A severe storm swept through Hungary on Monday, triggering more than 2,200 emergency fire service responses by early evening. The worst-hit areas included Budapest, Pest, and several counties in southern and eastern Hungary.

Hungary’s government renewed its strategic partnership with the national Civil Guard, aiming to strengthen rural life, enhance public safety, and support environmental protection efforts across the countryside, the agriculture minister announced.

Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, currently aboard the International Space Station, called his journey ‘a divine experience’ and highlighted Hungary’s major role in the Axiom-4 mission during a live press briefing from orbit.

Following a temporary price spike due to the Iran–Israel conflict, fuel prices in Hungary have dropped below the regional average again, with both petrol and diesel now cheaper than in neighbouring countries, according to official data.

Hungary’s Political Director Balázs Orbán criticized an EU–Ukraine trade agreement that could flood the EU market with cheap Ukrainian agricultural products, warning it would severely hurt Hungarian farmers and create unfair competition.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán voiced strong opposition to Ukraine’s EU accession, warning it would cripple Hungary’s economy. In a radio interview, he criticized Brussels’ pressure and emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting Hungarian interests.

Hungary has recorded its lowest number of registered jobseekers since the political transition, with the government crediting targeted support programmes and reaffirming its focus on Hungarian workers rather than diverting funds to Ukraine.

There is no deforestation in Hungary, declared State Secretary for Forests and Land Affairs Péter Zambó, rejecting public allegations. Forests are being renewed, not destroyed—under strict legal supervision and with a focus on sustainability, he said in a video statement.

The European Parliament will debate and vote next week on a no-confidence motion against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, triggered by criticism over undisclosed vaccine-related messages with Pfizer’s CEO during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to global economic uncertainty, central banks in both Europe and the US have raised their inflation forecasts and cut growth expectations. Hungary, however, anticipates modest growth this year, supported by strong domestic consumption and a stable banking sector.

Air traffic in Hungary is booming, with Budapest Airport reporting a 14 per cent increase and overflight traffic rising 6 per cent since last year. HungaroControl highlights the country’s growing tourism appeal and increased traffic due to the Ukraine conflict.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called Montenegro a ‘key country’ and reaffirmed Hungary’s support for its EU membership. Meeting with Montenegrin PM Milojko Spajić in Budapest, the leaders signed cooperation agreements in infrastructure and telecoms.

A record number of young people have applied to the Mathias Corvinus Collegium’s free talent programmes, prompting an extension of the University Programme application deadline to 4 August. Interest spans from primary school to university-level courses.

To curb unjustified price hikes, Hungary’s government and the pharmaceutical sector have agreed to voluntarily cap prices on 44 popular over-the-counter and prescription medicines until mid-2026, aiming to protect families and pensioners.

A new EY study highlights a sharp contrast between executives and users on the trustworthiness of AI, with leaders optimistic about integration and users voicing concerns over privacy, transparency, and accountability.

Hungary’s new bottle return system has exceeded expectations in its first year, with citizens returning millions of containers daily. In a podcast with former president János Áder, MOHU’s CEO outlined successes, challenges, and ambitious waste plans ahead.

As Hungary braces for a record hot summer, the government is covering farmers’ water fees and expanding irrigation efforts. Agriculture Minister István Nagy criticized Brussels and the Tisza Party for backing EU plans that would shift drought costs to farmers.

The US government has lifted sanctions related to Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant expansion, a move Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó credits to the new Trump-led administration, calling it key to Hungary’s long-term energy security.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared that Hungary, backed by over two million votes in the ‘Voks 2025’ initiative, has blocked Ukraine’s EU accession. Speaking on Kossuth Radio, he also touched on migration, energy, the Pride march, and space policy.

Hungary’s revamped Artificial Intelligence Strategy will soon go before the government, aiming to harness AI’s full potential across public services, industry, and the data economy, according to AI commissioner László Palkovics.

Researchers at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics have created the world’s first monostable tetrahedron—an object that always flips to rest on the same face—potentially transforming spacecraft design and landing systems.

Hungary’s Balaton Park Circuit will host both MotoGP and Superbike World Championship rounds this summer, marking a major milestone for Hungarian motorsport and offering new opportunities to inspire the next generation of riders.

Hungary’s Voks 2025 referendum on Ukraine’s EU accession became one of the most successful public consultations ever, with over 2.2 million votes. State Secretary Balázs Hidvéghi declared the results will shape Hungary’s stance in Brussels, opposing what he calls a ‘reckless’ EU push for Ukraine’s membership.

The Vera C Rubin Observatory, home to the world’s largest astronomical camera, will begin operations in Chile later this year. The groundbreaking sky survey will run for a decade and include Hungarian researchers contributing to data analysis and software development.

Despite Hungary’s legal ban on Pride events, Dutch MPs have backed a motion calling on Cabinet members to attend the Budapest march next month, raising concerns over political interference and disregard for national sovereignty.

Foreign influence is increasingly threatening Hungary’s national sovereignty, experts warned at a Budapest conference. Massive foreign funding, political manipulation, and NGO activity were cited as tools used to reshape Hungarian politics from the outside.

Artificial intelligence is poised to fundamentally reshape financial services, particularly the banking sector, by enhancing efficiency, cutting costs, and opening new business opportunities—according to a new Deloitte report.

Shihoko Goto, Senior Fellow at the Mansfield Foundation, discusses the evolving concept of Indo-Pacific governance, Hungary’s strategic appeal in the region, and the balancing act countries face amid growing US–China competition.

President Donald Trump announced a full ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, bringing an end to what he called the 12-day war. The truce, reached with US mediation, is set to take effect Tuesday at midnight Washington time.

Hungary and Slovakia have blocked the EU’s latest sanctions package, opposing plans to ban Russian oil and gas imports. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó warned the move would devastate Hungary’s energy security and lead to soaring household costs.