Canada

Canadian swimmer says she got drugged at world championships in Budapest

Canadian swimmer Mary-Sophie Harvey shared a rather disturbing post on Instagram on Wednesday. She said that she got drugged on the last night of the FINA Aquatic World Championships in Budapest.

“On the last night of the World Championships, I got drugged.”

In her instagram post, shared by swimswam.com, the swimmer wrote the following:

“On the last night of the World Championships, I got drugged. At the time I wasn’t aware of what got inside of me, I just remember waking up the next morning completely lost; with our team manager and doctor at my bedside. I remember celebrating my competition while also being reasonable and aware of my next objective, which is Commonwealth Games. But then, I don’t remember anything. there’s this four-to-six-hour window where I can’t recall a single thing. I’ve heard bits and pieces by people and I’ve experienced judgement too. The only thing I can say is this: I’ve never felt more ashamed.”

President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA) Husain Al-Musallam
Read alsoAquatics – FINA head thanks Orbán for successful world championships

She had to go to the hospital

The next day, she was having dinner with her family, when she felt that something was not okay. “I ended up going to the hospital, where I was met with doctors & psychologists,” she continues. Although she had a rib sprain and a small concussion, she got lucky. According to her doctors, these kind of incidents happen quite often and it could have been worse.

Still under the shock of getting drugged

Unfortunately, a lot more people are affected by getting drugged than one would think. That is why the swimmer wrote a warning, too. “To anyone reading this, please be careful. I thought I was safe, that it would never happen to me, especially while being surrounded by friends. But it did…and I wish someone had educated me on the matter prior to that night. … Thank you to the people that helped me while I was vulnerable and for those who’ve reached out since then. I apologize to anyone that has been trying to contact me or see me, but felt something was off. I’m still learning to cope with everything and find myself again. Thank you for understanding.”

Swimming Canada has responded

As blikk.hu reports, Swimming Canada has responded to the incident. “We are aware there was an incident the night before departure from Budapest. As soon as team staff became aware, Mary received excellent medical treatment from our team physician on site, and was cleared to travel home,” they wrote. In addition, they emphasized that the safety and health of their team members is the most important. “Staff have been in contact with Mary since her return and we are offering her support. We continue to gather information on the situation, and the file has been forwarded to our independent Safe Sport officer.”

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Read alsoHungarian chess legend Polgár beats the Norwegian chess world champion!

Canadian men’s water polo team leaves Budapest due to health reasons

Canada water polo

The men’s water polo team of Canada has withdrawn from the world championship tournament under way in Budapest, the Canadian Water Polo Association announced on its website on Saturday.

The “difficult decision” was made after “careful consideration” and “an open discussion with the athletes”, it said.

“This decision was made in order to ensure and preserve the short and long-term overall health, safety and well-being of participants, which always remains Water Polo Canada’s first and foremost priority,” the association said.

According to press reports, several members of the team have been infected with the coronavirus. After Canada’s withdrawal, group C features only three teams, namely Italy, Spain and the Republic of South Africa.

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Read alsoAir Canada postponed its Budapest relaunch due to Russian-Ukrainian war

Homophobia, overcharge: embassy warnings for tourists visiting Hungary

hungary tourism

As beautiful as the country is, there are too many unpleasant things to encounter here. Now that one can travel without most restrictions, Hungary is becoming flooded with tourists again. However, there are some things that Western governments warn their people about should they wish to travel to Hungary.

Warning list

And no, these “warning lists” do not only contain restaurants and bars that overcharge. Aside from COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, tourists travelling to Hungary do not have much to worry about. Nonetheless, there are a few things to be aware of, as we can learn from the websites of the American, Canadian, British and Australian foreign ministry.

According to these websites,

  • public transport in Budapest is “perfect” and “cheap”;
  • public safety is generally good, except for thieves and fraudsters who prey on tourists;
  • public healthcare may be well below U.S. standards;
  • it might be dangerous to drive on Hungarian roads;
  • LGBTQI+ persons should think twice before coming to Hungary.

LQBTQI+ tourists

This last point is especially saddening. The website of the USA Bureau of Consular Affairs writes:

“Ethnic nationalist groups have gained popularity in Hungary in the past years advocating intolerance towards Jews, Roma, and LGBTI+ persons. Although these groups do not engage in violence and are not explicitly anti-United States, you should avoid public demonstrations and confrontations with their members.”

Public security

As rtl.hu writes, Western tourists may be reassured by the fact that public safety in Hungary is considered good enough. However, foreign ministries warn visitors that theft is common, especially in crowded places popular with tourists.

According to a warning on the website of the U.S. Embassy in Budapest, there have been many reports of thefts on trains, especially those between Vienna and Budapest, and at railway stations.

Dangerous places in Budapest

It was underscored that the Keleti Railway Station and its immediate surroundings are a particularly dangerous place in this respect. The warning shows that thieves targeting foreign tourists are especially keen on metro lines M1 and M3, tram lines 2, 4 and 6, and the bus line 7, as well as American fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s, Burger King and Pizza Hut.

In addition, all the above-mentioned countries draw attention to overcharging in restaurants and bars, where unsuspecting customers are issued with huge bills and even forced to pay them. They also warn tourists never to ask taxi drivers to recommend bars and restaurants.

A recurring element is the warning that travellers should never accept drinks from strangers, as they may contain drugs.

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Read alsoWhat’s next?! Further price increase to come in Budapest’s rental market!

