Air Canada has announced that from June 2026, it will resume its previously very popular direct flight between Budapest and Toronto, Budapest Airport, the operator of the Hungarian capital’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport, says on its website.
The airline will operate the route with 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering passengers a choice of three travel classes and an even higher level of service. Starting next June, the Budapest-Toronto route will connect the Hungarian capital with Canada’s largest city four times a week during the summer season. The new link will contribute to the further growth of premium overseas passenger traffic in Hungary and offer outbound travelers excellent transfer options to many other destinations on the American continent.
Following several months of preparatory work and discussions with the airline, Air Canada will resume its Budapest-Toronto flight in the summer of 2026, operating four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from the Hungarian capital to the Canadian city, until the end of October. Air Canada will operate the route with a wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering passengers a choice of Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class, ensuring that both leisure and business travelers will find the service that suits their needs.
The flight will operate between Ferenc Liszt International Airport and Toronto Pearson International Airport from June 6 to October 24, 2026. The modern, world-class, 298-seater aircraft will depart from Budapest at 13:15 local time and arrive in Toronto at 15:15, while the return flight will depart from the Canadian city at 21:55 and land in the Hungarian capital at 11:25 the following day. Air Canada will provide 47,680 seats between the two cities during the summer season and offer excellent transfer options in Toronto, that will connect Budapest with other regions of Canada, major cities in North America and certain exotic destinations, such as the Caribbean, Hawaii, and several South American countries.
“With Air Canada’s Budapest-Toronto flight, we announced our second direct North American destination this summer, which clearly demonstrates the success of our aviation development activities. With Budapest returning to the map of the largest North American carriers with two connections this year, we can provide a further boost to the already extremely lively interest that the Hungarian capital enjoys among overseas travelers,” the CEO of Budapest Airport, Francois Berisot emphasized in the statement.
“The announcement of this new transatlantic flight is an important outcome of Visit Hungary’s overseas marketing activities, which played a significant role in establishing demand for the connection. The direct Budapest-Toronto route could further boost inbound leisure travel and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism in Budapest, from our third-highest spending market amongst major sending countries,” according to Olivér Csendes, the CEO of Visit Hungary, commending the significance of Air Canada’s announcement.
The connection is expected to attract considerable interest once again, as it will serve an already high demand with the launch of the direct flight; currently, nearly 90,000 passengers travel between the two countries annually. As a simple, convenient and fast alternative to connecting, the direct flight is expected to further stimulate this demand among leisure passengers (such as the passengers of the very popular river cruises departing from Budapest), those visiting friends and relatives, business travelers and the MICE segment (those arriving for conferences, incentive trips, exhibitions and other business-related meetings) as well.
Hungarian employers expect employment indicators to improve in the last quarter of this year: 25% of Hungarian companies plan to expand their workforce during this period, while 17% expect to reduce it, according to a labor market survey by Manpower Hungary published on Wednesday by MTI.
ManpowerGroup surveyed more than 40,000 employers in 42 countries around the world, including 525 employers in Hungary.
The seasonally adjusted net employment outlook, calculated from the difference between the number of companies forecasting an increase and those forecasting a decrease in staffing levels, reached an average value of +8 percent, which is 4 percentage points higher than in the previous quarter. This data broke the three-quarter trend of gradual decline, indicating renewed optimism among domestic companies, the report said.
The announcement quoted Péter Varga, managing director of Manpower Hungary, who said that based on expectations for the last quarter, the Hungarian labor market has passed its lowest point and domestic companies are already expecting a further upturn in employment.
However, he also indicated that this upturn will be stronger once the economy is back on a clear growth path. At present, the positive shift is mainly due to certain sectors. He cited the automotive industry as an example, which, following the US-EU customs agreement, can once again plan under more stable market conditions, while major investors in the sector are bringing new capacity into production. Another sector expected to see a strong upturn by the end of the year is finance and real estate, whose prospects may be positively influenced by the preferential mortgage program that is now being launched.
