The University of Pécs has opened the Collection and Research Centre of Hungarians Worldwide, a new academic hub dedicated to studying Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin and the diaspora. Built around a unique collection of books and research materials, the centre aims to strengthen scholarship, education, and connections among Hungarians worldwide.

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been denied entry to the United States ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending his hopes of becoming the first Somali official to referee at football’s biggest tournament. US authorities cited unspecified ‘vetting concerns’, while Somali officials and football authorities condemned the decision and demanded explanations.

In her first major interview as education minister, Judit Lannert presented a sweeping vision for reforming Hungary’s schools, arguing that the current system places too much emphasis on memorization and student workload. The interview, given to the student media outlet Balzac, has already sparked criticism from Fidesz over proposed changes to selective grammar schools and admissions policies.

Lidl Hungary has launched a pilot programme for its new Scan & Go service in three stores, allowing customers to scan products with their smartphones while shopping and complete their purchases through self-checkout terminals. The retailer says the system could significantly reduce waiting times and streamline the shopping experience.

During a debate on BBC’s Question Time, UK Greens candidate in the Makerfield by-election Sarah Wakefield made bizarre statements and facial expressions while discussing the effect of mass migration on housing in the UK with Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon. She got quite a lot of backlash online for her performance.

‘For decades, Western academia and media have insisted that Islamic violence can only be understood “in context”—from the crusades to colonialism—while Christian violence must be treated as proof of inherent civilizational guilt. The result is a grotesquely distorted narrative: Muslims appear as perpetual victims of Western aggression, while Christians become history’s uniquely intolerant villains.’

‘The photos and films depicting the mass scale of murder and annihilation are horrifying. Still, it is perhaps even more harrowing to look into the eyes of those staring at us from the photos, people whose fates we do not know.’

Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, the 15th biennial conference of the Hungarian Association for American Studies brought together scholars from Hungary and abroad to explore the American legacy through history, literature, culture, migration, and international connections across the Americas.

The Italian Senate has approved a law strengthening parental control over school programmes on sexuality and gender identity. The reform puts parental oversight at the centre of sex education and is seen as a major challenge to gender ideology. It has drawn criticism from LGBT groups and opponents of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.

‘Hungarian culture is composed of many rich stories and tales covering a wide range of themes and forms. They contain meaningful lessons and are presented both in written literature and, at times, animated films. There is also often a distinctive Hungarian sensibility in them, a certain cultural essence reflected in worldview or style.’

Hungary have beaten Finland 2–1 at home at the Puskás Arena, the venue for last weekend’s UEFA Champions League final, in an international friendly. Barnabás Varga scored both goals for the home team, the first one being one of the AEK Athens striker’s signature headers.

A new temporary exhibition at Budapest’s Deák Square Underground Railway Museum explores more than 150 years of public transport history through historical artefacts, photographs and stories ranging from horse-drawn vehicles and tram libraries to pandemic-era measures and the city’s transition to right-hand traffic.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting a week from now, is not the first time the United States is hosting the tournament. In 1994, in a historic heatwave, the US hosted the biggest sporting event, which saw the last appearance for Argentina by Maradona after a doping ban, a historic upset run to the Semi-Finals by Bulgaria, and Brazil beating Italy on penalties in the final for their fourth world champion title.

The Ludovika University of Public Service hosted the America and Freedom 250 conference in Budapest ahead of the 250th anniversary of US independence. Hungarian and American speakers discussed freedom, transatlantic relations, NATO, US foreign policy, and bilateral ties. Participants included US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Caroline Savage and former ambassador Philip T Reeker.

Far-left streamer Hasan Piker has recently had his travel permit revoked by the UK government. According to his statements, he suspects this was due to his anti-Israel stances. However, he has been in a number of other controversies as well, including the time he appeared to shock his dog, or when he claimed that ‘America deserved 9/11.’

Hungaroring Sport CEO Zsolt Gyulay said discussions on the future of the Hungarian MotoGP Grand Prix will take place during this weekend’s race at Balaton Park Circuit, as organizers and rights holders assess long-term plans for the championship’s presence in Hungary.

Budapest will launch a redesigned night-time public transport network on 1 July, introducing more direct routes, increased service frequency and improved connections between the city centre, outer districts and surrounding suburban communities.

Budapest was Hungary’s most popular domestic destination during the spring, while advance bookings for summer show strong demand for Siófok, Lake Balaton resorts and spa towns. Data from Szallas.hu also highlights growing interest in longer holidays and apartment accommodation.

‘Louis created a state union between the two countries; he did not unite them, and he left the structure of Poland intact…Thanks to the common ruler, the two states did not compete but supported each other militarily and economically. A new kind of power structure was born.’

As global development aid declines amid mounting geopolitical and economic pressures, Central European countries may need to rethink how assistance is delivered. Closer regional coordination, targeted ‘pilot projects’, and partnerships in regions such as the Sahel could help smaller European states preserve influence, build soft power, and shape a distinct model of development cooperation.

French champions Paris Saint-Germain have just become the first team to defend their UEFA Champions League title since Real Madrid in 2018. They won the first penalty shootout in a UCL final since 2016, after the game finished 1–1 after extra time. Havertz opened the scoring for Arsenal, but Ballon d’Or title holder Ousmane Dembélé equalized from a PK in the second half.

Ahead of tonight’s UEFA Champions League final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, fans of both teams gathered at the UEFA Champions Festival in Heroes’ Square. Visitors enjoyed mini-football pitches, photo opportunities, live DJs and even free haircuts as the city geared up for the season’s biggest match.

One of Hungary’s largest automotive events, the Debrecen Drive festival, opened with an industry conference highlighting electromobility, green technology and the city’s ambitions to become a major European industrial and innovation hub.

In an open letter on the website Greek City Times, modern-day Greeks denounced the lack of actual Greek representation in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie The Odyssey. This is just the latest in a number of controversies surrounding the casting of the film which features black actress Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy.

‘Are you feeling the heat of this week’s heatwave? It is easy to lay the blame at the feet of climate change, but a new MCC Brussels analysis identifies an important and unacknowledged cause of your hot misery: the European Union’s relentless drive for sustainability over human comfort.’

Two female residents of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, have been charged with health care fraud in US federal court after they allegedly submitted claims to the tune of $46.6 million for fraudulent services in a federal medicaid programme. According to media reports, some of the fraudulent money has been wired to Kenya.

Hungary’s Balaton region has been named Europe’s Best Family Destination at the International Travel Awards, highlighting the area’s growing reputation as a year-round family tourism hotspot.

Budapest will introduce additional public transport services and major traffic restrictions ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal at the Puskás Arena. Tens of thousands of football fans are expected to arrive in the Hungarian capital for the match.

Nike and Dutch streetwear brand Patta sparked major backlash after launching a woke advertising campaign for the Netherlands’ 2026 World Cup kit featuring the slogan ‘Strength is found in diversity’ and references to a ‘New Netherlands’. Critics accused the companies of promoting an aggressively progressive vision of Dutch identity while almost entirely excluding ethnic Dutch representation.

Romanian authorities broke through the wall of a monastery in Nagyvárad (Oradea) at dawn to enforce an eviction order against Hungarian Abbot Rudolf Anzelm Fejes. The dramatic operation came after locals previously formed a human chain to block the eviction, escalating tensions over the disputed ownership of the historic building.