Hungary’s government has announced the launch of a national petition campaign urging citizens to reject EU plans to fund the war in Ukraine, Ukraine’s long-term operation and higher energy costs linked to the conflict.

Viktor Orbán has backed AfD co-chair Alice Weidel’s demand that Ukraine pay reparations for the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, retweeting her speech in which she vowed to make Kyiv ‘repay’ the damage. The intervention follows mounting evidence of Ukrainian involvement in the 2022 explosions and adds to growing pressure on European governments to confront responsibility for the attack.

An amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was passed by the UK House of Lords, which would ban the use of VPNs for citizens under 18. Free speech advocates caution that this could end anonymous browsing, as IDs would have to be submitted to VPN providers, and fear it could lead to a VPN ban for a wider population.

‘Iran’s latest wave of anti-government protests may have resulted in one of the bloodiest crackdowns in the country’s modern history.’

Most Hungarians now consume information primarily online, with algorithms and social recommendations increasingly replacing conscious searches, according to a new study supported by the media authority, which also finds sustained demand for quality content.

Crowborough has become the latest flashpoint in Britain’s migration crisis after locals staged their 12th protest against plans to house 500 male asylum seekers in a former army camp. Residents told broadcasters they fear for safety and say migrants are already ‘hanging around’ town, while Labour insists the policy will replace costly asylum hotels—despite reports the camp will require £5.5 million in extra policing.

The Super Bowl’s culture war is back as the New England Patriots return to the NFL’s biggest stage against the Seattle Seahawks, with Bad Bunny set to headline the halftime show. The Puerto Rican star’s anti-Trump politics—and rumours he may wear a dress as a ‘queer’ statement—have already triggered backlash, while Turning Point USA prepares a rival ‘All American Halftime Show’ built around ‘Faith, Family & Freedom’.

Hungarian and Romanian authorities have carried out a coordinated operation against four young suspects accused of making fake and intimidating emergency calls, including bomb threats and false reports of violent crimes, Hungarian police said on Monday.

‘We have a President of the United States who decided that he will not simply serve out his four years in office, but will get things done. He will solve problems, he will achieve goals,’ Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary said at an anti-war rally in Kaposvár, Hungary, over the weekend. Meanwhile, the first-ever trilateral talks are taking place between Russia, Ukraine, and the US in the UAE.

Hungary’s public transport fleet is undergoing a major renewal as the MÁV Group puts hundreds of new, domestically built buses into service. By the end of March 2026, 120 additional vehicles will enter operation, with further deliveries planned through 2027.

Viktor Orbán has warned that Ukraine is trying to influence Hungary’s election by escalating attacks on his government over EU accession and war funding. After Zelenskyy said leaders like Orbán ‘deserve a smack’, FM Andrii Sybiha accused Budapest of serving Putin and likened Orbán to WWII-era far-right leader Ferenc Szálasi. Hungary says both Brussels and Kyiv are interfering in April’s vote.

‘For more than three decades after the Cold War, deterrence in Europe was largely taken for granted…Security debates focused less on territorial defence and more on crisis management, expeditionary missions, and stabilization operations far from Europe’s borders. That strategic comfort has now decisively ended.’

Hungarian Conservative and POLITICO have obtained an 18-page document shared with the attendees of the EU Summit in Brussels, which propses $800 billion to be raised in public and private grants, debt, and investment to fund the recovery of Ukraine after the war in the next ten years. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary has forcefully spoken out against the plan.

46 per cent of Americans have a favourable view of US Vice President JD Vance, while 41 per cent have an unfavourable view of him, according to a new poll by Emerson. By comparison, his most likely 2028 rival, Governor Gavin Newsom of California, had a favourability rating of just 33 per cent and an unfavorability rating of 44 per cent. Emerson underestimated President Trump and the Republicans ahead of the 2024 election.

In the changing global order, the need to build a stronger alliance between Israel and Central European countries and to combat antisemitism were the key points of the latest conference at the Danube Institute.