Best entertainment guide to do in Canada

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Located in North America, Canada is the second largest country in terms of area. It has expanding boundaries from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and northwards towards the Arctic Ocean. Surrounded by water, water sports and activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, etc., plays an essential role in the life of Canadian people. Apart from the water sports are innumerous things Canadians do for entertainment, explained below:

1) Sports Activities

Canadians love watching and playing sports equally. They love outdoor as well as indoor sports activities. Ice hockey- is a winter national sport, and Lacrosse is – a summer national sport in Canada. Apart from this, people also love playing Football, Cycling, Rugby league, Golf, Curling, Basketball, Snowboarding, etc.

Canada is heaven for winter sports lovers. If you want to experience winter sports- visit Canada. It’s lots of entertainment snowboarding, skiing, and fishing amidst the snow. Even in snowing winters, Canadians enjoy getting their hands on outdoor activities.

2) Gaming and Gambling

As we talked about sports above, Canada loves its sporting activities, and so does its love for gaming and gambling. Canada’s fast-growing gaming industries are both million-dollar and bring in huge revenues. There are many casinos in Canada that you can visit and enjoy your time. In addition, you can indulge in online gambling from the comfort of your place or on the go using your mobile and play the games you love to play in the casino. For example, Lucky Nugget Casino is one of the oldest online and is a good choice and you can go here to learn the comprehensive details about Lucky Nugget. It provides fun 24/7 for those seeking entertainment.

Most the populations consisting of all the age groups find entertaining playing video games. With technological advancements and innovations, Canada is one of the top leaders in the gaming industry, seeing a continuous rise with the push from the government side. People love spending time entertained and playing games. Canada is the hub of casinos that offer multiple places to play offline and online gaming casinos. The Casino facilities are available along with the hotel, restaurants, or clubs.

3) Outdoor Recreational activities for adventure-seeking ones

There are numerous outdoor activities for the individual seeking thrill, adventure, and fun amidst nature. Some of a few popular activities are:

  1. Visit Banff National Park

Situated in Alberta, Canada – Banff national park is the oldest and most mesmerizing national park that captivates the heart of every visitor. Surrounding by snow-covered white mountain tops and a canoe in the blue waters is the perfect sight amidst nature. If you are an adventure seeker, it’s a great activity.

  1. Capilano Suspension Bridge

If you love being surrounded by nature and most peace among them, visit the Capilano suspension bridge to take a cliff walk amidst the rainforest above the Capilano River. It offers a thrilling and great experience to the visitors.

iii . Take a stroll through Butchart garden

If you are a flora person, take a walk through Butchart garden in Victoria City of Canada, and explore the varieties of flora. It also hosts various shows and events.

  1. Newfoundland

If you want to experience the beauty of the sunrise, then visit Newfoundland to experience the joy of Sunrise. A beautiful array of colors are scattering in front of you. It gives you unforgettable moments to cherish forever-  a must-visit place for nature lovers.

The above listed are few among many outdoor activities that Canada offers. Variety of outdoor recreational activities for the nature-loving, adventure-seeking souls that provides entertainment and fun.

Canadian people love being outdoors and spend time entertaining themselves amidst natural beauty. Spending time outdoors is part of entertainment in the life of Canadian people.

4) Indulge in Art

If you have a love for art and like visiting art museums that take you through history and art lessons, Canada will not be going to disappoint you with its art galleries that offer you a unique experience. You can visit the Two Rivers art gallery situated in the city of Prince George to experience the contemporary artwork of the regional communities.

You can visit the National Gallery of Canada located in Ottawa, 46,621 X 12400 square meters in area, the largest occupying area art gallery on the North American continent.

It will take you on a journey through history, knowing about different cultures and their art.

Here you can enjoy international art forms from Europe, America, Asia, and Canada, along with local artists’ art that takes you through history. It has a permanent collection of over 93K, and it offers traveling exhibitions and other exhibitions time and again. It is a treat for all art lovers.

Apart from these exhibitions, other exhibition fairs are held from time to time. For Example, the international art fair in Vancouver takes place yearly. Art lovers can engage in such fairs and exhibitions happening around the country.

5) Camping

Canada offers various places for camping activities as per your choice, owing to the vast area it encompasses. Camping amidst twinkling stars and beautiful landscapes provides the best leisure activity for nature-loving families and individuals to entertain.

Camping outdoors is a great way to rejuvenate and refresh yourself to take a break from work and enjoy the alone time connecting with nature.

Canada has numerous camping places like Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Grassland National Park in Saskatchewan, Wya Point Resort in British Columbia, etc., which you can choose accordingly.

When choosing a camping place, don’t forget to adhere to and seek local health and safety guidelines for travelers.

Closing Remarks

Canada is a beautiful country offering many entertainment things to do. It has a beautiful landscape outdoors with scenic beauty is the reason people love spending time out and engaging in outdoor recreational activities. It offers a unique and mesmerizing art gallery for all art lovers who want to know about the history and engage in art. Canada is a sports enthusiast country that offers multiple sports activities online and offline. It also has superb casino facilities for casino lovers. It’s a haven for gaming lovers. All in all, you can engage in numerous fun entertainment things.

Reader’s letter from a disappointed Canadian Hungarian: Orbán is in bed with Putin

Viktor Orbán election victory

Reader’s letter

We publish the letter we received unchanged below.

“I was 9 months old when we came to Canada. I have sympathy for the Ukrainian refugees and thank Hungary for helping the very few that choose Hungary. Although I can understand why more choose Poland since your government has leanings towards allegiance to Russia.

