Danube Crisis at Paks Nuclear Plant: Hungary has ordered urgent works to protect the Paks nuclear power plant as record-low Danube levels threaten cooling operations, including building a submerged weir near Dunaszentbenedek and placing two 80-metre barges on standby that could be sunk to raise water levels by about 20 cm, with the government saying a full shutdown would cost at least 50 billion forints per month. Budapest Water Pressure: Budapest Waterworks is again urging residents to cut unnecessary tap use as low Danube levels strain production, with warnings that conditions could worsen if rainfall stays scarce. Hungary’s New President: Hungary’s parliament has elected András Baka as president, part of the Orban-era political reshuffle, with international figures including US officials praising Hungary’s role in the Geneva Consensus. CPAC Hungary Probe: Prosecutors have filed charges against a staff member of the Fidesz-linked Center for Fundamental Rights/CPAC Hungary over a post using a banned authoritarian symbol. 20 August Celebrations: The government announced a three-day programme for the national holiday in Budapest, with events across major sites and a shorter fireworks display. EU Energy & Drought Context: Across the region, drought is forcing nuclear and power disruptions, while heat is also hitting agriculture and river-dependent systems.