United States

Orbán: Hungary key state during changing global power dynamics

Orbán cabinet gets rid of foreign companies in this skyrocketing economy branch

Hungary is a “key state” which takes it upon itself to represent regional interests as well, and represents values in connection with the changing world order that “differ from the usual”, the prime minister’s political director said at the presentation of a book on Hungary’s strategy for connectivity in Győr, in the northwest, on Tuesday.

Balázs Orbán, who is also chairman of the board of trustees of Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), said the changing global power dynamics were also impacting the balance in world politics. He argued that the ongoing industrial revolutions were based on technologies requiring raw materials not available in Europe, making the continent vulnerable.

He said Hungary could choose to either apply an emotional approach to this change, or take it as something that is natural and try to manage the situation.

Though Hungary is “demographically not a significant country”, its level of technical development is high and its export power strong, Orbán said, adding that over the last 30 years, Hungary had become capable of producing what it needs and making sure that its goods are competitive in other parts of the world as well.

He said it was impossible to predict global developments, but a policy of a formation of blocs was not a solution. The emergence of blocs, he added, was dangerous for Hungary because it blocked breakout opportunities and posed a geopolitical threat.

Orbán said that the policy of blocs did not strengthen the development position of the United States, but instead accelerated change, arguing that Europe “fell to its knees” as a result of the US’ approach to the war between Russia and Ukraine, while Russia had been able to diversify its economy and strengthen its relations with China.

He said Hungary needed an approach that opposed the formation of blocs and was built on connectivity. Such an approach, he added, ended unilateral dependence, strengthened sovereignty and widened economic spectrums.

Orbán said this entailed government policies that focused on transport infrastructure developments and the establishment of logistics hubs while devoting attention to increasing value added in the economic output, and a foreign policy based on national interests.

Read also:

  • Orbán-university will conquer London? – Read more HERE
  • Government-close company acquires Hungary’s largest bookstore chain: governmental interference to come?

Biden cabinet disappointed: PM Orbán leads Hungary out from NATO by boycotting Sweden?

PM Viktor Orbán Joe Biden NATO - diplomacy

There was an extraordinary parliamentary session yesterday, on 5 February, in Hungary. However, the lawmakers could not ratify Sweden’s NATO accession because PM Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz and KDNP did not take part in the session, so it lacked a quorum. The USA is disappointed in Hungary, and Orbán’s moves raise concerns among NATO allies about whether Hungary can be trusted or is an ally of Putin.

The matter is important for Washington and other NATO allies. That was clearly shown by the fact that representatives of 16 NATO Allies attended the extraordinary session. US Ambassador David Pressman was among them, and said, leaving the chamber, that Sweden’s NATO membership directly affects the United States’ national security, Reuters wrote.

“This is about the security of Hungary, of the United States, and of the entire NATO Alliance. We look forward to Hungary’s urgent action”, Mr Pressman concluded his post.

Better ties with Russia than other EU and NATO members

“The Prime Minister pledged to convene parliament, to urge parliament to act at its earliest opportunity, today was an opportunity to do that,” Pressman added.

Reuters wrote that PM Orbán had better ties with Russia than other EU and NATO members. The relevant bill has been stranded in the parliament since mid-2022 despite government promises.

Orbán’s Fidesz said today that the Hungarian Parliament would only give the green light for Sweden if the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, visited Hungary. Just like he did in the case of Türkiye, another NATO member who boycotted the accession before.

Sweden has not commented on that claim. Before, they said the prime minister would only come to Budapest after the acceptance of Sweden’s NATO bid.

The Hungarian parliament will start its regular session in end-February. The Hungarian diplomacy has time until then to convince Stockholm about an official visit to Budapest. Otherwise, this will be the second visible loss for Orbán in foreign policy in just one month.

The other one was in Brussels last week when he accepted the EU’s EUR 50 billion aid for Ukraine without receiving anything in return. Hungary did not get more money from the frozen RRF and development funds, he did not get an annual veto concerning the payment process of that money. Meanwhile, Ukraine got everything they wanted.

Will Sweden rescue Orbán?

In the case of Sweden, even experts do not know why PM Orbán decided to veto the country’s NATO accession. Some believe that is how he wanted to support President Erdogan. If that is the truth, the Turkish leader may have set him up since they accepted Stockholm’s bid urgently in January and let Hungary alone with Budapest’s boycott.

As a result, many may think in Washington or Brussels that Hungary might be in an alliance with Russia. However, the Ukraine aid showed that Orbán does not want to use his veto in case he remains alone. That is why they could agree even before the start of the extraordinary Brussels session. And probably that is why the Hungarian parliament will vote for Sweden’s NATO accession. The one-million-dollar question is whether Sweden will choose to rescue Orbán’s dignity by ‘sending’ their prime minister to Budapest before the end-February parliament session. If not, it might happen that Orbán will have to accept a phone call and the possibility of a future meeting.