This is much to my dismay. Before W.W.II my father’s family owned the town blacksmith shop in Budaors. He got his degree from the University in Budapest. He and people like him were kept out of the war so they could help rebuild Hungary after the war. But he had a small problem, in the 1700’s German speaking people were sent to Eastern Europe to help resist incursion by the Ottoman Empire. He had some German blood in his family. When the Russians came in my dad’s family had to flee under threat of death. They left with just a few suitcases.

My mother was Romanian. She lived in Cenad. She had the same small problem – some German ancestry from the 1700’s. She and her family fled much the same as my dad’s. Except her 16 year old brother was taken back to Russia to a work camp and was never heard from again. My mother and grandmother were refugees and in the next few years they basically walked to France.

My parents met in France, got married and went to Canada because they were not welcome in Europe. They were Hungarian and Romanian, not German, not French and weren’t welcome back in their home countries. I was born in France and a Canadian citizen. I have 2 sisters born here. My father’s education in Hungary taught him the importance of higher learning. I and my sisters went to University. One sister worked in a high position in a government ministry. My other sister became a department head in a few hospitals. I became a medical physicist. My last job was to start up a new cancer clinic in the Niagara region of the country. I was the first medical physicist in the region. I hired many ethnicities for my department. The diversity made us, I felt, very adaptable. I supervised several Ph.D. physicists from various backgrounds (India, Romania, England, Germany and Jordan) and I had a technical staff that included a Russian. I hold no grudges and feel we are all just people. We worked very well together and got the clinic going in record time.

My parents took us to visit, in 1967, the relatives that managed to survive in Hungary and Romania. It was quite something to see the soldiers come on the train with machine guns to check our papers and check the train under the seats and everywhere for, I don’t know what. We smuggled blue jeans to our family there so they could sell them on the black market because they were so poor. The people in Romania were so destitute. They had no fridges or screens on their windows. Shelves in stores were virtually empty. When we ate, flies covered our food so that all meals looked black. Hungary was a bit better. But I marvelled at the bullet holes in the Budapest buildings from 1956. I and my sisters got very sick several times on the trip.

I returned to visit while on a conference in Vienna in 2014. I was looking at a new breast cancer treatment methodology which I took back to Niagara where it was the first implementation of it in Canada. I was glad to see the huge improvement in Hungary. Budaors even had an IKEA. When walking around Budapest we talked to several locals about how bad it was last time I visited. One conversation I will never forget. Some younger people in the street said the Russians took everything good from Hungary and sent it to Russia.

Most of my life people asked me why I didn’t change my name from Szabo to Sabo to anglicize it and make it easier to spell and pronounce. My reply was always that I was proud of my heritage. One time I gave a speech in front of thousands of people, surrounded by dignitaries – mayors and University presidents, about our new cancer clinic. I was so proud when they introduced Joe Szabo.

But now, with the Russians invading Ukraine, and with Hungary in NATO with Canada, Hungary will not allow weapons through to Ukraine! I am disgusted. Are all the people from 1956 dead? The people seem to be duped by the propaganda from your leader who is in bed with Putin. I am glad my father left Hungary. I would leave if I lived there now. The z in my name is now embarrassing, especially since it is a symbol of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Joe Sabo (until recently Szabo)

Niagara Falls, Canada”

Canadians help Ukrainian refugees in the tent of the Two-tailed Dog Party in Budapest!

After Russia launched a military attack on Ukraine, two Canadians decided that they needed to come to Hungary to help war refugees, and this is how many other people from around the world decided as well. A humanitarian story.

Two brave Canadians

Telex interviewed two young Canadians who, as soon as the war broke out, came to Europe to lend a helping hand in the refugee crisis. They said that they simply felt the need to provide help instead of sitting at home.

Although they do not speak Ukrainian, nor Hungarian, they could still provide much-needed help since the scale of the crisis is so large that there is always a need for people who help.

They are currently working in the tent of the Hungarian Two-tailed Dog Party (MKKP).

The news outlet said that when Trevor MacDonald and Robbie Walker decided that they were going to travel to Europe to help; they organised their travel within days and met before they departed to Hungary, and have stuck together since.

“We have organised the trip here out of the blue, but we knew deep in our hearts that it was the right thing to do,” Robbie told Telex.

Trevor MacDonald had worked as a member of an accident cleanup crew before, and he always wanted to do volunteer work – he even considered joining the Ukrainian army.

Robbie Walker has never done any volunteer work before, but his brother, who had received medical training and is currently doing service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, inspired Robbie to help.

Naturally, their families were not happy that the two young men decided to travel so close to the war and were afraid they could get caught up in something at the Polish border.

They are not the only ones

According to Telex, Trevor and Robbie are not the only people who came to volunteer from overseas. Many people come to help from the United States or other places, and most of them end up in the tent of the Hungarian Two-tailed Dog Party (MKKP) or other NGO volunteer points.

Many people first go to Poland to help, that is what Robbie and Trevor did, but they saw that the situation there had become tenser, so they decided to come further, to Budapest. They thought that if they could not find an opportunity to help in Hungary, they could still go back to Poland.

They do not know how long they will stay

Seeing the scale and escalation of the refugee crisis in Hungary and in Budapest, the Hungarian government decided to set up a central transit area for the refugees near Keleti Railway Station, in the BOK-csarnok (previously known as the SYMA Hall).

In order to do this, previous tents and helping points were emptied and cleaned up, but in the new location, refugees are provided with heating, medical care, internet access, interpretation services, food, water, and access to sanitation and cleaning, Telex wrote.

