Horrible accident: Prague-Budapest Eurocity collides with bus in Slovakia, 4 dead – VIDEO
There was a serious accident at a level crossing near Érsekújvár (Nové Zámky) in Slovakia, where a Eurocity train No 279 from Prague to Budapest collided with a bus. Four people were killed and five injured in the accident.
Fatal accident in Slovakia
The accident caused the bus to split in two, drift to the side of the road and then catch fire, overturning. The locomotive, owned by the Czech railway company České dráhy, also caught fire as a result of the collision, 444.hu reports.
About 100 people were on the train, which was driven by a Czech railway company employee. The passengers were evacuated and the road was closed. The Slovakian railway company sent replacement buses to the scene, where several ambulances and rescue helicopters arrived in the meantime.
According to Slovakian news site Napunk, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok and Deputy Police Commissioner Rastislav Polakovič will arrive at the scene of the accident shortly.
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) said that due to the accident, the arrival of Eurocity trains from Bratislava-Štúrovo on Thursday evening is uncertain.
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Hungary at risk: potential exclusion from key NATO group – UPDATE: Romanian president
Could Hungary be in trouble within NATO? The Bucharest Nine plans to exclude Hungary from its members as it is not cooperative enough.
As Financial Times reports, diplomats from the Bucharest Nine (B9) group, comprising Eastern European NATO and EU member states, are contemplating the exclusion of Hungary from future meetings, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Bucharest Nine (B9)
The B9, established in 2015, includes Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. These countries, once part of the Soviet Union or the Warsaw Pact, now coordinate security policies as NATO and EU members, particularly focusing on their eastern borders, Privátbankár writes.
Recently, Hungary has blocked the group’s joint statements supporting increased aid to Ukraine and NATO’s measures to enhance military assistance to Ukraine or expedite its membership process. Hungary’s stance on Ukraine and its accession talks has increasingly frustrated its allies.
The B9 leaders are meeting on 11 June in Riga, and officials anticipate Hungary will once again refuse to endorse a declaration agreed upon by the others.
Talks to exclude Hungary “very serious”
Talks about potentially excluding Hungary are described as “very serious,” with one source noting, “This is likely the last time we meet in this format.” Another source highlighted the “tough” debates in recent meetings, suggesting that future meetings will be challenging to organise unless Hungary becomes more cooperative.
The Financial Times also highlighted that last month, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated Hungary aims to “redefine” its NATO membership terms, opposing the alliance’s support for Ukraine in the ongoing war.
“Hungary has been invited to the B9 summit in Riga on June 11,” the Lithuanian presidential office confirmed, emphasizing that “for the unity of NATO and the EU, it is important for Hungary to remain within the group.”
Reuters: Sulyok did not attend
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency reported that
President Tamás Sulyok would not attend Tuesday’s presidential-level meeting.
Instead, the country will be represented by Hungary’s ambassador to Lithuania, and therefore no joint statement is expected at the end of the event, Index writes.
NATO Secretary General visits Budapest
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who is attending the Riga summit, will visit Budapest soon on Wednesday to discuss “Hungary’s omission from the Alliance’s mission in Ukraine”, Viktor Orbán said in an interview with state television on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, it was announced on NATO’s website that Stoltenberg will indeed visit Hungary, and a spokesman for the organisation shared the information on X:
#NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg will visit #Hungary on Wednesday 12 June. He will meet with 🇭🇺 @PM_ViktorOrban in Budapest.
🎙️ 10:10 (CEST) Press conference with the Prime Minister of Hungary.https://t.co/99uPeNvJd2 pic.twitter.com/4HXQP9BvHB
— NATO Spokesperson Farah Dakhlallah (@NATOpress) June 11, 2024
As reported, Jens Stoltenberg will hold a joint press conference with Viktor Orbán on Wednesday morning at 10.10.
UPDATE: Romanian president’s reaction (10.45 PM 11 June)
The Romanian head of state has denied that the Bucharest Nine (B9), which brings together the member states of NATO’s eastern wing, are considering excluding Hungary because the Hungarian government allegedly “regularly opposes” the decisions of its partners, Portfolio reports.
Klaus Iohannis, who attended the B9 Heads of State and Government meeting, was interviewed by Romanian journalists in Riga on the above-mentioned topic. “No, there was no question of any exclusion and there will be no question of any exclusion. This is fake news,” the Romanian president said.
