigation, VRT reported.
Let’s see what updates we get on this incident during the day. The European Commission will no doubt get asked about it at its daily briefing, as will Nato’s secretary general Mark Rutte, who is in Romania today.
It’s Wednesday, 5 November 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