The previous children’s corner is also implemented in the new location where they can play and watch television.

Since the new, official site was set up, they do not know how long they can provide help; if possible, they will sign up to volunteer there, but they do not rule out going to Poland to help, as they originally planned.

“We’re going where they need our help,” they told Telex.

Volodimir Zelensky
Read alsoZelenskiy to Orbán: “You have to decide for yourself who you are with” – UPDATED

Canadian lawmakers establish Canada-Hungary friendship group

Canadian lawmakers have established a Canada-Hungary parliamentary friendship group, thanks in large part to the commitment of three MPs of Hungarian descent and a year and a half of diplomatic efforts, Mária Vass-Salazar, Hungary’s ambassador to Canada, said on Tuesday.

Parliamentary ties play a key role in the development of Canadian-Hungarian political relations, the ambassador said, adding that the formation of the friendship group would give serious momentum to the advancement of bilateral ties.

Plans were already in place to set up the friendship group in the previous parliamentary cycle but had to be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Vass-Salazar said.

The ambassador said

Canada’s Hungarian diaspora was valued in the country’s political life and also represented by the new friendship group’s leaders of Hungarian descent.

The Canada-Hungary friendship group has three co-leaders with Hungarian ancestry and includes senators and MPs from the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party, Vass-Salazar said.

As we wrote today, Air Canada postponed its Budapest relaunch due to Russian-Ukrainian war, details HERE.

Steve Fonyo 3
Read alsoSteve Fonyo, cross-Canada runner and cancer research hero dies at 56

Air Canada postponed its Budapest relaunch due to Russian-Ukrainian war

Air Canada Airplane

Due to the geopolitical situation, Air Canada will not resume its flights between Toronto and Budapest this summer season. 

International tourism is back but Air Canada hesitates

Even though international tourism has shown some recovery, the Canadian airline was compelled to reorganise its plans for 2022 as a result of the recent events.

The current precarious situation, the Russian-Ukrainian war, will certainly affect the demand for travel in the Central European region, which is why the decision was made to postpone the resumption of the Toronto-Budapest seasonal flight until the summer of 2022.

In early February, the company announced that its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft would have flown to the Hungarian capital from Canada 3 times a week between May and October 2022, offering almost 1,000 seats a week in one direction during the high season, writes airportal.hu.

Planned return after 2019 halt

According to Air Canada, passengers who have already bought their tickets for the Toronto-Budapest route will be transferred to other partner airlines.

Air Cananda last flew to Budapest in 2019. There were scheduled flights for 2020 as well, but they were thwarted by the arrival of the first wave of the pandemic. It currently looks like there will be no Air Canada flights between Budapest and the North American country until 2023.

Air Canada the first to change its plan due to geopolitical situation

The Canadian airline was the first to cancel its plans to launch a flight to Budapest, specifically citing the geopolitical situation. In addition, Ryanair has also reorganised its Ferihegy schedule due to the war.

Referring to declining demand, British Jet2 has recently announced that it would stop all flights to Poland but did not do so in relation to its existing and re-launched routes to Budapest.

HungaroControl is helping refugees in Ukraine 

HungaroControl helps refugees in Ukraine with a total of EUR 20,000 in cooperation with the Hungarian Ecumenical Relief Organisation. The air traffic service organised a fundraiser among its employees to help those fleeing the war, and then doubled the collected donation of about EUR 10,000, reports airportal.hu

What are Canada’s top industries?

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Canada has tons of industries like any other country, yet four reign supreme above all others.  These industries are the top areas to job seek if you’re interested in moving to Canada for work and will give you the chance to enjoy a thriving workplace that will keep you busy while you gain a larger income than many other nations.

These are the top four industries that keep Canada afloat and why they’re such important parts of this country’s economy. 

Technology

Technology is a major industry in Canada, especially in Toronto and Vancouver, the largest cities in this country.  The technology industry in Canada is worth over $67.1 billion and continues to grow every day.  Although it’s a smaller industry in Canada, it offers jobs everywhere and is one of the top reasons people keep listing Ottawa homes for sale so that they can move to Toronto.  

Service Industry

The service industry in Canada ranges from restaurants to hospitality jobs for tourism.  Tourism is one of the biggest industries in Canada since people come from around the world to enjoy skiing and snowboarding in cities like Whistler and Banff.  The service industry brings in $140 billion every year and is a massive market that allows for Canadians to have the high quality of life they’ve come to enjoy and expect.  

Working in this industry doesn’t guarantee high pay, but it does ensure employment, which many are scrambling to grab right now.  If you start a business in the service industry, you’ll be able to garner a major income.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is a major part of Canada’s modern economy.  Currently accounting for around $174 billion every year and exporting $353 billion every year.  The largest industry within the manufacturing industry is motor vehicles and coal and petroleum products.  Manufacturing is mostly done in the central parts of Canada, where there’s more land for plants and more availability of the supplies needed for manufacturing.  

Natural Resources

This is Canada’s largest industry and brings in nearly $300 billion every year.  As almost 50% of Canada’s merchandise exports, this is a huge portion of the country’s economy.  The Natural resources industry is expected to grow up to $635 billion within the next ten years: stunning investors who want to get in on this earlier.  Working in this isn’t all get-rich-quick schemes; there are roles like mining, accounting, land acquisition rights teams, and other jobs tied to this industry.  If you want in, it’s important to hitch your wagon to the right company and part of the industry, or it could spell disaster in no time. 

