‘Chief Rabbi Béla Berend was considered a black sheep in the history of Hungarian Jewish leadership. His controversial activities within the Budapest Jewish Council during the German occupation and the Holocaust of 1944–45, followed by his trial before the People’s Tribunal, left a mark on his legacy.’ The following article provides some additional details about Berend’s activities in the US.
‘The names of the Kárász girls, Ilonka and Mariska, are little known here in Hungary, even though both were significant figures in American visual culture and are widely respected overseas. Ilonka drew two hundred covers for the legendary The New Yorker magazine and designed furniture, interiors, and fabrics, and her work, like that of her sister, is held in the most important American collections to this day.’
An in-depth conversation with Gábor Mózsi, who, after an adventurous childhood in Budapest, moved to America at the age 21. He initially became involved in the Chicago Hungarian community as a photographer, then was elected president of the Hungarian Club. He also joined the board of the Hungarian Communion of Friends and helped launch a youth leadership training program.
‘On a hike, on holiday, at a family dinner, or as a gift abroad, winter salami (téliszalámi) is always the perfect choice. It never gets old, has no rivals, is long-lasting, tasty, famous, and, most of all, very Hungarian. Pick and Herz winter salami has been a Hungarikum since 2014.’
Hungary’s reformed universities have far exceeded expectations in the past four years, significantly improving their international rankings and student enrolment. At the University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest’s graduation ceremony, officials praised these institutions’ growing influence and ongoing government support.
At the Peace Through Strength conferences hosted by the Center for Fundamental Rights in Budapest, the distinguished guests discussed the new geopolitical realities brought on by the second Trump administration. They have put a special emphasis on the Hamas–Israeli war, and the attacks on the religious freedom of Jews and Christians alike around the world.
Hungary’s government is ramping up efforts to expand its forested areas, aiming to increase forest coverage from 24 per cent to 27 per cent. Minister István Nagy highlighted the strategic importance of forests for environmental sustainability and livability, announcing substantial funding for afforestation and urban tree-planting initiatives.
Hungary’s Opening to the East strategy has been one of the country’s most significant economic achievements over the past 15 years, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó. Speaking in Budapest, he stressed that Hungary rejects an economic cold war and has greatly benefited from East–West cooperation.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has outlined his government’s ambitious plan to restructure Hungary’s tax system with families at its core. In a radio interview, he reaffirmed his commitment to boosting birth rates through tax benefits while pledging decisive action against inflation. He also addressed international affairs, domestic security, and social policies, including measures against drug trafficking and gender ideology in schools.
The Danube Institute hosted an event dedicated to free speech in the UK and Brexit titled ‘Renewing UK Politics: Conservative Challenges and the Road to Prosperity’. The panel featured Senior Researcher Guy Dampier and Managing Director Dr Radomir Tylecote from the London-based conservative think tank Prosperity Institute, as well as Visiting Fellow Doug Stokes from the Danube Institute.
‘Europe lacked the necessary autonomy and did not understand the nature of the Ukrainian conflict enough to take a more independent stance against the pressures of the Biden administration,’ Jovan Palalić, member of the Serbian Parliament and President of the Serbia–Vatican Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Serbia, said in an interview.
‘I had been to Budapest before the war, but that was a long time ago. It was the first time I saw the theatre here. And I can safely say that I have seen real theatre,’ Orson Welles highlighted when he visited Budapest in 1967.
In a groundbreaking medical development, Hungary has successfully administered its first CAR-T cell therapy to two children with leukaemia at the South-Pest Hospital Centre. This cutting-edge immunotherapy, which genetically modifies a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer, marks a significant step forward in paediatric oncology.
US President Donald Trump has expressed approval of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s possible visit to Washington on Friday to sign a US–Ukraine economic partnership agreement. Calling it a ‘major deal’, Trump emphasized its significance, particularly regarding rare minerals and broader economic cooperation.