“It is not the first time that a state has not been represented by the president, although it would be desirable to have the highest possible level of representation. The two states in question were represented institutionally by ambassadors, so diplomatically there is no problem. As for the conclusions of the summit, they were indeed not agreed by one Member State. But there is an agreed procedure for this, which we also have in the European Union, that when a common language cannot be found, the leaders of the meeting can issue a statement on behalf of those gathered. This is what happened here,” the Romanian president explained.
Iohannis added: “This is not a problem because the B9 is a consultative forum, it does not make decisions.” “We consult each other, we formulate points of view that we believe will improve the functioning of NATO”, the Romanian head of state pointed out.
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Czech captain of fatal cruise ship collision on Danube at Verőce under police surveillance
The captain of a cruise ship, a Czech national, has been ordered to stay at his place of residence in Hungary until 22 September over charges of alleged negligence in a fatal accident on the Danube river that claimed two lives over the weekend, a Budapest regional court said on Wednesday.
Fatal cruise ship collision
The captain was taken into custody on Monday after his ship collided with a small motor boat near Veroce, north of Budapest, in the night of 18 May. A man and a woman out of the eight passengers on board the boat died while another male passenger who swam ashore survived the accident. A search is still underway for the remaining five passengers, three men and two women.
Police have launched proceedings against the cruise ship’s captain over negligence leading to several deaths and other crimes.
The Czech national has a place of residence registered in Hungary.
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Latest news on the boat collision on the Danube: captain detained, affected hotel ship has left the country – VIDEO
The police have taken into custody the captain of a cruise ship that collided with a boat on the River Danube near Verőce, in northern Hungary, over suspicion of failing to provide help to the small boat’s passengers.
Two people died in the collision on Saturday night, while a search is underway for another three men and two women. Out of the altogether eight adults who were on board the motorboat, one male passenger sustained head and shoulder injuries but survived and swam ashore. He was later found disoriented on the river bank at Verőce. The man received urgent medical care and was taken to hospital.
According to the police’s website, the captain failed to alarm his crew after the collision. “He did not take any measures to rescue people needing help, nor did he stop his ship.”
The police have so far questioned 25 people, including the crew of the cruise ship, passengers, and people who may have witnessed the collision, according to the website.
The captain is of Czech nationality.
They have not given up the search
Shortly after the captain’s arrest, police posted on their Facebook page that they were looking for five more people.
Those still wanted are: an 18-year-old woman and a 28-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man, a 30-year-old man and a 39-year-old man. Rescue teams are still out today. There were eight people on the boat. A 35-year-old man swam ashore. The bodies of a 39-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were found,
the post informed.
The Budapest Police Headquarters is asking all those on the Danube and near the shore, sportsmen, fishermen and hikers to call 112 immediately if they notice anything that could be connected to the accident.
The captain remains, the ship has left the country
In response to a question from index.hu, traffic lawyer Zoltán Borbély drew attention to two important elements:
Following the accident, at the beginning of the investigation, experts will examine the ship involved and document the technical equipment of the hotel ship in addition to the damage. If these have been done and the captain has not claimed a technical fault at this point, the ship will not be seized in this case,” the lawyer said.
According to press reports, the vessel was fully inspected and presumably had no technical defects, so it was allowed to leave port in a legal manner.
The Danube is currently still predominantly a manual navigation route, with captains, not artificial intelligence, navigating the waters. This also means that radars, infrared sensors and all kinds of technical equipment are available to captains when they are sailing. However, it would be unrealistic for the captain of the Heidelberg not to be able to detect a collision at all. On a vessel of this size, even the smallest obstacle can be detected.
- Read more details: Horrific boat collision close to Budapest, multiple casualties – VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY, UPDATES
UPDATE 4
Boat collision on the Danube: they are still being searched by rescue teams – photos
Czech President Petr Pavel: Too many interests prevent Orbán from confronting Putin
We have to be prepared for the fact that Russia will not be our peaceful partner, Petr Pavel Czech President said. He also expressed his disagreement with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico and said that Russia would harm Europe.
Petr Pavel: Russia will harm Europe
Russia will harm Europe and will not be satisfied with acquiring part of Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel told the Austrian daily Die Presse. In the interview reviewed by hvg.hu, he also said that he does not agree with Orbán, Fico and Pellegrini that it would be easy to declare peace in the war.
