Hungary
Facebook political ad ban threatens to upend Fidesz's digital strategy
Fidesz, which has consistently outspent its political rivals in the digital arena, may soon see its competitive edge erode as Meta plans to suspend all political advertising on Facebook and Instagram across the European Union from this autumn.
COMMENT: Trump’s energy deal with the EU is delusional – Reuters
The energy deal that US President Donald Trump cut with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend is unrealistic, Clyde Russell, Reuters Asia Commodities and Energy Columnist argues.
Hungarian government bans Irish hip hop group Kneecap from entering Hungary ahead of Sziget Festival
Hungary has barred members of Irish hip-hop group Kneecap from entering the country for three years, citing "repeated anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism." The band was scheduled to appear at the annual Sziget Festival in two weeks.
Viktor Orban vows to block next EU budget in keynote speech in Transylvania
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban repeated his threat to block the next long-term EU budget and argued for a multi-speed Europe, while criticising the EU for supporting Ukraine in his annual keynote address at the Baile Tusnad summer university.
IPCC releases dire sixth climate update in run-up to COP30
“Any further delay in global action to slow climate change and adapt to its impacts will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.
ICJ declares healthy environment is a human right in landmark climate ruling
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a historic advisory opinion recognising a clean and sustainable environment as a human right, declaring that states which fail to curb emissions may be in violation of international law.
Earth overshoot day is already long past - Statista
July 24 marks this year's Earth Overshoot Day, the day that humanity’s demand for ecological resources exceeds the resources Earth can regenerate within that year, Statista reports. That day has already long passed.
Hungary holds trilateral talks on construction of new oil pipeline to Serbia with Russia
Hungary and Serbia are moving ahead with plans to build a new cross-border oil pipeline that could transport up to 5mn tonnes per year of crude, as both countries deepen energy ties with Russia despite EU sanctions.
Budapest Airport reports record passenger and cargo traffic in June
Passenger numbers at Budapest Airport rose 15% year on year to 9.07mn in the first half, which roughly matches the full-year total recorded a decade ago. Last month, the airport hub registered a record 1.7mn passengers, up 9% y/y.
Hungarian policymakers concede 2.4% growth target out of reach
Hungarian policymakers have conceded that the economy stagnated in Q2 and that full-year growth, even in the base case scenario, could only reach 1%, in line with market consensus.
Hungarian central bank holds rate steady at 6.5%
The Hungarian National Bank kept its key interest rates unchanged at 6.5% on July 22, maintaining a tight monetary policy stance amid persistent inflation risks and heightened global uncertainties.
World has less than three years to avert worst climate impacts, scientists warn
A new global climate report warns that the world is on the brink of irreversible damage. The findings come amid sluggish international action ahead of COP30.
Serbia and Hungary advance plans for joint oil pipeline by 2027
Planned 128-kilometre pipeline will link Serbia to the Druzhba pipeline network via Hungary.
Fitch upgrades Trump’s effective tariff rate to 19.4%
President Donald Trump’s evolving trade policy is set to sharply increase the United States’ effective tariff rate (ETR), with Fitch Ratings warning of substantial rises as new duties take effect on August 1.
4iG strikes strategic partnerships with UAE giants e&, Mubadala, EDGE Group during president’s official visit to Budapest
Deals to foster joint initiatives in digital infrastructure, telecommunications and strategic investments, with a particular focus on CEE, MENA and the Western Balkans.
Geopolitics is weighing on FDI, capital chasing certainty over scale – study
The world is living through turbulent times, but investors are still chasing returns which has affected the flows of international foreign direct investment.
Ukrainian ambassador summoned in Budapest over church arson case
Ukrainian nationalists blamed for arson attack on a Greek Catholic church in Ukraine's western Transcarpathian region — but similar provocations were traced back to Russian operatives.
Hungary opposes EU’s new long-term budget
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticised the European Commission’s new long-term budget proposal, accusing Brussels of favouring Ukraine at the expense of European farmers, including those in Hungary.
Onto Innovation Inc. acquires business unit of Hungarian semiconductor metrology firm for $545mn
Massachusetts-based Onto Innovation Inc. has agreed to acquire a major business unit of Hungary's Semilab Group for $545mn, in a rare international spotlight for the Budapest-based semiconductor metrology firm.
Hungarian farmers dump manure at EU headquarters in protest at planned cuts in CAP funds
Hungarian farmers dumped piles of manure in front of the EU’s headquarters in central Budapest in protest at the European Commission’s plans to overhaul the Common Agricultural Policy from 2028, leading to cuts in agricultural subsidies.