On Monday, the first half of the day may still bring some cloudy periods, followed by sunny weather with high clouds and cumulus clouds. During the morning, isolated light rain, showers and thunderstorms are possible east of the Danube, later mainly in the northeast. Strong northwesterly wind gusts are expected in many areas, with storm-force gusts possible near showers and thunderstorms. Daytime highs will range between 29°C and 33°C.

On Tuesday, expect a mix of sunshine and cumulus clouds, with only an isolated shower possible in the east. Northwesterly winds will generally remain light to moderate. Temperatures will range from 10–19°C in the morning to 25–32°C in the afternoon.

Wednesday will be mostly clear and dry, with generally light winds. Morning temperatures will be 10–19°C, rising to 28–34°C during the day.

On Thursday, mostly clear skies and dry weather are expected, with light winds. Temperatures will climb from 12–21°C at dawn to 30–36°C by the afternoon.

Friday will remain largely sunny and dry. Southerly winds will stay mostly light to moderate. Morning lows will be 14–22°C, while afternoon highs will reach 33–38°C.

On Saturday, predominantly clear and rain-free weather is forecast. Southerly winds will remain mostly light to moderate. Temperatures will range from 15–23°C overnight to 33–38°C during the day.

Sunday will also be mostly clear and dry, with light to moderate southerly winds. Morning temperatures will be 17–24°C, while afternoon highs are expected to reach 34–39°C.

“The government has made its decision: as promised, from September 1, prescription medicines will be VAT-free,” the prime minister wrote.

Until now, prescription medicines in Hungary have been subject to the reduced 5% VAT rate, regardless of whether they are covered by public health insurance, compared with the country’s standard 27% VAT rate.

The government’s decision is expected to reduce household spending on medicines. Cutting the VAT on prescription drugs to zero is likely to provide the greatest relief for patients who take multiple medications on a long-term basis or rely on newer-generation, higher-priced prescription medicines.

The announcement was made by DĂĄvid VitĂ©zy on social media at the same time as a press conference, which he and Prime Minister PĂ©ter Magyar traveled to together by train. According to the Minister of Transport and Investments, Hungary’s rail transport system will be modernized with an investment of HUF 3.5 trillion over the next ten years.

“The goal is clear: to eliminate the Hungarian railway’s decades-long backlog, modernize infrastructure, acquire new rolling stock, and provide passengers with more reliable, faster, and more comfortable public transport,” VitĂ©zy wrote in his post, which also featured a live broadcast of the press conference.

Presenting the plan at Budapest’s RĂĄkospalota–Újpest railway station on Wednesday, VitĂ©zy said the Baross GĂĄbor Railway Development Plan marks the beginning of addressing decades of underinvestment in Hungary’s railway network. He described it as a clear program serving the interests of the Hungarian people, with HUF 3.55 trillion expected to be available for implementation by 2035, based on the current work plan.

According to the plan presented, the funding will come from several sources:

• HUF 1.1 trillion from EU cohesion funds,
• HUF 700 billion from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF),
• HUF 400 billion through a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB),
• HUF 400 billion in investments through concession arrangements,
• and HUF 950 billion in commitments for projects under the EU’s 2028–2034 programming period.

According to the observatory, the Southern Delta Aquariids are known for their fast-moving meteors that leave delicate streaks of light across the sky. The Alpha Capricornids, although less frequent, are famous for producing bright fireballs that can remain spectacular even under the strong light of the nearly full Moon.

No telescope or binoculars are needed to enjoy the meteor showers. The phenomenon can be observed with the naked eye from a location free of light pollution and obstructions.

However, the observatory noted that the low position of the meteor showers’ radiant points and the almost full Moon will reduce visibility, meaning observers are likely to see around 10–15 shooting stars per hour, fewer than the showers’ theoretical maximum.

The Alpha Capricornid meteor shower was discovered in 1871 by Hungarian astronomer Miklós Konkoly-Thege in Ógyalla (now Hurbanovo, Slovakia).

Konkoly-Thege founded the institute that later evolved into today’s HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences, whose Konkoly Thege MiklĂłs Astronomical Institute operates the SvĂĄbhegy Observatory.

The observatory will also host a special public programme on the night of the meteor shower peak.

The evening will begin with interactive astronomy activities followed by a musical performance by Szabolcs Kövi. Visitors will then have the opportunity to observe the night sky through telescopes. Further details about the event and the meteor showers are available on the observatory’s official website.