It was highlighted that the largest increase in employment is expected in logistics and the automotive industry, as well as in finance and real estate. Employers also expect above-average growth in communication services and in the raw materials and manufacturing industries. At the same time, there is a trend towards staff reductions in the energy and utilities sector.
They pointed out that the proportion of companies planning to increase their workforce is highest among medium-sized companies employing 50-249 people and 250-999 people, while companies with more than 5,000 employees indicate a slight intention to reduce their workforce.
The representative survey also revealed that, according to domestic companies, the factors that have the greatest impact on retaining staff are flexible working hours, followed by appropriate recognition of employees and achieving a work-life balance.
The Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE) has received international recognition for its programs promoting financial awareness, the BSE announced to MTI on Wednesday.
The Capital Markets Awards are organized by Euromoney, an international financial magazine, to honor the outstanding performance of global capital market players, including stock exchanges, brokerage firms, market data providers, custodians, and depositories.
It was highlighted that the BSE received the award in the category of Best Financial Education Exchange in Central and Eastern Europe. In its assessment, Euromoney took into account professional criteria such as the launch of new or expanded financial education programs, the use of digital solutions and technologies to expand financial literacy, and the creation of joint initiatives and partnerships.
Euromoney has been recognizing banks and financial institutions for outstanding performance for more than 30 years.
The announcement quoted Tibor Tóth, CEO of the BSE, who said that it was a great honor for them that the Budapest Stock Exchange had proven to be outstanding not only domestically but also internationally with its work aimed at developing financial culture.
MOL Plc. has notifies market participants of the following MOL and O&GD have discovered a new oil field at a depth of approximately 2,400 meters near Galgahévíz, Hungary.
O&GD and MOL share the extracted volume in a 51%-49% ratio. The Galgahévíz4 well is capable of producing approximately 1,000 barrels of crude oil per day, which will be processed at the Danube Refinery in Százhalombatta.
“The new deposit contributes significantly to Hungary’s security of supply, as domestic production reduces import dependency. Uncertainties surrounding supply routes also confirm that the more pipelines there are in the region, the more certain it is that there will always be enough energy. However, the best source is always domestic, which is why MOL treats hydrocarbon exploration in Hungary as a priority,” Dr. György Bacsa, Managing Director of MOL Hungary said.
The Galgahévíz-4 well contributes approximately 0.5% to MOL Group’s hydrocarbon production.
Thanks to a new strategic partnership between Mercedes-Benz Vans and E.ON Hungária Group, customers purchasing light commercial vehicles now have access to discounted electric charging solutions tailored to their individual needs, as well as a range of new integrated energy solutions.
In addition, a total of 25 new public charging points integrated into the E.ON network will be installed in 16 car dealerships across the country to support sustainable transportation. The aim of the cooperation is to facilitate the transition to electromobility for business customers and contribute to the decarbonization of the corporate sector in Central and Eastern Europe.
As part of a partnership covering four countries in the region (Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Romania), E.ON will offer a comprehensive e-mobility service package to customers purchasing Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles, whether they are sole traders or large corporate fleets. From personalized professional advice to the installation of charging infrastructure to operation and maintenance, all services are available from a single source through a transparent and customer-focused process.
“The transition to electric mobility is no longer a thing of the future, but part of our everyday lives. At Mercedes-Benz, we not only provide premium vehicles, but also a full range of services for our customers, including the development of an electric ecosystem. Thanks to the agreement with the E.ON Hungária Group, we can now offer premium solutions in the field of infrastructure as well, providing truly outstanding support for the operation of our electric light commercial vehicles,” Tibor Szilveszter, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ domestic sales and marketing director said.
The new service package is available through official Mercedes-Benz dealerships, where interested parties can indicate their need for a charging solution by filling out a form early in the purchase process. During the consultation, E.ON experts take into account the specific characteristics of the business, the conditions at the site, and the customer’s energy management goals, and then prepare a customized offer for the charging infrastructure. The process is entirely digital; requests for quotes, contract signing, and scheduling are all done online. After the contract is signed, E.ON’s regional contractor will schedule an installation date and then install and commission the charging equipment as specified in the contract.
