Sydney Sweeney has found herself at the centre of a woke outrage after critics accused her American Eagle advert of racism and sexism. Dutch right-wing political commentator Eva Vlaardingerbroek defended Sweeney, arguing that the backlash reflects a deeper cultural hostility toward white women—something she knows from personal experience.
At the closing day of the fifth MCC Feszt, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of a new migratory threat while criticizing the EU’s war footing and leadership failings. From youth engagement to digital strategy, Orbán outlined Hungary’s key challenges ahead of the 2026 election—while calling for national resilience.
The UK’s two-party system is crumbling, argued panellists at MCC Feszt 2025, where Dominic Cummings declared that the Conservatives are ‘finished’. Joined by Mick Hume and Jacob Reynolds, he explored how Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, might upend the old order and take control of the state from entrenched bureaucracies.
Hungary’s Hubert Kós claimed gold in the 200-metre backstroke on Friday at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, setting a new European record of 1:53.19. The 22-year-old outpaced a stacked field in a dramatic finish, adding a second medal to his tally at this year’s championships.
During the opening panel of MCC Feszt 2025 on Thursday, Balázs Orbán declared that the European Commission had betrayed European citizens by accepting the humiliating terms of the US–EU trade deal and that Ursula von der Leyen should resign. Joined by Patrick Deneen and James Orr, the panellists explored the prospects of a world beyond liberalism.
Hungary will begin preparatory work to introduce American small modular nuclear technology into the country, FM Péter Szijjártó announced on Wednesday. Through a partnership between Poland’s Synthos Green Energy and Hungary’s Hunatom, the project will utilize GE Vernova’s BWRX-300 reactors to deliver reliable, emission-free power as industrial demand and household energy needs continue to grow.
After the US–EU trade deal, it is impossible to ignore the striking similarities between late Qing‑era China and Europe’s current predicament. The period marking the downfall of the Qing dynasty is known as China’s Century of Humiliation—a process that, in many respects, is already well underway in today’s Europe. Yet our humiliation must not be allowed to last a century.
Esztergom will once again host MCC Feszt, one of Hungary’s most prominent intellectual festivals, kicking off Thursday with a diverse mix of public debates, lectures, and concerts. Headliners include Peter Thiel, Sebastian Kurz, and Dominic Cummings, with nearly 50,000 visitors expected, according to MCC Director General Zoltán Szalai.
Péter Szijjártó didn’t mince words in criticizing Ursula von der Leyen, calling her a diplomatic embarrassment and slamming the US–EU trade deal as a humiliating defeat for Europe. Speaking on the Warriors’ Hour podcast, he said the EU would now pay the price for eight years of insulting Trump.
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.
The US fast-food chain Wendy’s is reportedly seeking Hungarian franchise partners as it plans to return to the country after a 23-year absence. Wendy’s first entered the Hungarian market in 1994, operating up to seven restaurants at its peak, but exited in 2002 due to financial difficulties.
After months of negotiations between Brussels and Washington, Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump announced a new EU-US trade deal. Though hailed as a success by the Commission President, the agreement disproportionately favours the United States, risking Europe’s strategic overdependence on Washington. Additionally, the deal delivers a serious blow to Hungary’s economy.
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.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, in his annual address at the Bálványos Summer Free University, known as Tusványos, warned of the growing threat of a potential world war. He also outlined Hungary’s neutrality doctrine, comprising five key pillars aimed at keeping the country out of armed conflict.
A united European army remains an illusion, argued Hungarian and regional experts at Tusványos. Citing historical, political, and structural obstacles, panellists instead urged member states to focus on NATO, develop national defence industries, and prepare for a shifting global security landscape.
Hungary’s quest to make history in men’s water polo fell just short, as the national team lost 15–13 to Spain in the World Aquatics final in Singapore. Despite a late-game lead, Zsolt Varga’s squad could not hold off the reigning European champions. A win would have secured Hungary a record fifth world title—cementing its legacy as water polo’s undisputed giant.
As the war in Ukraine drags on, experts at Tusványos warned that a definitive peace is unlikely. Panellists debated whether the conflict will freeze like others in the post-Soviet space, and what that means for Europe’s security and Ukraine’s future.
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.
‘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 Hungarian men’s water polo team defeated reigning Olympic champions Serbia in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Singapore, taking a crucial step towards making history by aiming to secure a record fifth world title—an achievement no other country has managed. In the final, the men’s team will face Spain, while the Hungarian women’s team will take on Greece on Wednesday.
The European Commission’s budget proposal for 2028–2034 has drawn unprecedented criticism from across the European Union—from the European Parliament and member states to NGOs representing a wide range of sectors. In this article, we seek to explain why.
‘Therefore, two Antemurale myths are currently clashing in Europe: one geopolitical and ideological, in which Ukraine is seen as the last bulwark of European civilization; the other cultural and demographic, with Hungary positioning itself as the defender of traditional Western values and Christianity.’
The war in Ukraine is tragic—but it is not Hungary’s war. That was the central message of Balázs Orbán’s interview on CNN, where he criticized the EU for sacrificing stability in pursuit of what he described as an unwinnable proxy. He warned against deeper entanglement in a war that risks becoming Europe’s own—particularly if Ukraine is prematurely admitted into the EU.
The defeated coup attempt in 2016 changed Türkiye forever. One of the most significant legacies of 15 July is the vision of a terror-free country, which later took shape as a concrete initiative, already yielding results such as the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. A more secure Türkiye is not only favourable for the country itself, but also for Europe—and Hungary within it.
15 July has become a symbol of patriotism and democracy in Türkiye, as the Turkish people have commemorated the 2016 failed coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan every year since. This year, the presidency organized unprecedented international media events to honour the martyrs who lost their lives holding back the putschists.
‘For the Hungarian minority in Romania, Dan’s victory represents a clear political win—particularly given the decisive role the community played in securing it…His proposal to include the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) in the governing coalition has further reinforced a sense of security among Hungarian voters.’
Donald Trump seems to have lost patience with Vladimir Putin regarding peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, as the US president has shifted his tone and promised increased weapon shipments to Kyiv. It increasingly appears that Trump has been unable to bring peace to Ukraine, just as Volodymyr Zelenskyy failed to deliver on the same campaign promise during his early days as president.
In a statement, the Ukrainian Armed Forces categorically rejected claims that conscription officers killed a Transcarpathian man by beating him to death with iron bars. The army said it is open to an investigation but warned foreign governments against spreading emotionally charged information.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived a vote of no confidence on Thursday after making significant concessions to left-wing political groups in the European Parliament. Despite the failure of the vote, von der Leyen’s reputation has been seriously damaged, and her hold on power now depends entirely on the will of the left.
The tragic death of a Transcarpathian Hungarian man, beaten to death with iron bars by Ukrainian conscription officers, has further strained the already tense relations between Hungary and Ukraine. Viktor Orbán expressed his condolences to the man’s family, while Budapest immediately summoned Kyiv’s ambassador to Hungary.