Research astronaut Tibor Kapu became the second Hungarian in space following the successful launch of the Axiom-4 space mission on Wednesday. Kapu will carry out 25 scientific experiments during the 14 days he and the three other crew members will spend aboard the International Space Station—marking a historic return for Hungary to space.

Foreign influence is increasingly threatening Hungary’s national sovereignty, experts warned at a Budapest conference. Massive foreign funding, political manipulation, and NGO activity were cited as tools used to reshape Hungarian politics from the outside.

While foreign tourists flock to Budapest, Hungarians head for Lake Balaton in summer. New data from Szallas.hu reveals Siófok as the top domestic destination. Known for its water tower, Ferris wheel, and quirky Upside Down House, the city of Siófok draws the most domestic visitors in Hungary.

US President Donald Trump will return to the NATO table in just a few hours for the first time since 2019. The summit in The Hague is set to be far from routine for several reasons: member states are expected to approve a 5 per cent defence spending target by 2035. It will also mark the first summit since 2022 not centred on Ukraine, raising questions about Kyiv’s increasingly uncertain future.

A series of high-level meetings between Hungarian and US government officials continues, as Balázs Orbán, Political Director of the Hungarian Prime Minister met with US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday at the White House to discuss bilateral cooperation.

Artificial intelligence is poised to fundamentally reshape financial services, particularly the banking sector, by enhancing efficiency, cutting costs, and opening new business opportunities—according to a new Deloitte report.

After last week’s big jump, crude oil prices have come down close to their pre-Iran attack levels after the conflict in the Middle East between Iran, Israel, and the United States started to cool down. In response, the major US stock index also rose.

Shihoko Goto, Senior Fellow at the Mansfield Foundation, discusses the evolving concept of Indo-Pacific governance, Hungary’s strategic appeal in the region, and the balancing act countries face amid growing US–China competition.

President Donald Trump announced a full ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran, bringing an end to what he called the 12-day war. The truce, reached with US mediation, is set to take effect Tuesday at midnight Washington time.

‘In short, “…and the livin’ is easy” offers a quiet but compelling meditation on the imperfect nature of modern life. Like the Gershwin song that inspired it, the exhibition wraps discomfort in beauty and irony in charm.’

Hungary and Slovakia have blocked the EU’s latest sanctions package, opposing plans to ban Russian oil and gas imports. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó warned the move would devastate Hungary’s energy security and lead to soaring household costs.

According to a recently published article by The New York Times, under the leadership of new party chairman Ken Martin of Minnesota, the Democratic Party’s operations in the United States are plagued by a lack of funding and infighting.

Hungarian left-back Milos Kerkez is set to join Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool, as the current Premier League champions finalize a €46 million deal for the 21-year-old. With that, Kerkez becomes the second most valuable Hungarian footballer in history—after Szoboszlai, who joined Liverpool for €70 million in 2023.

Budapest’s Kiscelli Museum invites visitors to explore the history and cultural impact of telephony with its interactive exhibition ‘Hello? Hello!’, open until 18 January. The show spans from the late 19th century to today with vintage phones, soundscapes, and hands-on features.

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (RMDSZ) will be part of the new four-party government, party leader Hunor Kelemen announced on Sunday. According to Kelemen, the Hungarian minority party will hold three ministerial posts in the coalition.

Hungarian military doctor Péter Vekszler has been appointed Chief Medical Officer at NATO’s SHAPE headquarters, one of the alliance’s highest medical positions. He will serve in the role for three years starting 21 June as a brigadier general.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has pledged to take decisive action to safeguard Hungary’s peace and security in response to the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, citing the growing terror threat, rising energy prices, and increasing migratory pressure facing Europe.

In its ‘Beyond the Óperencia’ series, Magyar Krónika is looking at the meeting points of America and Hungary, and at Hungarians in America, from penniless peasants to political emigrants and soldiers of fortune. In this part, let us look at Béla Estván, who emigrated to the United States in the 1850s. The man of Austrian descent pretended to be Hungarian in order to make it easier for himself to succeed in his new homeland.

‘In 2020, I had plans for the entire summer with the KMCSSZ: I was going to assist at four different Diaspora School Camps and the Jubilee (Jubi) grand scout camp, but all of these were canceled due to the pandemic, so I returned home, but I was craving to return and finish what the COVID-19 had interrupted.’

‘Hungary’s 25-year journey in NATO reflects a strategic synthesis of alliance loyalty and national sovereignty. Through the Zrínyi 2026 programme, Hungary has revitalized its defence industry, met NATO’s spending targets, and strengthened its role on the eastern flank.’

‘The Olympic Committee highlights that this arrangement has been carefully coordinated with various sports federations and includes collaborations with local clubs throughout Europe. This cooperative effort not only exemplifies excellent diplomatic relations but also a shared commitment to sports and cultural exchange.’

‘At one point, Benedek remarked that “the communists…have committed many crimes and have a lot of blood on their hands,” just like the Catholic Church—but, he added, at least the Catholics are Christians.’

‘China is looking for a new moral synthesis of its Confucian and Western political culture that could stabilize Chinese society and take its “positive union” to new heights. This could be one of the most constructive dialogues between China and the West. But as the influence of Marxism in China wanes, the moment for this dialogue could pass at any time. Let us not miss this exciting opportunity.’

Ernő Fináczy (1860–1935) was a leading Hungarian educator, historian of pedagogy, and university professor whose work shaped generations of teachers. Rooted in moral philosophy and inspired by Herbart, he emphasized education’s ethical mission and authored landmark works on the history of education still valued today.

The 4iG Group and the Hungarian state-owned N7 Holding are jointly establishing Hungary’s first defence industry holding company with both state and private ownership. The new company is expected to boost competitiveness and increase defence exports.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called on Hungarians to cast their vote in the Voks 2025 consultation on Ukraine’s EU membership, warning that rapid accession could endanger Hungary’s sovereignty, economy, and social protections.

Hungarian clubs now know their European opponents: Ferencváros will face either FC Noah (Armenia) or FK Budućnost Podgorica (Montenegro) in Champions League qualifying. In the Europa League, Paks will take on CFR Cluj (Romania), while Puskás Akadémia meet Aris Limassol (Cyprus), and Győr await Tre Fiori (San Marino) or Pyunik (Armenia) in the Conference League.

The European Commission’s latest country-specific recommendations have drawn strong criticism from the Center for Fundamental Rights, which claims Brussels is pushing Hungary to abandon popular domestic policies in favour of multinational and geopolitical interests.

Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) will adopt a new performance-based funding model, securing long-term financial support to enhance its engineering, IT, and research capacities as part of a 25-year strategic agreement with the government.

‘This ruling reveals a methodological shift in the reasoning of European judges. Typically, in sensitive social matters, the ECHR looks for a “European consensus”. If a consensus exists, national sovereignty is limited; if not, the ECHR allows states to legislate democratically.’