The Hungarian government has tripled research and development funding over the past decade, while launching programmes like the John von Neumann Programme and the Bring the Champions Home initiative to strengthen innovation and attract top researchers back to Hungary, State Secretary for Families at the Ministry of Culture and Innovation Zsófia Koncz stated at a Youth Innovaton Forum on Saturday.

A new exhibition featuring contemporary works from the Hungarian National Bank’s art collection opened in New York’s Fridman Gallery. Titled Abstract Narratives, the display opened on 19 October and will run until 16 November, showcasing a selection of artwork from several generations of renowned Hungarian artists.

An exhibition titled Frida Kahlo – Her Photos featuring 241 previously unpublished photographs offering a rare glimpse into the iconic Mexican artist’s life, opens on Friday at the Mai Manó House in Budapest. The collection, presented by the Frida Kahlo Museum, includes images of the artist’s personal relationships, her recovery from a tragic accident, and her life at her beloved Blue House.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized the EU’s war posture in a recent radio interview on public Kossuth Radio, reaffirming Hungary’s stance against participating in the Ukrainian war efforts. He also called for peace negotiations and discussed Hungary’s distinct approach to migration, economic policies, and EU relations.

Hungary and Romania’s Ministers of Economy inaugurated Aeroplex Central Europe’s aircraft maintenance base in Bucharest, marking a major step in bilateral aviation industry cooperation and the expansion of Aeroplex’s services across Eastern and Central Europe.

For the first time, Hungary’s High-Tech School Programme honoured its most innovative teachers. The awards, announced at a Budapest conference by Andrea Várkonyi, Chair of the Foundation for Innovative Education, highlight the programme’s impact on schools and students.

Two orphaned wildcats were rescued and released into the wild by Budapest Zoo staff in Somogy County. The wildcats, found as cubs in June, were rehabilitated and successfully returned to their natural habitat.

Hungarian Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky announced a historic agreement with Sweden to jointly develop the Gripen fighter jet. This cooperation elevates Hungarian–Swedish relations to a strategic level, the minister stated.

A grand exhibition titled Fine Dining: Food Stories of Ancient China will be on display at the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest from 16 October 2024 until 19 January 2025. This unique exhibition features about 90 artefacts from the collection of the National Museum of China, from ancient to modern times, offering visitors a chance to get acquinted with China’s ancient culinary traditions.

The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) has been elected to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), in recognition of BME’s achievements in space research and education on a global scale. BME is one of Hungary’s most prestigious higher education institutions, with as many as four Nobel laureates having graduated from it.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on Wednesday, co-chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The summit aims to strengthen partnerships amidst growing geopolitical challenges. Orbán will also join the European Council meeting later this week.

Fidesz has proposed the launching of a national consultation covering topics such as economic neutrality, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, wage increases, worker loans, housing, and family assistance, according to the party’s faction leader, Máté Kocsis. The Fidesz politician stated at the government’s off-site meeting in Esztergom that there is need for new economic tools in light of the changes brought by the pandemic and the war.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Germany for the Berlin Process summit and his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz happened amidst continuous attacks on the Hungarian government and the Hungarian EU presidency. In an unprecedented move, the EPP has called on the Hungarian prime minister to resign, and proposed that he be replaced by Péter Magyar, the Hungarian opposition leader who has the reputation of a domestic abuser and is accused of theft.

Thanks to the Hungarian government’s utility cost reduction policy, Hungarian families will once again enjoy the cheapest and most secure energy supply in Europe this winter. According to Németh Szilárd, Government Commissioner in charge of maintaining reduced energy costs, the country’s gas reserves are at 93 per cent capacity, and the government’s successful policies have shielded citizens from the impacts of the energy crisis.

The Offspring, the legendary Californian punk-rock band, will return to Hungary after a seven-year break, with a concert scheduled at Budapest’s MVM Dome on 31 October 2025. The performance is part of their The Offspring: Supercharged Worldwide in ’25 tour, following the release of their latest album Supercharged. Fans can expect a powerful blend of their classic hits and new material.

Thanks to comprehensive government measures, the amount of particulate matter (PM10) in Hungary’s air has significantly decreased in recent years, with levels now meeting EU standards nationwide. Data from the Hungarian Meteorological Service reveals clear improvements in air quality, particularly in high-risk regions. The Ministry of Energy attributes this success to extensive emission reduction programmes and ongoing environmental initiatives.

