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Orban's promised spring cleaning: New bill targets NGOs and the free press

In March, Orbán held a speech about a “shadow army” of critics supposedly funded by foreign powers, pledging to do a “spring cleaning” before the elections

Trump administration expresses 'serious concerns' over corruption in Hungary in trade report

The report mentions Hungary’s public procurement process as one of the most serious concerns, an “extremely high risk of corruption.”

Hungarian parliament passes law banning Pride

The new bill bans the Budapest Pride event and authorizes facial recognition technology to identify participants.

Orban promises crackdown on media and civil society, calls them stink bugs

Hungary's far-right prime minister Viktor Orban vowed to crack down on those who are - according to him - funded by foreign actors, likening them to insects.

Orbán blocks joint EU effort on support for Ukraine

The other 26 EU states issued a separate statement on support for Ukraine.

Orbán government calls for Budapest Pride to be held behind closed doors

Hungary’s government plans on relocating the annual Budapest Pride to a closed venue for "child protection"

Hungary requests exemption from sanctions against Gazprombank, Putin signs new decree

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing foreign buyers to pay for Russian gas through more than one financial institution.

Far-right politician to receive statue in Hungary

A think tank close to the Orban administration called XXI Century Institute, held a commemorative conference to mark the 90th anniversary of Csurka's birth.

"Active information warfare". Orban's propaganda targeting our consortium

Hungary's pro-government media machine has recently launched a massive smear campaign against 444.hu and Bellingcat (NL), while also targeting their international partners, PressOne (RO), Gazeta Wyborcza (PL), and SME (SK). These outlets cooperate in a cross-border journalistic project, The Eastern Frontier Initiative (TEFI) covering regional security, co-financed by the European Commission.

Russian 'spy bank' pushes for sanctions to be lifted

The Russia-led International Investment Bank claims this would help it meet its commitments to investors and creditors.

Walz calls Orban a dictator on Fox News

In contrast, Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance, has previously praised Orbán and his government’s policies.

Orban visits Trump in Mar-a-Lago, snubs Biden after NATO summit

Orban did not request a bilateral meeting with Biden, but flew to Florida to meet Trump.

Orban to visit Putin in Moscow

Earlier this week, Orbán visited Kyiv, where he urged Zelensky to consider a ceasefire to seek an end to the war with Russia.

444 banned in Russia

444. hu is the only Hungarian news site on the Russian Foreign Ministry's ban list.

Former Orlen CEO hiding in Budapest luxury apartment

Obajtek is currently under investigation in several corruption cases in Poland.

US contacted the Hungarian government about the Russian hacker attack, US envoy says

Pressman says this incident shows the threat that Russia poses to our allies.

Internal documents prove Russian hackers infiltrated the Foreign Ministry

An internal report, obtained by 444 shows the extent of Russian hacking operations targeting Hungary's Foreign Ministry.

CPAC Hungary rejects journalist accreditation requests claiming their outlet is too "woke"

Several journalists recieved a response from CPAC Hungary to their accreditation request that read: CPAC is a NO WOKE ZONE.

Orbán calls Trump "president of peace" after Florida meeting

Orbán reaffirmed his backing for Trump's potential re-election bid in November, underscoring the significance of American voters' decision-making process.

Orbán to visit Trump in Florida

There are concerns that Orbán might use his connection with the twice-impeached, former US President to push narratives aligning with Russian interests.

Hungary's President resigns, Orban faces his biggest political scandal in years

Multiple government insiders stated that Zoltán Balog, the head of the General Synod of the Hungarian Reformed Church and a longtime mentor to Novák, had significant influence in the clemency case.

Orbán's son goes on secret mission in Africa

Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky recently acknowledged Orbán's involvement in the Chad mission.

EP to take European Commission to court over Hungary funds

Daniel Freund says there is a well-founded suspicion that Ursula von der Leyen has "bought Hungary's agreement to start accession negotiations with Ukraine."

Hungary denies extradition request for Russian linked to high-profile murder

Hungary has declined Ukraine's request to extradite a Russian man accused of involvement in the 2017 killing of a member of the volunteer Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion.

Danube water level at its highest since 2013

The unusual water levels resulted from heavy rain and snow, followed by mild weather, leading to premature winter floods.

