Rumen Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria party has dominated the recent parliamentary elections, securing 44.7 per cent of the vote and likely winning approximately 130 seats in a 240-member parliament. This victory raises hopes for a more stable government in a nation that has seen eight elections in five years.

United Nations experts have expressed deep concern over alleged incommunicado detention and conditions in Belarus, describing practices at Novopolotsk correctional colony that may amount to torture. They highlighted the mistreatment of detainees, including prolonged solitary confinement and inadequate medical care, raising significant human rights violations.