We’ve just been alerted to the important fact that if you zoom in on the Hungarian Parliament on Google maps and then use the little directional gizmo to view it from the east (river) side of the building, it appears that the dome of the building and the other bits where the nation’s politicians do their work has collapsed in on itself, as if being pulled in by something so dark and powerful even light cannot escape from it.

Last Thursday government-friendly daily Magyar Hírlap published what appeared to be a major scoop: That Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz had agreed to appear in an American-Hungarian co-production about the history of the communist-era secret service ÁVH. We got wind of the story from our friends at Hungary Around the Clock, who graciously allow us to publish certain items from their excellent, subscription-only English-language news digest. But while some of their other partners in the “public media” went with the piece, which then went on to appear on other websites around the world, I held back. And I was right to. more >>

If you ever wondered just how big of a deal the whole Dubaiing scandal has become in Hungary, watch the video above of the Miss Hungary tryouts, where contestants were immediately asked if they had ever been to Dubai, with all the girls quick to deny it. And for a bonus, click here to watch a bunch of pudgy men criticize a plus-size contestant who clearly has less weight to lose than they do.

This year’s 20th annual Sziget Fesztival is shaping up to be just like that Christmas when you asked for a Nintendo and instead received board games: lots of anticipation-filled waiting followed by a massive letdown. more >>

Just when we had put behind us the horror/comedy of the Hungarian government’s foray into the fashion business, we stumbled on this ginormous promotional wall painting for the program overlooking a parking lot in District VI. more >>

Blame the weather, the economy, or whatever you choose, but they’re not kidding about the whole “April is the cruelest month” thing! Here are some of the highlights/low points: more >>

In the most exciting Hollywood invasion of Hungary since Steven Spielberg brutally besieged District VI back in ’05, production starts today in Budapest on the latest installment of the beloved Bruce Willis vehicle “Die Hard,” and will continue through the second week of May, closing off parts of the city that doubled for Buenos Aires in “Evita” so it can play Moscow (or so we’re told). more >>

Construction work began yesterday on the moving of the bicycle lane on Andrássy út, following years of complaints by motorists and cyclists. more >>

In a tacit admission that Budapest’s metro trains are really just speeding deathtraps waiting to self-immolate, metro drivers are now being issued with gas masks in the not so unlikely event that the train catches fire. more >>

Just do your best to make it across before the light turns red.

As you may have heard, last week there was a bit of rather extreme nastiness in Fejér County, owing to the decision of a 24-year-old man to kill most of the occupants of his family’s house in Kulcs, mostly with a machete. more >>

Those who are easily offended or outraged should probably click away right now rather than watch either of the two videos embedded above, both of which serve to highlight – and reinforce – stereotypes that over the years have gained widespread currency among Hungarians. more >>