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Flying the flag: Thousands march in defiant Hungary pride

People take part in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Pride Parade in Budapest on July 23, 2022. Ferenc ISZA / AFP

AFP

Thousands of Hungarians marched in Budapest on Saturday to defend LGBTQ rights, a year after the passage of a law widely described as discriminatory. 

Brightly dressed revellers took to the streets by the Danube under scorching heat, sporting rainbow umbrellas, flags and a giant heart.

Participants, who included foreign diplomats, condemned the text adopted in 2021 prohibiting “the representation or promotion” of LGBTQ among minors. 

“It’s a tool to divide people and pit them against each other,” said marketing expert Armin, who declined to give their last name. 

“To be honest (about the situation) it’s quite depressing,” said Pal Va, an 18-year-old student who said he will leave Hungary in September to study abroad.  

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“I’m lucky to have an accepting family and friends, but so many LGBTQ people I know have to hide,” he said, adding that he was recently insulted in the street. 

“Only because I was wearing a pink T-shirt.” 

Annamaria Nemet, a 54-year-old saleswoman, attended the event in solidarity with her son. 

“I cannot accept the fact that he is considered a second-class citizen in his own country,” she said. 

“We are a backward society.” 

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On one of the city’s many bridges, counter-protesters displayed a banner comparing homosexuality with paedophilia. 

The controversial law, originally aimed at fighting sexual crimes against children, caused an uproar in Europe last year.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen previously called the bill “a shame”. 

The European executive subsequently launched an infringement procedure against Hungary, before referring the matter to the EU Court of Justice in mid-July. 

The nationalist and ultra-conservative Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose country is in the crosshairs of Brussels for its attacks on the rule of law, insists that the law is not homophobic and aims to “protect the rights of children”. 

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On Saturday, during a speech in Romania, he reaffirmed the government’s position.

“The father is a man, the mother is a woman, leave our children alone,” he said, dismissing “Western nonsense” around the issue.

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International

Joe Biden finishes prostate cancer radiotherapy at Penn Medicine

Former U.S. President Joe Biden completed his prostate cancer radiotherapy on Monday, a condition he has been managing since 2023.

The 82-year-old touched a ceremonial bell at Penn Medicine in Pennsylvania after his final session, according to a video posted on Instagram by his daughter, Ashley Biden. She expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses for the care her father received during his treatment.

A spokesperson for Biden told ABC News that it is currently unclear whether the former president will need to continue radiotherapy.

Biden’s prostate cancer was detected during a routine check-up. According to his medical team, it was a localized, slow-growing tumor. At the time of diagnosis, doctors indicated a positive prognosis with no signs of metastasis.

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Central America

White House targets Nicaragua over human rights and labor violations

The White House is considering imposing new tariffs of up to 100% on Nicaragua or removing the country from the benefits of the CAFTA-DR free trade agreement, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) reported Monday.

The USTR determined that Nicaragua’s policies under the Ortega-Murillo regime regarding violations of labor and human rights, as well as the dismantling of the rule of law, are “unreasonable” and constitute a burden on commerce.

The resolution follows an investigation that began on December 10, 2024, when the USTR, based on recommendations from the Section 301 Committee and other advisory bodies, started reviewing the practices of Nicaragua’s government. The process included a public hearing and more than 160 comments and testimonies, including evidence of severe human rights abuses that have been forwarded to the U.S. State Department for evaluation and follow-up.

The report published Monday extensively documents how Nicaragua’s authoritarian practices — including the repression of fundamental freedoms — create a high-risk environment for U.S. businesses and investments.

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International

Zelenskyy: Meeting with Trump “Positive” Despite Rejected Missile Request

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described his reportedly tense meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week as “positive,” despite failing to secure Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine. He emphasized what he said was the continued U.S. interest in economic cooperation with Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said Trump backed away from the possibility of sending long-range missiles to Ukraine after a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, held just hours before the U.S. and Ukrainian leaders met on Friday.

“In my view, he doesn’t want an escalation with the Russians until he meets with them,” Zelenskyy told reporters Sunday. His remarks were embargoed until Monday morning.

Ukraine is seeking to purchase 25 Patriot air defense systems from U.S. manufacturers using frozen Russian assets and assistance from partners. However, Zelenskyy noted that acquiring all of them will take time due to long production lines. He said he discussed with Trump potential support to accelerate procurement, possibly through European partners.

According to Zelenskyy, Trump stated during their meeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sweeping demands — that Ukraine cede the entire eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk — remain unchanged.

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Zelenskyy was diplomatic when describing his encounter with Trump, though reports suggest he faced pressure to accept Putin’s terms — a strategy Trump has reportedly maintained since the tense Oval Office confrontation on February 28, when the Ukrainian leader was publicly scolded for not being “grateful enough” for U.S. aid.

Still, Zelenskyy said that since Trump ultimately supported maintaining the current front line, the overall message was “positive” for Ukraine.

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