Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to meet US President Donald Trump in Hungary for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. However he faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that could lead to his potential arrest while travelling outside of the Russia, especially the EU. The warrant, which was issued in March 2023, accuses the Russian president of involvement in the abduction of children from Ukraine during the conflict.<h2>Can Putin be arrested in Hungary?</h2>The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, depends on its member nations to enforce its arrest warrants. However, Hungary has unsured that Putin can enter the country for a summit with Trump in Budapest and return home.Trump on Thursday (Oct 16) said that he agreed to meet with Putin on a second summit on Ukraine war hosted in the Hungarian capital, saying that it may happen in the next two weeks. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke with the US president on Thursday and the Russian president on Friday, saying that preparations “are going full steam ahead.” Meanwhile, Hungary is in the process of leaving the ICC.Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, “We will ensure that he enters Hungary, has successful negotiations here, and then returns home.”He added, “There is no need for any kind of consultation with anyone, we are a sovereign country here. We will receive (Putin) with respect, host him, and provide the conditions for him to negotiate with the American president.”The EU has welcomed the Budapest meeting if it could help bring peace in Ukraine. It added that Putin was under an asset freeze but not a travel ban by the bloc. Putin will also need to find a way to navigate an EU flight ban on Russian aircraft for the upcoming meeting.

The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, depends on its member nations to enforce its arrest warrants. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to meet US President Donald Trump in Hungary for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. However he faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) that could lead to his potential arrest while travelling outside of the Russia, especially the EU. The warrant, which was issued in March 2023, accuses the Russian president of involvement in the abduction of children from Ukraine during the conflict. Can Putin be arrested in Hungary? The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, depends on its member nations to enforce its arrest warrants. However, Hungary has unsured that Putin can enter the country for a summit with Trump in Budapest and return home. Trump on Thursday (Oct 16) said that he agreed to meet with Putin on a second summit on Ukraine war hosted in the Hungarian capital, saying that it may happen in the next two weeks. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban spoke with the US president on Thursday and the Russian president on Friday, saying that preparations “are going full steam ahead.” Meanwhile, Hungary is in the process of leaving the ICC. Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, “We will ensure that he enters Hungary, has successful negotiations here, and then returns home.” He added, “There is no need for any kind of consultation with anyone, we are a sovereign country here. We will receive (Putin) with respect, host him, and provide the conditions for him to negotiate with the American president.” The EU has welcomed the Budapest meeting if it could help bring peace in Ukraine. It added that Putin was under an asset freeze but not a travel ban by the bloc. Putin will also need to find a way to navigate an EU flight ban on Russian aircraft for the upcoming meeting.

The ICC, which is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, depends on its member nations to enforce its arrest warrants.&nbsp;

Can Putin be arrested while travelling to Hungary to meet Trump as he faces ICC warrant?

Ukraine has reportedly struck the Druzhba oil pipeline for the third time, disrupting Russian oil flows to Hungary, according to Hungary’s foreign minister. A new attack on the Druzhba pipeline has halted oil supplies to Hungary, with officials calling it a serious threat to the country's energy security.


Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Oil Druzhba Oil Pipelines, Sparks Massive Fire at Fuel Depot | WION

Ukraine has reportedly struck the Druzhba oil pipeline for the third time, disrupting Russian oil flows to Hungary, according to Hungary’s foreign minister. A new attack on the Druzhba pipeline has halted oil supplies to Hungary, with officials calling it a serious threat to the country's energy security.

Ukraine Attacks Russia: Kyiv Strikes Russia's Druzhba Oil Pipeline | Russia Ukraine War | WION

People gathered in large numbers in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, for the Pride march despite warnings of legal consequences to mark the 30th anniversary of Hungary’s Pride Parade. The Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, warned LGBTQ+ rights activists of legal threats, using facial recognition software to identify them and potentially fine them up to €500.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hungary?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hungary</a> - This is what the POWER OF THE PEOPLE &amp; real <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/democracy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#democracy</a> looks like! &gt;&gt;&gt; Pics from the Pride Parade happening today in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Budapest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Budapest</a> - after Orban banned this event. ❤️ 🇭🇺 <a href="https://t.co/Pi3OOyl5wF">pic.twitter.com/Pi3OOyl5wF</a>&mdash; MIBAWI (Michael Barthel) (@RealMiBaWi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealMiBaWi/status/1939022760463786451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

