Record-breaking heatwaves are sweeping across Europe and beyond, with temperatures nearing 40°C in parts of the continent. Scientists warn the extreme weather is a clear sign of climate change, while fires and health risks escalate across affected regions.
This year’s US human rights report on Hungary marks a dramatic break from the Biden years, omitting past allegations on media freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and corruption. Instead, it commends government action in several areas—a change Budapest calls a return to ‘respect’.
The Sziget Festival drew 416,000 visitors this year, a 5 per cent increase over 2024, thanks to fresh concepts, a younger audience, and diverse programming. Despite the boost, the event still fell short of profitability but showed improved results.
After drawing the away game, Ferencváros mounted a decisive, 3–0 victory over the Bulgarian champions PFC Ludogorets Razgrad at home in Budapest, Hungary. Now, Fradi is just one two-leg tie away from reaching the league phase of the UEFA Champions League—the final match-up will be against the Azeri side Qarabağ FK.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vetoed an EU joint statement on the upcoming Trump–Putin summit in Alaska, breaking with the bloc’s 26 other members. While they welcomed Trump’s peace efforts, Orbán argued the EU should not set conditions for talks it was not invited to, urging instead an EU–Russia summit to ensure Europe’s voice in the process.
Hungary needs leadership accepted by all and capable of preserving peace, security, and economic growth, a role only Viktor Orbán can fulfill today, said his political director Balázs Orbán in an online interview on Monday.
On the night of 8 August, the Baltic Air Defence Readiness Unit of the Hungarian Defence Forces was called on its their first live Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) scramble, after an unidentified aircraft not willing to engage in radio communications with air traffic control entered the intranational air space over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft was identified as Russian, and was successfully captured by Hungarian fighter jets.
A new survey by the Szent István Institute and Nézőpont Institute shows nearly 60 per cent of Hungarians prefer government support for buying a home over rental housing construction, with ownership seen as a key to stability and independence.
During an 11 August press conference at the White House, Donald Trump said he had sought advice from Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on whether Ukraine can defeat Russia, calling the insight ‘very interesting’. Trump is set to meet Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday to discuss a potential peace framework for the war in Ukraine.
Head of the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó has published a lengthy Facebook post mocking radical leftist law professor Zoltán Fleck for suggesting that the rule of law should be suspended to change the constitution if the opposition only wins a simple majority in parliament in Hungary in next year’s election.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called on France and Germany to take a leading role in engaging Russia ahead of the Trump–Putin meeting in Alaska on 15 August. Orbán stressed that Paris and Berlin, as key EU powers, must initiate an EU–Russian summit to ensure Europe is not sidelined in critical negotiations.
In his latest Blue Planet podcast, former Hungarian President János Áder spoke with energy expert Attila Aszódi about rising summer electricity demand, the shift toward electrification, and why nuclear energy may be essential for meeting climate targets.
Hungary has launched a 12-billion-forint grant programme to promote the creation of geothermal-based electricity and heat production systems. The second geothermal call for proposals is open for public feedback until 18 August, the Ministry of Energy announced.
Rezső Erdélyi, analyst for the Hungarian Nézőpont Institute, has stated during his appearance on Hungarian public radio that the proposed meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia is a great sign of progress in peace negotiations, and that ‘the US President has achieved more in ending the Russo–Ukrainian war than the European Union has done in many years.’
Hungary’s public finances remain stable as the government pursues Europe’s largest tax reduction programme while staying committed to fiscal discipline, debt reduction, and keeping the budget deficit within its revised target.
The Trump administration is planning on ceasing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement payments to hospitals that perform sex change treatments on minors, the National Review has learnt from an anonymous source inside the Department of Health and Human Services. However, the official announcement is yet to be made.
Kyiv dismissed claims by Hungarian FM Péter Szijjártó that it refused to investigate the violent death of a Transcarpathian Hungarian man at the hands of conscription officers. The Ukrainian DBR insists a criminal case is ongoing, and forensic examination did not reveal any signs of external physical abuse.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reaffirmed that the essence of the ‘Hungarian dream’ lies in owning a home, not renting, while outlining the government’s family-friendly policies, the Home Start housing programme, and Hungary’s firm stance against migration in a wide-ranging radio interview.
In a major boost to US–Hungarian ties, American Airlines will relaunch its daily direct flight between Budapest and Philadelphia in May 2026. With over 3,000 weekly seats and onward connections across North America, the route’s return signals renewed interest in deepening transatlantic tourism, commerce, and cultural exchange.
The European Union’s top court has issued a ruling that could halt deportations of illegal migrants to most non-European countries, prompting outrage in Budapest. Chief Security Advisor György Bakondi called the judgment ‘pro-migration’, warning it places virtually all repatriations in legal limbo. Prime Minister Orbán’s government says it will resist such judicial activism.
The Hungarian government has launched the Invented in Hungary grant programme to support local R&D projects. While foreign investment remains key to economic growth, experts warn it can sideline domestic firms. The new scheme aims to ensure innovation funding benefits the national economy more directly.
Budapest hotels reached over 86 per cent occupancy during the 40th Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, hosting nearly 100,000 guests, mostly from abroad, as Formula 1 boosted tourism and accommodation demand across the capital and nearby towns.
The European Commission’s failure to appeal the Court’s ruling in the Pfizergate case highlights ongoing transparency issues in the EU. Missing texts between von der Leyen and Pfizer’s CEO raise questions about accountability in vaccine negotiations—questions the Commission’s vague explanations have yet to answer.
The Texas state legislature was due to have a vote on the redrawing of the state’s congressional districts. However, 57 out of the 62 Democrats in the State House fled, denying quorum to the session—they are now facing potential fines and even expulsion.
Germany’s CDU has distanced itself from MP Saskia Ludwig after she briefly greeted AfD co-chair Alice Weidel at MCC Feszt in Hungary. The party reaffirmed its strict ban on cooperating with the right-wing AfD, saying Ludwig’s actions were unauthorized and incompatible with CDU policy.
Ukrainian authorities have refused to investigate the death of József Sebestyén, a Hungarian man beaten by conscription officers, prompting outrage from Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó says the decision reveals Ukraine’s forced conscription as a state-organized practice incompatible with EU values.
Veszprém, Hungary and the Bakony–Balaton Region have been named the Sports Region of Europe 2026 by ACES Europe. Known for its handball legacy and outdoor activities around Lake Balaton, the region was recognized for promoting healthy lifestyles and community sports, building on its 2023 title as European Capital of Culture.
Despite a Bosnian court upholding his conviction and political ban, Milorad Dodik received strong backing from Hungarian leaders during a visit to Budapest on Tuesday. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called for respect for Republika Srpska’s voters and condemned what he described as a ‘legal witch-hunt’ against Dodik.
Poland’s new president Karol Nawrocki will be inaugurated on 6 August, dealing a major blow to Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s ability to govern. With Nawrocki poised to wield the veto, hopes for sweeping liberal reforms are fading—and early election speculation is growing.
The Hungarian government is providing HUF 100,000 in school support to over 227,000 students from Hungarian communities beyond the borders—the highest number ever recorded. The initiative, under the Hungarian in the Homeland programme, reflects renewed commitment to national identity and Hungarian-language education.