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Hungary

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Hungary. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Budapest

Head of State

President Tamás Sulyok

Head of Government

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán

An electronic display shows the US national debt in Washington on August 19. The US national debt exceeded a record US$40 trillion. The uptick in borrowing comes as longer term US obligations linked to social security and health care have been growing, while interest payments have climbed as well. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Opinion | The end of history? No, the world’s thermodynamic bill is coming due

When energy, technology, money and power are linked, governments can’t escape the laws of nature.

28 Aug 2026 - 4:49PMvideocam

Crime

Driver arrested after Hungary bus crash kills 12 people, injures at least 10

17 Aug 2026 - 1:47AM

Hong Kong transport

Wrong radio frequency by Cathay crew led to Nato jet interception: report

14 Aug 2026 - 8:28PM

Singapore

On This Day | Singapore wins first ever Olympic gold in 2016 – SCMP archive

On this day 10 years ago, Joseph Schooling outswam Michael Phelps to bring Singapore its first Olympic gold medal.

12 Aug 2026 - 2:30PM

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling shows off his gold medal in the men’s 100-meter butterfly medals ceremony during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Olympics on August 12, 2016. Photo: AP

European Union

Hungary parliament approves Orban-critic judge as president

Former supreme court chief Andras Baka had been fired during ex-leader Orban’s time in power.

11 Aug 2026 - 10:08PMvideocam

Climate change

Climate crisis: Hungary closes nuclear power plant, Greece wildfires spread

Sustained drought is affecting the lives of many, with so-called megafires among multiple consequences of the extreme weather.

2 Aug 2026 - 11:23PMvideocam

European Union

Hungary braces for nuclear plant shutdown as Danube hits record lows

The power plant, producing nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, uses river water to cool reactors but heatwaves have affected water levels.

31 Jul 2026 - 11:51PMvideocam

Firefighters battle a wildfire threatening to engulf a house in the Peloponnese region of Greece on Friday. Photo: EPA

Law

Legal Tales | Could you identify a criminal? It’s harder than you think

Eyewitness identification on trial: how cases of mistaken identity put the science of the brain in the dock.

30 Jul 2026 - 10:52AM

China-EU relations

Inspectors checking workers’ papers at BYD factory site in Hungary: source

Country’s new prime minister has launched an investigation into the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s investment in Hungary.

22 Jul 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

European Union

Chess champion turns down offer to be Hungary’s president

Prime Minister Peter Magyar had floated Judit Polgar, but chess icon says she lacks the strength to lead a fractured country.

21 Jul 2026 - 10:31AM

Hungarian chess legend Judit Polgar. Photo: AFP

Electric & new energy vehicles

Hungary probes deal with China’s BYD after ex-foreign minister takes job there

Peter Szijjarto’s announcement that he would take a job at the world’s top electric carmaker prompted accusations of a conflict of interest.

21 Jul 2026 - 4:49AMvideocam

Hungary’s Peter Szijjarto, right, shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Budapest, Hungary on February 11. Szijjarto recently resigned as foreign minister to take an executive position at BYD. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

The rapid ascent of Chinese car brands in Europe could be nearing a turning point as both the EU and Germany consider protectionist measures.

12 Jul 2026 - 3:00PM

Nato

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

10 Jul 2026 - 9:46AM

Crime

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

10 Jul 2026 - 5:36AM

Photos showing Mackenzie Michalski, a 31-year-old American tourist who was murdered while on vacation, hang at a candlelight vigil in Budapest, Hungary in 2024. Photo: AP

Hong Kong transport

Cathay Pacific ordered to submit report after Hungarian fighter jets intercept plane

City’s flag carrier says London-bound flight temporarily lost communication with local air traffic control, but was never in danger.

9 Jul 2026 - 2:30PMvideocam

A Cathay A350-1000. A flight was intercepted by Hungarian fighter jets over the weekend. Photo: Handout

Banking & finance

Looking East: Europe’s banks look to Hong Kong amid global uncertainty

European banks, facing rising costs and energy instability, are turning to Hong Kong for funding, with Hungary’s OTP Bank leading the shift.

30 Jun 2026 - 7:29PMvideocam

Extreme weather

Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records

The intense and unusually early heat event underscores how climate change is transforming summers in the world’s fastest-warming continent.

29 Jun 2026 - 8:15PMvideocam

Extreme weather

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

24 Jun 2026 - 9:28PMvideocam

A woman walks past shops during a heatwave in England’s northern city of York on Wednesday. Britain’s meteorological office has issued a very rare red heat warning - only issued once before - for Wednesday and Thursday, as temperatures could soar to 40 degrees. Photo: AFP

Czech Republic

Thousands protest Czech government plan for public broadcaster funding

Critics warn shifting TV and radio funding to the state budget will dismantle media independence.

22 Jun 2026 - 10:19AM

Ukraine war

Zelensky proposes meeting Putin in US after Russian leader ‘ignores’ G7 invite

Ukrainian leader said he made the proposal in a call with Trump, suggesting Putin would find the offer of a US meeting ‘harder to refuse’.

16 Jun 2026 - 5:38AM

Viktor Orban

Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with 8-year limit for PMs

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’.

16 Jun 2026 - 2:07AM

Viktor Orban, former Hungarian prime minister, in Budapest, Hungary on April 12. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce

The EU is mistaken in believing it still has economic leverage. A trade war will not save an economy in decline.

10 Jun 2026 - 5:01PMvideocam

Chinese-made electric cars awaiting export are seen parked at the International Automobile Trade Port in Hangzhou in China’s eastern Zhejiang province. Photo: AFP

European Union

Hungary MPs back plan to cut their own salaries by 40 per cent

New PM Peter Magyar had pushed for the cuts, saying that ‘besides humanity, it is about self-restraint and humility’.

