The euro plunged to $1.1565 on 29 July, down 1.6 per cent since the US–EU trade deal was announced—despite Ursula von der Leyen calling it a ‘huge deal’. Markets, however, delivered their verdict: the agreement heavily favours Washington, leaving Europe with rising energy dependence and economic uncertainty.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán appeared as the first guest of a new political podcast, sharing insights on digital activism, the youth vote, internal polling, the EU, and migration, declaring the internet a battleground that must not be surrendered.
A wave of backlash followed Zelenskyy’s move to strip Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies of independence—prompting former Trump adviser Steve Cortes to argue that Kyiv is no longer a trustworthy partner. With public discontent rising in both Ukraine and the US, Americans’ sentiment of disengagement may strengthen.
The US has returned a priceless 17th-century manuscript stolen from Budapest to Hungary. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó called the gesture a milestone in cultural restitution and praised the renewed Hungarian–American partnership.
Will Brussels dictate the future of Europe, or can member states reclaim control? A high-profile panel at Tusványos, including Hungarian EU Affairs Minister János Bóka and Rod Dreher, criticized the EU’s centralization drive, arguing that the European Commission now holds more power than many national governments.
At Tusványos 2025, global thinkers from all around the world, from Lebanon, the UK, and Hungary, discussed the decline of liberalism and rise of post-liberal democracy. Speakers like Balázs Orbán, Lord Frost, and Philip Pilkington argued that Western liberalism failed to deliver its promises, while others stressed the need to protect traditional values.
‘Russian responsibility in this failure is becoming increasingly clear,’ said Zsolt Németh, referring to the failed peace talks in Ukraine during the opening of the 34th Bálványos Summer Free University. At the same event, State Secretary for National Policy Lőrinc Nacsa also delivered remarks, emphasizing that the Hungarian government stands for Hungarians both beyond and within its borders.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will be coming to an end in May 2026, the American TV network CBS has announced. Colbert has been criticized by conservatives for being too partisan for a mainstream talk show ever since he took over David Letterman’s spot in 2015.
A new study by the Madrid, Spain office of the Center for Fundamental Rights has revealed that the European Commission has funnelled €939.5 million to progressive activist civil groups in Central and South America over the last decade.
‘This was a vacuous election. No one truly won the campaign, and no one emerged victorious in the battle of ideas. Neither major party offered a compelling vision for Australia’s future. As Liberal candidate Henry Pike admitted after election day, the campaign “became a blur of competing handouts and taxpayer-funded concessions.” It was, in short, a mess.’