Hungarians began voting on Sunday in a pivotal election that analysts label as a referendum on the 16-year tenure of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. His key challenger, Péter Magyar of the Tisza Party, aims to disrupt Orbán’s parliamentary supermajority, amidst a campaign marked by intense personal attacks and allegations of intimidation.

What’s happening?
U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad have ended without a resolution, following 21 hours of negotiation. The talks aimed to address ongoing tensions but ultimately failed to produce an agreement.

Coverage analyzed: NPR | Al Jazeera | The Washington Post | Fox News
NPR’s headline, “No Deal: U.S.-Iran peace talks in Islamabad fall through,” emphasizes the conclusion of the talks as a setback, focusing on the lack of agreement. In contrast, Al Jazeera’s “Iran war live: Vance says no deal reached, US has made ‘best, final offer’” highlights the U.S. position, presenting the situation as a missed opportunity for Iran, thereby framing the narrative around U.S. diplomacy. The Washington Post opts for “Direct U.S.-Iran talks fail to reach resolution after lengthy negotiation,” which stresses the process and the effort involved rather than the implications of the failed outcome. Fox News’ “Vance says US-Iran talks end without deal after 21 hours of negotiations” similarly contextualizes the duration of discussions, portraying the event as a procedural failure.

The US has no plan B if talks with Iran in Islamabad fail, according to Donald Trump. As both nations engage in crucial negotiations, Iranian officials—led by Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf—seek to address key demands. Discussions will continue in Washington on Tuesday.

Péter Magyar has rapidly become a significant figure in Hungarian politics, challenging the ruling Fidesz Party amid a presidential pardon scandal. Since 2024, he has capitalised on public discontent, securing a seat in the European Parliament and positioning his Tisza Party as a formidable opposition force.

Check out today’s fixtures from the Premier League, Championship, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and Scottish Premiership. Premier…

A nine-year-old boy has been rescued from his father’s van in Hagenbach, eastern France, where he was locked for nearly 18 months. Prosecutor Nicolas Heitz detailed the boy’s horrific condition, prompting charges against his father and partner. The investigation continues.

Pope Leo XIV condemned the US-Israel war on Iran, labelling the “delusion of omnipotence” as dangerous during a prayer in St. Peter’s Basilica. He urged political leaders to prioritise peace processes, denouncing the use of religion to justify violence and calling for an end to war.

A cyclist in Hanoi narrowly avoided a train collision after breaching a safety barrier while on his phone. The incident, caught on CCTV, left him thrown to the ground, but he was able to get back on his feet and ride away. Authorities plan to raise fines for such violations.

Viktor Orbán’s tenure as Hungary’s leader has transformed the nation’s governance and foreign policy, marking a shift towards illiberalism. His approach has notably altered Hungary’s interactions with both the European Union and Russia, establishing a distinct national framework under his leadership.

UK MORNING BRIEFING

Nearly 100 protesters were arrested in London overnight at a demonstration supporting Palestine Action, with police stating they are suspected of supporting a proscribed organisation. Arrests continue amid ongoing tensions at the protest site.