“We were delighted to enter into this partnership with Mercedes-Benz, as we share a common interest in the spread of sustainable energy use and e-mobility, because the speed and success of the energy transition also depend on us. The E.ON Hungária Group aims to provide its customers with customized, future-proof, and cost-effective energy services that not only reduce environmental impact but also represent a commercially competitive solution,” András István Tóth, Sales Director of Energy Solutions at E.ON Hungária Group emphasized.
As part of the cooperation, E.ON Hungária Group will establish new charging stations at 16 locations in Hungary – in Békéscsaba, Budapest, Budaörs, Debrecen, Fót, Győr, Jászberény, Kecskemét, Miskolc, Pécs, Sopron, Szeged, and Székesfehérvár. Thanks to the partnership between the two companies, a total of 25 new public charging points will become available, which will be gradually rolled out to users from December 2024.
The new chargers will be integrated into E.ON’s nationwide network and will offer simple charging and convenient payment solutions, allowing users to use the infrastructure in cooperation with other e-mobility providers. During charging, drivers can enjoy a premium environment and high-quality service at Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
Mercedes-Benz and E.ON share a common goal of promoting the wider adoption of electric mobility solutions and making the benefits of sustainable transport and green business operations available to businesses of all sizes. What makes this collaboration unique is that it not only supports on-site charging, but also offers new, integrated energy solutions in the future (depending on market maturity) and provides program participants with access to discounted electricity rates.
The British International School Budapest (BISB), part of the prestigious Nord Anglia Education family, is a vibrant and warm community with a strong and well-deserved reputation. The School is proud of its excellent academic results and university destinations – just as of achieving these results alongside the development of the skills and dispositions necessary to thrive in today’s exciting and rapidly changing world.
As interim Principal Chris Russell explains to Diplomacy&Trade, The British International School Budapest has a long-standing reputation for excellence. “We see excellent academic outcomes as non-negotiable and we are looking at the broadest holistic aspects of education, thinking about how we can develop the skills and dispositions that the students will need to become well-rounded and successful individuals. To start with, we do that through having very high-quality teachers. In the classroom, it is achieved through a broad conceptualization of schooling and a holistic provision. This manifests itself not just in lessons that they do on a daily basis, but also in our co-curricular learning provision as well as plenty of opportunities for the students to engage in taking themselves out of their comfort zones and developing those components.”
The School ensures a strong sense of community, this provides a psychological safety net so that the students feel equipped to take risks and grow. The institution works hard to recruit high quality teachers and then continue to develop them professionally. Also, they ensure that students are exposed to opportunities to explore their passions and interests and push themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of, he adds.
Why choose BISB? “We offer excellence across all aspects of our provision. It’s not just in one aspect such as academics or sports or the performing arts or student leadership or other components of our education, but we offer excellence across all of those strands and students that start with us, very quickly become part of our student community and grow into incredible individuals. We see that on a yearly basis with our graduating classes that go to the best universities in the world and more and more step into positions of responsibility,” Chris Russell highlights.
The British International School Budapest is part of the prestigious Nord Anglia Education family. This is a great benefit as BISB is part of a group of some 90 schools globally. All of the students have the opportunities to connect with other students around the world through Global Campus, which is an online portal, as well as through trips, residentials and competitions.
“We have sports competitions across Europe where we compete with other Nord Anglia schools. Just recently, we have some students going off to Houston, TX for a social impact convention. Students travel all around Europe and we have a camp in Tanzania where students go and do social impact work. At BISB, we create life changing learning experiences for our students through our global collaborations with The Juilliard School, MIT, UNICEF and IMG Academy. On top of that, our teachers benefit from the very best professional development. We have two teachers working on Project Zero, a research project around metacognition and how we can develop that in students. From a teacher’s perspective, there are lots of opportunities for professional development here. There is a network of professionals across the Nord Anglia Education group to collaborate with, learn alongside resulting in the implementation of the very best in innovative pedagogical practice into their teaching. It is also about the provision that we have to develop our teachers and school leaders into the very best that they can be and offer the very best education to the students in our school,” he stresses.