People gathered enthusiastically, carrying rainbow coloured flags and banners of resistance in the presence of heavy police. Activists and supporters from across Europe arrived in solidarity.&nbsp;Notably, earlier in the year, Viktor Orban's Fidesz party created legislation to ban the Pride march in Hungary. The government branded the march as a threat to the country's values. This enraged the supporters who considered this not just a parade for visibility but one for the resistance, and claimed equal rights to the government that wants to deny their existence.Earlier this week, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungary to reverse the ban. “We’re not just standing up for ourselves … If this law isn’t overturned, Eastern Europe could face a wave of similar measures,” said Pride organiser Viktoria Radvanyi.“This is bigger than one Pride celebration, one Pride march. It is about the right to be who you are, to love who you want, whether it is in Budapest, in Brussels or anywhere else,” said Hadja Lahbib, the European commissioner for equality.Protestors wore face masks to bypass the surveillance and to push back against Hungary’s recent ban on public face masks. Budapest Pride, which began in 1995 as a small gathering, has turned into the largest LGBTQ+ celebration in Central Europe. This year's parade became significant not only because it's the 30th anniversary, but it is because of the democratic backsliding of the ruling Fidesz party, which is trying to consolidate its majoritarian values. Protestors call it “a testament to the resilience of civil society in the face of authoritarianism.”Hungary had been facing a rising authoritarianism, with the ruling party pushing legislation to restrict LGBTQ+ rights, banning same-sex adoption, &nbsp;limiting trans recognition, and reducing content related to gender fluidity from media and education. The ruling party portrays it as a protectionist approach towards its national values, but critics call it a pattern of scapegoating minorities to gain political mileage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thousands defy Prime Minister Orbán’s ban to join the 30th Budapest Pride Parade, marking a bold stand for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary amid growing government repression.

People gathered in large numbers in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, June 28, 2025, for the Pride march despite warnings of legal consequences to mark the 30th anniversary of Hungary’s Pride Parade. The Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, warned LGBTQ+ rights activists of legal threats, using facial recognition software to identify them and potentially fine them up to €500.

Thousands defy Prime Minister Orbán’s ban to join the 30th Budapest Pride Parade, marking a bold stand for LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary amid growing government repression.

Powerful show of defiance: Thousands gather in the streets of Budapest for pride march

In a disgusting event, a newspaper in Hungary asked its readers to submit photographs of women in short skirts. The newspaper, Metropol, published a photo of women in short skirts in its June 4 issue. The act has sparked massive protests from women's rights groups in the country. The published photos appeared to be taken without the consent of the women.&nbsp;The newspaper, in its infamous "Take a photo and send it in!" column, published the spread of the photos with a disgusting headline: “The shorter, the better." &nbsp;&nbsp;Just below the headline, the writer had written, “This statement is certainly true for fashion, if not for life-span. But in the case of skirts and dresses worn by girls, it is certainly true with the beginning of summer.”&nbsp;The photos featured in the spread were taken on subways and on the road.&nbsp;Since then, the publication has drawn massive outrage in Hungary and on social media.&nbsp;As per local news websites, around 50 to 60 people staged a protest outside the office of Mediaworks, which publishes Metropol, on Wednesday (June 4).&nbsp;They chanted slogans: “Harassment is not journalism” and “My body is not an object."&nbsp;Protestors also demanded an apology from the Metropol - a newspaper having ties with the ruling party.&nbsp;Internet reaction&nbsp;"So is the purpose to titillate the paper's (presumably straight male) readers, or to shame women wearing short skirts? Both?” one internet user wrote on Reddit.&nbsp;"State-sponsored harassment of young women," said another.&nbsp;"Traditionalism. They want women to be domestic servants with ‘modest dress’ outside the bedroom. This type of harassment is meant to herd women in that direction,” another wrote.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The shorter, the better: Hungary newspaper asks readers to submit photos of women in skirts, draws massive outrage 