Evidently, the Hungarian government-close media will sell every scenario as a victory.

Read also:

  • Russians outraged: ‘PM Orbán betrayed us!’ – Read more HERE
  • If Sweden wants to join the NATO, their prime minister will have to travel to Budapest – Details in THIS article

Featured image: illustration

Hungarian President: Hungary is a good ally of the USA

Hungarian President Katalin Novák and Joe Biden

Local residents in Békés County “highly await” the accession of neighbouring Romania to the EU’s borderless Schengen zone which Hungary supports, President Katalin Novák said in an interview published by local daily Bekes Megyei Hirlap on Saturday.

She paid a visit to the county in south-eastern Hungary which formed part of the president’s programme visiting every county to learn first-hand about local affairs.

In the interview, Novák said with Romania’s accession maintaining contact “between Hungarians on both sides of the border will be much easier, and economic cooperation could also be further boosted”. “Nurturing good relations with its neighbours is in Hungary’s fundamental interest, also because of the Hungarian communities living there,” she said.

In connection with this year’s US elections, Novák said that depending on who will enter the White House, “prospects may change as regards the war in Ukraine” and “as regards the intensity and quality of Hungarian-US relations as well”. The president called the United States an important ally for Hungary, adding that “Hungary is a good ally that fulfills its obligations”, and “expects respect and a readiness for mutual understanding” within a non-hierarchic alliance.

Read also:

  • New US travel sanctions against Hungary? – Read more HERE
  • Hungarian top court finds so-called castle law unconstitutional

Speaking about Ukraine, Novák said the war had claimed several tens of thousands of lives with the number of Hungarian victims constantly increasing.

“More and more people started to agree with the position Hungary has represented since the beginning, namely that the only proper solution is to establish peace,” Novák said, adding that even the Ukrainian president has started to draw up a peace formula, with Hungary participating in the efforts.

BREAKING: New US travel sanctions against Hungary?

New US travel sanctions against Hungary

The United States may introduce severe travel restrictions against several Hungarian politicians following the Global Magnitsky Act, which enables sanctioning foreign individuals who have committed human rights abuses or been involved in significant corruption.

Bipartisan support behind the American ambassador

According to 444.hu, that is why American Ambassador David Pressman travelled back to Washington recently. He consulted with the leaders of the White House’s national security board about the Hungarian-American bilateral relationship. Concerning the discussion, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement.

He wrote “Ambassador Pressman clearly understands and represents American interests and values in Budapest, including our enduring commitment to democracy, rule of law, and equal rights.” He added that Mr Pressman enjoyed bipartisan support in the US Senate.

Read also:

  • Hungarian state secretary: US ambassador has no respect for Hungarians – Read more HERE
  • LEAKED: PM Orbán behind closed doors about dangerous US-plan in Europe – Read more HERE

However, Mr Cardin said he had “deep concerns over the direction of the current Hungarian government, whose officials have repeatedly attacked President Biden and Ambassador Pressman in ways that should be unthinkable for an American ally. The Biden Administration should be examining whether Hungary truly is a trusted partner deserving of participating in the Visa Waiver Program – and given the level of corruption, whether it is appropriate to initiate sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act.”

Hungary is the least reliable member of the NATO

Mr Cardin called Orbán the least reliable member of the NATO. The Senate chair added that Orbán unnecessarily delayed economic help for Ukraine. Furthermore, Mr Cardin said Orbán should end his obstruction concerning Sweden’s NATO accession.

He highlighted that Hungary’s ‘Sovereignty Protection Act’ was “a direct assault on the rights of journalists, civil society, political figures, and anyone who criticises the Orbán regime, directing the state’s intelligence agencies and law enforcement to surveil, detain, depose and imprison those who voice dissent. It’s nothing short of draconian and unlike anything we’ve seen in a modern democracy.”

You may read the full statement HERE.

Here is the Twitter post about their meeting:

Hungarians will need a visa to travel to the USA?

Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, talked about the possible use of the Global Magnitsky Act against Hungarian politicians in 2021. He added that is how the USA tries to interfere in the 2022 Hungarian parliamentary elections. However, nothing happened. Washington currently uses that act against former Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov.

Hungary has been a member of the Visa Waiver Program since 2008. As a result, you can travel to the USA and spend 90 days there without a visa after a simple e-registration. In 2023, Washington already introduced a sanction concerning that program. Those Hungarians born abroad lost that simplification, so they need a visa to travel to the USA.

Former Socialist Speaker of the Parliament in Washington

The policy on Hungarian communities abroad unites all Hungarians living in the Carpathian Basin and the diaspora, Katalin Szili, the prime ministerial commissioner for Carpathian Basin autonomy affairs, said in Washington, DC on Thursday.

