Hungary: Ex-PM Orban pledges resistance to Magyar 'tyranny'

• Hungary has launched an investigation into the subsidies provided to the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD. • The probe follows concerns over a "revolving door" scenario after a former Hungarian minister, who previously negotiated the subsidies, joined the carmaker.

• Marine Le Pen and Matteo Salvini have condemned a police raid targeting Hungary's largest opposition party, criticizing the move as a sign of growing autocracy. • The incident occurs amidst Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's sixteen-year tenure, during which he has consistently pushed a political vision centered on sovereignty, identity, and immigration.

• House Republicans approved a $95 billion budget reconciliation framework on Wednesday to increase federal spending in several key areas. • The package specifically targets funding boosts for the Pentagon, agricultural aid, and grants intended to support voting restrictions.

• Justice Amy Coney Barrett faced questioning during a recent Senate hearing regarding the Supreme Court's failure to address the rise of prediction markets and the resulting ethical risks. • Concerns center on whether justices could exploit nonpublic information for financial gain through these markets, creating a potential loophole in judicial oversight.

• House Republicans have linked their entire legislative agenda, including the defense policy bill, to the SAVE Act, a voting restriction measure demanded by Donald Trump. • The strategy involves using a panel that handles federal elections legislation to fund changes to laws under its jurisdiction.

• Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have attacked tankers in the Red Sea, asserting that the vessels violated their established blockade. • The US military has launched its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian-linked targets to degrade Tehran's ability to threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

• China Vice Minister Hua Chunying, Japan Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu, and South Korea Foreign Minister Cho Hyun attended the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Ministers’ Meeting. • The diplomatic gathering took place on July 23, 2026, in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines.

• Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP leader Nitin Nabin accused Rahul Gandhi of "shamelessly" exploiting students as political tools and promoting "anarchy" during his sit-in protest over the NEET paper leak. • The conflict escalated on July 21, 2026, as Delhi Police summarily detained Opposition leaders after the government accused Gandhi of "changing the goalposts" regarding his demands to end the protest.

• Youth protesters clashed with police in Delhi to demand the resignation of the education minister following widespread exam paper leaks. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to the unrest by vowing that those responsible for the exam fraud will be punished.

• BJP President and Union Minister JP Nadda announced on Wednesday that the government is prepared for a detailed discussion in Parliament regarding the NEET paper leak protests. • Nadda urged political parties to stop politicizing the issue for gain, emphasizing that students' concerns should be addressed through corrective measures rather than political battles.

• Disillusioned Indian youth have launched the "cockroach" protests, a satirical online movement criticizing a broken education system and lack of employment opportunities. • The movement is driven by students who feel that governing institutions have failed to provide jobs or take responsibility despite students following all academic and professional rules.