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Opponent of Orban Alleges Blackmail Plot Before Election

Peter Magyar allegedly believes that a sex tape featuring him, reportedly recorded in August 2024, may be made public.

With Hungary's election just weeks away, opposition leader Peter Magyar has come forward with allegations that his opponents are planning to use a secretly recorded sex tape to blackmail him, prompting him to file a complaint with the authorities.

Peter Magyar, leader of the Tisza party, during a news conference in Budapest, Hungary, on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
Peter Magyar is ahead in the polls with less than two months to go before elections

According to Magyar, who is currently leading Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the polls, the alleged tape is from August 2024, when he claims to have had a consensual encounter with a former girlfriend at a social gathering.

The allegations surfaced after a photo of a bedroom, reportedly from the same time period, was posted online, sparking speculation about the circumstances surrounding the image.

Senior members of Orban's Fidesz party have denied any knowledge of the claims, and the BBC has reached out to Orban's spokesman for a response.

In a statement released on Friday, Magyar accused Fidesz of attempting to blackmail him, citing three instances of alleged unlawful conduct.

Although no video has been released, Magyar claims that any footage from the alleged incident would have been captured using secret service equipment and may have been manipulated.

Magyar's statement did not mention the former girlfriend, despite his previous accusation of extortion against her 15 months ago, which she has denied.

The woman in question has spoken to Hungarian media, stating that both she and Magyar are victims in the alleged video scandal and expressing her willingness to take legal action alongside him.

Magyar believes that Fidesz is deliberately timing their campaign to disrupt his nationwide tour, which is set to begin next week, and to tarnish his final week with his three sons before the April election.

Fidesz officials have responded to Magyar's allegations, with communications director Tamas Menczer accusing him of lying, and Viktor Orban's chief of staff Gergely Gulyas stating that he cannot comment on something he is not aware of.

As Hungary approaches its parliamentary elections on 12 April, Magyar's centre-right Tisza party is currently leading Orban's Fidesz party by at least eight points, according to a recent opinion poll by the Idea Institute.

Orban, who has been in power for 16 years, has focused his campaign on criticizing the European Union, accusing Brussels of attempting to undermine his government, and has called for an end to EU funding for Ukraine, aligning himself with Vladimir Putin's stance.

With the official election campaign set to begin on 21 February, Magyar's allegations of underhanded tactics suggest that the upcoming weeks may be marked by controversy.

Over the past two years, Magyar has built a support base across Hungary by promising to revitalize the country's relationships with its European partners.

Magyar, a former Fidesz loyalist, was previously married to former justice minister Judit Varga, whose political career ended in a scandal in 2024, a year after their divorce.

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News

Vonn to Undergo Additional Surgery, Reports Improvement in Condition

Lindsey Vonn has reported a sense of gradual recovery, stating she is beginning to feel more like her usual self, although she still faces at least two additional surgeries to address the leg injury she suffered during a crash at the Winter Olympics on Sunday.

Following her crash on Sunday, Lindsey Vonn has undergone three surgical procedures to address her injuries.

In a recent update, Lindsey Vonn stated that she is gradually regaining her strength, but expects to undergo at least two additional operations to treat the leg fracture she sustained during the Winter Olympics.

The American skiing legend had returned to competition just nine days after suffering a left knee ligament rupture, only to crash into a gate 13 seconds into her downhill run in Cortina.

Vonn was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso, where medical staff diagnosed her with a complex fracture of the tibia in her left leg.

On Instagram, the 41-year-old athlete revealed that she is scheduled for a fourth surgery on Saturday, with another procedure to follow upon her return to the United States.

Vonn described her experience in the hospital as challenging, stating that it has been a difficult few days.

Although she is starting to feel more like herself, Vonn acknowledged that she still has a long recovery ahead, with another surgery scheduled for the following day, which could potentially allow her to leave the hospital and return home, where she will require further surgical intervention.

At present, Vonn remains hospitalized and largely immobile, awaiting further imaging to determine the extent of her injuries.

As the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, Vonn had been seeking a triumphant conclusion to her illustrious career.

Having retired in 2019 as the most decorated female skier at the time, with a history of severe leg injuries, Vonn's decision to return to the sport in 2024 was a surprise to many.

After undergoing a partial replacement of her right knee, Vonn announced her comeback to skiing in 2024.

Since her return, she has achieved eight World Cup podium finishes, including two gold medals, and was considered a strong contender for a medal at her fifth and final Olympics.

Despite suffering an ACL injury in the final World Cup race before the Olympics, Vonn was determined to compete in Cortina, a course where she had previously enjoyed significant success.

In addition to sharing her recovery progress, Vonn expressed gratitude to those who have sent her well-wishes and support since her injury.

She stated, "I am deeply thankful to everyone who has sent me flowers, letters, and gifts, which has been incredibly uplifting and helpful during this time."

Vonn feels fortunate to have a strong support network, which she believes will aid her in overcoming this challenging period.

She conveyed her appreciation, saying, "I want to extend my thanks and express my pride in Team USA, whose performances have been a great source of inspiration and motivation for me."