Meeting representatives of around fifteen local Hungarian organisations at the Hungarian embassy, Szili noted the government has declared 2024 the year of national cooperation in light of the fact that policies for Hungarian communities abroad were launched a decade and a half ago. Szili cited the National Virtual Space initiative, through which Hungarians living anywhere in the world will be able to follow the broadcasts of Hungary’s public media, as an example of how policies were been “fine-tuned”.

Szili briefed representatives of the Hungarian organisations about the situation of Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin, including demographic changes, noting that the demographic composition of Transcarpathia was undergoing a transformation as a consequence of the Ukrainian population fleeing to Transcarpathia from eastern Ukraine due to the war.

Hungarian spends lots of money on the diaspora

Szili said the Hungarian government has spent 1,300 billion forints since 2010 on investments in 5,500 cultural and education institutions in the framework of policies for Hungarian communities abroad.

Ildikó Pataki, the regional president for North America of the Diaspora Council, elected last November, introduced herself and spoke about her plans to involve young people in the activities of the Hungarian diaspora.

During her two-day visit to Washington, DC, Szili attended the National Prayer Breakfast, where she met members of Congress, Republican House Representatives and Senators and discussed issues of identity of values, as well as possibilities for peace in Ukraine.

LEAKED: PM Orbán behind closed doors about dangerous US-plan in Europe

PM Viktor Orbán

PM Viktor Orbán rejected the EU’s EUR 50 billion financial support for Ukraine and the country’s EU accession last December. He and the foreign minister said that was because of Kyiv’s anti-Hungarian minority policies and because the country is one of the most corrupt states of the world, unable to end the war against Russia with victory. However, Direkt36, a flagship of Hungarian investigative journalism, discovered other reasons: Orbán’s dread of Washington is on the top.

The Americans would become too powerful in the EU

According to telex.hu, there was a meeting for the Hungarian parliamentary group leaders before the 23 March European Council session last year behind closed doors. Such meetings are regular, and the atmosphere is less tense than in parliamentary sessions, so the prime minister uses them to share his visions on these occasions.

At the 20 March meeting, he talked about Ukraine’s possible EU accession in detail. He said the USA promised Ukraine in 2022 that the beginning of the accession talks would start in 2023. That is because Zelenskyy would like to use that in his presidential campaign.

Orbán said that Hungary should not support Ukraine’s EU accession because that would shift power in favour of the Americans in Europe. That is because Washington’s influence is unquestionable militarily, politically, and economically in Ukraine, Poland, the Baltic states and even Romania is closely attached to America. Therefore, a new bloc would be created in the European Union where more people would live than in France and which would be economically stronger than Germany. That is because of the many American investments in the rebuilding of Ukraine. Moreover, a colourful revolution in Belarus could mean Minsk’s accession to that bloc.

Read also:

  • Orbán’s closest political advisor will help Trump win the presidency? – Read more HERE
  • State secretary: US ambassador has no respect for Hungarians – Details in THIS article

The Germans and the French rejected Orbán’s proposal

He shared that fear with the Germans and the French and proposed to smash that American plan by forming a new majority in the EU between the French-German tandem and the Visegrád Four countries. However, Berlin rejected the idea, while President Macron did not understand it.

Orbán said the German-French rejection was problematic because that is how they offered Central Europe to the Americans. And that is a problem because such a change would cross his strategic plans.

He believes that the globe’s economic centre will switch to Asia. The American answer is to divide regions and countries, resulting in a version of a new cold war with the Chinese. Meanwhile, Orbán’s strategy is to do business with both sides, take advantage of both sides, but remain sovereign in the next ten years. As a result, the Hungarian government would like to deepen their relationships with China and India.

Orbán said no to Ukraine’s extra money

In December 2023, Orbán rejected to vote for Ukraine’s EUR 50 billion bailout. He said he could not support an EU loan reaching that size, and Ukraine was too corrupt. The Hungarian proposal is to create an annual review system enabling Orbán to veto Ukraine’s support every year or gain benefits in return for his support.

On the other hand, he left the chamber following German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s bid. Thus, the European Council could vote for the beginning of Ukraine’s EU accession.

We shall see how the ‘show’ will continue this week.

Hungary Helps programme focuses on Nigeria, Nicaragua and Iraq

Hungary helps

This year’s International Religious Freedom Summit opened at Hungary’s embassy in Washington, DC late on Monday.

Speakers at the event called the fight for religious freedom “the most important human rights fight of the present”.

Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s state secretary in charge of aid to persecuted Christian communities, told MTI on the sidelines of the event that it was “a sign of recognition of the Hungarian government’s work in the field” that the embassy was hosting it.

In his opening address, Azbej gave an account of the Hungarian government’s recent efforts to provide aid to persecuted Christians through the Hungary Helps programme, focusing on communities in Nigeria, Nicaragua and Iraq.

