EU Economic Outlook for Hungary: The European Commission’s 2026 spring Semester flags Hungary’s weak competitiveness, high deficits and rising debt, warning that housing prices are accelerating and that caps and subsidised lending distort markets and make policy less predictable. EU Climate Policy Watch: A explainer defends the EU Emissions Trading System and notes ETS 2 will start pricing emissions from transport and buildings from 2028, expanding coverage across the bloc. Waste & Recycling in Hungary: Magyar Telekom launches a summer campaign to collect unused phones and tablets, citing that millions of devices sit unused at home and contain valuable, highly recyclable materials. Local Environment Alert: A report warns Lake Balaton’s Lake Velence could soon be neither swimmable nor navigable, pointing to serious ecological trouble. Energy & Water Stress: Hungary’s battery boom is linked to a worsening water crisis, raising pressure on local resources. EU Funds & Resilience: The Commission’s Semester spring package sets a roadmap for competitiveness, skills, decarbonisation and housing, while also stressing fiscal sustainability. Clean-tech Industry Push: The EU proposes an Industrial Accelerator Act to prioritise low-carbon, EU-made clean-tech in public-funded projects, aiming to cut reliance on third-country supply chains.