Romania

Prime Minister Luca Niculescu convened a government meeting to address school safety and announced a swift response following recent knife attacks in schools in Bistrița and Pitești. This action comes as the new government, which includes representatives of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and independent experts, begins to tackle pressing domestic issues.

Meanwhile, new Environment Minister Natalia Intotero visited the National Meteorological Administration (ANM) amidst an ongoing investigation into the institution's procurement practices, with ANM Director Elena Mateescu publicly questioning calls for her resignation. Separately, a former judge detailed how Romania accumulated a significant 31 billion lei debt to public sector employees. The European Court of Human Rights also rejected an appeal by judge Lia Savonea regarding judicial salary arrears.

In political developments, AUR co-founder Marius Lulea reported finding a pig's head at his gate, accusing George Simion, chairman of the Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR), of being behind the act, escalating internal party disputes. Former presidential candidate Călin Georgescu faces a judicial deadlock in his case and is under investigation for allegedly searching for surveillance devices in his villa. On a positive note, a player won the Loto 6/49 grand prize, exceeding 3.32 million euros, with a ticket purchased via a mobile app.