Read also:

  • Hungary helps persecuted Christians all over the world

Katrina Lantos, the daughter of late congressman Tom Lantos and co-president of the summit, said Hungary “is setting the pace” in helping persecuted communities, its efforts “manifested in deeds, not only in words”.

Nigerian Bishop Wilfred Anagbe said “every person has to right to exercise their religion and faith,” and referred to Hungary as a “spearhead” in the fight for persecuted Christians.

Tourism agency head shared when Transatlantic flights could return to Budapest

Hungarian Tourism Agency head shared when Transatlantic flights could return to Budapest

Zoltán Guller, the president of the directorate of the Hungarian Tourism Agency (MTÜ) talked about the possible return of Transatlantic flights to Budapest in a press conference.

According to Budflyer, a Hungarian travel news Facebook page, Mr Guller said he hoped the state acquisition of Budapest Airport would happen soon. Afterwards, he expects a considerable extension in the airport’s air traffic. As a result, Transatlantic flights may return in 2025 with North American routes.

Budapest is one of the few Central European capitals which do not have a direct air connection to the United States or Canada. In Romania, HySky announced they would launch direct flights between Bucharest and New York. Furthermore, they will begin to operate flights from Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca) and Chișinău, Moldova, to Bucharest to connect more potential passengers with their Transatlantic flights.

Meanwhile, Hungary was not able to establish direct flights to the USA despite the hundreds of thousands of Hungarians living there and the fact that before the COVID pandemic, regular flights carried passengers between Budapest and American metropolises like Chicago and New York.

Experts believe that is because of the conflicts between the Orbán cabinet and the Biden-led Washington administration. For example, the USA unilaterally terminated a taxation agreement and introduced restrictions concerning Hungarian passport holders last year.

Read also:

  • US Ambassador urgently travels back to Washington: will he return with new sanctions? – Read more HERE
  • Trump: PM Orbán is the ‘toughest man’ in Europe – VIDEO and more in THIS article

The first Transatlantic direct flights from 2024-2025

2025 may mark a change in that, Zoltán Guller said yesterday.

According to the Világgazdaság, despite the non-existent direct connection, the number of American tourists in Hungary grew by 30% in 2023 compared to COVID-19-hit 2022. However, that rise is incomparable with the skyrocketing number of Chinese tourists in Hungary. That rate was 400% since the Beijing-Budapest flight started last April. The same trend applies to South Korea, from where the increase reached 300%.

Guller said 2024 would see an identical flight number at Budapest Airport as 2019. Furthermore, the airport’s state acquisition will better the position of the Hungarian tourism sector. Interestingly, he suggested that the first three contracts concerning the new flights might be signed in 2024.

László Könnyid, the newly-appointed CEO of the MTÜ, said that Budapest would appear again on the flight map of Europe in 2025.

World-known Hungarian actress Zsa Zsa Gabor receives life-size statue in Budapest

Zsa Zsa Gabor Gábor actress

Renowned Hungarian actress and socialite Zsa Zsa Gabor, who died aged 99 in 2016, is to receive a life-size statue in Buda. She had a remarkable career in the United States, winning a Golden Globe Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Here is where and when the statue will be inaugurated.

Very soon, a life-size statue will commemorate Zsa Zsa Gabor. The announcement was made at a press conference following the completion of the statue of the Hungarian-born film diva, which will be erected in Mechwart Square in District II. The statue will be unveiled in a Budapest gallery on Zsa Zsa Gabor’s birthday on 6 February, Blikk reports.

The press event was attended by the diva’s ninth and last husband, Prince Frederic von Anhalt.

Read also:

The life-size statue is known to be the work of János Babusa. It will be located in District II of Budapest, at the corner of Keleti Károly Street and Margaret Boulevard.

Gábor Zsazsa, Hungary, actress
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

“I’m a bit embarrassed, I’ve never done what I’m doing today. I’m grateful to everyone who has helped to create this sculpture, to make this project happen. Let’s not forget Hungary itself, which has always stood behind Zsa Zsa Gabor. I have been here many times over the years. Many people have contacted me saying they have seen Zsa Zsa’s films and remember her,” Frédéric von Anhalt said, according to Bors.

Read also:

“Many people have asked before why there is not a Zsa Zsa Gabor Museum or a statue? I thought about it a lot, and I thought that if we could come up with a common idea, I would work on it. After all, I oversee the Zsa Zsa Gabor Foundation in America, where all the money goes, and I thought: why not use it for this noble cause?” Frédéric von Anhalt added.

The Hungarian-born actress died in 2016 in Los Angeles, due to sudden cardiac arrest. Her husband wanted to bury her in Hungary, but she was finally laid to rest in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Some of her ashes were laid to rest in 2021 in Budapest, in the artists’ plot of the Fiumei Road Graveyard. The star died at the age of 99.

You can watch a video of the press conference HERE and some photos HERE.

