The week opened with major developments across Europe — France deepening into a political crisis, the Netherlands taking a rare step against Chinese corporate control, and a serious train accident in Slovakia, leaving dozens injured.
Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace confirmed a high-profile German state visit to the UK, marking a continued push by King Charles III to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties.
Macron defiant as France faces deepening political crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday dismissed calls for his resignation, attacking his opponents as his government faces two no-confidence motions that could bring it down before the week ends.
France is grappling with what many observers have called its most severe political turmoil in decades.
A string of minority governments has struggled to pass deficit-cutting budgets through a divided legislature split into three ideological blocs.
Macron has already cycled through five prime ministers in less than two years, with rivals arguing that only a new legislative election or his resignation could end the deadlock.
The president, however, has refused both options.
Speaking in Egypt, where he is attending a summit aimed at ending the war in Gaza, Macron struck a defiant tone.
“I ensure continuity and stability, and I will continue to do so,” he said, emphasising that the presidential mandate exists “to serve, to serve, and to serve.”
Dutch Government seizes control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia
In a move that underscores the escalating global tensions over semiconductor control, the Dutch government announced late Sunday it had taken control of Nexperia, a computer chip manufacturer headquartered in Nijmegen.
Authorities cited national security concerns over the potential transfer of technology to the company’s Chinese parent, Wingtech.
The action, taken under the rarely invoked “Availability of Goods Act,” allows the government to override or block management decisions deemed harmful to national interests.
Although the Netherlands stopped short of nationalising Nexperia, it now retains significant oversight powers.
Production operations continue as normal, but the intervention caused Wingtech’s shares to drop 10% in Shanghai on Monday.
The decision marks the first use of such emergency powers and adds another flashpoint to the global semiconductor standoff, particularly between Europe and China.
Train collision in Slovakia injures dozens
A train collision in eastern Slovakia on Monday injured at least 66 people, according to police and emergency medical services.
Authorities reported that the crash occurred near a tunnel outside the village of Jablonov nad Turnou, roughly 55 kilometres west of Kosice, the region’s main city.
The accident, which occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time, derailed an engine and a carriage.
While there were no reported fatalities, 16 passengers sustained moderate to serious injuries, and around 50 suffered minor injuries.
Police footage shared on social media showed mangled metal and derailed carriages scattered along a hillside.
About 80 passengers were on board the trains at the time of the crash.
Investigations into the cause of the accident are underway, as emergency responders continue to assist the injured.
King Charles to host German President in December
Britain’s King Charles III will host German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Windsor Castle in December, marking the first state visit by a German president in 27 years, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.
The visit, scheduled for December 3, will last three days and include President Steinmeier and his wife, Elke Büdenbender.
It follows Charles’s previous state visits this year by French President Emmanuel Macron in July and US President Donald Trump in September.
The meetings are part of the UK’s broader diplomatic outreach under the monarch, aimed at strengthening post-Brexit ties and trade partnerships with key allies.
Further details of the December visit will be released later, the palace said.
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