9 Jun 2026 - 12:30AMvideocam

European Union

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

4 Jun 2026 - 5:02AMvideocam

France

French police arrest 780 after violent Paris Saint-Germain celebrations

Authorities said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled.

31 May 2026 - 9:56PM

French police detain a PSG supporter during celebrations following their team’s win in the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal FC, on the Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris on Saturday. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

20 May 2026 - 5:04PMvideocam

Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd is building a huge new facility in Debrecen, Hungary. Photo: Reuters

China-EU relations

Chinese companies in Hungary scramble to adjust to post-Orban era

BYD tells builders of Hungarian factory to abide by labour laws as new government adopts stricter approach to foreign investment.

19 May 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

Ukraine war

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

15 May 2026 - 9:44PMvideocam

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Hungary

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | The end of history? No, the world’s thermodynamic bill is coming due

When energy, technology, money and power are linked, governments can’t escape the laws of nature.

Driver arrested after Hungary bus crash kills 12 people, injures at least 10

Wrong radio frequency by Cathay crew led to Nato jet interception: report

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}On This Day | Singapore wins first ever Olympic gold in 2016 – SCMP archive

On this day 10 years ago, Joseph Schooling outswam Michael Phelps to bring Singapore its first Olympic gold medal.

Hungary parliament approves Orban-critic judge as president

Former supreme court chief Andras Baka had been fired during ex-leader Orban’s time in power.

Climate crisis: Hungary closes nuclear power plant, Greece wildfires spread

Sustained drought is affecting the lives of many, with so-called megafires among multiple consequences of the extreme weather.

Hungary braces for nuclear plant shutdown as Danube hits record lows

The power plant, producing nearly half of Hungary’s electricity, uses river water to cool reactors but heatwaves have affected water levels.

Legal Tales | Could you identify a criminal? It’s harder than you think

Eyewitness identification on trial: how cases of mistaken identity put the science of the brain in the dock.

Inspectors checking workers’ papers at BYD factory site in Hungary: source

Country’s new prime minister has launched an investigation into the Chinese electric vehicle giant’s investment in Hungary.

Chess champion turns down offer to be Hungary’s president

Prime Minister Peter Magyar had floated Judit Polgar, but chess icon says she lacks the strength to lead a fractured country.

Hungary probes deal with China’s BYD after ex-foreign minister takes job there

Peter Szijjarto’s announcement that he would take a job at the world’s top electric carmaker prompted accusations of a conflict of interest.

China’s car shipments to EU surge, but could be nearing peak: European analysts

The rapid ascent of Chinese car brands in Europe could be nearing a turning point as both the EU and Germany consider protectionist measures.

1 revolver, 6 bullets: Turkish president’s ‘unusual’ gift to Nato leaders

Bring it home? Leave it in Turkey? Their delegations puzzled over what to do with the gun and live ammunition from Erdogan.

Man jailed for killing US tourist in Hungary during ‘intimate encounter’

After his arrest in 2024, the man claimed Michalski’s death had been an accident. But police said he had attempted to cover up his crime.

Cathay Pacific ordered to submit report after Hungarian fighter jets intercept plane

City’s flag carrier says London-bound flight temporarily lost communication with local air traffic control, but was never in danger.

Looking East: Europe’s banks look to Hong Kong amid global uncertainty

European banks, facing rising costs and energy instability, are turning to Hong Kong for funding, with Hungary’s OTP Bank leading the shift.

Heatwave grips Eastern Europe after Germany weather breaks records

The intense and unusually early heat event underscores how climate change is transforming summers in the world’s fastest-warming continent.

‘Health impacts likely’ as Europe bakes in early heatwave

France hits record-breaking June heat as soaring temperatures put the UK and other nations under red alert. Tens of millions are affected.

Thousands protest Czech government plan for public broadcaster funding

Critics warn shifting TV and radio funding to the state budget will dismantle media independence.

Zelensky proposes meeting Putin in US after Russian leader ‘ignores’ G7 invite

Ukrainian leader said he made the proposal in a call with Trump, suggesting Putin would find the offer of a US meeting ‘harder to refuse’.

Hungarian parliament rules out Orban return with 8-year limit for PMs

Viktor Orban was ousted by PM Peter Magyar in an election in April after 16 years in power. Magyar has promised a ‘regime change’.

Opinion | EU threat of trade war against China is a strategic farce

The EU is mistaken in believing it still has economic leverage. A trade war will not save an economy in decline.

Hungary MPs back plan to cut their own salaries by 40 per cent

New PM Peter Magyar had pushed for the cuts, saying that ‘besides humanity, it is about self-restraint and humility’.

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

French police arrest 780 after violent Paris Saint-Germain celebrations

Authorities said that planned celebrations for the team’s win on Sunday afternoon at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower, would go ahead as scheduled.

Chinese investment in Europe surges to 7-year high despite rising trade tensions

But study warns that new project pipeline appears to be drying up, as Chinese investors face pressure from both Beijing and Brussels.

Chinese companies in Hungary scramble to adjust to post-Orban era

BYD tells builders of Hungarian factory to abide by labour laws as new government adopts stricter approach to foreign investment.

36 nations approve tribunal creation to prosecute Russia over Ukraine

The move came on the same day the WHO said Ukraine’s mental health crisis is growing, with ‘work to do until the end of the century’.

Opinion | The end of history? No, the world’s thermodynamic bill is coming due

On This Day | Singapore wins first ever Olympic gold in 2016 – SCMP archive