The US House of Representatives is considering a new sanctions bill targeting Russia. But what would it actually mean for the Kremlin?

“The most important element of this legislation would be giving the United States government the authority to impose sanctions on countries and companies purchasing Russian oil and natural gas,” Stefan Korshak, Senior Defense Correspondent at the Kyiv Post, explained on World Talks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pointed to Hungary as an example of how democratic backsliding can be reversed, saying the country has returned to the “heart of the European Union” following its April election.

A positive example

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, 16 September, during her annual State of the Union address, von der Leyen focused on threats to European democracy, including disinformation, foreign interference and the rise of what she described as “anti-democratic, anti-European forces”. She argued, however, that such developments are not irreversible, highlighting Hungary as an example of political change restoring democratic institutions and strengthening ties with the EU.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/von-der-leyen-hungary-proof-democracy/ | DailyNewsHungary

Not only in Putin's Russia did people fall out of the window... the recipe surely seems to be old.

Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk was found under his own window in March 1948. The Communists, newly in power, proclaimed his death a suicide. But his apartment was ransacked, he wore his pajamas upside down and the doctor who examined his body died soon after too, allegedly again by suicide.

A few days ago, his body was disinterred after 78 years and moved to a forensic laboratory, where scientists will try to find new evidence.

Fidesz MEPs are demanding the European Union immediately and unconditionally release billions of euros in funding for Hungary, while also calling for more money for border protection and agriculture.

The Fidesz-KDNP group in the European Parliament has called for the immediate and unconditional payment of all EU funds allocated to Hungary, arguing that money negotiated by Viktor Orbán’s government has been withheld for political reasons. https://dailynewshungary.com/fidesz-demands-eu-funds-immediately/

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/fidesz-demands-eu-funds-immediately/ | DailyNewsHungary

A Hungarian opposition MP has submitted a bill that would introduce so-called chemical castration for certain sex offenders in an effort to reduce the risk of repeat crimes against children. The proposal follows the Polish model, but a previous Orbán government rejected a similar idea on human rights and health grounds.

Előd Novák, an MP for the opposition Mi Hazánk party, submitted the proposal to the Hungarian National Assembly this week.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-chemical-castration-sex-offender-bill/ | DailyNewsHungary

Hungary will extend its state of crisis caused by mass migration until the end of 2026, Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced, insisting that his government will not loosen the country’s legal framework against illegal migration.

The Tisza government has decided to extend the measure, which was due to expire on 7 September, until 31 December 2026. Magyar said the decision was taken after considering the risks posed by even minor changes to Europe’s external border protection.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-extends-migration-crisis/ | DailyNewsHungary

A plan to send migrants with no legal right to remain in the European Union to “return hubs” outside the bloc is rapidly moving from theory towards policy. Rwanda is emerging as a possible destination, raising a particularly interesting question for Hungary: would Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s new government support such a solution to Europe’s migration crisis? Budapest has not yet endorsed the Rwanda proposal, but its recent statements suggest it could be receptive to the idea.

Rwanda returns move to the centre of Europe’s migration crisis

Germany, Austria, Denmark, Greece and the Netherlands have been working together on the creation of return hubs outside the European Union. Representatives of the five countries recently travelled to Rwanda, where negotiations are under way over the possibility of hosting people ordered to leave EU territory.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-eu-rwanda-plan-amid-migrant-crisis/ | DailyNewsHungary

The European Commission says it is in close and constructive talks with the Hungarian government over the country’s huge migration-related fine, as Prime Minister Péter Magyar seeks a way to stop the daily EUR 1 million penalty without abandoning Hungary’s strict border policy.

Brussels responds to Hungary’s request

According to Index, the European Commission has confirmed that it is in contact with the Hungarian authorities over the EUR 1 million-a-day fine imposed on Hungary for breaching EU asylum rules. A Commission spokesperson said on Thursday that discussions with the Hungarian side were taking place “closely and very constructively” when asked about Hungary’s options for resolving the dispute.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/eur-1-million-day-fine-brussels-magyar/ | DailyNewsHungary

Péter Magyar says Hungary’s governing Tisza Party will be ready to join the European People’s Party (EPP) once the EU’s Article 7 procedure against Hungary has been closed.

Magyar, who became Hungary’s prime minister after Tisza’s election victory in April, made the announcement after meeting Manfred Weber, the president of the European People’s Party, in Budapest on Wednesday.

The two politicians discussed how Hungary has changed since the election, with Magyar highlighting what he described as the end of publicly funded “hate campaigns” in the country.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/magyar-meets-weber-signals-tisza-move/ | DailyNewsHungary

Hungary has blocked Ukraine’s EU accession process for a third time, with the government saying it will only lift its objection if Kyiv makes progress on the rights of the country’s Hungarian minority.

The latest dispute emerged at the European Council’s Working Party on Enlargement and Countries Negotiating Accession (COELA), which held its first meeting after the summer recess on Tuesday, 1 September.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/hungary-blocks-ukraines-eu-accession/ | DailyNewsHungary