Canada’s a Vast Country with Lots to Offer

Although Canada’s industries aren’t the largest on Earth, they each offer something unique that you can’t find anywhere else.  From the amazing ways this nation allows its citizens to explore any market they’re interested in, the massive economy that nearly guarantees financial success for anyone who wants it, this nation is full of excellent chances.

Steve Fonyo, cross-Canada runner and cancer research hero dies at 56

Steve Fonyo 3

Following the traumatic events of the 1956 Revolution in Hungary, many people became political fugitives and had to flee the county. Some went to Australia, others to the United States and some to Canada.

In 1984, Steven Charles Fonyo Jr. ran across Canada with a prosthetic leg to draw attention to the hardships of cancer patients and gather donations to cancer research earning the Order of Canada merit.

Steve Fonyo was born in 1965 in Montreal as the son of a Hungarian couple who fled to Canada where they managed a restaurant, Hungarian Free Press writes.

Unfortunately, Steve Fonyo lost his left leg to bone cancer. However, this did not deter him from doing great things.

Steve Fonyo 2
Source: Facebook.com/stevefonyomovie/

His merits

Stave was only 18 when he embarked on a successful cross-Canada run following the footsteps of Terry Fox, Global News reports.

He named his endeavour “Journey for Lives” and it aimed to raise funds and awareness to the hardships and perils of cancer as well as related scientific research.

Steve Fonyo received a huge amount of media attention during his run when he passed the point where Terry Fox was forced to stop. In the end, Fonyo completed his run within 425 days covering 7,924 kilometres with a prosthetic leg and raising over $ 13 million for cancer research.

He was awarded the Order of Canada in 1985 for his endurance and heroism. Vancouver Sun wrote that he was chosen as newsmaker of the year by the annual Canadian Press survey of editors.

Steve Fonyo 4
Steve Fonyo completes his cross-Canada marathon at Victoria, B.C., after 14 months on the road. (1985)
Source: Facebook.com/stevefonyomovie/

Fall of grace

Unfortunately, from then on, it was downhill for Steve Fonyo; he started to be involved in small-scale legal troubles. But they added up.

Hungarian Free Press writes that at first, Steve got speeding tickets, then he was charged with drunk driving. In the coming years, he had been charged with armed assault, aggravated assault, writing fake cheques and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Steve ended up serving a few days in jail for his crimes and his Order of Canada was revoked in 2009 without notice. He said he heard about it in prison.

Steve Fonyo 1
Source: Facebook.com/stevefonyomovie/

Global News reports that in 2015 he was the subject of a documentary titled Hurt about his fall of grace and struggles to get his life together.

“I need to better myself. And I’m doing that,” he told the Canadian Press after the film’s debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.

In 2015, three home intruders attacked him and he had to be put in an induced coma for a month. After the incident, he had to take medication to prevent seizures from traumatic brain injury.

Final days

Steven Charles Fonyo Jr. died on 18 February shortly after midnight in Burnaby.

According to his family and close relatives, he had what appeared to be a seizure. The paramedic tried to resuscitate Steve, but they were unable to save him.

He died at the age of 56, but the exact cause of his death is currently unknown. Coroner reports have not yet been issued as per the writing of this article.

Fonyo and his partner went to Burnaby because he needed some work done on his prosthetic leg, Vancouver Sun reported.

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Read alsoSteve Fonyo, cross-Canada runner and cancer research hero dies at 56

Here are the new summer destinations from Budapest Airport!

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The 2022 summer schedule at Ferenc Liszt International Airport includes some new additions and the return of several routes closed due to the pandemic. One of last year’s big announcements was that LOT Polish Airlines will re-launch direct flights between Budapest and New York from June 2022.

The service had been very popular with passengers, and from next summer, New York will again be accessible without changing, thanks to the carrier’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which will operate three times a week.

January also brought a big surprise for overseas travelers; Air Canada will resume direct flights between Budapest and Toronto from May to October 2022. The Canadian airline will fly its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners to the North American city three times a week in the summer schedule, offering passengers a total of 894 seats per week.

EasyJet’s Manchester service will also resume three times a week from the end of March, and Ryanair will likewise resume two flights a week to Rimini in Italy.

Wizz Air’s returning routes will include two weekly flights to Abu Dhabi, Castellon de la Palma and Skopje, while Ukrainian International Airlines will restart its Budapest-Kyiv service, with 4 flights a week.

Among the already announced new destinations, we can welcome Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, which will be accessible in the summer schedule with 2 Wizz Air flights a week. Budapest Airport also has good news for Turkish holidaymakers; SunExpress is launching a weekly flight to Izmir, Turkey, which has never had a direct flight from Budapest before. Izmir, the third largest city in the country, attracts tourists as an impressively modern and vibrant destination, which will now be accessible from the Hungarian capital without changing.

In addition to the destinations shaping up by the beginning of February, Budapest Airport will also welcome more new and re-launched flights in the summer schedule, further enriching the list of cities accessible directly from the Hungarian capital. These are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Passenger traffic at Budapest Airport recovering month by month

January produced good figures at Ferenc Liszt International Airport. Recovering passenger traffic is already approaching 60% of the pre-pandemic level of 2019, while the volume of air cargo has remained stable at over 15 000 tons.

In the first month of the year, a total of 562,635 passengers used Budapest Airport, an increase of more than 750% compared to the same period last year.

Currently, a total of 101 airports in 37 countries can be reached directly from Ferenc Liszt International Airport, courtesy of 27 airlines. The most popular destinations in January were London, Paris, Moscow and Dubai, while the flexible entry rules are also increasing the number of foreign tourists traveling to Hungary.

