Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government

Hungary, the last holdout on Sweden's bid to join NATO, will vote on the issue on Monday, a senior official with the Fidesz ruling party said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will meet Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban on Friday ahead of the key parliamentary vote.

The European Commission has initiated legal proceedings against Hungary over its controversial "sovereignty law," marking another chapter in the ongoing clash between Brussels and Budapest. The move comes in response to concerns that the law, championed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, undermines fundamental rights and democratic principles.

Hungary and Poland were among five countries not to join EPPO, which will be partly staffed by prosecutors sourced from participating member states. Ireland and Denmark enjoy opt-out benefits in justice and home affairs cooperation, while the European Commission says Sweden plans to join EPPO next year. Hungary and Poland will be harder to convince.

Facing an unprecedented healthcare crisis in the third wave of the novel coronavirus, featuring skyrocketing death rates now totalling 30,000, the highest in the world per capita, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government ordered massive doses of eastern vaccines and rushed to inoculate citizens.

Photo Illustration: Pixabay / AndyLeungHK

Reporters Without Borders, RSF, released its annual Press Freedom Index report on Tuesday with a warning that media freedom has deteriorated across the world during the coronavirus pandemic, with governments using the crisis to assert more control over the press.

The campus is expected to be up and running by 2024. In addition to offering graduate programs in international relations, engineering, medicine and economics, Fudan University's website states that it will facilitate research and "promote high-tech innovation in Hungary".

More than 200 European human rights organizations protest against the new laws proposed by the Hungarian Parliament aimed at limiting the work of NGOs helping refugees in the country, reports Bgnes.

Amid a government crackdown on NGOs that are co-financed by billionaire George Soros, thousands have protested against a restrictive draft bill. The legislation could drive a university backed by Soros out of Hungary, according to DW.

The EU said Oct. 10 it is "very concerned" after Hungary's main opposition newspaper halted publication, sparking fears of a clampdown on press freedom by the right-wing government.

Hungary on Aug. 30 lashed out at French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius over his criticism of the country's new anti-migrant border barrier, accusing him of "shocking and groundless" judgements.