In a disgusting event, a newspaper in Hungary asked its readers to submit photographs of women in short skirts. The newspaper, Metropol, published a photo of women in short skirts in its June 4 issue. The act has sparked massive protests from women's rights groups in the country. The published photos appeared to be taken without the consent of the women. The newspaper, in its infamous "Take a photo and send it in!" column, published the spread of the photos with a disgusting headline: “The shorter, the better." Just below the headline, the writer had written, “This statement is certainly true for fashion, if not for life-span. But in the case of skirts and dresses worn by girls, it is certainly true with the beginning of summer.” The photos featured in the spread were taken on subways and on the road. Since then, the publication has drawn massive outrage in Hungary and on social media. As per local news websites, around 50 to 60 people staged a protest outside the office of Mediaworks, which publishes Metropol, on Wednesday (June 4). They chanted slogans: “Harassment is not journalism” and “My body is not an object." Protestors also demanded an apology from the Metropol - a newspaper having ties with the ruling party. Internet reaction "So is the purpose to titillate the paper's (presumably straight male) readers, or to shame women wearing short skirts? Both?” one internet user wrote on Reddit. "State-sponsored harassment of young women," said another. "Traditionalism. They want women to be domestic servants with ‘modest dress’ outside the bedroom. This type of harassment is meant to herd women in that direction,” another wrote.

In a disgusting event, a newspaper in Hungary asked its readers to submit photographs of women in short skirts. The newspaper, Metropol, published a photo of women in short skirts in its June 4 issue.

'The shorter, the better’: Hungary newspaper asks readers to submit photos of women in skirts, draws massive outrage

International Criminal Court cites Rome Statute authorizing proceedings against noncooperative party states; Budapest said during PM’s visit that it would withdraw from the ICC

ICC Opens Inquiry Into Hungary For Failing To Arrest Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu

Hungary's parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities and limit the rights of dual nationals. The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1404_ARJUN_LGBTQ_1030PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1404_ARJUN_LGBTQ_1030PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=139&amp;tags=Hungary, Parliament, World News, WION" title="Hungary: Parliament passes constitutional amendment banning public LGBTQ+ events" id="PL_iframe_block-m9hwyd9z-nxcthbxv-gl221wwv"></iframe>
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<h2>What does the Amendment states?</h2>
The amendment declares that people can only be &ldquo;male or female&rdquo;- similar to the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. It says that children&rsquo;s rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Notably, Hungary&rsquo;s contentious &ldquo;child protection&rdquo; legislation prohibits the &ldquo;depiction or promotion&rdquo; of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.
The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually. The law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546).
It also allows the &ldquo;temporary&rdquo; stripping of citizenship from some dual or multiple nationals. Scholars and critics say this could target Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros.
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<h2>Opposition accuses government of "dismantling democracy"</h2>
Ahead of the vote, opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together. D&aacute;vid Bedő, a lawmaker with the opposition Momentum party who participated in the attempted blockade, said that for the past 15 years, Orb&aacute;n has been "dismantling democracy and the rule of law, and in the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up." He said as elections approach in 2026 and Orb&aacute;n&rsquo;s party lags in the polls behind a popular new challenger from the opposition, &ldquo;they will do everything in their power to stay in power.&rdquo;
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Critics have said that the proposed legal changes erode democratic rights in the central European country, moving the EU member state even closer to the kind of authoritarianism seen under Russia's President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;&ldquo;You could consider this soft Putinism,&rdquo; Szabolcs Pek, chief analyst at the think tank Iranytu Intezet, told AFP.
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(With inputs from agencies)

World | Hungary's parliament has passed an amendment that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities and limit the rights of dual nationals

