With a federal government shutdown likely coming in the US, it is worth asking: why not include appropriations bills for annual federal budgets in the list of exceptions that do not need to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate to overcome the filibuster?
A new survey by the MCC Youth Research Institute has revealed that while Hungarian teens still believe in their childhood dreams, optimism fades with age. By the age of 35–39, only one in three feels their lives match their early aspirations, mirroring trends seen in the United States.
Ferenc Sajdik, iconic Hungarian cartoonist behind Pom Pom meséi and A nagy ho-ho-horgász, has died at 95. Born in Germany to Hungarian parents, he discovered his passion for caricature while training as a printing press operator. Over his career, he illustrated 300 books and received Hungary’s Kossuth Prize.
At an event at MCC Budapest, French author Xavier-Laurent Salvador spoke about the French academic publisher suspending the publication of his book Face à l’obscurantisme woke (In the Face of Woke Obscurantism). Rodrigo Ballester and Leonardo Orlando joined the discussion about the problems with progressivism in European academia.
‘As someone with libertarian leanings and a true appreciation of free speech, am I wary of government overreach in the regulation of network television? Yes, of course I am. But do I believe that penalizing companies that use public airwaves to broadcast high-production shows which exclusively mock the opposition to the party they donate to constitutes such overreach? Absolutely not.’
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary has held a rally for his new Digital Civic Circles (DPK) initiative in Budapest, drawing 11,000 supporters. Positioning DPK as a tool to convert offline strength into online visibility, Orbán framed the movement as a fight for Hungary’s sovereignty against Brussels, social liberalism, and migration, while celebrating Fidesz’s enduring dominance.
Hungary’s Center for Fundamental Rights launched the Just One Bad Choice campaign, warning that migration could undo the nation’s security. Marking the 10th anniversary of the Röszke border clash, leaders stressed that Western Europe’s experience shows how one wrong decision can transform society forever.
‘Within just 14 months, the US has witnessed both the attempted assassination of a former president and presidential candidate, and the actual assassination of one of the most prominent figures supporting the party in power…Both attacks unfolded before crowds of thousands…No wonder two incidents like those have prompted a change in perspective towards free speech on the right.’
The 5th Danube Institute Geopolitical Summit has concluded with a discussion about the economies and geopolitical significance of Turkic states, such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye. Balázs Hendrich, Ian Proud, and Yulduzkhon Imomova have shared their expert opinions on the subject.
Global trade was in focus for the first panel discussion at Day 2 of the Danube Institute’s Geopolitical Summit. Whether or not these times are ‘the end of globalization’ sparked a fierce debate even among the distinguished speakers. The list of speakers featured Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott of Australia, Former Prime Minister and President Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, Managing Director for the Janus Forum Darren Spinck, and more.
The 5th Danube Institute Geopolitical Summit is currently taking place in Budapest, Hungary. Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky of Hungary has delivered the keynote address, speaking about such crucial issues of the time as the Russo–Ukrainian war, the Israel–Hamas war, common European defence, and EU enlargement.
The Star-Spangled Banner, originally titled ‘Defence of Fort M’Henry’ was written on this day, 14 September, in 1814 by Francis Scott Key during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. It became the official US national anthem in 1931.
The suspected assassin of Charlie Kirk has been identified and apprehended by law enforcement in Utah. 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was turned in by his own father. The shell casings in his rifle used in the crime had left-wing political messages engraved on them.
Hungary’s Competition Authority is investigating three companies—the local GB Interherb, Swan Med, and the Slovenian Nutrisslim—for allegedly making false health claims about food, supplements, and cosmetics, misusing EU logos, and misleading consumers about nutritional and medicinal benefits.
The 25 nominees for the Highlights of Hungary 2025 have been announced. The nominees were hand-picked by five esteemed ambassadors. Public voting will be taking place between 1 October and 24 October, and the three candidates with the most votes will be awarded at the ceremony on 30 October.