In other words, the trend is continuing; passengers and accessible destinations are returning to Budapest Airport in increasing numbers every month. In January, the number of passengers nearly reached 60% of the 2019 level, and 80% of destinations are available again from Budapest.

As for air cargo, after the record of 183 362 tons of cargo last year, the momentum in air freight has not been broken in January 2022. In the first month of the year, the volume of cargo handled at Budapest airport reached 15,748 tons, an increase of 25.8% compared to the same period last year, with only 8.2% more flights.

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Read alsoJet2 relaunches three UK-Budapest flights in February!

Hungarian birthright program celebrates 10th anniversary! – VIDEO

Reconnect_Hungary

ReConnect Hungary is a unique cultural, educational and social immersion program for young adults of Hungarian heritage.

According to their website, ReConnect Hungary helps young Hungarian-Americans/Canadians understand the meaning of their heritage and its importance to North America and the world. They gain a deeper understanding of their Hungarian heritage while enjoying a living culture: through the lens of young Hungarians, participants look to Hungary’s future, while learning about the country’s rich history, global contributions and accomplishments. With unmatched access to decision-makers and industry leaders, they will see first-hand the trends, innovations and ingenuity driving the country today.

Throughout the trip participants are

able to expand their connection to the land and people of Hungary, deepen their personal commitment of their Hungarian heritage, and find a community that is vibrant and spans continents.

Hungary may be the land of your ancestors, but it is also on the cutting edge of ideas, technology, inventions, music and art.

The program gives you the tools to strengthen your dual identity and integrate into a larger Hungarian community. It consists of three phases: pre-trip preparation, a two-week birthright trip, and joining the ReConnected Participants community.

The next birthright trip will take place from July 28 to August 12, 2022.

Current year participants meet up in New York and depart the same evening to Budapest for an amazing adventure. You can also go on ReConnect Transylvania – an optional 7-day, paid excursion – immediately following the trip.

Upon returning home, your journey continues now as a ReConnected Participant.

You can network socially and professionally, and participate in alumni activities such as the 5th anniversary trip in 2016.

The ReConnect Hungary Team, and the ReConnected Participant Outreach Coordinator specifically, provide the guidance and resources necessary to keep deepening your experience and knowledge of all things Hungarian, become more fully integrated into the Hungarian Diaspora and grow closer to your local and family traditions while linking into the global Hungarian community.

ReConnect Hungary – Hungarian Birthright Program is a public-private partnership supported by Hungarian American and Canadian organizations and the Government of Hungary.

Applications for the next program in July are open until February 28, 2022! Contact them for more information HERE

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 30: Treasure Hunt – Art Exhibit Opening Reception
May 2022: Dinner in Washington, DC
July 28 – August 12: ReConnect Hungary Birthright Trip
August 11: Alumni 10th Anniversary Party in Budapest
August 12 – 21: ReConnect Transylvania Trip
September 2022: Dinner at the Hungarian Consulate in New York
October 2022 – January 2023: RH Alumni Photo Exhibit

ReConnect Hungary - Hungarian Birthright scheme
Read alsoOrbán cabinet puts emphasis on serving Hungarian communities abroad

Direct flight between Toronto and Budapest to be relaunched

Air Canada Airplane

Air Canada has decided to reintroduce its direct flights from Toronto to the Hungarian capital in 2022, between May and October.

As in many aspects of life, the coronavirus restrictions caused significant problems in travel and tourism and Air Canada decided to halt its direct flight from Toronto to Budapest some time ago.

Thanks to the easing restrictions, the direct flight formerly operating under Air Canada Rogue will be relaunched as part of Air Canada for the summer season of 2022, between May and October, Budapest Airport reported.

According to the announcement of the airport, the company first launched a direct flight to the Hungarian capital in 2016, under the name Air Canada Rogue, but halted it when the first wave of the pandemic hit the world.

Fortunately, people who wish to go on a business trip, visit their families or go on a holiday can finally travel to the capital of the Ontario region in Canada.

Another benefit of the Toronto direct flight is that it provides a reliable connection between the US, Mexico, the Caribbean region as well as several countries of Central and South America and Asia. The direct flight provides good opportunities for other destinations from Budapest as well.

According to the information of Airportal, the airline will carry passengers between Toronto and Budapest three times a week.

Due to the pandemic, Air Canada has sold 30% of its fleet, including its wide-bodied Boeing 767s. However, on the direct flight, the company’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner type aircraft will carry passengers.

Airportal writes that these types of aircraft can carry a total of 298 passengers at once with 247 seats in economy, 30 seats in business and 21 seats in their premium class.

This means that the relaunched direct flight can carry 894 passengers a week in a single direction.

Budapest Airport reports that the flight time will take 9 hours and 25 minutes from Budapest to Toronto and 8 hours and 25 minutes on the way back.

Balázs Bogáts, head of Flight Development at Budapest Airport made the following comment:

“We are very proud that Air Canada has returned to the portfolio of the airport with this popular destination […] This direct flight will not only connect travellers from Budapest with Canada, but also with several other North-American destinations as well”.

Budapest plane crash
Read alsoThe last air crash at Budapest airport — VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY

Birthright Program: discover your Hungarian roots in Budapest! – PHOTOS

Reconnect_Hungary

Are you proud of your Hungarian roots? Would you like to learn more about Hungarian culture, education, and society while enjoying a two-week-long journey in Budapest? Then Reconnect Hungary is the perfect community for you. Enjoy all these benefits and gain a once in a lifetime experience with the Hungarian Birthright Program.