Structural Differences: How to Write a Personal Statement in Hungary and the USA

essay academic writing essays

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When it comes to crafting a personal statement, the journey is often as unique as the destination. Whether you’re applying to a university in Hungary or the USA, understanding the structural nuances of a personal statement in each country is crucial. This article will explore these differences in detail, offering insights into the art of personal statement writing across these diverse educational landscapes.

Understanding the Basics: What is a Personal Statement?

Before we dive into the differences, let’s establish what we’re talking about. A personal statement is essentially your chance to tell an admissions committee who you are beyond grades and test scores. It’s your voice in the application process, a narrative that paints a picture of your personality, achievements, and aspirations. But how does this narrative change from Hungary to the USA?

In the realm of crafting this crucial piece of your application, many turn to professional assistance, such as the personal statement services at EduBirdie.com which offers a multitude of benefits. Firstly, it brings a level of expertise and finesse to your personal statement, ensuring it’s not just well-written, but also tailored to the specific nuances and expectations of the country you’re applying to, be it Hungary or the USA. Secondly, it provides peace of mind, knowing that experienced professionals are helping to articulate your story in the most compelling way possible. Lastly, it saves valuable time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your application while experts handle the crafting of your personal statement.

The American Approach: Crafting a Story

In the United States, personal statements are often viewed as a canvas for storytelling. They are your stage to demonstrate not just what you’ve done, but who you are. The American admissions committees often look for:

  • Creativity and Originality: How do you stand out? American universities love a fresh perspective or a unique story.
  • Personal Growth and Self-Reflection: How have your experiences shaped you? American institutions value the journey of self-discovery.
  • Ambitions and Goals: What drives you? American colleges are interested in your future plans and how their program fits into them.

The Importance of Anecdotes

In the U.S., personal anecdotes are the bread and butter of a compelling personal statement. These stories provide a glimpse into your life and help the committee connect with you on a human level. Have you overcome a significant challenge? Led a project that changed your perspective? These are the gold nuggets that American universities are looking for.

Showcasing Personality

The American personal statement is not just about what you’ve done; it’s about who you are. Your voice, your humor, your passion should all come through in your writing. This is where you get to be more than just a number or a name on an application form.

The Hungarian Perspective: Focusing on Academics and Achievements

Moving over to Hungary, the approach to personal statements can be quite different. The focus tends to lean more towards academic achievements and career goals. Hungarian universities typically look for:

Educational Background and Achievements: How have your academic experiences prepared you for this program?

Career Objectives: What are your professional aspirations, and how does this program align with them?

Research Interests and Skills: Especially for higher education, what are your research interests, and what skills do you bring?

Emphasis on Professionalism and Clarity

In Hungary, the tone of a personal statement is often more formal and to the point. It’s less about weaving a narrative and more about clearly presenting your qualifications and aspirations.

Aligning with Academic Goals

Unlike the American approach, Hungarian personal statements may not delve deeply into personal anecdotes unless they directly relate to academic or career objectives. The focus is on demonstrating your readiness and suitability for the program based on your past educational and professional experiences.

Bridging the Gap: How to Adapt Your Personal Statement

Now that we’ve explored the two approaches, how do you adapt your personal statement if you’re applying to both Hungarian and American universities?

Know Your Audience

Understanding the expectations of the institution you’re applying to is key. For American universities, weave your achievements into a compelling narrative. For Hungarian universities, be more straightforward and align your statement with academic and career objectives.

Tailor Your Content

Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Customize your personal statement to reflect the cultural and structural expectations of each country. For the U.S., highlight personal growth and character. For Hungary, focus on academic prowess and professional goals.

Balance Personal and Professional

While the focus may differ, ensuring a balance between personal and professional aspects can be beneficial. Even in a more academically focused statement, a touch of personal insight can make you more relatable.

Conclusion

Writing a personal statement for universities in Hungary and the USA requires an understanding of different cultural and structural expectations. In the U.S., the focus is on storytelling and personality, while in Hungary, it’s more about academic achievements and career goals. By knowing your audience and tailoring your content accordingly, you can craft a personal statement that resonates in both contexts. Remember, whether in Budapest or Boston, your personal statement is your chance to shine – make every word count!

Impressive VIDEOS: Justin Bieber is a Rubik’s Cube guru!

Rubik's cube Justin Bieber

Who would have thought that the Canadian celebrity, singer and pop icon, Justin Bieber, is a Rubik’s Cube guru? Here are some fun videos showing how quickly he tackles an original Hungarian Rubik’s Cube.

The Rubik’s Facebook page boasts over 563 thousand likes and almost 600 thousand followers, affirming that the original Hungarian 3D puzzle invented by Ernő Rubik in 1977 remains one of the globe’s most beloved toys.

