Democrats have won big in Virginia and New Jersey, and the government shutdown, thank God, is on track to end after a record 41 days. Here are a few important takeaways from the last few eventful weeks in American politics.
Portuguese football superstar told Piers Morgan that President Trump is one of the few people he would want to meet in person, but has not yet had the chance. Morgan, given his personal relationship with the POTUS, replied that he could probably make that happen. Ronaldo has already sent a shirt to President Trump with the handwritten note ‘Praying for Peace’.
Democrats outperformed polling in both New Jersey and Virginia: Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger are now the governor-elects in the two states, respectively, both winning by wide margins. Even scandal-ridden Jay Jones won his race for Attorney General for Virginia by a decent amount. What does this mean for President Trump and the Republicans?
László Bölöni won the European Cup with the Romanian club Steaua București in 1986. While coaching Sporting CP, he brought up Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the all-time greats of the game, to the senior team in 2002. Now, a documentary is coming out about his life.
The Hungarian National Authority for Trade and Consumer Protection (NATCP) has announced that it is launching a series of investigations into restaurants and stands selling the popular street food gyros across the country to ensure compliance with hygiene and raw food standards.
A user going by the name ‘Based Hungary’ on the social media platform X has recently published a post, praising Hungary for renovating a ‘record number’ of 4,000 churches. Last month, State Secretary Miklós Soltész talked about the Hungarian government’s efforts to renovate churches, which is likely where the X user got their figure.
Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, Transylvanian Roma priest Ottó Kalányos, and the Örökké Haza (Forever Home) project received Highlights of Hungary 2025’s three community awards, after a record-breaking over 140,000 votes cast by the public.
On this day, we celebrate the life of Martin Luther, the leader of the Reformation movement of the 16th century, a former Augustinian friar and professor of theology, and the author of the first common-language German translation of the Bible.
Olympic gold medalist taekwondo practitioner Viviana Márton won silver in the lightweight category, while her twin sister Luana Márton won the gold medal in the welterweight category at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships in Wuxi, China.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán says investigators have not ruled out the possibility of an ‘external attack’ after explosions hit the Százhalombatta oil refinery earlier this month. A similar incident occurred the same day in Romania, raising suspicions of possible sabotage linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
‘The fact of the matter is that the apocalyptic scenario Democrats warned of in case Donald Trump was re-elected never materialized. After some market turmoil caused by President Trump’s tariff frenzy in the spring, things smoothed out real quick. The Democrats found themselves in desperate need to manufacture a crisis just to get the voters’ attention.’
At the International Pro-Israel Summit in Budapest this week, Bryan Leib described Hungary as ‘the beating heart of common sense in Europe’ for being one of the few countries to implement strict border control and stand up to the Islamization of the Old Continent.
Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on 27 October, marking their first in-person meeting. They discussed Hungary–Vatican cooperation on peace efforts in Ukraine, the Church’s role in social development, and broader international issues, including the Middle East and Europe.
The Center for Fundamental Rights held its third International Pro-Israel Summit in Budapest. While the first event in 2023 followed the 7 October Hamas attacks, this year’s took place a few weeks after President Trump’s Israel–Hamas peace deal. Speakers included Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Israel’s Education Minister Yoav Kisch, and Yair Netanyahu.
Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó said new US sanctions on Russia’s energy sector have not yet impacted Hungary and stressed that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary may discuss the issue with President Trump next week. He praised Trump’s role in past and current peace efforts, claiming that he brings hope for resolving crises in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier has been accused of match-fixing, while Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups faces charges for participating in an illegal, rigged poker game. The scandal revealed two hard truths: even the multi-million-dollar salaries of the NBA are not sufficient safeguards against illegal gambling, and New York’s five ‘traditional’ La Cosa Nostra families remain active.