(MTI)

The findings come as Hungary’s rental market enters one of its busiest periods of the year. Every summer, following the announcement of university admission results, thousands of students begin searching for accommodation in university cities across the country.

The survey found that 76% of respondents correctly knew that a residential lease agreement is only legally valid if it is made in writing. Both landlords and tenants identified a clear, detailed written contract as the most important safeguard in a rental arrangement, ranking it above security deposits, property ownership documents, employer certificates, or long-term rental commitments.

Most respondents also understood that, in general, additional occupants may only move into a rented property with the landlord’s written consent. They were also aware that a security deposit must be returned at the end of the tenancy unless the landlord has legitimate claims, such as unpaid rent, utility bills, or compensation for damages.

However, the survey revealed significant misunderstandings about what happens when a tenant refuses to vacate the property after the lease ends. Only 38% of respondents knew that, without a notarized enforcement document, the landlord must initiate court proceedings to obtain an eviction order and cannot legally remove the tenant on their own.

Many respondents incorrectly believed they could simply change the locks or ask the police to remove the tenant. In reality, police cannot carry out an eviction without a final court decision or the enforcement of a notarized deed, and their involvement is generally limited to assisting a court-appointed enforcement officer.

MOKK emphasized that while it is possible to prepare a lease agreement without legal assistance, landlords and tenants are better protected if they seek the help of a notary or lawyer. Standard contract templates downloaded from the internet often fail to provide adequate legal protection when disputes arise.

The chamber recommends that lease agreements clearly specify payment deadlines, payment methods, rent and utility obligations, pet policies, the conditions for returning the security deposit, and the tenant’s obligation to move out after the lease expires.

The survey also highlights the benefits of a unilateral declaration of obligation executed before a notary. If a tenant fails to comply with the commitments contained in such a notarized document, the landlord can begin enforcement proceedings directly, without first filing a lawsuit.

Landlords and tenants may also choose to have the entire lease agreement executed as a notarial deed. According to MOKK, this provides stronger legal certainty for both parties by clearly documenting the rent, payment deadlines, conditions for modifying the agreement, and the rules governing the end of the tenancy and the tenant’s move-out.

Debrecen rents reach HUF 220,000 as rental market growth slows

Source: MTI

According to Hungary’s National Directorate General for Disaster Management, the cooling system of a multiple-unit train started smoking inside the station’s main building. Around 400 passengers evacuated the train before firefighters arrived at the scene.

By 1:45 p.m., railway operator MÁV reported that restrictions had been reduced to a single track at Keleti Station, allowing services on the Újszász, Hatvan, and Mátra InterRegio lines to gradually return to normal.

Service disruptions

Several trains on the Újszász line were cancelled, while others were replaced by alternative G60 and Z60 services, with substitute trains making additional stops normally served by the cancelled S60 services. One Z60 train to Szolnok was expected to run 20–25 minutes late due to the incident.

On the Hatvan and Miskolc line, the HernĂĄd–ZemplĂ©n InterCity service to KoĆĄice and SĂĄtoraljaĂșjhely was delayed by approximately 35–40 minutes. An S80 suburban service to GödöllƑ was cancelled, with passengers redirected to a MĂĄtra InterRegio train making extra stops.

Services to Gyöngyös were also affected. The IR85 Måtra InterRegio departing from Keleti was cancelled, and passengers were advised to travel on the Agria InterRegio to Våmosgyörk, where replacement buses were provided for the remainder of the journey. Replacement buses also operated in the opposite direction between Gyöngyös and Våmosgyörk.

Rail services are expected to return to normal gradually as operations at Keleti Station continue to recover.

“Today’s teenagers and young adults are under greater psychological pressure than ever before. Constant online presence, performance pressure, and digital noise leave many struggling with anxiety, burnout, or loneliness. The SZociety initiative was born from this recognition: Sziget not only wants to raise awareness of these challenges but also stand alongside those who provide real support to young people every day,” said Andrea VidĂł, Head Organizer of Civil Sziget, about the launch of the movement.

One of the initiative’s key elements is the SZuper SZociety Award, which recognizes NGOs, educational institutions, communities, and programs that make a significant contribution to young people’s well-being, meaningful connections, and the creation of supportive communities. Applications are invited in two categories—BÁZIS (local) and HORIZONT (national)—for both local and nationwide initiatives.

