128 Orthodox Jewish men were not allowed to board their connecting flight to Budapest, Hungary in Frankfurt, Germany by the German commercial airline Lufthansa in May 2022. Only some of these passengers disregarded COVID-19 rules at the time, but they were all penalized as a group. For this incident, Lufthansa has agreed to pay $4 million in penalties.

‘Scholz’s statement is the first ray of light piercing the fog of war that has shrouded Europe for the past two years. It could be downplayed, but Germany remains one of the EU’s most influential member states, and Berlin’s wright is undeniable, despite its current economic challenges. The experience of recent years shows that what Germany pushes for in the EU often becomes reality sooner or later.’

A recent The Wall Street Journal’s editorial argues that UNIFIL, the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in operation since 1978, has been allowing Hezbollah to stockpile weapons and build up infrastructure in southern Lebanon, the very place UNIFIL is supposed to keep safe from terror groups.

Deputy General-Director of the World Trade Organization Zhang Xiangchen praised the Hungarian strategy of economic neutrality, stating that it is the way forward. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó highlighted that the Hungarian government is fully committed to the implementation of the strategy.

‘In this temple of political spectacle and exaggerated posturing, he [Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary] demonstrated, over the course of three hours, that among the spoiled children, there was only one adult in the room,’ Rodrigo Ballester writes in an opinion piece published by Brussels Signal on Viktor Orbán’s ‘debate’ at the European Parliament last week.

Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris got herself into an embarrassing scandal, after conservative activist and writer Chris Rufo revealed that she had included virtually unedited passages from uncredited sources, including the open online encyclopaedia Wikipedia. Rufo’s accusations of plagiarism led to the resignation of Harvard president Claudine Gay earlier this year.

A grand exhibition titled Fine Dining: Food Stories of Ancient China will be on display at the Museum of Ethnography in Budapest from 16 October 2024 until 19 January 2025. This unique exhibition features about 90 artefacts from the collection of the National Museum of China, from ancient to modern times, offering visitors a chance to get acquinted with China’s ancient culinary traditions.

The Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) has been elected to the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), in recognition of BME’s achievements in space research and education on a global scale. BME is one of Hungary’s most prestigious higher education institutions, with as many as four Nobel laureates having graduated from it.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Brussels on Wednesday, co-chaired by European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The summit aims to strengthen partnerships amidst growing geopolitical challenges. Orbán will also join the European Council meeting later this week.

Republican Ronald Reagan, a former Hollywood actor and Governor of California, took 49 out of the 50 states in the 1984 election, netting him an all-time record of 525 electoral votes. During his first term in office he managed to solve the two crises plaguing his predecessor Jimmy Carter’s administration: high inflation and the Iranian hostage crisis.

‘There have been too many victims of too many crimes in too many cities across our country as a result of this radical, anti-democratic, warped version of justice. The best way to defeat a Soros-funded or inspired rogue prosecutor is not to elect one in the first place. Public safety in the United States depends, in large part, on who occupies the office of the local district attorney.’

The Council of the EU adopted a declaration on promoting Jewish life and combating antisemitism during Hungary’s EU Presidency while the country being one of the safest in the EU for Jewish community.

‘Orbán is disinclined to vote on cementing anti-Russia sanctions for three years or sending more billions of dollars to Kyiv until after the US election. The race for the White House is incredibly tight, and the candidates stand starkly opposed on this critical issue. Forcing through the will of one side just days before an election and locking them down for three-quarters of their rival’s term would violate every democratic norm, principle, and value.’

At an informal meeting of the ministers of EU Member States responsible for employment and social policy in Budapest, Hungary, Minister of State Sándor Czomba said that increasing the competitiveness of the European Union is ‘the most important challenge’ of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Fidesz has proposed the launching of a national consultation covering topics such as economic neutrality, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, wage increases, worker loans, housing, and family assistance, according to the party’s faction leader, Máté Kocsis. The Fidesz politician stated at the government’s off-site meeting in Esztergom that there is need for new economic tools in light of the changes brought by the pandemic and the war.

