As electric cars boom, locals fear Chinese battery plant will harm land in drought-stricken Hungary
May 26, 2023 GMTDEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — Just beyond the pastoral gardens and traditional homes of an eastern Hungarian village, a gigaproject of Chinese industry is taking shape.
Bulldozers and excavators are already preparing the land for construction of a nearly 550-acre electric vehicle (EV) battery plant.
Austria beefs up border security, demands explanations from Hungary after people smugglers’ release
May 22, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Austria’s government on Monday asked Hungary for explanations as it stepped up security along the countries’ shared border following Budapest's decision to grant early release to convicted people smugglers.
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of students, teachers and supporters demonstrated in Hungary's capital Friday for improved pay and working conditions for educators, the latest expression of frustration with the right-wing government's education policy by a growing student movement.
EU lawmakers warn of Hungary, Poland spyware abuses
May 9, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — European Union lawmakers investigating the use of Pegasus spyware against opposition politicians and journalists on Tuesday raised deep concern about abuses in Hungary and Poland and lamented a lack of cooperation with their inquiry.
Indiana elections chief criticized for CPAC Hungary trip
May 9, 2023 GMTINDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s top elections official traveled last week to Europe two days after final votes were cast in the first election under his supervision to speak at a right-wing political conference in Hungary.
At CPAC, Hungary’s Orban decries LGBTQ+ rights, migration
May 4, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's populist prime minister likened liberalism to a “virus” in an opening speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the Hungarian capital on Thursday, painting a picture of a global right-wing movement mobilizing to defeat “progressive elites.”
Pope in final Mass in Budapest urges Hungary to open doors
April 30, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Pope Francis urged Hungarians to open their doors to others on Sunday, as he wrapped up a weekend visit with a plea for Europe to welcome migrants and the poor and for an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pope in Hungary meets with Ukrainian refugees, Russian envoy
April 29, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Pope Francis plunged into both sides of Russia's war with Ukraine on Saturday, greeting some of the 2.5 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled across the border to Hungary during a public prayer service and then meeting privately with an envoy of the Russian Orthodox Church that has strongly supported the war.
Pope in Hungary urges Europe to unite to end war next door
April 28, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Pope Francis on Friday blasted the “adolescent belligerence” that brought war back to Europe and said the continent must recover its founding spirit of peaceful unity to confront Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Pope to visit Hungary amid diverging views on war, migrants
April 26, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The spiritual priorities of Pope Francis will be on display during a trip this week to Hungary, where the populist government will seek to downplay its diverging views on matters like immigration and minority rights while focusing instead on points where it aligns with the pontiff.
California’s Lt. Gov. says she’s running for state’s top job
April 24, 2023 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis said Monday she is running for governor in 2026, the first major candidate to announce a bid for an election nearly four years away.
Kounalakis, a Democrat, hopes to become the first woman elected governor in state history.
EU institutions pile more pressure on Hungary over rights
April 24, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The four biggest groups in the European Union's legislature added more pressure on Hungary on Monday to counter what they see as steadfast deterioration in rule of law and democratic principles in the central European member state.
No fruit, ham a luxury: Hungary food prices spike most in EU
April 21, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Magdolna Gozon nibbles spicy green peppers from a fruit and vegetable stall at a sprawling indoor market in Budapest, sampling them to make sure they're hot enough for a soup she's cooking.
Hungary adds honey, other products to Ukraine import ban
April 20, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary will add honey and certain meat products to a list of food items it has temporarily banned from being imported from Ukraine in an effort to relieve market pressures on Hungarian farmers, a government minister said Thursday.
Luxembourg leader champions LGBTQ rights, chastises Hungary
April 19, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — The gay prime minister of Luxembourg used the dais of the European Union’s parliament Wednesday to stand up for LGBTQ rights in the 27-nation bloc and to chastise member state Hungary, which wants to curtail discussions of homosexuality in schools and the media.
Elisabeth Kopp, first woman in Swiss Cabinet, dies at 86
April 14, 2023 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Elisabeth Kopp, an advocate of equal rights and the environment who was the first woman elected to Switzerland's seven-member executive branch, has died. She was 86.
Kopp died April 7 in the town of Zumikon, near Zurich, from complications related to an unspecified “long illness,” the federal chancellery said Friday.
Hungary’s Orban calls US a ‘friend’ despite sanction on bank
April 14, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's prime minister sought to bring down the temperature on spiraling tensions between his government and the United States, declaring Friday that the U.S. is Hungary's “friend” despite sanctions Washington imposed on a Budapest-based Russian bank.
Hungary to pull out of Russia-linked bank after US sanctions
April 13, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary is withdrawing its membership in a Russia-controlled investment bank a day after the United States issued sanctions against the Budapest-based financial institution.
US, UK aim sanctions at Russian oligarchs’ finance networks
April 12, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Britain announced new sanctions Wednesday aimed at Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Roman Abramovich, targeting the financial networks of two of Moscow's wealthiest businessmen who are close allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hungary’s Orban tells Trump to ‘keep on fighting’ in tweet
April 3, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's populist prime minister, Viktor Orban, tweeted a message of support for former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, urging him to “keep on fighting” as he faces a criminal indictment for making hush payments during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Finland’s NATO membership: What’s next?