Small class sizes at BISB allow for more of an individualized attention to the students allowing better support through monitoring, intervention, guidance and challenge. BISB provision also provides the freedom to interact and other aspects beyond the classroom, which ensure that the students develop as much as they can.
Chris Russell | Photo by BISB
Chris Russell reiterates that “academic results are non-negotiable for us. Our students consistently achieve well above global and regional averages. In the IB Diploma where the global average is about 30, our students consistently achieve an average of 34 or more points with around a quarter of them achieving 40 or more points. This allows them to access the very best universities in the world such as Cambridge, the London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), the top universities in the Netherlands, Bocconi in Italy and then across in the United States as well.”
Holistic education BISB is proud of adopting a holistic approach to education going beyond traditional classroom learning. “We do have academic subjects as well, but we also have a strong offer across the sports and performing arts in addition to a lot of opportunities for students to engage in social impact work. A really well-designed scope and sequence of student leadership starts right the way down with our youngest students,” the interim Principal says.
He emphasises that they work on the premise that empowering students starts with high-quality learning. “I already mentioned metacognition but we also want to empower them through values and develop a strong values framework within them. Then, building on the foundation of those two, we want them to have a sense of agency and take action. We encourage our five/six-year-old ‘mini change makers’, who are year one, to take on projects where they have an impact in our community. For instance, some of our younger students led a project to rewild our campus with spring flowers learning about how that could make a nicer environment and take some ecological responsibility. This engagement extends right the way up to our older students who are looking at fast fashion and how we can look at reducing our impact on the environment. We even engage students in school development so that they will come and present us ways in which they think we can use our resources better. Another example is that of 17-year-olds who presented a proposal for changing the taps, as simple as that, and explained how it was not only economically more sensible, but that it would also reduce our water consumption.”
Social impact Speaking of social impact, he notes that the School has just received a gold distinction on that. “It is based on teaching the students about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Charter for the Rights of the Child, so that they understand those two areas and then create an environment where everyone is respected and there is dignity. It also provides them with opportunities to take action. In the IB Diploma Programme, they have to take on service learning and lead projects, which have a positive impact on either the school or our local or global communities.”
Co-curricular learning takes many forms. BISB has a Model United Nations where students discuss and recognize the challenges that the globe is facing and engage in active discussion, debate and public speaking. Additionally, the interim Principal’s favourite is the Duke of Edinburgh International Award: “students have to go and carry out an expedition, a two-day one, where they carry their own food and belongings with them. Alongside that, in order to qualify for the award, they have to commit to activity and service as well. All in all, our social impact work involves empowering through learning, empowering through values, empowering to act. This is what we have focused on in the last couple of years, and it’s probably one of the things I’m most proud of. Our students are keen, equipped and confident to make a positive impact on the world.”
Curiosity makes strong communicators In today’s rapidly changing world, there are skills and mindsets that are most crucial for students to acquire. As to how this school equips students with all these for future success, the word that comes to Chris Russell’s mind first is ‘deliberately’. “We have what we call learner ambitions, which is part of how we develop metacognitive strategies. I think the most important of all is curiosity that you can engender not just about how water turns to ice from an academic perspective, but also curiosity about other people and how different perspectives can manifest themselves. With all that in mind, we try and build strong communicators. All of our students take at least two languages all the way through to the end of their time here, but most of them are tri- or quadrilingual. We want them to be confident communicators verbally and in written format and to be able to collaborate with different groups. We do a lot of group work in the classrooms to ensure that they are not just collaborating with people like themselves as we have 70 nationalities in our school from all around the world from lots of different backgrounds. You get a better project when you work with people who think differently to you. I think some of the problems and challenges that humanity is going to face in the coming years are going to demand that ability to think creatively, solve problems and be able to work with people differently. We are very conscious that young people need to recognise that they have a responsibility to themselves and other people. We work to create a sense of care, kindness and compassion in our students as well. We do that internally through providing opportunities for them to work with younger students. That could be reading, leading projects alongside younger peers or simply offering support and advice. Through all that, we want them to understand that their actions can and will have an impact on other people, and we want that impact to be positive,” he points out.