With a goal in each half from captain Dominik Szoboszlai, Hungary beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 on the road in the League A group game of the UEFA Nations League. With this victory, the national team will most likely avoid direct relegation this season, and will have the chance to play a play-off at the end of the season to stay in the top division.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Germany for the Berlin Process summit and his meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz happened amidst continuous attacks on the Hungarian government and the Hungarian EU presidency. In an unprecedented move, the EPP has called on the Hungarian prime minister to resign, and proposed that he be replaced by Péter Magyar, the Hungarian opposition leader who has the reputation of a domestic abuser and is accused of theft.

Beside the boosting of the European Union’s competitiveness, fighting climate change is also a key priority of the Hungarian EU Presidency. According to State Secretary Miklós Dukai water management plays a central role in building a sustainable future, where every small step and piece of knowledge gained are of crucial importance.

Thanks to the Hungarian government’s utility cost reduction policy, Hungarian families will once again enjoy the cheapest and most secure energy supply in Europe this winter. According to Németh Szilárd, Government Commissioner in charge of maintaining reduced energy costs, the country’s gas reserves are at 93 per cent capacity, and the government’s successful policies have shielded citizens from the impacts of the energy crisis.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin has claimed that an assassination attempt is being planned against Viktor Orbán due to his pro-peace stance regarding Ukraine. If true, it would not be surprising, as it would align with the pattern of assassination attempts targeting pro-peace leaders, beginning with Robert Fico in May and continuing with Donald Trump.

‘Donald Trump’s ‘‘peace through strength’’ strategy had given the impression that he was stronger than his opponent in foreign policy, especially since no new wars were initiated under his presidential term. Harris, on the other hand, has been desperately attempting to prove that she can offer the kind of muscular leadership expected by Americans from their commander in chief.’

The Russian news agency RIA Novosti distorted Péter Szijjártó’s remarks about NATO’s role in the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, making it appear as though the Hungarian foreign minister blamed NATO for the conflict. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade strongly rejects these misrepresentations.

The recently established Sovereignty Protection Office of Hungary has concluded its findings on the Berlin-based international NGO Transparency International. It has found that the organization ‘is part of a global lobbying network, which exerts political pressure’; and that it has in part been funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation.

An in-depth interview with Franciscan Friar Barnabás G. Kiss, Pastor of the Hungarian Parish in Detroit, who has been serving in the U.S. for 40 years. While trying to keep various church communities alive in the Great Lakes region, he also strives to keep the Hungarian priests in the North American diaspora together and advocate their cause.

The Offspring, the legendary Californian punk-rock band, will return to Hungary after a seven-year break, with a concert scheduled at Budapest’s MVM Dome on 31 October 2025. The performance is part of their The Offspring: Supercharged Worldwide in ’25 tour, following the release of their latest album Supercharged. Fans can expect a powerful blend of their classic hits and new material.

Hungary have tied the Netherlands, one of the semi-finalist teams at Euro 2024 this summer, 1–1 in their UEFA Nations League group game. They are playing Bosnia and Herzegovina tonight, and that game will most likely determine which of the two teams will have the chance to stay in the top division of the Nations League for another season.

Thanks to comprehensive government measures, the amount of particulate matter (PM10) in Hungary’s air has significantly decreased in recent years, with levels now meeting EU standards nationwide. Data from the Hungarian Meteorological Service reveals clear improvements in air quality, particularly in high-risk regions. The Ministry of Energy attributes this success to extensive emission reduction programmes and ongoing environmental initiatives.

Budapest has been ranked as the second most friendly city in Europe by the prestigious travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller. The city also claimed sixth place on the list of Europe’s best cities for 2024, scoring high for its cultural landmarks, wellness offerings, and vibrant nightlife. Budapest’s friendliness is credited to locals’ pride in showcasing the city to visitors, ensuring a warm welcome.

‘There can be no question that Thomas Molnar’s thought was often driven by a confrontation with the intensified secularist, materialist, and anti-religious ideological tendencies following the socio-historical and ideological period of the eighteenth century. He sought the roots of modern political philosophies such as liberalism and Marxism.’

‘Hungary gave Western Europe time to prepare itself economically and militarily for centuries of struggle with the Turks. It is true, however, that Hungary projected the false impression that it alone could hold back the Turkish advance, which proved to be a tragic mistake. One thing is certain: the European public had much to be grateful for to the Hungarian armies of the time for these victories.’