“If we accept Moscow’s terms, it means that the whole of Ukraine will remain under Russian control,” says the Czech president. He believes this would mean replacing the democratically elected Ukrainian government with a Kremlin vassal.
According to Pavel, Hungary and Russia are linked by many interests, especially economic ones, and
until the new Paks power plant is up and running, it is hard to imagine Viktor Orbán strongly condemning the Kremlin’s policies.
He said that Ukraine is only one of the issues dividing the Visegrád community (the Visegrád/V4 countries are the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – ed.). The President said that a longer confrontation between Europe and Russia is beginning, and it will not necessarily be a military confrontation.
“They want to restore the imperial greatness of the Soviet Union, including their sphere of influence at the time, and they say so very openly. We must therefore take this seriously. We must be prepared for the fact that Russia will not be our peaceful partner,” Pavel said.
Moscow has already emerged as a “destructive force” in many European countries, spreading propaganda and blatant lies,
he added. “If we want to maintain security and prosperity in this part of Europe, we need to set clear limits for Russia. Failure to do so could lead to serious complications in the future,” said the Czech President.
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Hungary among the best holiday destinations with cheap beer in Europe
Already mapping out your holiday plans? Well, if you’re a beer lover, exploring Europe’s beer scene should definitely be on your agenda. Hungary is one of the top destinations offering cheap beer in Europe. While beer is super cheap in shops, fear not, a pint won’t break the bank at local pubs either.
Fun facts about beer in Hungary
- In 2022, Hungary brewed a whopping 563 million litres of beer, 1.6% of the EU’s total production. Considering the country’s size and population, Hungary ranks pretty high in beer production.
- Moreover, Hungary secured the 19th spot in per capita beer consumption last year, with an average of 73.7 litres per person.
- You can find the cheapest beer in Hungary in two astonishing towns in the countryside.
Extremely cheap beer in European capitals
According to Blikk‘s report, you have to travel as far as Minsk, Belarus for the cheapest pint, which costs a mere HUF 410 (EUR 1.05) there. Moldova and Georgia also make it to the top five. At the bottom of the top 10 list of the cheapest beers is the iconic Czech capital, Prague. It may not come as a surprise that Budapest shares the same league, with the average price of draught beer ranging from HUF 800 (EUR 2.04) to HUF 1000 (EUR 2.55).
The best bang for your buck: beer in Hungary
Presently, the most pocket-friendly places to grab a decent pint in Hungary are Debrecen and Szeged. In Debrecen, a pint costs a modest 397 HUF (EUR 1.01), while in Szeged, it’s just a tad more at 497 HUF (EUR 1.27). Nestled in Eastern Hungary, both cities offer unique and captivating experiences, making them perfect holiday getaways.
Debrecen
As Hungary’s second-largest city, Debrecen boasts a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can explore landmarks such as the Great Reformed Church, soak in the lively atmosphere of the city centre or unwind in one of its many lush parks. Debrecen is also known for its exquisite thermal baths, offering a tranquil escape for travellers seeking rejuvenation. Clearly, being on top of the list of cheap beer in Europe isn’t the only reason to explore this city.
Szeged
On the flip side, Szeged is celebrated for its stunning architecture, particularly its Art Nouveau buildings. The city sits on the banks of the Tisza River and offers picturesque views, especially along its waterfront promenade. Szeged is also renowned for its cultural events, such as the Szeged Open-Air Festival, which showcases theatre and music performances throughout the summer months
Whether you are charmed by the idea of enjoying cheap beer in Europe or seeking cultural impulses, Debrecen and Szeged provide ample opportunities to immerse yourself in Hungarian culture, sample delicious local cuisine and discover hidden gems off the beaten path. These cities are ideal holiday destinations for those seeking authentic Hungarian experiences.
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Foreign Minister: Central Europe fully backs Hungarian EU Presidency’s expansion plan
Central European countries fully support Hungary’s policy of promoting the EU integration of Western Balkan countries during its EU presidency in the second half of the year, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign affairs and trade minister, said in Ljubljana on Tuesday.
EU presidency and the Western Balkans
He told a press conference after a meeting of the foreign ministers of the C5 format of the Central European countries, Austria, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, that security must be reinforced, the European Union needs new vigour, and enlargement will be centre stage during Hungary’s presidency starting in July.