Multiple news outlets were able to demonstrate that, as of late February 2025, if a user said the word ‘racist’ to Apple’s voice note feature, it often first transcribed it as ‘Trump’ before correcting itself to the actual word. Apple has responded to the controversy, saying they are aware of the issue and fixing the bug.
A recent survey by the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) reveals that only 17 per cent of Hungarian sports fans find it acceptable that UEFA Champions League matches are available exclusively through RTL’s subscription-based streaming service. Many remain unwilling to pay for access.
The University of Theatre and Film Arts (SZFE) celebrated its 160th anniversary with a grand gala at Uránia National Film Theatre. Founded in 1863, the institution has played a defining role in Hungary’s cultural heritage, shaping generations of theatre and film professionals.
The European Commission unveiled its Clean Industrial Deal, consisting of efforts to promote the competitiveness and viable green transition of European industries. While Brussels seeks to present the CID as a groundbreaking initiative, it falls short of the decisive action needed to reposition the EU as an economic and innovation powerhouse.
The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS) is soliciting submissions for their ‘Grandparents. Grand Stories. The Closest Stories from the Second World War’ contest. They are looking to hear first-hand accounts from WWII, passed down from older generations to the young within the family. The deadline is 15 March.
Former US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman continues to badmouth Viktor Orbán and his government. This time, in an interview with American public broadcaster NPR, he claimed that under the guise of conservatism, Orbán embraces nihilistic corruption.
Just an hour ago, independent candidate Călin Georgescu, who had won the first round of the presidential elections in Romania, which was subsequently suspended by the Romanian Constitutional Court without any evidence, was arrested without prior notice.
Hungary is set to become the first country in the world to implement a nationwide e-receipt system, a move expected to enhance fair competition, simplify administration for businesses, and strengthen consumer protection. The initiative is already attracting international interest.
Hungary remains committed to its strict migration policy, which enjoys broad public support, according to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s chief security adviser György Bakondi. Speaking on national television, he stressed that Hungary prioritizes national security and aims to influence European migration policies.
‘…an attempt to invest into alternative suppliers…can be understood as an effort to diversify supply chains amid rising competition between Washington and Beijing. The United State’s quest to secure its supply of critical minerals is especially timely given the fact that a couple of months ago, in December 2024 China imposed restrictions on the export of several minerals and metals to the US.’
Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó has given a speech at the United Nations’ Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Switzerland. In it, he pointed out that Hungary has been saying for the last three years that only a Russian–American agreement can bring peace to Europe again, which is exactly what is happening now; and called on ‘pro-war leaders’ of the world not to obstruct the peace talks with Moscow.
The refurbishment of Budapest’s Metro Line 3 included a complete reconstruction of its train carriages by a Russian partner, BKV confirmed. Although the project was initially described as a renovation, the trains’ structures were entirely rebuilt due to their poor condition.
‘The verdict is expected on 26 February 2025. Until then, one thing is clear: this trial is not an act of justice but a dirty political manoeuvre with potentially devastating consequences for Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will not only decide Dodik’s future but also inflict lasting damage on the credibility of the Dayton framework.’
Washington and Kyiv have finally come to an agreement on the joint extraction of critical resources, including rare earth minerals from Ukraine’s reserves. While the exact terms of the deal remain unknown, it could represent a significant step towards reducing American dependence on Chinese imports of the most essential resources of the future.
‘Becoming a busó for a few days is much more than just being dressed up. It is a real transformation. Hiding behind a mask is a kind of freedom, like commenting anonymously…But a busó never reveals himself, changing his mask year after year if he has to, because it is much more than just a game, it is a state of altered consciousness approaching mysticism, an unending, passionate game, and virtue.’
Donald Trump likely would not have made it through the Republican primaries had he run in 2012. In 2016, however, he was the only candidate to reject the new absurd language norms imposed by the woke movement and the only candidate to actually speak up against illegal immigration. Since then, he has defied the common wisdom of American intelligentsia and media in multiple ways.