Balaton Shipping Co. (BAHART) closed this year’s peak season with record numbers. The number of passengers traveling on ferries reached 1,220,000, while the number traveling on passenger boats on Lake Balaton approached 820,000, meaning that BAHART exceeded the two million passenger mark earlier this year than last year, on August 29, according to a statement released on Tuesday by BAHART, a subsidiary of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, to MTI.
Compared to last summer, almost 5 percent more passengers, a total of 1,630,000, used the shipping company’s services between June and August this year. The outstanding result is due to a more frequent schedule, a more colorful program offering, and, last but not least, new family discounts, according to the announcement.
They detailed that ferry service traffic during the summer months increased by 34,000 to 904,000 passengers compared to last year, representing an increase of approximately 4% compared to the same period last year. BAHART passenger ships carried 726,000 passengers in June-August, 42,000 more than last year, representing a 6% increase.
August was the busiest month of the summer, with more than 708,000 passengers boarding a BAHART ship. Last year, this number was 665,000. Most passengers traveled with BAHART on August 9, the day of the Balaton swim, with 21,000 choosing the shipping company on that day. In addition, August 23 (the last day of the Beach Festival and the middle day of the Moto GP Hungarian Grand Prix) was the busiest, with nearly 18-18,000 passengers traveling on Lake Balaton on BAHART ferries or passenger ships.
Chin Sooyoung, resident artist at the Korean Cultural Center, will pay tribute to the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation with a unique, poetic concert at the Budapest Music Center on September 22.
The repertoire of ‘Light Variations’ was created on the occasion of this historic anniversary: jazz music meets other art forms, shedding new light on the message of freedom. The repertoire of ‘Light Variations’ was created to mark this historic anniversary: jazz music meets other art forms, shedding new light on the message of freedom. With its unique genre collaborations, it promises an unforgettable evening for the audience.
The concert will not only be a celebration of jazz, but also a meeting place for different art forms. Chin Sooyoung, who worked in Budapest as the third resident artist of the Korean Cultural Center between 2024 and 2025, will bid farewell with this performance, concluding her residency program in Hungary.
In the two-part concert, Chin Sooyoung will first present her standard jazz repertoire on the piano, followed by a poetic drama based on the theme of ‘regained light’ in honor of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s regained independence. This new work is based on Chin Sooyoung’s music and the poetic lyrics of songwriter Yi Yeongyeong, and carries a hopeful message of light breaking through the darkness.
The evening will feature performers from various genres, including Lim Semi, an Austrian-based choreographer and dancer who is active throughout Europe; ROZU, who began her career as an R&B and K-pop singer; and Buen Hyun Jei, who graduated from the National Gugak High School and went on to study geomungo (Korean zither) at the Korean National University of Arts. Lizett Alíz Kondorosi, a young solo singer who performs at Matthias Church and St. Stephen’s Basilica, will also be performing, preparing for the evening with an unusual recitation.
Yu Hye Ryong, director of the Korean Cultural Center, welcomes the audience to the concert with the following thoughts: “This performance is a joint creation by our resident artist, Chin Sooyoung, and her excellent partners, which aims to convey the brilliant light of the 80th anniversary of Korean liberation to the Hungarian audience. Like Korea, Hungary has also experienced historical trials and foreign occupations, which is why I am confident that the theme of liberation will resonate with the Hungarian spirit.”