Integrating countries of the Western Balkans could energise the EU, and central European member states should take on special responsibility accordingly, according to a ministry statement quoted Szijjártó. He added that whereas they openly and genuinely backed enlargement, others elsewhere merely gave the impression of doing so in public while actually blocking the process.
Genuine supporters, he said, were in the minority, and so he urged central European countries to join forces and “promote the cause”. He said all sides at the meeting supported Hungary’s related goals.
Szijjártó noted that the five Western Balkan countries had been waiting to join the EU “for 14 years and 10 months on average”. “This shows the real attitude of the community,” he said, and pledged that Hungary would “work to change that vigorously”.
“We Hungarians will do everything to bring the Western Balkan countries closer to the European Union,” he said.
Immigration
On the subject of restoring security, Szijjártó called for increased efforts to stop illegal immigration, and said its causes should be dealt with in the countries of origin, while protection of the external borders should be intensified “just as Hungary has done”.
He said the Hungarian government considered border violations as attacks against the country’s sovereignty, adding that rounding up people smuggling gangs was crucial.
“Criminals and migrans have fired shots at border guards on several occasions, which is completely unacceptable… We do not need such people in the EU,” he said.
The minister said pull factors of illegal migration should be reduced, adding that mandatory distribution quotas “act in just that way”.
- also read: Czech police cease assistance at Hungarian-Serbian border, citing drop in illegal migration
Gaza, Ukraine
Answering a question, Szijjártó confirmed the government’s support for any initiative aimed at freeing hostages held in Gaza, including a Hungarian national.
The success of Israel’s anti-terrorism operation, he said, was of global importance, but “saving the civilians should also be an important aspect.”
Regarding Ukraine, he mentioned that over one million refugees had crossed into Hungary since the outbreak of the war. He said “neither side can win on the battlefield” and the armed conflict could only be resolved through negotiations; “the question remains when, and it would be sooner than later.” “The sooner there is a ceasefire and peace talks, the fewer people will die and destruction will be less detrimental.”
Czech police cease assistance at Hungarian-Serbian border, citing drop in illegal migration
Czech police have decided to withdraw their assistance in controlling the Hungarian-Serbian border, citing a significant decrease in illegal migration along the route from the southern Balkans through Serbia to Hungary. David Schön, spokesperson for the Czech National Police Headquarters, announced this decision in Prague on Monday.
MTI reported that the last 40-strong contingent of Czech police, stationed at the southern Hungarian border, returned to the Czech Republic by the end of the first week of March. Schön explained, “After evaluating the current overall migration risk and in coordination with the Hungarian authorities, we have suspended the deployment of additional Czech police units to Hungary.” He acknowledged the combined efforts of Serbian security forces and measures implemented on the Hungarian side for the improved situation.
“Nevertheless, police experts continue to monitor and evaluate all new data and events. Should the need arise, assistance to Czech police officers in Hungary will be resumed. The Czech Republic is ready to respond immediately to any request from Hungary or any other state,” Schön affirmed.
Last year, approximately 240 Czech police officers took turns patrolling Hungary’s southern border. The most recent 40-member contingent was on duty from mid-January until early March.
As we wrote a few days earlier, the government tightened the sanctions regarding the employment of foreign workers from third countries. Details here.
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Did Czech, Polish prime ministers shout at PM Orbán due to Sweden’s NATO accession?
According to the newsletter of VSquare, the last V4 summit hosting all the leaders of the Visegrád Four countries (Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary) was a bit loud. Meanwhile, the prime minister’s press chief, Bertalan Havasi, denied media information.
The V4 summit was held behind closed doors in Prague, but the debate was fierce. Based on a source of VSquare, Czech PM Petr Fiala and Polish President Donald Tusk were shouting with PM Viktor Orbán requiring an explanation why he delayed Sweden’s EU accession and the European Union’s help for Ukraine, writes telex.hu.
Two government-close Czech sources said the debate was so heated that the press conference scheduled after the meeting had to be postponed. However, Slovakian PM Robert Fico remained silent for the whole time and did not defend PM Orbán.