March 31, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Finland received the green light to join NATO when Turkey ratified the Nordic country's membership late Thursday, becoming the last country in the 30-member Western military alliance to sign off.
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Finland’s membership in NATO
March 30, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey’s parliament on Thursday ratified Finland’s application to join NATO, lifting the last hurdle in the way of the Nordic country’s long-delayed accession into the Western military alliance.
Hungarian parliament approves Finland’s bid to join NATO
March 27, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s parliament on Monday approved Finland’s bid to join NATO, putting an end to months of delays and bringing the Nordic country one step closer to becoming a full member of the Western military alliance.
Hungary: Criticism makes it hard to cooperate with West
March 25, 2023 GMTUNITED NATIONS (AP) — The West’s steady criticism of Hungary on democratic and cultural issues makes the small European country’s right-wing government reluctant to offer support on practical matters, specifically NATO’s buildup against Russia, Hungary’s foreign minister said.
Hungary would not act on Putin arrest warrant, official says
March 23, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Authorities in Hungary would not arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to enter the country despite him being the subject of an international warrant for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, a Hungarian official said Thursday.
Hungary pressures EU by delaying Finland, Sweden NATO vote
March 16, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Sweden and Finland dropped their longstanding military neutrality and quickly signaled their intentions to join NATO, in a striking sign of how powerful Europe's security fears had become in the shadow of Moscow's war.
European Union official praises Serbia’s migration moves
March 16, 2023 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — The European Union's top security official on Thursday praised Serbia's handling of migration through the country, which lies at the heart of the Balkan route into Europe and borders several EU member nations.
Students call for education reform in Hungary protest march
March 16, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of students and other opponents of Hungary's government marched in the capital Budapest on Wednesday to demand educational reforms and a change in the Central European country's political culture.
Hungary to delay vote on NATO membership for Sweden, Finland
March 14, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A long-delayed vote in Hungary's parliament on ratifying the NATO accession bids of Sweden and Finland will likely be postponed again following a proposal from a senior government official.
NATO chief in new drive to bring Finland, Sweden in
March 9, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday launched a new attempt to get Finland and Sweden accepted as members of the world’s biggest military organization by the time U.S.
Hungarian delegation cites support for Finland joining NATO
March 8, 2023 GMTHELSINKI (AP) — Hungarian lawmakers widely support Finland’s NATO membership but it is unclear when the parliament in Budapest will ratify the Nordic country’s bid, a parliamentary delegation from Hungary said in Helsinki on Wednesday.
Hungarian delegation backs Sweden’s NATO application
March 7, 2023 GMTCOPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A parliamentary delegation from Hungary said Tuesday that it supports Sweden’s NATO membership bid after meeting the speaker of the Swedish parliament to iron out what Hungary’s governing party has called “political disputes.”
Ukraine military identifies soldier seen in grisly war video
March 7, 2023 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A man who appeared to be shot dead by Russian-speakers in a short video was tentatively identified Tuesday as a missing Ukrainian soldier while the footage circulated widely on Ukrainian social media and caused an uproar.
First evidence for horseback riding dates back 5,000 years
March 3, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Archaeologists have found the earliest direct evidence for horseback riding – an innovation that would transform history – in 5,000 year old human skeletons in central Europe.
“When you get on a horse and ride it fast, it’s a thrill – I’m sure ancient humans felt the same way,” said David Anthony, a co-author of the study and Hartwick College archaeologist.
Hungary further delays vote on Sweden, Finland joining NATO
March 2, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary has further delayed a vote on ratifying Sweden and Finland's NATO accession bids, according to an updated schedule published Thursday on the National Assembly's website, the latest in a series of postponements that have frustrated Western allies.
Egypt and Hungary ink new deals as leaders seek closer ties
February 28, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban on Tuesday thanked Egypt for its role in capping Europe-bound migration as the two countries inked a series of preliminary agreements in Cairo.
Orban's praise for Egypt, and its president, Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, came during his visit to the Egyptian capital in which the two governments signed various memorandums of understanding in nuclear cooperation, education and sports.
Pope to visit Hungary in April, migration and war on agenda
February 27, 2023 GMTROME (AP) — Pope Francis will visit Hungary at the end of April, the Vatican said Monday, in a trip expected to focus on migration to Europe and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The April 28-30 trip to Budapest represents a proper state visit after Francis made a brief, hours-long stopover in 2021 to close out a church conference.
Hungary to send delegation to Sweden, Finland over NATO bids
February 23, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary plans to send a delegation to Sweden and Finland to resolve “political disputes” that have raised doubts among some Hungarian lawmakers of whether to support the two Nordic nations' applications to join NATO, a senior Hungarian lawmaker said Thursday.
Hungarian ballet rehearses in car factory amid energy crunch
February 18, 2023 GMTGYOR, Hungary (AP) — Reka Zalai clocked out for lunch on Thursday in the quality assurance department of an Audi automobile factory in Hungary.
