Hungary and the Hungary Helps Programme received an international award in Washington for their work supporting persecuted Christians and religious minorities, on the occasion of the International Religious Freedom Summit.

Researchers at the University of Szeged are examining how artificial intelligence could support judicial decision-making in criminal cases, aiming to make sentencing practices more transparent, consistent and fair.

71 per cent of Hungarians would not support the reintroduction of mandatory military service, according to a new survey by the Nézőpont Institute, which found broad opposition across all social groups.

More than 50 side events will accompany this year’s Budapest Central European Fashion Week, with exhibitions, workshops, pop-up events and professional programmes running across the city between 9 and 15 February.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said the government will cover 30 per cent of households’ January energy costs after extreme cold weather, warning that ending the utility price cap would double or triple bills and threaten energy security.

Chinese carmaker BYD has launched trial production at its electric vehicle plant in Szeged, where nearly 1,000 workers have already been hired, Mayor László Botka said, adding that output and employment will rise gradually.

Lake Balaton remained the most popular destination for domestic travellers last year, with more than a fifth of bookings, while over a quarter of the total value of online-paid reservations were settled using SZÉP cards, Szallas.hu said.

BioTech USA has created 100 new jobs through a 9.5 billion forint investment programme, including a new robotized production plant in Szada, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday.

Visitors to the Budapest Zoo can explore Chinese cuisine on three evenings from Friday and discover the world of bears on Sunday, with special programmes linked to the Chinese Lantern Festival and the popular Bear Sunday family event.

Hungarian prosecutors have filed charges against Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony for organizing and leading the Budapest Pride march last summer despite a police ban, seeking the imposition of a fine, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office said.

Hungarian tourism closed a record year in 2025, with nearly 20 million visitors spending close to 47 million nights at domestic accommodation, according to the National Economy Ministry, citing the latest official tourism data.

Brussels is considering admitting Ukraine to the European Union as early as 2027, before accession criteria are met, according to Századvég, whose latest survey finds that three quarters of EU citizens oppose the initiative.

Hungary’s government has announced the launch of a national petition campaign urging citizens to reject EU plans to fund the war in Ukraine, Ukraine’s long-term operation and higher energy costs linked to the conflict.

Creative Hungary has launched the Central European Creative Awards, a new regional prize building on Hungary’s long-running design award tradition, aiming to boost the visibility and competitiveness of creative industries across Central Europe.

Most Hungarians now consume information primarily online, with algorithms and social recommendations increasingly replacing conscious searches, according to a new study supported by the media authority, which also finds sustained demand for quality content.

Hungarian and Romanian authorities have carried out a coordinated operation against four young suspects accused of making fake and intimidating emergency calls, including bomb threats and false reports of violent crimes, Hungarian police said on Monday.

Researchers at the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics are taking part in an international project aimed at developing compact, portable quantum processors capable of operating even at room temperature, potentially bringing quantum technology beyond laboratory settings.

Hungary’s public transport fleet is undergoing a major renewal as the MÁV Group puts hundreds of new, domestically built buses into service. By the end of March 2026, 120 additional vehicles will enter operation, with further deliveries planned through 2027.

A Századvég survey finds most EU citizens oppose deeper involvement in Ukraine: 51 per cent reject arms shipments, while 69 per cent oppose sending troops. Despite calls from leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber for accelerated support, public opinion across most member states—including Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovenia—remains firmly against military action.

Hungary’s public finances remained stable in 2025, allowing the government to fund major support programmes for families, pensioners, young people and businesses despite a higher deficit, the National Economy Ministry said in a detailed report.

Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire epic Sinners led this year’s Oscar nominations with a record 16 nods, surpassing previous highs and positioning the film as the frontrunner ahead of the 98th Academy Awards.

Wind and solar power together generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the European Union for the first time in 2025, marking a major shift in the bloc’s energy mix, according to an analysis by energy think tank Ember.

The Hungarian government will introduce a January utility price cap and is preparing a utility rebate scheme to shield households from higher heating bills caused by extreme winter weather, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and senior ministers announced.

Budapest’s District I may tighten regulations on short-term rentals and could even ban Airbnb-style accommodation, as local leaders cite rising housing costs and point to similar measures introduced in neighbouring districts.

Hungary attracted 7 billion euros in new investments last year through 108 projects, HIPA chief István Joó said, defending state incentives as key to competitiveness amid debate over opposition tax and subsidy plans.

Physical artificial intelligence is ushering in a new phase in robotics, replacing rigid, pre-programmed machines with adaptive systems able to learn and operate safely in complex real-world environments, according to Deloitte Tech Trends 2026.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Hungary will not approve the EU Mercosur trade agreement as long as a national government is in power, accusing Brussels of deceiving farmers and bypassing national parliaments.

Eight cities in the Budapest agglomeration are emerging as central hubs, driven mainly by motorway accessibility rather than rail links, according to a new study by Budapest Corvinus University examining regional urban development.

Hungarian students can buy a five-day Sziget Festival pass at half price if they purchase a monthly public transport pass through the BudapestGO app between 19 January and 31 July, organizers said.

A new volume titled Digital Parenthood takes an in-depth look at sharenting and the dilemmas of raising children in the digital age, analysing legal, social and media-related challenges linked to children’s online presence.