Orbán calls Ukraine war a 'military operation' during annual press conference

“There was no declaration of war between the two countries. When Russia declares war, there will be war,” the Hungarian leader explained to journalists.

EU unblocks €10bn in funds for Hungary

The EU had previously frozen billions of euros in funds for Hungary, citing concerns related to human rights and the rule of law.

The "Sovereignty Protection Authority" is harmful and against the rule of law, yet it cannot intimidate independent media

The so-called "Sovereignty Protection Authority" will be an arbitrarily appointed body with unlimited powers, operating without any oversight. A joint statement by independent Hungarian papers in response to the newly adopted Sovereignty Protection Bill.

Hungary's civil society warns new sovereignty bill is part of the Orban government’s attempt to silence all critical voices

The broad language of the legislation has raised concerns that the office could target journalists, trade unions, churches, and companies.

Hungarian journalists and activists were targeted by spy firm, Linkedin says

Black Cube, a private intelligence firm, orchestrated a video campaign using LinkedIn to target Hungarian activists and journalists in the lead-up to last year's election.

Fidesz to submit 'sovereignty' bill targeting 'foreign influence'

A Fidesz lawmaker earlier suggested that the new bill could potentially impact "journalists, civil organizations, and political parties."

Orban welcomes Fico's victory amid growing concenrs for Ukraine aid

There are growing concerns that after Fico's victory Slovakia could join Hungary in blocking EU aid to Ukraine.

Hungary blocks €500 million military aid to Ukraine

Hungary will block European Union military aid for Ukraine unless Hungarian OTP Bank is removed from list of war sponsors.

Former US ambassador urges Trump campaign to hire Orban's spin doctor

The former US president's team has no plans to hire Orban's spin doctor.

Hungarian President vetoes controversial law that targets LGBT people

Hungarian lawmakers can still override Novak’s veto.

Hungary exits Russian 'spy bank' after US sanctions

The Hungarian government decided to exit the International Investment Bank after the United States imposed sanctions on three officials of the financial institution

Biden urges Hungary to welcome Sweden to NATO without delay

Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff pointed out that Sweden's involvement in an EU lawsuit against Hungary "does not help" the ratification process.

Hungary is the only EU country not invited to Summit for Democracy

The missing invite has nothing to do with a friendship with the former or current president, but rather with a government's commitment to democratic values.

Szijjarto dismisses reports about Hungary blocking €500 million EU military aid to Ukraine

Szijjarto stated that while the Hungarian government isn’t in favor of the EU sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it won’t block a planned 500 million euros in military aid.

Orban aims to make Hungary a 'regional middle power'

The Hungarian Prime Minister says Hungary should aim to foster as many connections with the world as possible, whether that be through trade, infrastructure, investment, or public diplomacy.

Orban is the only EU leader who received holiday greetings from Putin

Only three EU politicians received holiday greetings from the Russian president: Orbán, Berlusconi and Schröder.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says Orbán is indirectly calling for Ukraine's defeat in the war

The statement reacts to Orban's comments that Ukraine can “only fight as long as the United States supports it with money and arms."

Hungarian central bank chief criticizes government’s economic policies

György Matolcsy predicts 15%-18% inflation for next year.

Russian spy allegedly tried to smuggle a flash drive containing classified data to Budapest

The incident illustrates how Hungary has become a hub for Russian intelligence.

Son Russian spy chief Naryshkin has a Budapest address

The Budapest property was bought in 2008 by Georgian-Israeli businessman Shabtai Michaeli who is linked to PM Viktor Orbán’s spin doctor, Árpád Habony.

Hungary proposes judicial reforms to unlock EU funds

The Commission will likely make a decision on the funds before the end of the month.

Pro-government media calls for the resignation of two judges for meeting US ambassador

The government-friendly media outlets argued that Csaba Vasvari and Tamas Matusik must resign because the meeting interferes with the "judicial independence".

80,000 people protest in Budapest to support teachers

It was the largest protest since 2014 when Hungarians took to the streets against Internet tax.

Hungarian government launches "survey" on Brussels’ 'failed sanctions'

Orban's government has launched a national consultation survey on the EU’s sanctions against Russia.

Viktor Orbán is looking for Donald Trump on Twitter

U.S. Ambassador to Hungary replied to Orban, saying: “While you look around for your friend, perhaps another friend to follow: the President of the United States… but as the Hungarian media might say: no pressure.”