Hungary's parliament has passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities and limit the rights of dual nationals. The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was proposed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Read More | Trump to declare martial law? What is Insurrection Act of 1807 and rumours circulating about it What does the Amendment states? The amendment declares that people can only be “male or female”- similar to the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump. It says that children’s rights to moral, physical and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that to peacefully assemble. Notably, Hungary’s contentious “child protection” legislation prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors aged under 18. The amendment codifies a law fast-tracked through parliament in March that bans public events held by LGBTQ+ communities, including the popular Pride event in Budapest that draws thousands annually. The law also allows authorities to use facial recognition tools to identify people who attend prohibited events and can come with fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($546). It also allows the “temporary” stripping of citizenship from some dual or multiple nationals. Scholars and critics say this could target Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. Read More | Trump administration freezes $2.2bn to Harvard after college defies demands Opposition accuses government of "dismantling democracy" Ahead of the vote, opposition politicians and other protesters attempted to blockade the entrance to a parliament parking garage. Police physically removed demonstrators, who had used zip ties to bind themselves together. Dávid Bedő, a lawmaker with the opposition Momentum party who participated in the attempted blockade, said that for the past 15 years, Orbán has been "dismantling democracy and the rule of law, and in the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up." He said as elections approach in 2026 and Orbán’s party lags in the polls behind a popular new challenger from the opposition, “they will do everything in their power to stay in power.” Read More | 'A step forward': US says nuclear talks with Iran 'positive', both sides to meet again on April 19 Critics have said that the proposed legal changes erode democratic rights in the central European country, moving the EU member state even closer to the kind of authoritarianism seen under Russia's President Vladimir Putin. “You could consider this soft Putinism,” Szabolcs Pek, chief analyst at the think tank Iranytu Intezet, told AFP. Read More | Oops! Video shows moment Vance dropped college football trophy: '...so I decided to break it' (With inputs from agencies)

Hungary passes constitutional amendment to limit rights of dual nationals, ban LGBTQ events

Hungary's parliament has passed a controversial amendment bill that puts restrictions on LGBTQ plus community this has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and members of the community. As parliament was voting on the amendment several protesters tried to broke the parliament building in defiance. The fresh changes in Hungary's constitution will give a legal backing to the law banning public display of homosexuality and pride parades. Watch in for more details!

Hungary: Parliament passes constitutional amendment banning public LGBTQ+ events

Several thousand protesters blocked major thoroughfares and three bridges in the center of Hungary’s capital on Tuesday in opposition to a recent law that effectively bans LGBTQ+ Pride events and restricts Hungarians’ right to assembly.

