Latest news in Hungary - 7 Apr 2025

Keanu Reeves Spotted at Casa Mexa: Hollywood star Keanu Reeves was seen enjoying a meal at Casa Mexa, a Mexican restaurant in Budapest, as he films Ruben Östlund's latest project, "The Entertainment System is Down." The staff recognized him despite his significant facial hair for the role, capturing a memorable moment together. Read more here

Barges Get Stuck on the Danube: Two barges transporting iron ore broke free and became stuck near Budafok on Sunday morning, with no reported injuries and no contamination affecting the river. Police responded to the scene, and navigation remains unaffected. Read more here

Forint Weakens as Euro Hits 407: The Hungarian forint has continued to weaken, with the euro now costing 407 forints, marking the lowest level since January. Analysts predict the forint may reach 415 forints against the euro by year-end, potentially hitting 420 by the end of 2026. Read more here

Traffic Collision Near Astoria: A three-car collision occurred on Kossuth Lajos Street near Astoria, resulting in an overturned vehicle and only one lane being passable toward the Elizabeth Bridge. The Budapest Transport Center warns of increased travel times and congestion in both directions, so plan accordingly! Read more here

Police Arrest Car Burglars in Budapest: Three men were arrested in Zugló for multiple vehicle break-ins, caught on video during a police operation. The suspects have been linked to at least nine thefts across several districts, with damages totaling millions of forints, prompting police to remind drivers to keep valuables out of sight in their vehicles. Read more here

Disinfection Points Established on M1 Highway: In response to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, disinfection points are set up on the M1 highway, causing potential traffic delays, while several smaller border crossings to Austria are closed until May 20 as part of preventative measures. Fortunately, there are no new outbreaks in Hungary, but precautions are in place following a recent outbreak in Slovakia. Read more here

Serbian Cyclists Protest in Budapest: A group of around 80 Serbian students cycling from Novi Sad to Strasbourg held a protest in Heroes' Square, voicing their grievances against the Serbian government's treatment of protesters following the tragic collapse of a station roof in Novi Sad that claimed 16 lives. Supported by the local Serbian diaspora and media, they aim to raise awareness in the EU about their demands for justice and reform. Read more here

Vandalism at the Chain Bridge: On Saturday, two French men were arrested for tearing down 17 Israeli flags placed on the Chain Bridge in honor of Israeli President Netanyahu, while two Spanish men were later apprehended for removing a Hungarian flag. All four suspects face charges of disorderly conduct and vandalism, with additional theft charges for the French nationals. Read more here

Telemedicine for the Homeless: The Hungarian Maltese Charity Service has been providing online medical consultations to thousands of homeless individuals, utilizing tablets and mobile internet to connect them with healthcare professionals. This innovative approach also includes a medical device rental service, enabling self-monitoring of health conditions, which has even led to early cancer detection in some cases. Read more here

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