But instead of heading to her ordinary spot in the factory’s lunch room, she walked to a nearby conference hall near the production line to watch a performance of a professional contemporary ballet troupe.
For Ukrainian circus performers, future still up in the air
February 16, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Nearly a year since fleeing Ukraine for Hungary amid the bombs and terror of Russia's invasion, more than 100 young circus performers still hold intensive daily training sessions in Budapest while waiting to see what an uncertain future holds.
US ambassador’s views on Hungary ‘irrelevant,’ minister says
February 2, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Hungarian foreign minister accused the United States ambassador to Budapest on Thursday of trying to interfere in Hungary’s internal affairs, amid a growing diplomatic rift between the U.S.
Hungary FM: Sweden should ‘act differently’ to join NATO
February 1, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Sweden's government should “act differently” if it wants to clinch Turkish support for its bid to join NATO, Hungary's foreign minister said Tuesday, adding that a recent Quran-burning protest outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm was “unacceptable."
Hungary’s Orban: Ukraine’s backers have ‘drifted’ into war
January 27, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Western countries that are providing weapons and money to assist Ukraine in its war with Russia have already “drifted” into becoming active participants in the conflict, Hungary's prime minister said on Friday.
78 years on, Jewish Holocaust rescuers want their story told
January 27, 2023 GMTKIBBUTZ HAZOREA, Israel (AP) — Just before Nazi Germany invaded Hungary in March 1944, Jewish youth leaders in the eastern European country jumped into action: They formed an underground network that in the coming months would save tens of thousands of fellow Jews from the gas chambers.
Hungary to host conservative conference for 2nd time
January 25, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — For the second year running, Hungary will host a conference in May of mainly U.S. and European conservatives as its right-wing populist government, largely isolated in Europe, seeks allies with like-minded movements further afield.
Hungary won’t veto EU arms funding to Ukraine, official says
January 23, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's foreign minister said Monday that while his government isn't in favor of the European Union sending funding for weapons to Ukraine, it won't block a planned tranche of 500 million euros ($543 million) in assistance to Kyiv to use in the war with Russia.
Croatian president blasts EU penalties against Hungary
January 20, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Croatia's president said Friday that efforts by the European Union to uphold democratic standards in member countries threatened to tear the bloc apart, and condemned EU efforts to financially penalize Hungary for its alleged breaches of rule of law standards.
Police officer dies in Hungary after on-duty stabbing
January 13, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Three police officers in Hungary's capital were stabbed while responding to a call at an apartment building, and one of them died of his injuries, Hungarian police said Friday.
Hungary ready to sue EU executive over education funding cut
January 12, 2023 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's government will bring legal action against the European Union's executive arm if it cannot reach an agreement on EU funding for university study-abroad programs, a government minister said Thursday.
Serbia police detain 2 wanted men in migrant crackdown
December 29, 2022 GMTBELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbian police said Thursday they have detained two people sought on international warrants during a raid to locate migrants and people smugglers near the border with Hungary.
Hungary’s Orban wants to ‘drain the swamp’ in European Union
December 21, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's prime minister thinks it's time to “drain the swamp” in the European Union, he said on Wednesday, something he imagines could lead all the way to dissolving the bloc's legislature.
Deal reached for new non-Russian power source for Europe
December 17, 2022 GMTBUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan finalized an agreement Saturday on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.
Hungary expects to sign EU funding agreement within days
December 13, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's government expects to sign an agreement within days that will bring it closer to accessing billions in European Union funding suspended over concerns of corruption and democratic erosion in the Central European country.
Hungary, Romania to sign electricity deal with Azerbaijan
December 12, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The leaders of Hungary, Romania, Georgia and Azerbaijan plan to meet in Romania's capital Saturday to conclude an agreement on an undersea electricity connector that could become a new power source for the European Union amid a crunch on energy supplies caused by the war in Ukraine.
Hungarian government scraps year-old ceiling on fuel prices
December 7, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's government cancelled a state-imposed cap on fuel prices late Tuesday after a recent wave of panic-buying among motorists led to fuel shortages and long lines at filling stations across the country.
Hungary blocks EU Ukraine aid, deepening rift with Brussels
December 6, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — A rift between the European Union and recalcitrant member Hungary deepened Tuesday when Budapest vetoed an 18 billion euro ($18.93 billion) financial aid package to Kyiv, leaving the other 26 nations to scramble to keep the money supply going.
Orban says Hungary will stick to veto of EU-Ukraine aid plan
December 2, 2022 GMTBUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's prime minister said Friday that he will continue to oppose a European Union plan to provide an 18-billion-euro ($19-billion) aid package to Ukraine in 2023, a position that promises sustained tensions as the bloc and the nationalist Hungarian government wrangle over democratic standards.
Hungarian filling stations running out of price-capped fuel
December 2, 2022 GMTMARTONVASAR, Hungary (AP) — Drivers in Hungary are increasingly running into gas and diesel shortages at filling stations as a government-imposed price cap squeezes the operators of independent stations and leaves the state energy company struggling to keep up with demand.