Lake Balaton Fish Die-Off: Visitors are barred from approaching the shoreline in Tihany after a mass fish kill in the Inner Lake. Most dead fish are Prussian carp, an invasive species, but experts warn the real signal is ecological stress—likely fast oxygen depletion driven by drought, heat and a changing local water balance. EU Energy Shock & Budget Flexibility: The European Commission loosened fiscal rules to let countries spend up to 0.3% of GDP yearly (until 2028) to build resilience to energy shocks, citing the Strait of Hormuz disruption and its inflation and growth impact. Hungary–Germany Reset: PM Péter Magyar met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, pitching Hungary as a “constructive” EU partner on competitiveness, migration and EU funding, while setting limits on Ukraine support. EU–Azerbaijan Renewables Push: The EU is prioritising cooperation with Azerbaijan on renewable energy and interconnectors to diversify supply and improve energy security. Hungarian Auto Green Shift: BMW’s Debrecen-built iX3 is drawing strong demand (50,000+ orders in six months), with the plant positioned as a model for more efficient, resource-responsible electric manufacturing. MNB Housing Risk Watch: Hungary’s central bank says the banking system is stable, but home lending risks are rising as new loans show higher loan-to-value ratios amid overvaluation concerns.