The net profit of the Budapest Stock Exchange (BSE) for the first half-year of 2025, which includes the BSE’s share of the KELER Group’s results, is HUF 2.67 billion, BSE reports on its website.
The EBITDA value in the first half-year of 2025 was HUF 879 million, which is 31% higher than the value achieved in the same period of 2024. The revenues of the Budapest Stock Exchange amounted to HUF 2 208 million in the first half-year of 2025, which is 20% higher than the revenue generated in the same period of the previous year.
In 2025 trading revenues grew 51% compared to the same period of last year. Issuer fee revenues are 3% higher than in 2024 H1, while information services revenues grew 8%.
The average equity market turnover in the first half-year of 2025, amounting to HUF 19.3 billion, exceeded the full-year average of HUF 11.8 billion in 2024. Compared to the same period in 2024, the turnover in the first halfyear is nearly 80% higher than the HUF 10.83 billion recorded a year earlier.
As of the end of June 2025, the Budapest Stock Exchange lists the securities of 155 issuer companies.
In the first half-year, the shares of one new issuer, Glia Nova, were listed on the Xtend market, while Goodwill Pharma transitioned from the Xtend market to the Standard category of the regulated market. In the debt section listed corporate bonds grew by HUF 534 billion and mortgage bonds grew with HUF 44 billion. The business line generated revenues of HUF 659 million in the first half-year, representing a 3% increase compared to the first half-year of 2024.
The information services business line generated HUF 668 million in revenue during the period, which is 8% higher compared to the first half-year of the previous year.
In the first half-year, expenses amounted to HUF 1 327 million, which is HUF 151 million (+13%) higher compared to the same period of the previous year.
The result of financial operations amounted to HUF 150 million during the reporting period. The higher amount of interest income was countered by unrealized exchange rate losses.
In the first half-year of 2025, the KELER Group achieved a pre-tax profit of HUF 4,96 billion, supported by betterthan-expected fee income and interest revenue, as well as savings in operating expenses.
Revenue from core activities amounted to 10,526 billion HUF, with a significant portion of HUF 7,114 billion coming from fees and commission income which is HUF 273,7 million higher compared to the same period of the previous year.
The interest rate differential amounted to HUF 3,416 billion, falling short of the base figure by HUF 247,8 million, primarily due to the decrease in the benchmark interest rate.
The costs of the securities depository and clearing house amounted to HUF 5,7 billion in the first half-year of 2025, exceeding the operating expenses of the same period in the previous year by HUF 698,2 million.
Consumer prices were 4.3% higher on average in August 2025 than a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office reports.
Compared to July, prices were unchanged on average.
In 12 months, compared to August 2024: A price increase of 5.9% (4.7% excluding food and beverage serving services) was recorded for food, within which 19.9% for eggs, 18.5% for coffee, 18.3% for chocolate and cocoa, 17.1% for seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits, within which 28.9% for fresh domestic and tropical fruits), 13.6% for both other confectionery products and fruit and vegetable juices, 9.3% for buffet products, 8.8% for edible oil and 8.6% for non-alcoholic beverages. Within the product group, the price of margarine lessened by 29.5%, that of flour by 11.6%, sugar prices by 10.0%, the price of other meat preparations by 6.6%, that of milk products by 6.2% and pork prices by 4.9%. An average 11.0% more was to be paid for electricity, gas and other fuels, within which natural and manufactured gas became 23.2% and butane and propane gas 2.6% more expensive. Alcoholic beverage and tobacco prices rose by 7.3%, within which the price of tobacco by 8.5%. Services became 5.4% more expensive, within which rents increased by 10.2% and other public entertainment tickets became 10.0%, the repairs and maintenance of dwellings 9.9%, the repairs and maintenance of vehicles 9.8%, personal care services 9.6% and health services 8.5% more expensive. Consumer durable prices were up by 2.4%, within which jewellery cost 22.2%, kitchen and other furniture 6.3%, living and dining room furniture 5.2% and new passenger cars 2.0% more for consumers. Motor fuel prices diminished by 4.3% and pharmaceutical products became 4.5% more expensive.