Since 1976, the New York-based Hungarian Human Rights Foundation has been working hard to deepen Hungarian-American connections. On the basis of this principle, they created the unmissable educational and social immersion program, the Hungarian Birthright Trip. The special educational program is from the mastermind of Allison Pataki, a New York Times best-selling author, whose primary mission is to provide an opportunity for young adults of Hungarian-American origin to learn more about their Hungarian roots and deepen their knowledge about the local culture and heritage.

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Photo: www.facebook.com/ReConnectHungary/

The special program of ReConnect Hungary consists of three phases, during which

participants can visit Budapest and become a valued member of the global Hungarian community.

Photo: www.facebook.com/ReConnectHungary/

The Hungarian Birthright Program is available for young adults of Hungarian-Americans/Canadian decent, between the ages of 18 and 28. Applicants can enjoy the following benefits of the unique scholarship program: pre-trip online course, orientation day in New York, roundtrip airfare, and taxes between New York and Budapest, the transportation and accommodation fees, three meals a day, all entrance fees to museums and historical sites, as well as tour guides in Hungary.

Read also: Hungarian heritage sites presented by a Canadian website

About the program

After the pre-trip preparation, participants can take part in a two-week-long journey from New York to Budapest. This educational trip enables them to discover the cultural and historical treasures of Budapest and learn more about their Hungarian roots. In addition, the Hungarian Birthright Program provides them an opportunity to strengthen their Hungarian identity and become a valued member of the global Hungarian community. The program is supported by Hungarian, American, and Canadian organisations and the Government of Hungary.

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Photo: www.facebook.com/ReConnectHungary/

If you would like to strengthen your dual identity and get a once in a lifetime experience in Hungary, do not wait any longer.

Applications are opening soon for next year’s Birthright trip that will take place between 28th July and 12th August 2022.

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Photo: www.facebook.com/ReConnectHungary/

After the unforgettable two-week-long trip in Hungary, your journey will still go on with the ReConnect community. Thanks to this social network, you can stay connected to the global Hungarian community and deepen your Hungarian connections with the ReConnect Hungary Team.

For more details, visit the official website of ReConnect Hungary where you can discover further exciting programs, including the ReConnect Transylvania summer trip and the ReConnect Transylvania+ if you are interested in a 3-6-month-long internship.

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Read alsoJamie Lee Curtis: “It is a great treasure for me to be of Hungarian descent”

Top tourism activities for gamers in Canada

canada toronto

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Canada is a country with plenty of sights worth seeing. There’s something for everyone. Those who love nature and wilderness can explore thousands of trails. The city dwellers have numerous museums and other similar attractions throughout the country. There’s also something for the avid players who enjoy playing games at casinos and computer games.

There are several gems that you have to visit. The massive land-based casinos don’t only offer thousands of playing options but plenty of chances to explore the local sights while you’re staying in the area. There’s more for those who play video games on consoles and computers. Here are the top tourism activities to consider as a gamer in Canada.

Casino de Montreal

Casino de Montreal is the biggest gambling venue you can find in Canada. Those who love playing games and are curious about newest casinos in Canada will have to visit this Canadian gem. Its massive size provides accommodation to almost 20,000 players daily. Players can find different sorts of table games, over 3,000 slots, and an impressive Keno room. Gaming enthusiasts will be able to find something on the land-based premises. All you have to do is prepare the funds and start your adventurous journey under the shining lights.

Once you finish the visit to the casino, there’s more to explore in Montreal. Local sights make the city one of the top tourist destinations in Quebec.

Casino Niagara

Niagara Falls is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Canada. It attracts millions of visitors annually, boosting the local economy. Do you want to spin the reels and visit the world-renown landmark? Casino Niagara is the place to visit. The colossal gambling venue has over 95,000 square feet of pure fun, excitement, and flashy lights. You’ll be spoilt for choice with over 1300 slots and 40 tables on-premises.

Once you have your fun, you can head out and pay a visit to Niagara Falls. Watch the power of nature unfold before your eyes after a crazy night at the casino.

Fan Expo Canada

Gaming fans who want to be a part of a community should join the Fan Expo in Canada. The annual event attracts fans of anime, movies, comics, gaming, and cosplayers, hosting guests from various genres, including celebrities, comics creators, gaming studios representatives, and famous voice actors. It’s the perfect opportunity for companies such as Nintendo, Xbox, Sony, and other industry giants to showcase their games every year. The 2019 festival featured amazing games that the guests could play on-premises. Unfortunately, the choice was much smaller for 2020, but it’s no wonder, given the circumstances.

The festival lasts for four days, giving you plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny and get the autographs you want. Plus, there’s a cosplay event that’ll leave you speechless. The participants go a long way to authentically dress as their favorite game, anime, and comic book heroes. When the festival is over, go out and explore Toronto, the city that hosts the event. You’ll find numerous local sights that are well worth the visit.

DreamHack Montreal

DreamHack has become one of the most important events for the gaming community globally. Its events around the world bring the whole gaming community together. Attending such an event has become a one-of-a-kind experience. Over the 25 years, the organizers have focused on hosting events where professional gamers clash in tournaments for big prizes. As the eSports industry kept growing, so did the DreamHack events. One of the events you’ll find in Canada is DreamHack Montreal.

If you’re looking for a way to connect with other avid gamers while watching the best players from around the world compete, then attending this event is a must.