Protesters rally against Hungary’s law banning LGBTQ pride events

Protest continues in Hungary against new anti-LGBTQ law

Protesters in Hungary in opposition to new law banning LGBTQ+ Pride events

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Hungary on Thursday (Apr 3) in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. His arrival was announced by the Hungarian defence minister on Facebook.
"Welcome to Budapest, Benjamin Netanyahu!" wrote Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky as Netanyahu began a visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
<blockquote cite="https://graph.facebook.com/100082133457632/posts/641250981956011/" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore publive-iframes-block publive-Facebook-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m90ptfwd-kso5acm1-wswil14w">
&Uuml;dv&ouml;z&ouml;lj&uuml;k Budapesten Izrael minisztereln&ouml;k&eacute;t, Benj&aacute;m&iacute;n Netanj&aacute;h&uacute;t!🇭🇺🇮🇱
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/szalay.bobrovniczky.kristof">Szalay-Bobrovniczky Krist&oacute;f</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://graph.facebook.com/100082133457632/posts/641250981956011/">Wednesday, April 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu</h2>
The Hague based international tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu on 21 November 2024. A warrant was also issued against former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
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As per the ICC website, the Israeli PM is "allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024."
<h2>Will Netanyahu be arrested in Hungary?</h2>
As a founding ICC member, theoretically, Hungary is bound to arrest and extradite anyone subject to an ICC warrant. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban explicitly made it clear that he would not comply with the court's ruling.
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While the itinerary of Netanyahu's trip is not known, reports suggest he will visit the holocaust memorial and also hold a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Orban.&nbsp;
This is Netanyahu's second trip abroad since the ICC issued its arrest warrant. Previously, in February, he travelled to the US &mdash; not an ICC member &mdash; to meet close ally President Donald Trump.
<h2>ICC slams Hungary for defying warrant</h2>
&nbsp;The Associated Press reports that the ICC on Wednesday (Apr 2) criticised Hungary for its decision to defy Netanyahu's arrest warrant. Fadi El Abdallah, the Hague-based court&rsquo;s spokesperson, said that it was not for parties to the ICC "to unilaterally determine the soundness of the Court&rsquo;s legal decisions".
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In an email to the news agency, El Abdallah said that member states have an obligation to enforce the court's decisions and that if they disagree with any rulings, they may consult with the ICC.
"Any dispute concerning the judicial functions of the Court shall be settled by the decision of the Court," El Abdallah said.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu defies an ICC arrest warrant by traveling to Hungary. Hungarian PM Viktor Orban welcomes him despite being a member of Hague court.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in Hungary on Thursday (Apr 3) in defiance of the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza. His arrival was announced by the Hungarian defence minister on Facebook. "Welcome to Budapest, Benjamin Netanyahu!" wrote Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky as Netanyahu began a visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Üdvözöljük Budapesten Izrael miniszterelnökét, Benjámín Netanjáhút!🇭🇺🇮🇱 Posted by Szalay-Bobrovniczky Kristóf on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 ICC arrest warrant against Netanyahu The Hague based international tribunal issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu on 21 November 2024. A warrant was also issued against former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Also read | Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu drops security chief nominee under fire from Trump ally As per the ICC website, the Israeli PM is "allegedly responsible for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population; and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024." Will Netanyahu be arrested in Hungary? As a founding ICC member, theoretically, Hungary is bound to arrest and extradite anyone subject to an ICC warrant. However, Prime Minister Viktor Orban explicitly made it clear that he would not comply with the court's ruling. Also read | What is Qatargate? Netanyahu questioned, two top aides arrested as probe deepens While the itinerary of Netanyahu's trip is not known, reports suggest he will visit the holocaust memorial and also hold a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Orban. This is Netanyahu's second trip abroad since the ICC issued its arrest warrant. Previously, in February, he travelled to the US — not an ICC member — to meet close ally President Donald Trump. ICC slams Hungary for defying warrant The Associated Press reports that the ICC on Wednesday (Apr 2) criticised Hungary for its decision to defy Netanyahu's arrest warrant. Fadi El Abdallah, the Hague-based court’s spokesperson, said that it was not for parties to the ICC "to unilaterally determine the soundness of the Court’s legal decisions". Also read | Financial markets tumble after Trump tariff announcement In an email to the news agency, El Abdallah said that member states have an obligation to enforce the court's decisions and that if they disagree with any rulings, they may consult with the ICC. "Any dispute concerning the judicial functions of the Court shall be settled by the decision of the Court," El Abdallah said. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli PM Netanyahu travels to Hungary in open defiance of ICC arrest warrant

Protests have broken out in Hungary after the country's Parliament passed a law to ban the Pride March by LGBTQ+ communities. The bill was passed easily, as the ruling coalition of Hungary's populist Viktor Orban has a two-thirds majority in the Parliament. Watch in for more details!

Hungary bans Pride events, allows facial recognition for identification

Chaos erupted in Hungarian Parliament after lawmakers passed a bill aimed at banning the annual Pride March. In a show of protest against the bill, members of the Centrist Momentum Movement Party ignited smoke bombs while Parliament was in session. Watch in for more details!

Hungary: Opposition opposes bill that bans Pride march; ignites smoke bombs in parliament

Hungary foreign minister Péter Szijjártó has lauded India's role when it comes to Russia Ukraine war. Speaking to WION's Sidhant Sibal, FM Szijjártó said,'We respect the role of India & PM Modi. He consistently spoke about stopping the war, in favour of peace'.

Modi’s visits to Moscow in July 2024 and Kyiv in August 2024 showed India’s willingness to act as a bridge between the conflicting parties, conveying messages and advocating for negotiations.

The Hungarian FM pointed that India-Hungary ties have "improved a lot in past few years, based on respectful cooperation". He pointed out, 'PM Modi, PM Orban are patriotic leaders, who consider national interest number one'

Dismissing criticism over importing energy from Russia, he said, 'We don't care of European criticism on improving Russian energy. We have been importing energy from Russia. Russia proved to be a reliable partner.'

PM Modi spoke in favour of peace, Hungary FM Péter Szijjártó on war in Ukraine

Hungary's political tensions are escalating as Prime Minister Viktor Orban faces off against his former ally-turned-rival, Peter Magyar. Magyar has called for a "change of regime," while opposition leaders rally against Orban. Meanwhile, Orban has launched a referendum on Ukraine and vowed a media crackdown, intensifying the political divide in the country.