Budapest has been ranked as the second most friendly city in Europe by the prestigious travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller. The city also claimed sixth place on the list of Europe’s best cities for 2024, scoring high for its cultural landmarks, wellness offerings, and vibrant nightlife. Budapest’s friendliness is credited to locals’ pride in showcasing the city to visitors, ensuring a warm welcome.

Alexandra Szentkirályi, president of Fidesz in Budapest, announced the party’s eight-point plan aimed at reforming governance in the capital. The proposals focus on curbing the mayor’s decision-making powers, improving public services, and streamlining the city’s committees to save costs and better represent the people of Budapest.

From the spring of 2026 Budapest will welcome 70 state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, low-floor, fully electric buses to its transport fleet, as announced by the Centre for Budapest Transport (BKK). The buses will operate primarily on key routes crossing the city’s central areas, significantly enhancing the city’s commitment to green and sustainable public transport solutions.

Polish MEPs Anna Brylka and Tomasz Buczek from the Konfederacja party have officially joined the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament, further strengthening the faction led by Viktor Orbán. With their addition, the group now comprises 86 members from 13 countries, and aims to unite right-wing forces in the EP to challenge the dominant centre-right and centre-left factions.

Hungarian Gripen fighter jets are taking part in the Ramstein Flag 24 air defence exercise in Greece, a nearly two-week training aimed at bolstering NATO forces’ capabilities and strengthening member cooperation. The exercise is a key opportunity for allies to tackle Europe’s most complex threats and showcase their commitment to NATO’s collective defence strategy.

Hungary’s Magyar Konyha magazine has released its Top 150 Producers Guide, showcasing the country’s best small-scale producers and their high-quality products, a testament to the thriving farm-to-table movement and growing consumer demand for local, sustainable ingredients.

Since 2010 Hungary has seen its crime rates drop by more than half, a stark contrast to rising crime figures across much of Europe. At a press conference marking the tenth anniversary of the National Crime Prevention Council, Bence Rétvári, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, detailed the achievements of Hungarian law enforcement and the initiatives that have helped in preventing and combating crime.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán marked the Jewish New Year by sending a letter of greetings to Hungary’s Jewish community, emphasizing the country’s role as a ‘calm and safe island’ in a world of growing challenges. Just last week, Israeli Ambassador Jakov Hadas-Handelsman met with Mazsihisz President Andor Grósz to underline the unity between the Jewish people in Hungary and Israel ahead of the upcoming Rosh Hashanah celebrations.

A survey conducted by the Center for Fundamental Rights has revealed that the vast majority of Hungarian voters expect the European Union to contribute financially to the costs of the defence against illegal migration. Nearly two-thirds of respondents also consider the European Court of Justice’s ruling against Hungary unjust, further highlighting the strong public rejection of Brussels’ migration policies.

John Tsagronis and Michelle Watson, the founders of the Corporate Statecraft programme at the Institute of World Politics, were among the speakers and panellists of the 4th Danube–Heritage Geopolitical Summit this September, when they graciously sat down with Hungarian Conservative for an interview.

The Hungarian company Proofminder has been named one of the winners of the AgVenture 2024 competition, hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The programme aims to support the development of green technologies in the agricultural and food production sectors. Proofminder’s AI-based platform and drone technology help farmers increase yields, reduce chemical use, and protect biodiversity.

By the end of October, the asphalting of the high-speed oval track at the Zalaegerszeg automotive test track will be completed, with its full operation set for May next year. In addition to high-speed trials, the new track will be suitable for stress testing of braking systems, suspensions, and cooling systems.

At the second annual MetroPOLICE Crime Film Festival in Kecskemét the Danish thriller The Boys claimed Best Feature Film, while the Hungarian short On the Lookout won Best Short Film. Mátyás Prikler received the Special Jury Prize for Best Director for his Slovak–Hungarian political thriller Power, praised for its minimalist direction and nuanced character portrayal.

The Liget Budapest Project has made history by winning three awards at the prestigious International Travel Awards in Dubai. Recognized as the World’s Best Tourism Development and Europe’s Best Family-Friendly Development, the project also saw the House of Music Hungary named Europe’s Most Attractive Tourist Attraction, affirming Hungary’s rising global tourism profile.