Ferencváros edged Red Bull Salzburg 3–2 in a dramatic Europa League win on the anniversary of Hungary’s 1956 Revolution. Barnabás Varga, Kristoffer Zachariassen, and Bamidele Yusuf scored as Fradi held firm despite Salzburg’s late fightback to stay unbeaten in the league phase. Some controversy led up to the game: Austrian authorities did not let the Fradi fans’ charter train through at the border for unclear reasons.
The European Court of Auditors found €6 billion of EU spending in 2024—nearly four times Hungary’s contribution—was wasted, misused, or potentially fraudulent. Frank Füredi of MCC Brussels warns Hungarian taxpayers are footing the bill for failed projects, disappearing subsidies, and unchecked financial mismanagement.
The US Supreme Court, currently holding a 6–3 conservative majority, might appear to favour President Trump. However, conservatives often support a strict, limited reading of the Constitution. Many analysts therefore expect the Court to strike down his tariffs as unconstitutional. In that case, the decision can (and should) be softened by a long stay to avoid a market crash.
The MCC Leadership Academy’s ‘Sailing in Storm’ conference explored leadership in times of crisis, with speakers discussing resilience, adaptability, and the impact of the rising AI technology. The distinguished speakers included, among others, Balázs Orbán, Mark Khater, Gábor Csepregi, and Katalin Erdei.
Miklós Szánthó of the Budapest-based Center for Fundamental Rights hailed the upcoming Budapest Peace Summit between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia as a chance to end the Ukraine war and showcase Hungary’s global relevance. He argued the event disproves claims of PM Orbán’s isolation and highlights the importance of defending Hungary’s sovereignty.
Only three out of the 45 Presidents of the United States have visited Hungary during their time in office, with two more coming to our country after they served. President Trump will soon become the fourth incumbent POTUS to come to Budapest, to have important peace talks with President Putin of Russia.
‘The armed conflict started in April 1775 at the Battles of Lexington and Concord—with the aim of reform, not independence—and after more than six years of fighting, it was in October 1781 that the colonists, against all odds, defeated the Royal Forces on the battlefield. In fact, it was on 19 October 1781 that General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia—exactly 244 years ago today.’
The Mathias Corvinus Collegium is launching a new philosophy journal titled European Journal of Political Philosophy. On that occasion, Chief Editor William Wood and Managing Editor Titus Techera spoke at an event on MCC’s Budapest campus. Joined by András Lánczi and Professor Tilo Schabert, they discussed the bodies of work of such thinkers as Eric Voegelin, Leo Strauss, and Alexandre Kojève.
Justin McKenzie Smith has been appointed as the new Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Hungary. He has presented his credentials to President Tamás Sulyok of Hungary, as per tradition, and also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Heroes’ Square.
Hungary drew 2–2 against their highest-ranked opponent in their qualification group, Portugal, in Lisbon, Portugal. Captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored the equalizer in additional time. Hungary are very likely to finish second in the group, and going into the play-offs as they continue their quest to reach their first World Cup since 1986.
Archaeologists near Salgó Castle in Salgótarján, Hungary, have uncovered remarkable treasures. Finds include medieval artefacts like lead bullets, crossbows, and pottery, as well as prehistoric objects just one meter (three feet) underground. The discoveries will be showcased in a museum exhibition next April.
‘What the GOP should watch in the two elections this year in Virginia and New Jersey is the margins. If they can keep both elections within a couple of points of the 2024 presidential results, that would show electoral strength for President Trump and his presumptive successor, Vice President JD Vance.’
Hungary’s Home Start Programme aims to help both young people and those who have not owned any real estate property achieve home ownership. Minister Hankó Balázs said daily applications show the policy’s success, while also highlighting tax breaks for under-25s and contrasting Hungary’s family-focused strategy with the EU’s migration policies.
Former US President Barack Obama invited two critics of the Orbán administration in Hungary, Sándor Léderer and Stefánia Kapronczay, to talk about ‘fighting authoritarianism’ in a video he posted on his social media. Reactions to the video have been mostly negative on X, with users accusing President Obama of trying to pressure Hungary and Poland to open their borders.