Bertalan Havasi, the Hungarian prime minister’s press chief, said shouting at the Hungarian prime minister was fake news. Orbán said before that it was his 52nd V4 summit, but it was among the most difficult occasions. He added that such an intellectually and politically challenging debate is a rarity.
Before, protestors booed Fico and Orbán, saying they were the two pro-Russia leaders of the V4 cooperation.
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PM Orbán meets old ally in Prague
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met former Czech presidents Milos Zeman and Vaclav Klaus in Prague on Tuesday, after attending a summit of the Visegrád Group countries, his press chief told MTI.
The meeting with Zeman was also attended by incumbent Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Bertalan Havasi said.
The ministers praised Hungarian-Czech political and cultural ties and reiterated experiences of their visits to each other’s countries.
Klaus served as Czech President between 2003 and 2013 and Zeman between 2013 and 2023.
Read also:
- Czech government backs down, only the Orbán government vetoes EU sanctions against Israel – Read more HERE
Orbán and Vaclav Klaus:
Featured image: Orbán-Zeman-Fico meeting
V4 heads of govt to meet in Prague
The heads of government of the Visegrad Group are scheduled to meet in Prague on Feb 27, the Czech government office said on Monday.
The prime ministers of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are scheduled to discuss energy security, the European Union’s strategic goals and illegal migration, the statement said.
Ahead of the meeting, Czech PM Petr Fiala will have bilateral talks with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, on the subject of the war in Ukraine, regional defence cooperation, energy and migration, it said.
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Visegrád 4 countries protest against EU policies
Agriculture chambers from the Visegrád Group – Hungary, Czechia, Poland and Slovakia – along with ones from Lithuania and Latvia protested against the European Union’s agricultural policies at a meeting on the outskirts of Warsaw, the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) said on Tuesday.
The chambers called on decision-makers in Brussels to stop “making things impossible” for European farmers, NAK said.
The V4 chambers decided to organise a protest on 22 February against the dumping of Ukrainian agricultural import products at the shared border between Slovakia, Poland and Czechia.
European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski was present at the two-day meeting in Otrebusy.
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Hungarian forint hit another historic low!
The Hungarian forint hit a new historic low against the Polish zloty following an unexpected decision of the Czech national bank.
According to portfolio.hu, the Czech koruna affected the exchange rate of the Hungarian forint the most in the second half of this week. The Czech national bank implemented a higher base rate cut than experts calculated before. As a result, the Czech currency started to plummet and reached a two-year historic low.
Meanwhile, the Polish zloty was able to strengthen even on Thursday. And that was enough for the forint to reach a historic low against the Polish national currency. The PLN/HUF exchange rate stands at 89.9/1 even now. The Hungarian currency set the previous historic low in November 2022 when it was almost in a free fall against the euro reaching even 430/EUR.
The reason behind the strong zloty and weak forint is that the Polish National Bank did not modify its base rate. Meanwhile, the Hungarian national bank cut it by 75 base points. Even though that was lower than the market expected, the forint could not evade weakening. The base rates stand at 10% in Hungary and 5.75% in Poland, which means that Hungary’s relative base rate advantage decreased.
Additional reasons explaining the weak forint
Furthermore, Hungarian assets are less attractive due to the bad EU-Hungary relationship, even though Orbán gave the green light for the EUR 50 billion Ukraine aid last week.
Moreover, Hungary’s annual budget was worrisome in 2023. As a result, even the 2024 budget is risky. That is why the Hungarian government will modify its annual target deficit from 2.9% to 4.5%.
Finally, Hungary has been blocking Sweden’s NATO accession for almost two years now, and it does not seem like the issue will be concluded in days. On the contrary, Orbán expected the Swedish prime minister to come to Budapest before the parliament accepted Stockholm’s bid, but Ulf Kristersson said there was no reason for that.
Such conflicts increase anxiety in investors and make the forint vulnerable.
Currently, we have to pay more than HUF 388 for one euro.
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Czech government backs down, only the Orbán government vetoes EU sanctions against Israel
The possibility of a Hungarian veto has come up again. Violence in the predominantly Palestinian West Bank has sharply escalated since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October. The European Union is now preparing a measure similar to the recent one sanctioned by the US Government, which targeted Jewish settlers who aggressively evicted Palestinians in the West Bank.
