Hungarian Post has released its twelfth and final Chinese Zodiac stamp sheet, celebrating the Year of the Snake. The series, marking 12 years of honouring the Lunar New Year, underscores the enduring friendship between Hungary and China.

Stadler’s latest investment marks a technological milestone for Hungary’s railway industry and economy. The expanded facility introduces cutting-edge aluminium double-decker railway car production, enhancing local and global rail networks.

The European Union’s car market saw a modest growth in 2024, with 10.6 million new vehicles sold, according to ACEA data. Shifting preferences included gains for hybrid vehicles and a decline in market share for both diesel and fully electric cars.

Aggtelek National Park, Hungary’s first protected area dedicated to geological and karst formations, marks its 40th anniversary in 2025. Throughout the year, special tours, events, and celebrations will showcase its natural wonders and conservation achievements.

Hungary’s tax system remains among Europe’s most competitive, reinforced by a recent OECD certification. Recognizing Hungary’s compliance with global minimum tax regulations, this endorsement highlights the country’s business-friendly fiscal policies.

In 2024, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden reached a milestone, welcoming over 1.1 million visitors at its City Park location—the highest since 2003. Including the Margitsziget Petting Zoo, the total attendance soared to over 1.3 million, reflecting remarkable growth.

In his regular Friday morning interview on public radio, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán outlined plans for Hungary’s future, addressing challenges posed by globalist influences, economic priorities, and the changing geopolitical landscape, while stressing that a ‘golden age’ is coming regarding Hungarian–American ties under the Trump administration.

Hungary’s new reintegration project aims to help prisoners successfully rejoin society. With over 835 participants already engaged, the initiative offers vocational training, rehabilitation, and support to reduce reoffending and foster social inclusion.

HungaroControl reached a milestone in 2024, managing over 1.1 million flights in Hungarian airspace—a 6 per cent increase from the previous year. This record underscores Hungary’s growing importance in European aviation.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed its first deep-space data acquisition agreement with Hungary’s Puli Space Technologies. Their miniaturized neutron spectrometer, the Puli Lunar Water Snooper, will map lunar water ice concentrations on a historic mission.

The School in the Forest programme saw overwhelming interest, closing its registration within a day. This spring, 30,000 primary school students across Hungary will engage in forest education activities, focusing on sustainability and the wonders of soil.

Migration pressure is once again mounting at Hungary’s borders, as reported by György Bakondi, the Prime Minister’s Chief Security Advisor. He highlighted growing challenges, shifts in migration routes, and political tensions surrounding EU migration policies in a television interview.

From mesmerizing operas to energetic dance performances and family-friendly musicals, the Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre promises an exciting 2025 season from May to September, catering to audiences of all ages.

The Hungarian communication space has become heavily reliant on social media, with platforms like Facebook shaping public discourse. A recent Media Authority study analysed three million posts between 2021 to 2024, revealing key trends in online engagement and content dynamics.

Hungary’s government has succeeded in controlling inflation following the economic challenges of war and the energy crisis. With the average inflation rate dropping to 3.7 per cent in 2024 and forecast to reach 3.2 per cent in 2025, the outlook brightens for families and businesses alike.

The University of Debrecen’s Faculty of Informatics is collaborating with Florida and Seoul Universities to develop a digital twin framework for improving road safety, traffic efficiency, and autonomous vehicle testing, supported by a HU-rizont programme grant.

Müpa Budapest will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a two-day cultural extravaganza on 15–16 March. The event promises a rich programme of classical and jazz concerts, contemporary dance, new circus performances, and family-friendly activities.

FILMIO, the streaming platform of Hungary’s National Film Institute (NFI), achieved remarkable growth in 2024. User engagement soared by over 20 per cent, with the platform introducing exciting new content, including classic restorations and new releases.

According to a recent Nézőpont Institute survey 61 per cent of Hungarian voters oppose early parliamentary elections, with support for such a move declining since last year. Even among Tisza Party supporters nearly 40 per cent reject their leader’s proposal.

The Nyíregyháza Zoo has achieved a major milestone in wildlife conservation with the birth of twin Sumatran tiger cubs. This critically endangered species, with only 400–500 individuals left in the wild, marks a triumph in a decade-long breeding programme.

Hungary’s Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky introduced a groundbreaking sport reality series co-created by the Ministry of Defence and TV2 at a recent press conference. The television show will offer viewers an inside look at military training, personal challenges, and the transformative power of camaraderie.

The Texhibition celebrates its tenth anniversary with a rich programme showcasing Polish textile art, music-inspired creations, and a retrospective of a decade’s achievements. The exhibition runs at Budapest’s FUGA from today until 19 January .

Europe’s largest solar park has received all necessary approvals, with construction set to begin soon at the Hungarian-Romanian border. Spanning over 1064 hectares, the 800 million euro project will deliver 1044 MW of installed capacity, marking a major leap in renewable energy in the region.

The Hungarian National Police (ORFK) and CIB Bank have signed a cooperation agreement to fight cybercrime. The partnership aims to curb internet fraud through swift action and enhanced communication, safeguarding victims and reducing financial losses.

The University of Szeged (SZTE) is at the forefront of innovative medical treatments in Hungary, particularly in cancer care. By adopting cutting-edge interventional oncology methods, SZTE is shaping the future of minimally invasive cancer therapies and medical education.

Katinka Hosszú, Hungary’s ‘Iron Lady’ and three-time Olympic swimming champion, announced her retirement at age 35. Reflecting on an extraordinary 30-year career, she shared her journey’s highlights and the lessons learned from her life in the pool on social media.

A recent survey by the Mária Kopp Institute reveals widespread public support for Hungary’s new economic action plan. Policies like housing assistance, a permanent 13th month pension, and doubled family tax benefits are seen as vital by the majority of respondents.

Bryan E. Leib, a potential successor to outgoing US Ambassador David Pressman, has voiced sharp criticism on social media of the US administration’s recent sanctioning a key Hungarian politician. Leib expressed optimism for improved ties under Trump’s leadership in his commentary.

A recent study by Hungary’s National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) highlights the influence of media, tabloids, and women’s magazines on shaping unrealistic body image expectations for women. The findings reveal troubling trends in content and visual representation.

Hungary’s largest career and education event, the EDUCATIO International Exhibition, opens this Thursday, offering students inspiring university exhibits, scholarship programmes, and career opportunities.