Orbán Backs Alice Weidel’s Reparations Claim Against Ukraine over Nord Stream

Viktor Orbán has backed AfD co-chair Alice Weidel’s demand that Ukraine pay reparations for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, retweeting her speech in which she vowed to make Kyiv ‘repay’ the damage. The intervention follows mounting evidence of Ukrainian involvement in the 2022 explosions and adds to growing pressure on European governments to confront responsibility for the attack.

Super Bowl LX Halftime Show Sparks New Clash in America’s Culture Wars

The Super Bowl’s culture war is back as the New England Patriots return to the NFL’s biggest stage against the Seattle Seahawks, with Bad Bunny set to headline the halftime show. The Puerto Rican star’s anti-Trump politics—and rumours he may wear a dress as a ‘queer’ statement—have already triggered backlash, while Turning Point USA prepares a rival ‘All American Halftime Show’ built around ‘Faith, Family & Freedom’.

Orbán Accuses Ukraine of ‘Openly Interfering’ in Hungary’s Upcoming Election

Viktor Orbán has warned that Ukraine is trying to influence Hungary’s election by escalating attacks on his government over EU accession and war funding. After Zelenskyy said leaders like Orbán ‘deserve a smack’, FM Andrii Sybiha accused Budapest of serving Putin and likened Orbán to WWII-era far-right leader Ferenc Szálasi. Hungary says both Brussels and Kyiv are interfering in April’s vote.

The Palace of Electricity, designed by Eugène Hénard, at the 1900 Paris Exposition

The ‘Religion of Electricity’: A Glitch in Secularization Narratives

‘Unveiling the “religion of electricity” uncovers a narrative embedded in modernity which challenges reductive secularization theories, especially Max Weber’s classic portrayal. The “religion of electricity” embodies both the scientification of religion and the re-enchantment of the world, offering intriguing anomalies to explore.’

JD Vance is the Most Popular Politician in the US, Accurate Pollster Finds

46 per cent of Americans have a favourable view of US Vice President JD Vance, while 41 per cent have an unfavourable view of him, according to a new poll by Emerson. By comparison, his most likely 2028 rival, Governor Gavin Newsom of California, had a favourability rating of just 33 per cent and an unfavorability rating of 44 per cent. Emerson underestimated President Trump and the Republicans ahead of the 2024 election.