In one month, compared to July 2025: Consumer prices were unchanged on average. Food prices were also unchanged (lessening by 0.1% excluding food and beverage serving services). Salami, sausages and ham cost 1.2%, margarine 1.1%, butter 1.0%, coffee 0.8%, poultry meat and cheese both 0.7%, milk 0.5% and non-alcoholic beverages 0.4% more for consumers. Within the product group, the price of seasonal food items (potatoes, fresh vegetables and fresh domestic and tropical fruits) diminished by 2.1%, that of edible oil by 1.3%, flour prices by 0.9%, the price of pork and of eggs both by 0.4%, that of pasta products by 0.3% and bread prices by 0.2%. The highest price rise of 0.6% was measured for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, within which 0.7% for tobacco. Service prices rose by 0.5% on average, within which recreational services became 2.5% more expensive, rents went up by 1.6% and other public entertainment tickets became 0.5% more expensive. Electricity, gas and other fuel prices were unchanged, within which 0.2% more was to be paid for electricity and 1.4% less for butane and propane gas . Motor fuel prices lessened by 0.8% and pharmaceutical product prices by 0.3%.
From September 8 to October 26, scheduled boat services on Lake Balaton will run less frequently according to the fall schedule, Balatoni Shipping Co. announced on its website.
On the two main routes, Fonyód-Badacsony and Siófok-Tihany-Balatonfüred, services will run daily until September 28, and then only on Saturdays and Sundays until the end of the season.
On the two main routes, Fonyód-Badacsony and Siófok-Tihany-Balatonfüred, services will run daily until September 28, then only on Saturdays and Sundays, and during the long weekend between October 23 and 26.
Scheduled boats will also run on weekends and the long weekend from the ports of Balatonföldvár, Balatonlelle, Balatonboglár, Balatonmáriafürdő, Balatongyörök, Szigliget and Révfülöp.
Ferries will continue to run every 30 minutes, from Szántód between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and from Tihany between 7:15 a.m. and 9:15 p.m.
In an extraordinary announcement of 4iG Plc. published on the website of the Budaoest Stock Exchange on concluding non-binding Memorandums of Understanding and an Option Agreement, 4iG Public Limited Company (4iG) informs the participants of the capital market that on September 7, 2025 a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Private Limited Company (4iG S&D) – a member of 4iG Group – and CSG DEFENCE a.s. (CSG DEFENCE).
In the MoU the parties stipulated that if 4iG S&D’s subsidiary, 4iG SDT EGY Plc., successfully completes the previously announced acquisition to obtain majority control in RÁBA Automotive Holding Plc. (RÁBA Plc.), including the completion of the mandatory public takeover bid, and if the customary due diligence of RÁBA Plc. is concluded with satisfactory results for CSG DEFENCE, then under the option agreement entered into between 4iG S&D and CSG DEFENCE, CSG DEFENCE may acquire a 49% ownership stake in 4iG SDT EGY Plc, which represents an indirect – depending on the outcome of the mandatory public takeover bid phase, up to 37% – stake in RÁBA Plc.
In addition, 4iG S&D and CSG DEFENCE agreed in the MoU that 4iG SDT EGY Plc will obtain exclusive rights in Hungary for the sale, assembly, servicing, and distribution of TATRA military vehicles. They also agreed to work jointly to ensure that RÁBA becomes the second largest supplier of TATRA vehicles worldwide, and that a manufacturing and development centre serving the Central European region will be established in Győr.
Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is a global industrial and technology group owned by Czech businessman Michal Strnad, developing and manufacturing products, systems, and technologies for the defence, aerospace, automotive, and other strategic industries. Its production facilities operate, among others, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, and India, and its products are exported worldwide. Its key companies include Excalibur Army, Tatra Trucks, MSM Group, The Kinetic Group and Eldis.