Surprisingly, even Justin Bieber is an avid fan and adept solver. As revealed in a video posted a couple of years back, he’s quite the Rubik’s Cube maestro. Here’s the footage:

 

Or, at least he was, considering the original carpool video shot in Los Angeles is now eight years old:

The iconic Hungarian Rubik’s Cube has ignited inspiration worldwide. Take Giovanni Contardi, a 24-year-old visual artist and trailblazer in the global Rubik’s Cube art movement, whom we featured HERE. His creations draw inspiration from pop culture icons, street art and music, crafted to be shared, sparking conversations and motivating others to push the boundaries of personal creativity and expression.

Meanwhile, in THIS piece, we wrote about Lago Mendoza, who has gained thousands of followers on social media sites. There, he shares his latest acquisitions and the swiftest methods to conquer them, showcasing his prowess in cube-solving.

Read also:

  • Check out Justin Bieber partying dressed as Spiderman at Hungarian fairytale castle HERE
  • Who invented the Rubik’s Cube? – Check out our article HERE

VIDEO: Trump hailed Prime Minister Orbán as a “great leader”

Trump Manchester

Former US President Donald Trump hailed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a “great leader” and a “strong man” at a campaign rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, on 20 January.

Trump in Machester

“There is a great man, a great leader in Europe – Viktor Orbán,” Trump said.

“He is the prime minister of Hungary. He is a very great leader, a very strong man. Some people don’t like him because he’s too strong.”

 

  • read also: Hungary is to host Trump’s favourite event again, details HERE

Orbán-Trump relation in the past

The good relationship between Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump began several years ago. In 2016, the Hungarian prime minister was the first sitting leader to urge support for Donald Trump in the US presidential election campaign. Orbán finally received an invitation from then President Trump in 2019, so they met officially in Washington, but the US President did not visit Hungary during his term of office.

Instead of the usual diplomacy, Orbán opted for a confrontational strategy after Trump’s downfall, as the Hungarian prime minister continues to stand by Trump in clear defiance of the Biden administration. They have praised each other for the past couple of years, and Orbán has recently said that

the war in Ukraine could be solved if Trump is elected president.

He believes that the return of the former Republican president is the key to peace.

 

“Viktor Orbán, the most respected man— probably the toughest man in Europe, maybe beyond Europe”, former President Donald Trump said in Iowa, details here.

Flight from Cairo to Washington lands in Budapest

budapest_airport

A passenger became ill on a plane early on Tuesday morning, causing the flight to the United States to be diverted and land in Budapest. The passenger was taken to hospital.

EgyptAir flight MS981 from Cairo to Washington landed in Budapest on Tuesday, Index reports. A passenger on the plane reported on Reddit that the flight had unexpectedly aborted its journey and landed in the Hungarian capital. The person tried to find out from the online community what could have happened, as passengers were not informed of the reason for the landing.

When contacted by Index, Budapest Airport said that the flight was interrupted due to a passenger falling ill.

“The staff of the Airport Medical Service at Liszt Ferenc International Airport immediately started the examination of the passenger after the arrival of the plane at 3:04 AM, and the person was taken to hospital in stable condition,” the airport wrote.

They added that “the flight resumed at 05:01 AM”, and that the incident did not cause any disruption to traffic at the international airgate.

Read also:

Ferrari film actor’s exclusive statement to DNH: I live months in Budapest, Hungary is home

Giuseppe Bonifati Ferrari movie

The new Ferrari film is about the business and private life of Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, and subsequently of the Ferrari automobile marque. You can still watch it in cinemas, and one of the roles is portrayed by Giuseppe Bonifati, an Italian actor, who gave us an exclusive statement about his connection to Hungary, especially Budapest.

Our question concerned his relation to Hungary, and he sent us the following statement:

“I live a few months a year in Budapest together with my wife, Linda Sugataghy, the creative producer of our theatre. It is a wonderful city, especially at night, with its fantastic lights and its bridges. It’s always a pleasure to return home to Hungary and now that the film is screening here, it’s even more so. I feel at home here.

I also like to bike in the summer to Balaton and visit little towns far from the tourist pathway.

Apart from the various artistic projects carried out in the past and progress in Budapest, I hope to be able to shoot a film here in the future too. This is my wish for the year that has just started.”

Giuseppe Bonifati Ferrari movie
Photo: Divano Occidentale Orientale

In another interview, he said they founded a theatre in Denmark with Linda Sugataghy. Its name was ‘The Flying Theatre’ (“Det Flyvende Teater”), and its peculiarity was its location. It was “the very first theatre with a base at an international airport.” According to THIS bio, Linda works mainly in Denmark and takes part in several international drama projects. She has a master’s degree in French linguistics and literature from Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest.

