3 h. ago The Guardian view on special Trump treatment for Hungary: roll on the next election | Editorial

As polls suggest that Viktor Orbán’s authoritarian rule is under threat, Brussels can only wait and hopeDuring the US presidential election campaign of 2016, Viktor Orbán was the only European Union leader to back Donald Trump. Which was hardly surprising. Whether in relation to the the normalisation of great replacement theory, or the bullying and harassment of the media, Mr Orbán more or less wrote the playbook for the Maga movement. The former White House strategist Steve Bannon has eulogised Hungary’s prime minister as the “Trump before Trump”.Last week, ahead of crucial Hungarian elections in less than six months’ time, the US president returned some political favours. As Mr Orbán seeks a fifth consecutive term presiding over a nation which he boasts of having turned into an illiberal democracy, his Fidesz party trails in the polls. As well as a few signed Maga baseball caps, an Orbán visit to Washington yielded considerably more valuable pre-election gifts. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago A magical winter lights trail is coming to London’s South Bank this week

A magical winter lights trail is coming to London’s South Bank this week  Time Out

Politics

11 h. ago Inside No. 9 play ‘Stage/Fright’ is back for its final ever London shows – and tickets go on sale this week

Inside No. 9 play ‘Stage/Fright’ is back for its final ever London shows – and tickets go on sale this week  Time Out

Sport

14 h. ago Good morning Vienna: new sleeper services will run from Paris to the Austrian capital and Berlin next year

European Sleeper will operate the new services from March 2026, replacing the Nightjet trains that are being axed next monthThe resurgence of sleeper trains on the continent hit a kink in the tracks in September, when the Austrian state operator ÖBB announced that it would be axing its two Nightjet services – Paris to Vienna and Paris to Berlin – from 14 December. ÖBB cited the French government’s ending of subsidies, dealing a blow to the night-train renaissance.However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. European Sleeper has told the Guardian that it will be taking over the route from Paris to Berlin, with the first train to run on 26 March 2026. The train will operate three times a week with departures likely to be from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and the return service from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The current Nightjet service departs Paris Gare de l’Est just after 7pm and winds east via Strasbourg,...

Politics

30 h. ago Cristiano Ronaldo confirms retirement plan as Man Utd icon sets out career timeline

Cristiano Ronaldo has set out a timeline for his footballing career - one week after the Manchester United icon admitted he'd be hanging up his boots soon

Politics

50 h. ago There was silence then applause: Gerard Moreno returns to haunt Espanyol at last

The veteran Villarreal striker had never scored against the team where it all began – until this weekendHe made his other dad mad and a policeman put his head in his hands, but at least Gerard Moreno said sorry and in the end they couldn’t help but forgive him. In fact, they were happy for him, the defeated Espanyol fans who briefly fell silent when he hurt them standing to hand him an ovation when he headed off, the long walk from the pitch ending with another win, a bit like old times. On Saturday night, the Villarreal striker scored for the third week in a row; it was the first time in two years he had a run like that, his best days finished or so it goes. At 33, it was also the first time he had ever scored against the team where it all began. Which felt right somehow, even when it was wrong.This was a big night. Espanyol came on to the pitch with rescue dogs, the two teams posing together, every man in blue and white with a mutt of their own: Marko Dimitrovic led a huge alsatia...

Politics

50 h. ago There was silence then applause: Gerard Moreno returns to haunt Espanyol at last | Sid Lowe

The veteran Villarreal striker had never scored against the team where it all began – until this weekendHe made his other dad mad and a policeman put his head in his hands, but at least Gerard Moreno said sorry and in the end they couldn’t help but forgive him. In fact, they were happy for him, the defeated Espanyol fans who briefly fell silent when he hurt them standing to hand him an ovation when he headed off, the long walk from the pitch ending with another win, a bit like old times. On Saturday night, the Villarreal striker scored for the third week in a row; it was the first time in two years he had a run like that, his best days finished or so it goes. At 33, it was also the first time he had ever scored against the team where it all began. Which felt right somehow, even when it was wrong.This was a big night. Espanyol came on to the pitch with rescue dogs, the two teams posing together, every man in blue and white with a mutt of their own: Marko Dimitrovic led a huge alsatia...

Politics

55 h. ago The dazzling festive funscape that is the best Christmas market in London for 2025 – and it returns this week

The dazzling festive funscape that is the best Christmas market in London for 2025 – and it returns this week  Time Out

Politics

55 h. ago West Lothian Council tenants to be asked their views on 3.5% rent rise

An annual rent rise of 3.5% per year was agreed over a five-year period in 2023, and tenants will be asked to green light the rise which will take the average rent over the £90 a week mark for the first time.

Politics

3 d. ago Late Thiago double earns comeback win for Brentford against 10

Something is seriously wrong with Newcastle on the road. It is all well and good raising their game for the biggest Champions League occasions at St James’ Park, but if they continue to play like they did against Brentford – just as they did in defeat at West Ham a week earlier, and countless times over a concerning number of months – those European nights may well become a distant memory.That they ended this game with a numerical disadvantage after Dan Burn’s sending off was of little relevance to a defeat that they fully deserved. Harvey Barnes’s goal aside they were utterly impotent, offering only that solitary shot on target all match. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Prince Harry 'digs heels in' over royal feud as William 'irritated' amid Meghan problem

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have embarked on major trips this week - one to Brazil and another to Canada - at the same time amid their bitter feud

Politics

4 d. ago Lucy Bronze defends Mary Earps: 'Female players are constantly under a magnifying glass'

England goalkeeper Mary Earps faced backlash this week over negative comments made about former teammates. In response, two time Euro-winning defender Lucy Bronze says that male footballers would not be subject to such forensic scrutiny as women

Sport

4 d. ago What time is Strictly Come Dancing on today? BBC start time and week 7 schedule

It is almost time for Strictly - so make sure you know the start time! 💃🕺📺

Politics

5 d. ago Over half of Brits struggle to find daily 'me time' amidst chores and work pressures

A poll of 2,000 adults found 51% can go one day a week or longer, without taking any time to call their own.

Events

5 d. ago Winter Wonderland will return to London’s Hyde Park for Christmas 2025 next week

Winter Wonderland will return to London’s Hyde Park for Christmas 2025 next week  Time Out

Politics

5 d. ago Covent Garden’s Christmas lights will be turned on for 2025 next week

Covent Garden’s Christmas lights will be turned on for 2025 next week  Time Out

Politics

5 d. ago Conor Benn criticises major Chris Eubank Jr decision ahead of rematch

The pair are set to clash for a second time next week, and Conor Benn could not resist a pop at his long-time rival ahead of their blockbuster rematch

Politics

5 d. ago Major airport in Belgium suspends flights for second time in a week due to drone sighting

Drones have been spotted flying over airports in the capital Brussels and in Liege this week

Events

6 d. ago John McGinn reveals secret to Aston Villa longevity and makes 'uncomfortable' confession

John McGinn signed a new Aston Villa contract earlier this week and has now opened up about his time at the club so far, as well as what the future holds

Politics

6 d. ago One in four UK adults ‘encounter scams multiple times each week’

The State of Scams in the UK report found one in six parents with children aged seven to 17 said at least one of their children had been scammed.

Politics