Applications will be evaluated by a distinguished professional jury, but young people themselves will also play a role in the selection process, as they are best placed to identify those who truly understand them and can engage with them authentically.

However, SZociety is much more than an award. Throughout the year, the movement will work to connect support organizations with businesses and cultural partners that can contribute to their work in various ways. A concert ticket, festival pass, relaxing weekend getaway, or other donation can help those providing support recharge and continue reaching even more young people in need. In this way, Sziget aims not only to build community during the festival itself but also to strengthen those who dedicate their lives to helping others all year round.

The winners will be announced during the festival on the Sziget Main Stage, placing the spotlight on those whose everyday work often goes unnoticed but has an enormous impact in ensuring that young people do not have to face their struggles alone.

Application Information

Applications for the SZuper SZociety Award are open until midnight on July 19, 2026. The award is open to NGOs, educational institutions, communities, and other initiatives that have been actively working for at least one year to improve the well-being of young people aged 12 to 30, strengthen community connections, and build supportive environments. The award will be presented in two categories: BÁZIS (local) and HORIZONT (national).

Detailed application guidelines and the online application form are available at:

In a statement, the family emphasized that Neill’s previously diagnosed cancer had not returned and was not the cause of his death, according to . The actor had previously been diagnosed with stage III angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Conventional chemotherapy proved ineffective, but an experimental medication successfully put the disease into remission. He continued receiving the treatment once a month, and the cancer had completely disappeared from his body, making his death all the more unexpected for his family.

Born in Northern Ireland in 1947, Sam Neill moved to New Zealand as a child, where he later built his acting career. He became internationally famous for portraying paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park franchise. Throughout his long career, he also appeared in Bicentennial Man, The Tudors, and Marvel’s Thor films, among many other acclaimed productions.

PĂ©csi began his career at Debrecen’s Alföld Television as a reporter and editorial staff member. He later worked for RTL Hungary, where he spent more than three years in two separate periods as a press officer and later as head of press relations.

His strongest connection to the transport sector comes from his more than 13 years at Magyar KözĂșt Nonprofit Ltd., where he served for many years as head of communications and spokesperson. During that time, he was responsible for the external and internal communications, media relations, social media platforms, and public information activities related to transportation for one of Hungary’s largest state-owned companies.

The ministry added that throughout his professional career, PĂ©csi has gained experience in marketing communications through both the corporate and media sectors, as well as through the communications agency he founded in 2023. In recent years, alongside traditional communications and PR work, he has focused particularly on social media strategy development and management.

The airline will operate the route three times a week—on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays—from early July until the end of September using Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Berisot noted that the Riyadh route is the fourth new intercontinental destination added to Budapest Airport’s network this year, following the launch of services to Philadelphia, Toronto, and Seoul.

He said the new connection would strengthen links between Central Europe and the Middle East, opening new opportunities for tourism, trade, and investment. Passengers will also gain easier access to other destinations in Saudi Arabia, as well as onward connections to India, Ethiopia, and Pakistan via Riyadh.

Majid bin Abdulaziz Al-Abdal, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Hungary, described the new route as a milestone in relations between the two countries. He said it would deepen economic and cultural ties while supporting the kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic development strategy.

He added that Hungary’s strategic location, competitive economy, and favorable business environment create new opportunities for bilateral trade, making it easier for Hungarian companies to enter Gulf markets and for Saudi investors to access both Hungarian and wider European markets.

Sultan Al-Khaldi, flynas Sales Director, said the airline’s goal is not only to connect two cities but also to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and their people.

He highlighted that flynas offers connections to several destinations within Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam, providing passengers with additional international travel options.

Al-Khaldi also noted that the airline currently operates a fleet of 74 aircraft, with plans to expand it to around 260 aircraft by 2030, including additional Airbus A320neo and Airbus A330neo models.

He thanked Budapest Airport and its partners for their cooperation and said the airline expects strong passenger demand in both directions. In addition to passenger travel, the new Budapest–Riyadh route is also expected to support the growth of air cargo traffic.

In response to questions from MTI, flynas representatives said the seasonal service will offer around 15,000 seats on the Budapest–Riyadh route through the end of September. They added that the direct flight reduces travel time between the two capitals to approximately 4.5 hours. Preparations for launching the route began in late 2024.

In Central Europe, flynas also operates direct flights to Vienna, Prague, and KrakĂłw.

(MTI)