The Know Daily - Tuesday 14 April 2026

_{Read in 4m 09s ∙ Listening to Skye Newman ∙}

A former dancer with a type of motor neurone disease has been able to dance again after her brainwaves were used to power an avatar live on-stage in Amsterdam. She said it was "magical" to see herself take to the stage again with the help of tech.

🇭🇺 Hungary's election

After 16 years of nationalist rule under Viktor Orbán, Hungarian voters have elected a new government, signalling a reset in the country’s democratic direction and relationship with Europe.

What’s just happened?
After a high-turnout election – with more than 74% of registered voters casting ballots – Fidesz, the nationalist party that had governed for over a decade, was defeated by the pro-EU Tisza Party led by Péter Magyar. Magyar says his party is on track to win around 138 of 199 parliamentary seats, a commanding majority that signals strong public demand for change and gives him a clear mandate to govern. As The Observer reports, the result “raises hopes of a new dawn for democracy”.

Why’s it a big deal?
Orbán has been one of Europe’s most influential – and controversial – leaders. Since 2010, he has reshaped Hungary into what he calls an “illiberal democracy”, tightening control over media, courts and public institutions. The European Union has frozen billions of euros in funding over concerns about rule of law, corruption and democratic backsliding. On top of this, as The Conversation explains, Hungary has also been the strongest pro-Russia voice in the EU during Orbán’s rule.

How did he lose?
A key factor was unity. Previous elections saw opposition parties split across the political spectrum. This time, a broad coalition rallied behind Magyar, consolidating support and flipping key districts. Economic pressures also played a role. Hungary has faced persistently high inflation (above 20% at its peak) and strained public finances, while tensions with the EU limited access to funding. As Magyar previously told The Associated Press, the election became a “referendum on our country’s place in the world”.

What’s the bigger picture globally?
Orbán has long been closely aligned with Donald Trump, and during the campaign both Trump and JD Vance publicly backed him. The political parallels include: nationalist rhetoric, anti-immigration policies and a combative stance towards liberal institutions. Hungary under Orbán has served as a model for parts of the conservative movement. As noted by The New York Times, Orbán’s loss has strong implications for the movement and is what makes this result symbolically significant beyond Hungary as it raises questions about how durable that political approach is with voters over time.

What happens next?
With a strong parliamentary majority, Magyar now has room to act and he’s already set out some key positions:

• Reset relations with Brussels, after years of tension under Orbán.

• Unlock the €90bn EU aid package for Ukraine, but will not directly contribute financially or militarily, maintaining a cautious stance.

• Strengthen democratic institutions, including reforms around transparency and governance.

Want to dive deeper? Check these out:

• The Guardian – coverage of the election result and what it means for Europe

• BBC News – breakdown of how the opposition won and what comes next

• The Intelligence podcast – a digestible overview if you’re on the go

🍽️ School food standards in the UK are set to be updated for the first time in 13 years, with offerings like fried nuggets and steamed sponges being added to the no-go list.

• The bigger story: The overhaul aims to make school meals healthier and more consistent, with stricter limits on high-fat, high-sugar foods and a stronger focus on fresh ingredients. To make sure the changes stick, ministers are planning a new national enforcement system to monitor schools, expected from September 2027 (with secondary schools given an extra year). The plans have been backed by campaigners and experts, with Jamie Oliver saying he’s “delighted” about the change.

🎭 Over 1,000 creatives, including Ben Stiller and Kristen Stewart, have issued an open letter opposing Paramount’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

🎥 A YouTube channel featuring influencers and everyday people is set to be introduced by the UK government, in efforts to better communicate its policies to the public.

✈️ 10 days off could be created out of just three days annual leave next year if you make the most out of the "substitute" bank holidays.

🦔 A fossil discovery has revealed that giant echidnas (which would have been about a metre long!) once roamed Victoria in Australia.

💬 Texting styles can have a big impact on the effectiveness of a conversation, researchers have found.

👩‍💻 A European country has topped a new global “opportunity index” (where career and financial potential can be optimised). Here are the rest of the rankings.

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Trivia answer: A) According to Starbucks, a classic coffee order takes the crown in the UK.

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