Not the first Hollywood production of the Budapest-loving Italian actor

The Italian artist in Michael Mann’s film, with Penelope Cruz and Adam Driver, plays Giacomo Cuoghi, friend and manager of Enzo Ferrari. In the film, Adam Driver plays Enzo Ferrari, and Penelope Cruz is his wife, Laura Ferrari. The film is set in 1957, with a story intertwined between Ferrari’s private life and that linked to racing, such as the tragic Mille Miglia of the same year, marked by Alfonso De Portago’s accident and the risk of bankruptcy.

Ferrari is Bonifati’s second work in a Hollywood film. The first was Ridley Scott’s ‘All the Money in the World’, alongside international stars such as Kevin Spacey, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams, and Timothy Hutton. Before, he worked in a BBC US TV series with Tom Hollander.

Ferrari Giuseppe Bonifati Adam Driver
Photo: Divano Occidentale Orientale

Regarding the experience on set, the actor stated, “it was an experience that I will certainly treasure for my work as a director. In working with the cast, mainly with Adam Driver, I felt very comfortable already during the rehearsals, despite having one of the most requested actors in the international star system in front of me. The fact that Michael Mann then decided to put me alongside Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz for the table read certainly helped break the ice before filming began.”

The cast of the film Ferrari also includes Shailene Woodley, Patrick Dempsey, Jack O’Connell, Sarah Gadon, and Gabriel Leone.

Read also:

  • Mark Ruffalo, Emma Stone: “McDonald’s in Hungary is so good!” – Read more HERE
  • VIDEO: Jane Fonda speaks Hungarian in this Netflix series

Hungary to host Trump’s favourite event again

Orbán Trump saviours of the world

Hungary will host another Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in April, Miklós Szánthó, the head of the Center for Fundamental Rights (Alapjogokért), said in a video on Facebook on Friday.

The conference will be held on April 25 and 26 with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as keynote speaker.

Referring to last year’s CPAC event in Hungary, Szánthó said “while the globalist left were wailing louder than ever, conservatives of the world were celebrating with us”, and the conference aimed at intensifying international cooperation to “defeat the reckless left”.

Szánthó said Europe and the US would see “life-changing” elections, adding that “we’re facing perils never seen before”. Globalist progressives, he said, had become “a sect that seeks to shake the foundations of our civilisation, flooding us with migration and the madness of the gender ideology,” while progressives were deaf to “such ideals as the nation, sovereignty, child protection and peace”.

“2024 will be our year,” he added.

“With allies coming from … across the world, the right will achieve a successful revolution: we will de-woke, then drain the swamp to retake Brussels and Washington!”

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Hungarians to have easier access to New York, Beijing – UPDATED

rsz_new_york united states

HiSky, a Romanian airline, will offer its passengers to travel from Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca) to New York via Bucharest. Unfortunately, Hungary does not have a direct air connection to Transatlantic destinations due to political reasons, but its flight network to the East is extending. Now, a Beijing flight will commute more frequently to Budapest.

According to Budflyer, a Hungarian air travel news Facebook page, HiSky, a Romanian airline, will launch a non-stop flight to New York from Kolozsvár (Cluj Napoca) and Kisinyov (Chișinău, Romania’s Moldova region). The new flight will carry passengers from this June, and people will have to change flights in Bucharest.

You can already book your flight in HiSky’s system. Based on the plans, the average transfer time will be 1 hour and 10 minutes to New York and 1 hour and 35 minutes from the Big Apple.

Kolozsvár is Romania’s second biggest city with almost 300 thousand citizens, of which more than 10%, 33 thousand are Hungarians.

More flights to Beijing

Unfortunately, Hungary does not have a direct air connection to any US or Canadian cities. The last time it had was before the coronavirus pandemic. Experts suggest that is because of the tense relationship between the Orbán and the Biden cabinets. For example, the USA unilaterally terminated a taxation agreement and introduced restrictions concerning Hungarian passport holders.

Furthermore, the Biden administration and the US ambassador in Budapest regularly criticise Orbán. They believe the Orbán cabinet undermines NATO, and the EU struggles to support Ukraine in their fight against Russia. Meanwhile, Orbán regularly highlights that Ukraine has no chance of victory and Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries, so nobody should invest money or weapons in that war.

Despite having no direct connections to the Transatlantic West, Hungary’s connections to the East expand unstoppably. Now, Air China announced they would increase the number of flights between Budapest and Beijing from two to three a week. The new timetable will be in effect from 4 April, airportal.hu wrote.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircrafts will fly between Budapest and the Chinese capital on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The planes will take off in Beijing at 2:50 AM local time and arrive in Budapest at 7.10 AM GMT. You can travel back to China at 12:20 PM and land in Beijing at 4:15 AM local time.

UPDATE – MTI: Eight direct flights between Beijing and Budapest

Air China launched its direct Budapest-Beijing flight in 2015 which had to be terminated due to Covid. The airline resumed its service in the summer of 2022 but suspended it again for a couple of months in March 2023, BA said in a statement. Direct flights twice a week were launched in June last year.