The West Bank, primarily inhabited by Palestinians, faces an influx of Israeli settlers in growing numbers. Among them are extremists resorting to threats, beatings and vandalism to coerce local Palestinian residents into vacating their homes, enabling the expansion of Israeli settlements. According to reports from the Independent, President Biden has granted authorisation for the United States Treasury Department to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens involved in forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank or other regions, regardless of official support. National Security spokesman John Kirby later clarified that Israeli political leaders are currently not targeted for sanctions, and emphasised that the sanctions were implemented in coordination with the Israeli government. Following the decision, President Biden addressed Congress, emphasising that the situation in the West Bank, marked by what he described as “a significant escalation of violence by extremist settlers,” constitutes a national security emergency.
The EU’s reaction
Despite the majority of European Union countries supporting sanctions against Israeli settlers similar to those imposed by the US, including Spain, Germany, France, Ireland and Belgium, the sanctions have yet to be implemented. The delay in implementing the sanction was due to the Hungarian government vetoing it. The conflict between Hamas and Israel has caused division within the European Union, as highlighted by an EU Diplomat who stated:
“It’s a disgrace, Europe is nowhere in this discussion. [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen is burned. [The EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep] Borrel is not taken seriously inside or outside the EU.”
The EU has already sanctioned the Palestinian militant group Hamas, targeting their financial streams and several individuals. While a proposal for sanctions against Israeli settlers was made in December, member countries informally lean towards agreeing on Hamas sanctions first before addressing sanctions against extremist settlers. Following the announcement of the veto, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the Hungarian Government’s opposition to the measure. He expressed his belief that it would only exacerbate tensions in the Middle East. Read details HERE: Hungary against sanctioning Israel
Czech Government Backtracks
Yesterday, news broke that the Czech Government intended to join the Hungarian Government in vetoing the proposed sanctions. However, today, the Czech Government reversed its decision and is no longer opposing the European Union’s sanctions against aggressive Israeli settlers according to Politico. The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavsky, provided insight into this change of stance, stating:
“Terrorism is not on the same level as the actions of the settlers, the two should not be linked.”
After the Czech Government withdrew its support for the veto, the Hungarian Government appears to remain steadfast in its opposition to the sanctions.
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VIDEOS: Hungarian astronomer discovered the asteroid heading towards Earth
Krisztián Sárnecky was the first scientist to detect an asteroid speeding towards the Earth this morning.
According to index.hu, the Hungarian astronomer, detected the asteroid this morning when it entered our planet’s atmosphere. He immediately passed the information to his German and Czech colleagues, who could see what happened.
That was not the first time that the Hungarian astronomer caught an asteroid hitting the Earth. In March 2022, he did so two hours before the impact. He discovered other comets and asteroids from the observatory in Piszkés-tető in the Mátra Mountains.
Thanks to his discovery, astronomers in Leipzig, Berlin and Prague could take several photos and videos of the asteroid’s impact.
The asteroid he discovered today entered the Earth’s atmosphere at 1.30 AM. 2024 BX1’s diameter was around one meter, and it fell into pieces in the atmosphere. It might happen that we will find some of it in Germany or Czechia later.
Read also:
- Amazing! The first Hungarian object is on its way to the Moon – videos and details HERE
Here is footage of its impact:
Thanks to my wonderful colleague @allplanets I knew where and when to look for a #meteor coming down over #Berlin tonight. Here’s the video! pic.twitter.com/kBhGz6Ahir
— Michael Aye (@mi********@ma******.online) 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@michaelaye) January 21, 2024
Here it is pic.twitter.com/6cDzlJ5hqD
— GionGionni (@GionniGion) January 21, 2024
Above Prague:
Prague’s view of #Sar2736: a minor planet entering Earth’s atmosphere on Jan 21, 2024, at 00:32 UT. pic.twitter.com/KXDnBvzmGX
— Hanjie Tan (@HonkitTan) January 21, 2024
Above Berlin:
über Berlin. pic.twitter.com/AYROUbTpSy
— FloBerlin (@BerlinFlo5) January 21, 2024
Unexpected turn: Hungary no longer has the highest inflation in the EU
For months, Hungary was leading the list of inflation in the EU, even if recent figures in November indicated a minor improvement. Nevertheless, Hungary was still expected to close the year with the highest inflation rate in the EU. However, after a prolonged period, another country has now seized that dubious distinction.
