Category: World

Orbán era swept away by Péter Magyar's Hungary election landslide4 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul KirbyEurope digital editor in BudapestWatch: BBC reports from Hungary as Viktor Orbán concedes defeatViktor Orbán's 16 years in power is over and a system condemned as an “electoral autocracy” lies in tatters, defeated by a 45-year-old former party insider who convinced a majority of Hungarians to bring it to an end.
“We did it,” Péter Magyar told a crowd of cheering supporters beside the River Danube, overlooking Budapest's magnificent parliament on the other side. “Together we overthrew the Hungarian regime.”
Preliminary election results, based on more than 98% of counted votes, put his Tisza party on course for an extraordinary 138 seats, with Orbán's Fidesz on 55 and the far-right Our Homeland on six.
The landslide will not only allow Magyar to overturn Orbán's increasingly unpopular domestic policies, but reset Hungary's global relations..

Katya Adler: Jubilation in Budapest will be felt in Europe but leaves Moscow cold6 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKatya AdlerEurope editorLea Guedj/BBCBudapest's iconic Chain Bridge links both sides of the city – beautiful Buda with vibrant Pest – across the river Danube. At night, the lights that illuminate the bridge shimmer like mini moons in the waters below.
Normally, it's a favourite spot for tourist selfies – but not this Sunday.
Following a historic election result that unceremoniously booted Prime Minister Viktor Orbán out after 16 years in government, the bridge was lit up in red, white and green – the colours of the Hungarian flag.
Supporters of the triumphant Péter Magyar and his Tisza party said they felt they were getting their country back. A sense Magyar reflected back to them in his victory speech.
“We did it,” he said. “We brought down the Orbán regime – together we liberated Hungary. We took back our homeland! Thank you! Thank you all!”
EPAC..

After Iran talks falter, the big question is 'what happens next?'2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleLyse DoucetChief international correspondent, in IslamabadGetty ImagesFile photo of US Vice-President JD Vance on the phone with Donald Trump during a recent trip to HungaryTwenty-one hours was not enough to end 47 years of hostility between Iran and the US.
The historic high-level talks in Islamabad, during a pause in weeks of grievous war, were always unlikely to end any other way.
Calling this marathon negotiating session a failure belies the scale of the challenge in narrowing wide gaps on complex issues ranging from age-old suspicion about Iran's nuclear programme to new challenges this war has thrown up – most of all Iran's control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, whose closure is causing economic shocks worldwide.
To do a deal, they also needed to overcome a deep chasm of distrust.
A day ago, it wasn't even certain the two sides would meet, an..

Asha Bhosle: The sound of Bollywood dies aged 925 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSudha G TilakandZoya MateenWatch: An excerpt from Asha Bhosle's unseen interview in 1984Asha Bhosle, a legendary Bollywood singer who became a cultural icon, has died aged 92, her son has confirmed.
The unrivalled queen of Indian playback singing died in Mumbai, having been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.
Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music – with her career spanning more than eight decades and encompassing more than 12,000 songs.
Bhosle's distinctive voice breathed life into countless film songs as actors lip-synced to her unforgettable tracks.
Her pervasive presence in Bollywood earned her the 1997 hit Cornershop tribute Brimful of Asha, and she was also known internationally for a collaboration with British musician Boy George.
AFPAsha Bhosle performing in New York in 2008Her voice had an infectious quality that kept fans on their feet, danc..

Artemis crew home safely after completing historic mission to the Moon7 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePallab Ghosh,Science CorrespondentandAlison Francis,Senior Science JournalistReutersVictor Glover and Christina Koch pictured after the crew's successful return to EarthThe four astronauts who flew in Nasa's Artemis II mission around the Moon have splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean after a flawless return.
The crew are now safely aboard a waiting ship and recovering from a nine-day voyage that took them further from Earth than any humans in history.
Their Orion spacecraft was travelling at more than 24,000mph (38,600km/h) when it hit the Earth's upper atmosphere and its heatshield was subjected to temperatures half as hot as found on the surface of the Sun.
Their safe return clears the way for the next stage of the Artemis programme, which aims to land humans on the lunar surface and eventually build a permanent base on the Moon.
The extreme heat m..

Final push for votes as challenger to Hungary's Orbán senses victory14 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GooglePaul KirbyEurope digital editor, in BudapestBBCPéter Magyar has won over many of his voters by getting in amongst the crowdsOn the eve of Hungary's bitterly fought and highly significant election, the two main rivals are taking their campaigns to the wire, as Péter Magyar attempts to end 16 years of continuous rule by Viktor Orbán's party Fidesz.
“We're at the gates of a two-thirds majority victory,” he told cheering supporters, before mingling for selfies. “Let's gear up and push for the last 100 metres!”
His final campaign stop will be in the second city, Debrecen, in the north-east, while Orbán, who trails in most of the polls, will address a rally in Budapest.
But perhaps the biggest rally of all came on Friday night, when tens of thousands of Hungarians crammed the capital's Heroes' Square and surrounding streets for an anti-Fidesz ..