Hungary's political crisis deepens as PM Orban pledges crackdown on politicians

Hungary's political crisis deepens as Orban clashes with rival Magyar

Hungary and Slovakia are resisting the European Union's proposed sanctions against Russia. Hungary has demanded that several powerful businessmen be removed from the EU blacklist, even as Brussels is racing to find a compromise in the face of a deadline that ends on Saturday. Over the last 3 years, the EU has imposed sanctions on over 2,400 individuals and companies linked to Moscow's war effort. They include Vladimir Putin, Sergei Lavrov, and key oligarchs, and the list is renewed every 6 months. But Hungary, now joined by Slovakia, has been trying to weaken the measure. Watch in for more details!

Sanctions at risk as Hungary and Slovakia hold up agreement

Hungary and Slovakia demand removal of oligarchs from EU list

Hungary has announced a sweeping tax exemption for mothers of two or more children, just over a year ahead of the 2026 elections. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has declared that mothers with three children will be exempt from income tax starting in October, while the exemption for mothers with two children will be phased in starting from January. Watch in for more details!

Hungary exempts mothers of two or more from income tax

Hungary recently announced a sweeping tax exemption for mothers of two or more children, just a year ahead of the 2026 elections. Prime Minister Victor Orban declared that mothers with three children will be exempt from income tax starting October, while exemption for mothers with two children will be phased in from January. This move extends an existing benefit that already exempts 70,000 mothers of 4 or more children, costing the government $130 million annually.
Orban called this 'the biggest tax reduction programme in Europe,' insisting that economic revival will offset costs while reducing public debt and the deficit. This comes as Hungary's inflation remains one of the highest in the EU. Monthly price growth also surged to its highest level in 2 years, driven by rising food, service, and fuel costs.
<h2>Tax breaks for mothers: a broader global plan?</h2>
Hungary's tax cuts for mothers follow a broader trend of countries incentivising motherhood by offering multiple tax exemptions and monetary support. Elon Musk recently praised the initiative as a 'great policy.' Musk has long warned of population decline and its economic consequences.&nbsp;
Globally, the total fertility rate was 2.3 children per woman in 2023. This was more than twice in the 1950s. Multiple factors can be attributed to this decline, including lifestyle changes. The nuclear families, which became the norm in the last 2 decades, are slowly taking a more 'isolated' turn, with people favouring late marriages and no children. The rising cost of living is another factor. Inflation risks far outweigh the emotional rewards of having a family. Nearly every country in the world is reporting declining birth rates.
This decline can be rather drastic. For example, it took Iran just 10 years for fertility rates to fall from more than six children per woman to fewer than three children per woman.&nbsp;
The economic consequences are evident. Since the 1980s, major economic powerhouses, including China and Japan, have been suffering the aftereffects of low fertility rates. 'Consumption decline' is a common theme while addressing their declining GDPs. The population decline threatens economic participation on a broader level. According to experts, negative population decline leads to an 'empty planet' scenario where 'knowledge and living standards stagnate for a population that gradually vanishes.'
Governments are now using multiple tactics to revive fertility rates. Tax exemptions address one of the factors responsible for this decline. Tax exemptions for mothers can reduce household burden and ease monetary pressures. Apart from Hungary, countries like France, South Korea, and Russia are also experimenting with various such incentives. South Korea, for example, had spent over $253 billion on baby-making incentives, including state-sponsored dating. A much more radical scheme under consideration is cash handouts for each baby. Such schemes allowed South Korea to record an increase in annual birth rate in 2024 - the first since 2015.&nbsp;
Can such tax exemptions improve fertility rates? We'll have to see the results as this becomes more mainstream in government budgets.

Business & Economy, Orban declared that mothers with 3 children will be exempt from income tax starting October, while mothers with 2 children will be phased in from January.

