The Embassy of the United states of America in Budapest held its traditional Independence Day celebrations at the Táncsics compund in the Buda Castle in Budapest this week with hundreds of guests invited by Ambassador Kounalakis.

Day by day new heat records are broken in Hungary with the maximum daily temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius (about 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and even the dawn temperatures are higher than ever before. No improvement expected before next week.

The Budapest embassies of 16 countries have issued a joint statement expressing support for the Budapest EuroGames 2012, this year’s European Gay & Lesbian Championships, an annual European event, and the Budapest Pride Festival.

Eighty posters of environmental subject could be seen for five days in the hall of the Representatives Office (Képviselõi Irodaház) in Budapest to coincide with the Rio+20 international environmental conference in Brazil.

In 2011, price levels for consumer goods and services differed widely across the European Union. The lowest price levels were found in Bulgaria and Denmark had the highest price level. Compared to the EU27 average, Hungary’s prices are at 62%.

Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi has received the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano. The former Japanese diplomat also met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Hundreds of guests attended the the official birthday party of Queen Elizabeth II in hungary in the garden of the residence of the British ambassador to Hungary, Jonathan Knott. This year, the occasion coincided with the Queen's Jubilee.

The flora and fauna of the Indonesian archipelago on a total of 4,000 square meters covering three levels are presented in the Sóstó Zoo in Nyíregyháza, NE Hungary. The previous issue of Diplomacy & Trade carried this article.

Hungarian soldiers would be involved in efforts to guarantee security during the Euro 2012 European soccer championship, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, a Hungarian military official announced on the first day of the tournament.

Although Hungary did not qualify for the 2012 European football (soccer) championship held in Poland and the Ukraine, there was - and is - still Hungarian presence there. A Hungarian pianist and a referee team represent the country.

This week, the Hungarian capital hosted the 20th International Border Police Conference that also touched upon issues concerning the defense of the EU’s common border. The event was attended by Border security guards from 42 countries.

Diplomacy & Trade and FirstMed have held their first joint lawyer Squash Cup recently, attended by more than 60 participants in Budapest. Please, take a look at our picture compilation about the events of the sports day.

A committee of experts has selected Hungary’s most livable cities and towns for the first time. Holding the title in 2012 is Szolnok, a town of county rank in the middle of the Great Hungarian Plain, followed by Zalaegerszeg and Debrecen.

Host nation Hungary finished on top of the medal table at the 31st European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, eastern Hungary with nine gold, ten silver and seven bronze medals, ahead of Germany and Italy.

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA began its 62nd world congress in Budapest late Thursday afternoon. Issues on the Friday agenda of the Congress, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter, includes the possible reform of the organization.