Right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, a prolific surrogate of President Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and co-founder of Turning Point USA, has been shot dead at age 31 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The suspect is still at large and their identity is not known, but the killing seems to be an act of far-left extremist violence.
Ukraine’s issues with systemic corruption in its government and the deficiencies of its public administration prevent it from meeting the criteria for EU accession, and this will likely remain the case in the foreseeable future, a new study from the Center for Fundamental Rights finds. Ukraine’s premature accession hurts both Hungarian and European interests, the paper also warns.
Despite Hungary taking the lead, and two great headers from Barnabás Varga, Hungary have lost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 3–2 at home. However, with Ireland also losing in Armenia, Hungary are still well positioned to take second place, and have their chance in the play-offs to win World Cup qualification for the first time in 40 years.
With President Trump’s executive order last week, the United States officially has a Department of War again, for the first time since 1947. On that occasion, let’s take a look at the most famous men to serve in the office of Secretary of War before the incumbent Pete Hegseth.
‘Discussions about returning to a gold-based currency system have become even more pertinent as the BRICS nations are admittedly trying to end their reliance on the US dollar as the global reserve currency.’
‘Antisemitic hatred, both online and offline, impacts not only Jewish communities abroad but also Israel’s security. The drastic rise in hate crimes requires comprehensive institutional protection.’
Prime Minister François Bayrou of France has lost the vote of no confidence he called on himself, with the motion passing 364–194, triggering the collapse of the government. He served for less than a year in office. The leader of the left-wing La France Insoumise party has also called on President Emmanuel Macron to resign.
Poland’s 2023 election is a warning for Hungary in 2026, as Péter Magyar and his TISZA Party follow the same globalist path as Donald Tusk, risking unpopular policies such as higher taxes, new research from the Hungarian-Polish Freedom Institute claims.
Krisztián ‘Krúbi’ Horváth has told his audience: ‘After we hang him, I’ll give a healing kiss to his belly’ at his concert in Budapest, Hungary, referring to PM Orbán. Previously, another Hungarian hip hop artist staged a mock assassination at one of his concerts, while opposition candidate Péter Magyar had sung about imprisoning Fidesz politicians instead of answering a reporter’s questions.
Hungary were up two goals in the first 15 minutes away from home in the World Cup qualifier against Ireland. However, after a red card for goal scorer Roland Sallai, Ireland managed to equalize in the 93rd minute, making it 2–2 and eventually tying the eventful game.
PM Viktor Orbán praised Hungary’s Home Start mortgage programme, calling it a success for young buyers, before slamming TISZA’s plans to increase the income tax. Branding candidate Péter Magyar “Little Rooster”, Orbán warned of chaos within the opposition TISZA party and urged Hungarians to resist their tax hikes with 219 days until elections.
The stock price of the American clothing and accessories retailer American Eagle jumped a remarkable 37.96 per cent after CEO Jay L Schottenstein announced that the sales generated from its ad campaign starring actress Sydney Sweeney have ‘exceeded expectations’. At the time of its release, marketing experts denounced it for its lack of diversity.
MCC Brussels warns the EU is twisting opinion polls to justify more central power. The latest Eurobarometer shows ‘support’ for new EU revenues, but critics say the biased survey masks the truth: citizens weren’t asked if they’d actually accept higher taxes in exchange.
A recent piece by The Wall Street Journal points out that right-wing populist parties are leading the polls in all three of the largest European economies: Marine Le Pen’s Rassemblement national in France, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the United Kingdom, and Alice Weidel’s Alternative für Deutschland in Germany. What is behind this phenomenon?
Hungary’s FM Péter Szijjártó defended his recent Beijing visit, stressing bloc forming harms Hungary’s interests. He urged East-West cooperation, citing Hungary’s success as a bridge between economies. He highlighted Chinese investment, noting Hungary drew 31 per cent of Europe’s total last year, calling ties a ‘true success story’.