‘No Western country has found a lasting way out of demographic winter. France, once considered the European model for its family-friendly cultural and social policies, has nonetheless seen a decline from 2.0 children per woman in 2010 to around 1.7 in 2023. Sweden and the Nordic countries, long heralded as champions of work–life balance and gender equality, are following the same path…’
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 section, let us continue the story of Joseph Pulitzer, whose creative press campaign helped Grover Cleveland become President of the United States.
‘Europe is unfortunately not competitive in terms of society, economy, innovation, or energy. These are the harsh realities that European decision-makers must take into account when shaping political relations…A useful step in this direction would be to rethink the EU budget and shape and strengthen it in the interests of the Member States, as well as to rethink financial support for Ukraine.’
‘Gábor had mentioned that Pontozó is not about point-based scoring. Melinda added: “The festival is not about the competition—it’s about the opportunity to perform and the joy of being together. There will be no rankings, only evaluations, ensuring every participant receives recognition.”’
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.
In Budapest, Hungarian space pioneers Charles Simonyi, Bertalan Farkas, Tibor Kapu, and Gyula Cserényi reflected on the challenges of space travel and the future of research, highlighting Hungary’s past and present contributions to global space exploration.
‘Climate change does not affect all groups in society equally…women and other marginalized communities often suffer disproportionately from its impacts. This statement applies particularly to countries of the Global South, where some communities are increasingly exposed to climate impacts, which threaten their livelihoods, health, and safety, and further deepens existing gender inequalities.’
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.
‘Hungarian folklore has particularly preserved the memory of Mihály Dobozi, a minor nobleman of Fejér County. Fleeing with his wife, Ilona, his horse faltered beneath the double burden. His wife implored him to kill her rather than allow her to fall into Ottoman hands. Dobozi, with a heavy heart, fulfilled her plea and then fought to the death himself.’
‘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.
Budapest Central European Fashion Week returns 1–7 September with more than 50 events, from runway shows and sustainability workshops to culinary programmes, art collaborations, and international conferences on fashion’s future.
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.
‘By connecting historical roots, pre-Christian customs and modern cultural practices, the Perbenyik St Stephen Days serve as a living bridge between Hungary’s past and present. Although Upper Hungary is now part of Slovakia, the festival reflects enduring national identity and the cultural unity of Hungarians across borders.’
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.
Hungary’s armed forces have gained a unique new capability with the arrival of Special Operations Craft–Riverine (SOC-R) boats in Budapest. Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky hailed the vessels as a major step in military modernization.
Budapest’s public transport ticketing system is set for a major upgrade as Centre for Budapest Transport begins replacing its decade-old network of ticket and pass vending machines with modern devices. The renewal project will start this year and finish in 2026.
Famed American political commentator Dave Rubin was one of the featured speakers at CPAC Hungary 2025 back in May. Now, he has released a documentary about his second visit to Budapest, Hungary, on his popular YouTube channel.
Two Hungarian films, László Nemes Jeles’s Orphan and Ildikó Enyedi’s Silent Friend, will premiere in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, marking a major moment for Hungarian cinema on the global stage.
Hungarian Prime Minister’s security chief György Bakondi criticized the EU’s migration policy, calling it a failed approach that fuels crime, terrorism, and social tensions. He urged for national-level action to protect Europe’s security and values.
The Hungarian airline is planning to open a hub at Tel Aviv airport, but Israeli competitors may easily stand in its way. Executives of El Al have even lodged a complaint directly with Prime Minister Netanyahu against Wizz Air’s expansion.
‘From a regional perspective, Hungary and neighbouring states remain attentive to Ukraine’s enhanced arsenal and the parallel debate over US-supplied armaments. At the same time, Ukraine’s military actions have intensified, with recent strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline, a vital energy artery supplying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.’
According to an internal memo obtained by the Hungarian news site Index, the opposition party TISZA is planning to implement a three-bracket, progressive tax system if elected in next year’s Hungarian parliamentary elections. MP for the governing Fidesz party István Hollik has reacted to the leak.