Two Chinese airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines, operate currently eight direct flights between Beijing and Budapest. Beside Beijing, the three other cities of Shanghai, Chongqing and Ningbo can be directly reached from Budapest, said BA, MTI wrote.

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Several Hollywood stars to come to Budapest

Several Hollywood stars to come to Budapest

Two Hollywood celebrities will come to Budapest for this year’s Comic Con. Eric Roberts, Julia Roberts’ brother, is the star of the Batman – The Dark Knight, while Graham McTavish is a star of fantasy movies and series.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, Eric Roberts and Graham McTavish will come to this May’s Comic Con in Budapest, the organisers of the event announced on Facebook.

Eric Roberts was the ‘bad guy’ in the 1990s and 2000s. He is the brother of Julia Roberts and played in movies and series like The Specialist and Batman – The Dark Knight or The Expandables. Meanwhile, Graham McTavish was in The Hobbit, Aquaman, Rambo, Creed, The Witcher, Outlander and 2023’s favourite, House of Dragons.

Here is the post of the organisers:

Amazing! The first Hungarian object is on its way to the Moon – VIDEO

Puli

The United States of America has launched another lander to the Moon. On board, a Hungarian space capsule with a number of ornaments has been placed.

The Moon is the destination again

More than 50 years after the Apollo 17 mission, the United States of America has embarked on a new lunar mission. The Astrobotic Technology company launched its Peregrine lander at 8.18 a.m. Hungarian time on 8 January 2024 to deliver NASA instruments and a 90 kg payload to the lunar surface as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Module Transfer Service (CLPS).

The Peregrine lander, standing at 1.9 metres in height and 2.5 metres in width, weighs 1283 kg. Equipped with five engines and a solar panel atop to power the internal battery, this spacecraft is a marvel of engineering.

Hungarian artefact in space

Astrobotic Technology wants the project to be profitable. To this end, the Peregrine’s payload bay has been made available to civilians. Puli Space Technologies, based in Budapest, is the only Hungarian company to have an object on board the spacecraft.

A replica of a Space Time Plaque ceramic plaque made of aluminium was placed in the time capsule, the company said.

Puli
Photo: Puli Space Technologies

The plaque, measuring 200×200 millimetres and weighing 160 grams, is engraved with thousands of characters, including the history of the Golden Team and the life’s work of Sándor Weöres, as well as the work of many contemporary Hungarian scientists whose research has influenced the future of humanity. They include Nobel Prize winner Katalin Karikó, biochemist Veronika Ádám, physicist László Barabási Albert Barabási, neurobiologist Tamás Freund, biologist Éva Kondorosi and physicist Zoltán Bay, whose achievements and work have been sent into space.

The probe will attempt to land on the northern hemisphere of the Moon on 23 February, hvg.hu reports.

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Trump: PM Orbán is the ‘toughest man’ in Europe – VIDEO

Donald Trump Viktor Orbán

“Viktor Orbán, the most respected man— probably the toughest man in Europe, maybe beyond Europe”, former President Donald Trump said in Iowa yesterday based on a video uploaded on X (Twitter).

Trump’s yesterday campaign raid took place in Iowa’s Mason City, where he praised Hungarian PM Orbán again. He said he was the most respected and the toughest man here.

Before, the former US president said Hungary had great luck by having Orbán. However, sometimes he did not know which country Orbán leads since he called him the great leader of Türkiye last October.

Orbán and Trump have developed a strong connection in the last few years. The big question is what experts regularly analyse: is it worth it?

In 2015, long before Trump won the nomination of the Republicans when he was only one of the many candidates, Orbán endorsed Trump. He was the first European leader to do so. However, after Trump’s victory, ice melted slowly between the USA and Hungary. For example, Trump met all the leaders of Central and Eastern Europe but left Orbán to be the last in that regard.

Since then, many things have changed. Budapest regularly hosts the CPAC, the American conservatives’ biggest annual gathering. Furthermore, Trump and Orbán met in person before the Dallas CPAC in 2022. Ever since Trump’s campaign restarted, he regularly praises Orbán in his speeches.

Trump has good chances to win back the White House this November. Of course, he will enter office only in January, and the administration change is even slower. Under the Biden era, the relationship between Hungary and America reached historic lows since the change of the regime in 1989-1990. For example, Washington terminated tax agreements unilaterally and introduced visa restrictions against Hungarian citizens. It might be symbolic but telling that even Bucharest, Romania’s capital, will have direct flights to the USA (or Canada), while Budapest does not.

Orbán risks and may win a lot if Trump becomes president again. But if Biden remains somehow, Hungary will be in an even worse position in the eyes of Washington. Or a foreign policy change will be inevitable, meaning even changing Hungary’s harsh anti-support position in Ukraine.

Here is the video:

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