Conclusion

If you’re a gamer touring Canada, consider visiting these locations to have some fun along the way. Besides entertainment, each of these locations will let you explore memorable local landmarks. If you’re eager for more, conducting additional research will help, as there are plenty of other gaming venues to explore. The ones above are only some of the most popular options. You’ll be able to find thousands of locations in Canada worth visiting.

Govt commissioner presents awards to Hungarian diaspora leaders in Canada

Kanada Katalin Szili Canada 2

Katalin Szili, the prime minister’s commissioner in charge of minority protection and autonomy, has visited Ottawa, Montreal and Regina, the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan, to meet members of the Hungarian diaspora, and present state awards to them.

Speaking to MTI by phone, Szili said that in Ottawa she met Senator Victor Oh and MP Corey Tochor, who is of Hungarian descent, as well as US, Australian and British mission heads at a gala dinner.

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Katalin Szili Government Commissioner visits leaders of Hungarian diaspora in Canada
Photo: facebook.com/dr.katalin.szili

She thanked them for their countries’ integrating members of the Hungarian diaspora and briefed them about the Hungarian government’s programmes aimed at unifying the nation.

Niagara Falls lit up in Hungarian national colours to commemorate 1956

Deputy PM of Hungary commemorates Rákóczi Association’s honorary chairman

Kanada Katalin Szili Canada 1
Katalin Szili Government Commissioner visits leaders of Hungarian diaspora in Canada
Photo: facebook.com/dr.katalin.szili

On November 16, she presented Hungarian state awards to Anna Szenthe, the Canadian President of the Hungarian Diaspora Council, and János Szőke, the president of the Árpád Park Hungarian Hall in Niagara Falls, in recognition of their work for the Hungarian community.

In her capacity as curator of Pécs University, Szili held talks with leaders of the Carleton University, the Saint Paul Catholic University and the University of Ottawa.

Sallói Dániel
Read alsoCould a Hungarian athlete become ‘Most Valued Player Of the Year’ in the US?

UPDATE: Hungarians celebrated the Revolution of 1956 all around the world – VIDEO

1956 Commemoration Hungarian Flag

Each Hungarian community has its own memories of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising and its anniversary is marked not only in towns and cities across Hungary but in neighbouring countries and in the Hungarian diaspora as well, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office told a commemoration in Budapest on October 23.

“Lights of commemoration will certainly be lit at the Etoile in Paris, in North and South America, in Europe, as well as in Australia where Hungarian communities come together to celebrate and remember,” Gergely Gulyás said.

The revolution “did not stay within the Trianon borders: each country with a Hungarian community had sympathy for Hungary’s freedom fight,” he added.

Gulyás said 1956 was a great shared experience, the shared experience of freedom won in unequal struggle, that of joy and hope, and then, after November, the experience of defeat, grief and retaliation.

Consulate General Canada Niagara Falls Hungary 1956
Read alsoNiagara Falls lit up in Hungarian national colours to commemorate 1956

The 1956 freedom fight was the biggest historical miracle in the history of Hungarian statehood, Gulyás said. A revolution that had no pre-planned script, financial background or armed resources, only a common intention and will.

Huge masses attend the commemoration of the 65th anniv. of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

People knew they wanted to live in freedom, in an independent Hungary, where they can decide their own destiny. Everywhere they had the courage to go out in the street and face the guns, and on October 23 they won. Neither the police, nor the army was an insurmountable obstacle for them, and at first it seemed that not even the Soviets would be, the minister said.

 

“Hungarians have always had to fight for freedom, and this is no different today,” Péter Szilágyi, the prime minister’s commissioner for Hungarian communities abroad, said in front of the 1956 memorial plaque at the House of Hungarians in New York on Saturday.

Viktor Orbán’s speech at the commemoration ceremony of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

“Those who left their homeland in 1956 sought freedom,” he said, adding that the Hungarian government recognised the diversity of the Hungarian population, with Hungarians in the homeland, abroad and the diaspora each having a place in the nation.

He said Hungarians in the United States should be proud of their Hungarianness, history and freedom. “Only a strong community can build a strong nation,” he added.

Szilágyi addressed a 1956 commemoration of the Hungarian Consulate General in New York and attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the 1956 New York Memorial. On Sunday he will speak at the 1956 commemorations organised by Hungarian communities in Passaic, New Jersey, and New Brunswick.

New Delhi 1956 Commemoration Run
Read alsoFreedom Run organised in New Delhi to commemorate the events of 1956

Niagara Falls lit up in Hungarian national colours to commemorate 1956

Consulate General Canada Niagara Falls Hungary 1956

To commemorate both the fallen and living heroes of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution against the tyranny of the Soviet regime, the Canadian side of Niagara falls was lit up in the national colours of Hungary.

The Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto wrote the following on their Facebook page:

The world’s most famous and iconic waterfall was illuminated with red-white-green colours to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.

 

The Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Canada and the Consulate General of Hungary in Toronto welcomed a special guest of honour from Hungary: Ferenc Dancs, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungary paid his tributes to the heroes and heritage of the 1956 Revolution.

October 23 – Budapest commemorations and traffic restrictions

 Hon. Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of the Government of Ontario, H.E. Mária Vass-Salazar, Ambassador of Hungary in Canada and Valér Palkovits, Consul General of Hungary in Toronto and Sándor Balla, Chair of Hungarian Chamber of Commerce in Canada also participated at the ceremony.

1956 Commemoration Hungarian Flag
Read alsoHungarian national flag hoisted – PHOTOS