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Hungary theatre chief offers to quit after Romeo and Juliet accident

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Hungary’s National Theatre director, Attila Vidnyánszky, tendered his resignation in the wake of a balcony fall incident during a production of Romeo and Juliet. The accident occurred during the second act, causing serious injuries to actors Júlia Szász (Juliet) and Otto Lajos Horváth (Capulet), who are currently in a stable condition post-surgery. Despite Vidnyánszky’s offer, Hungary’s culture minister, János Csák, rejected the resignation. An investigation has been launched, and Csák emphasized the need to await its findings before deciding on any further action.

The incident took place in Budapest, where paramedics treated Szász and Horváth after they fell from an elevated platform behind the scenery. Both actors are expected to recover, and Csák, along with Vidnyánszky, visited the hospital to meet with doctors. In an Instagram post, Csák expressed optimism about the actors’ improving conditions and wished them a swift recovery. The exact timeline for the investigation’s conclusion remains uncertain.

Attila Vidnyánszky, a key ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has held the position of National Theatre director for a decade. His tenure, originally set to conclude in 2023, was extended to 2028 earlier this year. The close association with the Prime Minister adds a political dimension to the incident, highlighting the delicate balance between artistic leadership and political ties.

Júlia Szász, known for her roles in both theatre and high-profile Hungarian films, was scheduled for future National Theatre performances. Otto Lajos Horváth, who gained prominence in the early 2000s, particularly in Hungarian films and television shows, is also part of the country’s cultural landscape. The accident during the performance of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy adds a layer of tragedy to the real-life drama, drawing attention to the intersection of art, safety, and leadership in Hungary’s National Theatre.

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Europe to develop commercial space capsule

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The European Space Agency (ESA) is introducing a new competition to develop a robotic capsule for transporting cargo to and from the International Space Station, with the maiden voyage planned for 2028. This marks a significant departure from ESA’s conventional project management approach. The winning company will receive some financial support and technical assistance from ESA but must operate the capsule commercially. It will be responsible for partially funding the development and providing the re-supply service to ESA, which will act as the primary customer.

If successful, the company may be tasked with upgrading the capsule to transport ESA astronauts, and potentially, it could be adapted for missions to other destinations such as the Moon. A dedicated team within ESA has been allocated an initial budget of €75m to initiate the competition.

The concept was well received by ESA member states at a summit in Seville, Spain. This procurement model emulates the successful strategy employed by NASA, which transitioned to outsourcing space vehicle services to private companies, leading to the emergence of SpaceX. ESA hopes to replicate NASA’s access to faster, more innovative, and cost-effective space technologies.

Anna Christmann, a leading aerospace policy figure in the German government, emphasized the shift in ESA’s approach, stating that while public funding initiates such competitions, it attracts private investment. ESA member states have also committed to adopting this approach for long-term rocket procurement, as current European launchers are facing significant challenges.

The Seville summit also highlighted the role of satellites in aiding European nations’ net-zero goals, including using space data to optimize air travel routes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, ESA introduced the Zero Debris Charter to promote responsible practices in space operations. The UK is championing a new regulatory framework to incentivize responsible behavior and create a market for orbital debris removal services.

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