Orbán tumbles after sixteen-year spell in power ended by upstart
Hungary’s veteran nationalist leader Viktor Orbán has lost power to the upstart centre-right Tisza party in what is seen as a setback for conservatives beyond Hungary, and Europe. Orbán, 62, was celebrated by the right wing across Europe and the United States as the mastermind of the “illiberal” model of democracy, but lost favour at home with voters who grew weary of economic stagnation, international isolation and oligarchs amassing wealth. US Vice-President JD Vance paid a two-day visit to Budapest last week, telling reporters that his aim was to “help” Orbán win. US President Donald Trump has also repeatedly endorsed Orbán, most recently on Friday, when he vowed on social media that he would bring US “economic might” to the country if Orbán was re-elected. It was not to be. His landslide defeat handed Tisza’s Peter Magyar, 45, a comfortable majority in Hungary’s 199-seat legislature, opening the door for meaningful reforms of a system critics in the European Union said subverted democratic norms.
Trump says “I don’t care” if negotiations with Iran resume, orders blockade of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump has said the US Navy will from today begin blockading the Strait of Hormuz, and also interdict every vessel in international waters that had paid a toll to Iran. This came as Trump said defiantly of the no-deal result of talks with Iran in Pakistan at the weekend: “I don’t care if they come back or not. If they don’t come back, I’m fine.” In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump said the US would start “BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz”. The navy would also start “destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the straits”, warning that any Iranian who fired at the US or at “peaceful vessels will be blown to hell”. “No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas,” he said, adding that the blockade would “begin shortly”. He wrote: “Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear.”
More than 500 arrested in pro-Palestine Action demonstration in London
The arrests came after hundreds gathered in Trafalgar Square, with many carrying signs in support of the group reading, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action”. Supporting Palestine Action became illegal in July 2025 after the government banned it under anti-terror legislation. The ban was ruled unlawful in February, but remained in place pending an appeal. Following the High Court judgment on the ban, the Met had indicated that its officers would be unlikely to make arrests. But in March, it said it would resume arresting protesters for supporting Palestine Action. Among those arrested was Robert Del Naja, founding member of the band Massive Attack, who had earlier told journalists that he wanted to attend the protest because he thought police “making that U-turn to arrest people again” was “ridiculous”. He added: “”I think that the actions of Palestine Action were highly patriotic because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes, and breaking international law. How much more patriotic can you be than that?”
Pope Leo “weak”, “terrible”, Trump says in extraordinary attack on pontiff
The US-born leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics has been described by President Donald Trump as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” in a post on Truth Social. Declaring that “I’m not a fan of Pope Leo”, Trump said the pontiff was not “doing a very good job” and that he was “a very liberal person” who should “stop catering to the Radical Left”. Trump’s comments follow Pope Leo’s Easter message in which he excoriated leaders who promoted war instead of peace.
New mining empowerment rules expected in fresh draft – report
BEE rules in mining are expected to change again, for the fifth time since 2002, to require mining companies renewing or extending existing rights to re-apply for their empowerment credit if their BEE partner has exited. Deputy Director General of the department Ntokozo Nzimande told News24 on Friday that the draft Mineral Resources Development Amendment bill, which was published for comment last May, would be further clarified in a new draft. The new draft will make clear that, for existing rights, the “once empowered, always empowered” principle will apply. However, if a company seeks to extend its right for an additional period, it will need to ensure that its black ownership is at 26%, even if that means undertaking another BEE transaction.
Sources: Associated Press, BBC, The Guardian, Reuters, News24