Hungary recently announced a sweeping tax exemption for mothers of two or more children, just a year ahead of the 2026 elections. Prime Minister Victor Orban declared that mothers with three children will be exempt from income tax starting October, while exemption for mothers with two children will be phased in from January. This move extends an existing benefit that already exempts 70,000 mothers of 4 or more children, costing the government $130 million annually. Orban called this 'the biggest tax reduction programme in Europe,' insisting that economic revival will offset costs while reducing public debt and the deficit. This comes as Hungary's inflation remains one of the highest in the EU. Monthly price growth also surged to its highest level in 2 years, driven by rising food, service, and fuel costs. Tax breaks for mothers: a broader global plan? Hungary's tax cuts for mothers follow a broader trend of countries incentivising motherhood by offering multiple tax exemptions and monetary support. Elon Musk recently praised the initiative as a 'great policy.' Musk has long warned of population decline and its economic consequences. Globally, the total fertility rate was 2.3 children per woman in 2023. This was more than twice in the 1950s. Multiple factors can be attributed to this decline, including lifestyle changes. The nuclear families, which became the norm in the last 2 decades, are slowly taking a more 'isolated' turn, with people favouring late marriages and no children. The rising cost of living is another factor. Inflation risks far outweigh the emotional rewards of having a family. Nearly every country in the world is reporting declining birth rates. This decline can be rather drastic. For example, it took Iran just 10 years for fertility rates to fall from more than six children per woman to fewer than three children per woman. The economic consequences are evident. Since the 1980s, major economic powerhouses, including China and Japan, have been suffering the aftereffects of low fertility rates. 'Consumption decline' is a common theme while addressing their declining GDPs. The population decline threatens economic participation on a broader level. According to experts, negative population decline leads to an 'empty planet' scenario where 'knowledge and living standards stagnate for a population that gradually vanishes.' Governments are now using multiple tactics to revive fertility rates. Tax exemptions address one of the factors responsible for this decline. Tax exemptions for mothers can reduce household burden and ease monetary pressures. Apart from Hungary, countries like France, South Korea, and Russia are also experimenting with various such incentives. South Korea, for example, had spent over $253 billion on baby-making incentives, including state-sponsored dating. A much more radical scheme under consideration is cash handouts for each baby. Such schemes allowed South Korea to record an increase in annual birth rate in 2024 - the first since 2015. Can such tax exemptions improve fertility rates? We'll have to see the results as this becomes more mainstream in government budgets.

Incentivising motherhood: Hungary announces tax exemptions for mothers of 2 or more

Hungary has announced a sweeping tax exemption for mothers of 2 or more children, just over a year ahead of the 2026 elections. Prime Minister Viktor Orban declared that mothers with three children will be exempt from income tax starting October, while the exemption for mothers with two will be phased in from January.

Hungary exempts mothers of 2 or more from income tax

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb&aacute;n is currently on holiday in the southern Indian state of Kerala. This trip has gained attention in the recent week and sparked speculations about Viktor&rsquo;s health.&nbsp;
Orban took his time to clear the confusion and answered a few questions during his visit in an interview with a Hungarian tabloid newspaper, Blikk.&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">Orban spotted in India&nbsp;</h2>
Orban has been seen spending time on a holiday in India, and his posts have been surfacing over the internet. As per Indian newspaper, Manorama Online, the Hungarian prime minister is on a private tour with his wife, Anik&oacute; L&eacute;vai, and two of their daughters.
He was also seen in a photo posted by an Indian man, Saleem Ibn Majeed, on the social media platform Facebook. The photo showed Orban with four tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) drivers who took foreign tourists on tours of the region for many years and helped the Hungary PM explore the Fort of Kochi, a historical site where explorer Vasco da Gama was buried.&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m5p9wp5l-bgu35umy-htnujwn7">
Hungary's PM Viktor Orb&aacute;n in India's Kerala for holidays. Pic: Blikk media/ Saleem Ibn Majeed <a href="https://t.co/JFvD896S4C">https://t.co/JFvD896S4C</a> <a href="https://t.co/LFqeXii0c0">pic.twitter.com/LFqeXii0c0</a>
&mdash; Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1877256238473290091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
Orb&aacute;n, speaking to Blikk, said, &ldquo;My wife, two daughters, and I are in southern India. We chose this country for two reasons: the past and the future.&rdquo; Orb&aacute;n expressed admiration for the explorer Vasco da Gama, whose work inspired him during his youth. &ldquo;In Kochi, where I am now, Vasco da Gama died, whom I liked from the novels of my youth. I &lsquo;followed&rsquo; in his footsteps. My favourite explorer, as important as Columbus," Orb&aacute;n shared.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hungary-pm-defies-icc-arrest-warrant-by-inviting-netanyahu-over-israel-pm-responds-778377" rel="dofollow"> Hungary PM defies ICC arrest warrant by inviting Netanyahu over, Israel PM responds</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Speculations about Orban's health amid holiday plan&nbsp;</h2>
Amid the ongoing speculations regarding his health, Orban stated, &ldquo;I read all kinds of nonsense being spouted. That is the way it is. But nothing else has happened; I am as healthy as a horse. Do not get your hopes up,&rdquo; he made a joke in response to the rumours.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The Prime Minister also explained his timing for the trip, stating, &ldquo;Hungary&rsquo;s EU Presidency ended on January 1. I took my leave the next day, and we were ready to go.&rdquo; While he noted that the holiday wasn&rsquo;t exactly restful, he found it refreshing to be away from the routine. &ldquo;We are not getting much rest here in India either, but it is nice to get out of the rut at home,&rdquo; he said.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Cultural perspective&nbsp; on India</h2>
The PM shared his thoughts on India as a holiday destination. &ldquo;India is not known for being a tourist paradise. If you want luxury, go to an Austrian ski resort or the Bahamas. If you are interested in culture, come to India,&rdquo; he concluded.
Orb&aacute;n also confirmed that he would be returning to work soon and would be back on Kossuth Radio on January 17 for his usual morning interview. "The other reason we are here is the future. India&rsquo;s economy is poised for explosive growth,&rdquo; he remarked, Orban said.
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World: Orban stated, “I read all kinds of nonsense being spouted. That is the way it is. But nothing else has happened; I am as healthy as a horse. Do not get your hopes up.” 

