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.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, fresh from nearly an hour-long private meeting with Vladimir Putin in Beijing, announced he will deliver a ‘very serious message’ to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday. Fico’s role echoes Viktor Orbán’s earlier peace missions, though the Slovak leader emerges at a moment when Putin insists no peace is possible without addressing NATO expansion.

The mystery surrounding local elections in Germany’s North Rhine–Westphalia has deepened, with seven Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) candidates now confirmed dead shortly before the vote. While authorities insist there is no evidence of foul play, the unusual string of sudden deaths has fuelled speculation and placed extraordinary strain on election preparations ahead of the 14 September ballot.

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’.

American education entrepreneur Jeremy Wayne Tate has recently taken to the social media platform X, and called for Hungary’s income tax exemption for mothers to be implemented in his home country of the United States as well.

Budapest will host major US franchise brands on 16 September, with Olive Garden, Wendy’s, Pizza Inn and others seeking to expand in Hungary. Organized by the US Embassy, the seminar highlights the growing American appetite for the Hungarian market, just days after Popeyes announced its first Budapest restaurant.

At the SCO summit in Tianjin, leaders from Russia, China, India and beyond gathered to deepen trade ties, challenge Western influence, and promote a new Eurasian vision. With Europe largely absent, and figures like Modi, Putin and Xi taking centre stage, the summit signalled a significant shift in global power dynamics.

‘For American and Hungarian conservatives, Louis Sarkozy should move from curiosity to priority. He marries a US-honed operating style with a surname that still opens doors from Budapest to Paris, and he is testing both in a consequential border city.’

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have travelled to Beijing to attend China’s 3 September World War II victory parade, where they will be the only EU representatives alongside leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. Szijjártó stressed Hungary’s interest in ‘civilized East–West cooperation’ and in deepening Chinese investment ties.

Hungary launched its Home Start home ownership programme, offering fixed 3-per-cent mortgages with just a 10-per-cent down payment required. Eligible first-time buyers rushed to apply, with thousands filing on day one. Officials hailed the record demand, as banks competed with discounts and extended hours to meet the surge.

The Minnesota Catholic school massacre was not just another senseless tragedy—it was the brutal outcome of woke ideology. The transgender shooter, who admitted in his manifesto he had been ‘brainwashed’ into transitioning, killed two children and injured 18. His story exposes the deadly consequences of radical laws like Minnesota’s ‘trans refuge’ bill.

Another AfD candidate has died ahead of NRW’s local elections—the fourth such case in recent months. Ralph Lange’s sudden death in Blomberg has fuelled speculation, after economist Stefan Homburg called the coincidences ‘statistically almost impossible’, a view amplified by Elon Musk.

At the Tranzit Festival, Director General for the Center for Fundamental Rights Miklós Szánthó and Hungarian Ambassador to the United States in Washington, DC Szabolcs Takács have discussed opposition leader Péter Magyar’s candidacy for Prime Minister in Hungary; as well as US–Hungary relations under the presidency of Donald Trump.

Foreign tourism at Lake Balaton rose 17 per cent after Hungary’s state holiday, boosted by the return of MotoGP. The race weekend brought fans from across Europe, driving record guest nights and hotel revenues alongside the Zamárdi Strand Festival.

Hungarian National Team captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free-kick goal from 32 yards out for Liverpool in a crucial league game against Arsenal in the English Premier League over the weekend. That goal ultimately decided the game for defending champions Liverpool, who won 1–0.

Hungary’s largest military exercise since the regime change, Adaptive Hussars 2025, begins on 1 September. The nationwide drill will bring troop movements, heavy traffic, and loud helicopter flights, testing both national defence and allied cooperation.

Budapest renewed its roads, bridges, tram lines, and public transport fleet over the summer. Mayor Gergely Karácsony said the works had been scheduled during the school break to minimize disruption and ensure smoother operations by autumn.

France has summoned US Ambassador Charles Kushner after he publicly accused President Macron’s government of failing to stem a dramatic rise in antisemitism. In his letter, he spoke of street assaults, vandalized synagogues, and defaced schools—echoing data showing roughly 1,570 acts in 2024, a historic surge.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Hungary’s decision to ban a Ukrainian commander tied to Druzhba strikes, accusing Budapest of hypocrisy in a rare Hungarian-language post. Lithuania and Poland joined Kyiv in denouncing the ban, calling it a shameful act.

Hungary’s solar power share has reached 25 per cent, making storage capacity a strategic priority. At the opening of E.On Hungária’s new Soroksár facility, officials stressed that expanding energy storage is key to national sovereignty and grid stability.

‘With external balances improving and domestic demand reawakening, Hungary couples a steady 6.50 per cent base rate with 3 per cent Home Start mortgages to support growth without losing discipline. Clear communication has kept the forint resilient near 400, while Euro adoption remains a realistic, albeit longer-term objective.’

Israel has recovered the body of Ilan Weiss, a 56-year-old hostage of Hungarian origin, from Gaza. Weiss was killed defending Kibbutz Be’eri during Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack. His wife and daughter, once hostages themselves, were freed last November and later visited Hungary.

Hungarian authorities are launching a new nationwide drug prevention programme targeting schools, warning that traffickers have begun infiltrating educational institutions. The initiative, backed by police and civil groups, starts in September.

‘When people raise the flag, they are not only showing love for their country—they are also raising a flag about concerns that political elites have long ignored. From the failures of multiculturalism and the impact of uncontrolled immigration to the double standards in policing, ordinary citizens in England are using this symbol to say: enough is enough,’ Professor Frank Furedi has opined.

Irish rap group Kneecap announced the cancellation of its sold-out US tour as member Liam Ó hAnnaidh faces terrorism charges in London. The decision comes weeks after Hungary banned the band from performing at Budapest’s Sziget Festival.

A new flashpoint in Polish–Ukrainian ties emerged after President Karol Nawrocki proposed outlawing Bandera symbols, branding them equal to Nazi insignia. While Warsaw frames the bill as historical justice, Kyiv condemned it as a hostile act, warning of consequences for bilateral relations.

Hungary’s media and telecoms authority is prioritizing artificial intelligence, space communications and quantum technologies, highlighting their growing role in the future of infocommunications while strengthening national and international cooperation.

A 22-year-old man identifying as a woman opened fire at around 200 children from Annunciation Catholic School attending mass at their church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two children, aged eight and ten, were killed, while 17 others were injured. The shooter killed himself on the scene.

Hungary has banned the Ukrainian commander linked to the latest strike on the Druzhba oil pipeline, with Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó condemning the attack as a grave assault on sovereignty and warning of serious consequences.

Ferencváros fell agonizingly short of the Champions League, beating Qarabağ 3–2 in Baku after losing the home tie, but still losing 5–4 on aggregate. Goals from Joseph, Varga, and Tóth sparked hopes of a miracle comeback, yet a late save denied the equalizer. Fradi still get to play in the Europa League this season.