Hungarian news site Mandiner has revealed that István Kapitány, the Hungarian opposition Tisza Party’s new financial and energy expert, comes from Shell, a company that has made massive extra profits since the outbreak of the Russo–Ukrainian war.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his Davos speech to lash out at Viktor Orbán, the EU, and even Donald Trump, accusing Europe of weakness and calling out ‘every “Viktor”’ he claims lives off EU money while ‘selling out’ European interests. Orbán hit back by calling Zelenskyy ‘a man in a desperate position’, insisting Hungary will not support Ukraine’s war effort while continuing humanitarian aid.

A Századvég survey finds most EU citizens oppose deeper involvement in Ukraine: 51 per cent reject arms shipments, while 69 per cent oppose sending troops. Despite calls from leaders like Ursula von der Leyen and Manfred Weber for accelerated support, public opinion across most member states—including Hungary, Bulgaria, and Slovenia—remains firmly against military action.

The minister answered the question: what is the right strategy for Hungary in the constantly changing global political environment?

Hungary’s public finances remained stable in 2025, allowing the government to fund major support programmes for families, pensioners, young people and businesses despite a higher deficit, the National Economy Ministry said in a detailed report.

The European Parliament’s first 2026 plenary session saw debates on the fourth motion of censure of the Commission, the Mercosur trade deal, and Hungary’s SAFE defence fund. Von der Leyen skipped the censure debate, Mercosur was referred to the Court of Justice, and Hungary’s access to SAFE funds faces opposition over alleged ‘corruption’.

Europe’s migration crisis cannot be solved without rewriting the legal system that fuels it, the authors argued at an MCC event in Budapest presenting a groundbreaking study on renationalizing EU asylum policy. Speaking at the event, Balázs Orbán warned of ‘civilizational erasure’ and a ‘double threat’ of parallel societies and civil conflict, urging sovereign border control and reform of international humanitarian law.

Ferencváros kept both their unbeaten record and their spot in the top 8 in the UEFA Europa League league table after a 1–1 tie against the Greek side Panathinaikos. However, they will have to play a tough game against the English Premier League team Nottingham Forrest next week if they want to keep it that way.

Hungary expects stronger growth in 2026, driven by rising consumption, improving sentiment and an investment rebound in the second half, according to André Palóc of the Ministry of National Economy. Speaking at an Oeconomus event, he cited falling prices after retail mark-up cuts, winter utility protections and major family tax and housing programmes, as analysts forecast 2–3 per cent GDP growth.

The four-day Greenland crisis ended in Davos after Donald Trump ruled out using military force to seize the island, which remains under Danish sovereignty. Instead, he signalled plans to expand the US role in the Arctic through a NATO agreement. The standoff reflects Trump’s familiar negotiating style—but what really happened?

Hungary has joined Donald Trump’s newly unveiled Board of Peace as a founding member in Davos, with Viktor Orbán warning that war brings inflation, sanctions, high energy prices, and economic decline. Balázs Orbán hailed the platform as ‘one of the first institution of the new world order,’ while European powers such as France and the United Kingdom refused to join the new conflict resolution forum.

The publication of Peruvian author Dr Vajk Miklós Lukacs de Pereny’s 2023 book in Hungarian was celebrated at a book launch event by the Center for Fundamental Rights. It featured opening remarks by István Kovács; as well as a panel discussion with futurist festival Brain Bar founder Gergely Böszörményi-Nagy and the author himself, exploring debates on transhumanism, transgenderism, and modern technology.

The Hungarian government will introduce a January utility price cap and is preparing a utility rebate scheme to shield households from higher heating bills caused by extreme winter weather, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and senior ministers announced.

Budapest’s District I may tighten regulations on short-term rentals and could even ban Airbnb-style accommodation, as local leaders cite rising housing costs and point to similar measures introduced in neighbouring districts.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces her fourth no-confidence vote in six months on Thursday, after the right-wing Patriots for Europe tabled a new motion of censure. The vote follows a major setback for von der Leyen and the EPP, as the European Parliament sent the EU–Mercosur deal to the Court of Justice for legal review.