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is currently on holiday in the southern Indian state of Kerala. This trip has gained attention in the recent week and sparked speculations about Viktor’s health. Orban took his time to clear the confusion and answered a few questions during his visit in an interview with a Hungarian tabloid newspaper, Blikk. Orban spotted in India Orban has been seen spending time on a holiday in India, and his posts have been surfacing over the internet. As per Indian newspaper, Manorama Online, the Hungarian prime minister is on a private tour with his wife, Anikó Lévai, and two of their daughters. He was also seen in a photo posted by an Indian man, Saleem Ibn Majeed, on the social media platform Facebook. The photo showed Orban with four tuk-tuk (auto rickshaw) drivers who took foreign tourists on tours of the region for many years and helped the Hungary PM explore the Fort of Kochi, a historical site where explorer Vasco da Gama was buried. Hungary's PM Viktor Orbán in India's Kerala for holidays. Pic: Blikk media/ Saleem Ibn Majeed https://t.co/JFvD896S4C pic.twitter.com/LFqeXii0c0 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) January 9, 2025 Orbán, speaking to Blikk, said, “My wife, two daughters, and I are in southern India. We chose this country for two reasons: the past and the future.” Orbán expressed admiration for the explorer Vasco da Gama, whose work inspired him during his youth. “In Kochi, where I am now, Vasco da Gama died, whom I liked from the novels of my youth. I ‘followed’ in his footsteps. My favourite explorer, as important as Columbus," Orbán shared. Also Read: Hungary PM defies ICC arrest warrant by inviting Netanyahu over, Israel PM responds Speculations about Orban's health amid holiday plan Amid the ongoing speculations regarding his health, Orban stated, “I read all kinds of nonsense being spouted. That is the way it is. But nothing else has happened; I am as healthy as a horse. Do not get your hopes up,” he made a joke in response to the rumours.” The Prime Minister also explained his timing for the trip, stating, “Hungary’s EU Presidency ended on January 1. I took my leave the next day, and we were ready to go.” While he noted that the holiday wasn’t exactly restful, he found it refreshing to be away from the routine. “We are not getting much rest here in India either, but it is nice to get out of the rut at home,” he said. Also Read: US election: Europe will need to rethink its support to Ukraine if Trump wins, says Hungary PM Cultural perspective on India The PM shared his thoughts on India as a holiday destination. “India is not known for being a tourist paradise. If you want luxury, go to an Austrian ski resort or the Bahamas. If you are interested in culture, come to India,” he concluded. Orbán also confirmed that he would be returning to work soon and would be back on Kossuth Radio on January 17 for his usual morning interview. "The other reason we are here is the future. India’s economy is poised for explosive growth,” he remarked, Orban said. (With inputs from agencies)

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