This video is currently unavailable for playback.

Lindsey Vonn's Winter Olympics downhill run ended in a crash.

A day-by-day guide to the Winter Olympics is available, featuring key events and schedules.

The full Winter Olympics schedule, including medal event timings, can be accessed.

The current Winter Olympics 2026 medal table is available for viewing.

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News

Lord Mandelson requested to assist US Congress investigation into Epstein case

Lord Mandelson has publicly voiced regret over his ongoing ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

A US Congressional inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein's activities has led to a request for Peter Mandelson to provide information, citing his connections to the convicted financier.

Lord Mandelson sat down wearing a dark suit, white shirt and dark glasses.

In correspondence with Lord Mandelson, two members of the House Oversight Committee, both Democrats, pointed out that his extensive social and professional links to Epstein make his input relevant to their investigation.

The committee members emphasized that Lord Mandelson's knowledge is crucial to understanding Epstein's operations and have asked him to participate in a recorded interview to share his insights.

Lord Mandelson has previously expressed remorse for maintaining a relationship with Epstein and offered apologies to the victims of Epstein's actions; his response to the current request is awaited.

As the committee lacks the authority to compel Lord Mandelson's testimony, the request is based on a voluntary basis, issued by Representatives Robert Garcia and Suhas Subramanyam.

The Democratic representatives are seeking Lord Mandelson's cooperation in their probe into Epstein's alleged sex trafficking, aiming to gather information about his involvement and that of others.

Their goal is to identify individuals who may have enabled or conspired with Epstein, as well as to comprehend the scope of his criminal activities.

The letter to Lord Mandelson notes that despite no longer holding his former positions, his historical ties to Epstein and the knowledge he possesses make his contribution to the inquiry significant.

In light of the serious allegations surrounding Epstein, the committee has asked Lord Mandelson to make himself available for a formal, transcribed interview to discuss Epstein's crimes and those of his potential accomplices.

Lord Mandelson has been given a deadline of 27 February to respond to the request.

This development follows a similar request made to Andrew Mountbatten Windsor in November, in which 16 Democratic members of the oversight committee asked him to answer questions related to the Epstein investigation.

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had his titles revoked, including his prince designation, in October, amid ongoing scrutiny of his association with Epstein.

He has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein's activities.

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Entertainment And Arts

Catherine Zeta-Jones Explores Art Collecting Before New Project

The actress states that her social circle is more heavily comprised of individuals from New York’s art scene than those associated with the Los Angeles film industry.

In a recent revelation, Catherine Zeta-Jones has embarked on a new hobby – art collecting – which interestingly parallels her latest role in a film.

Catherine Zeta-Jones attends a For Your Consideration event for the television series "Wednesday" in Los Angeles, November 2025. She wears a black dress with lace detailing and wears her long brown hair down.
Catherine Zeta-Jones describes herself as "a bit of an eclectic collector"

Zeta-Jones plays the part of an art consultant in The Gallerist, a movie that made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival just last month.

According to her, this hobby reflects a personal interest that has been growing over time, and her collection now includes works by renowned sculptor Henry Moore and contemporary artist Marc Quinn.

Born in Swansea, Zeta-Jones resides in New York with her husband, actor Michael Douglas, and notes that her social circle there comprises more individuals from the art world compared to her network in Los Angeles.

In an interview with People magazine, Zeta-Jones mentioned that she has spent more time on the East Coast with her husband and has not been actively involved in the Los Angeles social scene.

She stated that her social interactions are more frequent with business professionals, individuals from Wall Street, and those involved in the art world in New York.

Zeta-Jones has developed a strong affinity for the New York art scene, describing her collecting style as eclectic.

She has been gradually exploring the world of art, taking a cautious approach to this new interest.

On the occasion of their shared birthday, Michael Douglas gifted her a piece by Marc Quinn, known for his expensive artwork, including the sculpture Myth Venus, which sold for $1,325,000 at Christie's New York in 2014.

Quinn also created the notable installation Alison Lapper Pregnant, displayed on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in 2004.

Zeta-Jones expressed her fondness for sculpture, mentioning that she owns a Henry Moore piece, a gift from her father-in-law, Kirk, which she and her husband cherish.

A woman passes by a sculpture by Marc Quinn titled "Myth Venus" before the start of the afternoon session auction May 14, 2014 at Christie's Morning & Afternoon Session of Post-War and Contemporary Art in New York.
Myth Venus, a sculpture of model Kate Moss, is the artist Marc Quinn's most expensive work to date

The actress also enjoys visiting flea markets and purchasing artwork during her travels to different locations.

She shared that she likes to acquire a small memento from each place she visits as a reminder of her experiences.

This newfound interest in art presents a contrast to the darker tone of her film, The Gallerist, where she portrays an art consultant entangled in a plot to sell a deceased body as a work of art.

The comedy-thriller features a star-studded cast, including Natalie Portman, Jenna Ortega, Charli xcx, and Zach Galifianakis, alongside Zeta-Jones.

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