Drought & Farms: Hungary’s hot, dry spell is worsening for maize and sunflower growers as rainfall deficits deepen and compensation fails to offset losses, with HungaroMet reporting 20–60 mm below average over 30 days and 70–120 mm deficits over 90 days. Danube Water Crisis: Record-low Danube levels are disrupting tourism and raising drinking-water security concerns, with beaches emerging and river cruise plans hit. Heatwave Costs: Europe’s June heatwave is estimated to have cut grain harvest value by over €2bn, with Hungary among the hardest-hit countries. Urban Nature Upgrade: Budapest is moving ahead with a new City Hall Park using a “sponge city” approach—thousands of square meters of green space and permeable surfaces to absorb rainwater and boost climate resilience. Rail Investment: The government unveiled the Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan, pledging about €9.8bn by 2035 to modernize rail and make it a more competitive, lower-impact alternative. BYD Probe: Hungary launched an investigation into state subsidies and permits tied to BYD after former foreign minister Péter Szijjártó joined the company, with inspectors also checking worker documents at the Szeged plant. EU Green Taxes: Eurostat data shows EU environmental tax revenue rose in 2024, while its share of GDP kept falling—Hungary’s share increased over the decade.