6,200 foreign runners from 115 countries took part in the anniversary race, which is a huge increase compared to last year’s record. The race was ultimately won by Hungarians: Gábor Karsai from Békéscsaba in the men’s category and Lili Anna Vindics-Tóth from Budapest in the women’s category.
Foreigners made up almost 40% of the individual field in the half marathon – internationally, few cities can boast such a high proportion of participants from outside the host country at a leisure event.
The largest foreign teams traditionally came from neighboring and Western European countries: in addition to the British and Slovaks, the Germans, Czechs, Poles, and French were also represented by groups of several hundred people this year. The running caravan also attracted a large number of runners from more distant parts of the world: more than a hundred came from Brazil and the United States, but also from Japan, China, Kenya, India and Australia.
Based on KPMG’s analysis of previous years, foreign running tourists and their companions (1.5 people on average) arriving in Budapest stay for an average of 2.8 days, spending a total of approximately 40,000 guest nights in the capital. More than two-thirds of them arrive by plane, 62% stay in commercial accommodation (hotels, guesthouses), and another 30% stay in rented apartments.
Overall, the race had the largest field ever, with more than 20,000 runners registered. The 40th Wizz Air Budapest Half Marathon, which can be completed individually, in pairs, or in trios, was completely sold out, with organizers reporting a full house. The area next to the starting line was transformed into a real festival venue, visited by tens of thousands of people in addition to the runners.
The Budapest Stock Exchange’s share index, the BUX, closed at 103,178.71 points on Friday, down 1,284.16 points or 1.23% from the previous day. The stock market turnover was HUF 14.1 billion, with leading shares falling compared to the previous day’s close, the financial website penzcentrum.hu reports. However, compared to the previous week, the Bux is Up 624 points, or 0,6%.
Ákos Czibere, an analyst at Equilor Investment Plc., said that trading started in a positive mood on Friday morning, but then the BUX turned negative in the morning and finally closed lower, with above-average turnover. He emphasized that the mood on European stock exchanges was negative, and US stock indices also fell following the release of weaker labor market data, with investors expressing concerns about growth.
He added that there was no corporate news affecting the prices of leading Hungarian shares. The leading shares on the BSE followed the movements of international markets, and OTP’s significant turnover and falling price indicate that profit-taking has begun.
Mol fell by HUF 24, or 0.82%, to HUF 2,900, with a turnover of HUF 1.3 billion. OTP shares fell by HUF 530, or 1.73%, to HUF 30,100, with a turnover of HUF 8.4 billion. Magyar Telekom’s share price weakened by HUF 12, or 0.63%, to HUF 1,898, with a turnover of HUF 342.9 million. Richter shares fell by HUF 160, or 1.53%, to HUF 10,270, with a turnover of HUF 2.0 billion.
The BUMIX index of small and medium-sized shares closed at 9,292.99 points on Friday, up 66.39 points, or 0.72% compared to Thursday’s close.
On the day of its world premiere on Friday, Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi’s film, ‘Silent friend’, won four awards at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, the Hungarian National Film Institute told MTI on Friday.
The film won the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) award, which was given to the best film in the competition program. It also won the Interfilm award, which has been presented for 14 years to promote interfaith dialogue. The student jury awarded the film for its outstanding artistic value, visual world, and unique directorial vision. It also received the Green Drop Award, which recognizes films that promote the values of ecology and sustainability.
Ildikó Enyedi’s new film, ‘Silent Friend’, draws a sensitive and philosophical parallel between the relationship between plants and humans. The film tells three stories: three tentative encounters between humans and plants, when these two radically different species truly connect for a moment.
The male lead in the film is Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival. Other major roles are played by Luna Wedler, Enzo Brumm, Léa Seydoux, Johannes Hegemann, Sylvester Groth, Rainer Bock, and Martin Wuttke, among others.
The total budget for Silent Friend, a German-French-Hungarian co-production, is EUR 10.5 million. The production is scheduled to be released in cinemas across Europe in the first half of 2026.