Fresh data
Portfolio writes that Eurostat has released the latest national inflation statistics. Contrary to expectations, according to the harmonised inflation indicators, Hungary did not have the highest annual inflation in the EU in November. When discussing inflation in the EU, we should also note that the EU methodology differs slightly from the methodology used by the member states. Thus, the two figures may differ slightly. However, international comparisons can only be made based on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices HICP using the common methodology.
Shift in inflation leadership
For about a year, Hungary held the undesirable title of having the highest inflation in the EU. However, this pattern was broken in November when Czechia assumed the lead. Hungary recorded an annual inflation of 7.7%, whereas Czechia surpassed it with 8%. The statistics also highlight that Central and Eastern European countries are the weakest performers in terms of price increases. Slovakia and Romania, both neighbouring countries, registered an annual inflation of 6.9%, while Poland recorded 6.3%. In November, the European Union averaged 3.1%, and the eurozone averaged 2.4%. This underscores the substantial impact of inflation on Central and Eastern European countries. While not the worst performers, the statistics provide little cause for contentment, particularly given Hungary’s cost of living increase since the onset of the energy crisis.
Subdued real economic growth in Hungary
The recession has played a major role in the moderation of Hungarian inflation. Hungary’s Real Economic Growth Rate has been one of the weakest in the EU in recent years, acting as a mitigating factor against rapid price increases. The European Central Bank considers an annual inflation rate below 2% desirable, and several countries have already achieved this. Belgium experienced a 0.8% decrease in prices the previous month, with Denmark at 0.3% and Italy at 0.6%. German prices rose by 2.2%, while France recorded the highest annual inflation among major EU economies at 3.9%. Anticipations suggest a potential uptick in inflation early next year. However, it could only be temporary.
Monthly inflation trends
Examining monthly inflation, most member states reported a decline in prices, with several experiencing a reduction of over 1%. While monthly inflation statistics offer a more precise snapshot of current price dynamics, it’s crucial to consider data over multiple months. Seasonal or one-off events can distort a single month’s data, potentially providing a misleading picture of a country’s economic situation. In Hungary, prices stagnated in November compared to October, suggesting a likelihood of an upward drift in the monthly inflation rankings.
Read also:
Should we be happy? Hungarian inflation below 8%
Eurostat investigates: inflation in Hungary calculated fraudulently?
No Hungarians known to be among victims of Prague shooting
A Hungarian foreign affairs official has expressed condolences and “shock” over the mass shooting in Prague in which several people lost their lives and dozens were injured, and he said so far there were no Hungarians known to be among the victims or injured.
The Hungarian embassy is in contact with the university where the shooting took place and with the police, Tamás Menczer, the state secretary for bilateral relations of the ministry of foreign affairs and trade, said on Facebook on Thursday.
He expressed sympathy for the family members of the victims and the injured, adding that they were “in our prayers”.
The shooting spree took place on Thursday afternoon on Jan Palach Square in front of the Institute of Philosophy of Charles University in Prague.
Read also:
Visegrad Group interior ministers meet with the counterparts of Germany and Austria
By defending its own borders Hungary is also protecting the public security of other EU countries, Sándor Pintér, the interior minister, said on Monday in Szeged, in southern Hungary, where Visegrad Group counterparts met with the interior ministers of Germany and Austria.
At the meeting, he briefed his counterparts on how Hungary is going about protecting the external Schengen borders as well as forms of international cooperation the country is now engaged in and future related plans, he told a joint press conference.
Whereas Hungary “is ready to cooperate and accept proposals”, it will not agree to the mandatory relocation of migrants, he said, adding that this was a matter of sovereignty.
Czechia’s Vit Rakusan said joint action was required to handle migration and protecting the external borders was a common interest.
Given pressure from the Western Balkan migration corridor, law enforcement cooperation with third countries would continue, he said, noting that Czech police have been involved in border protection since 2015, and Czechia plans to continue this assistance in 2024.
The ministers agreed to hold regular meetings to evaluate migration processes, he said, adding that controlling internal borders was far less preferable than protecting the external borders. A common European solution was needed, he said, but finding a compromise “is not straightforward”.
Germany’s Nancy Faeser the pressures of secondary migration had led many member states to introduce internal border controls, even though all EU countries preferred open borders within the EU.
She said joint action against people smuggling was required and Frontex must be strengthened.
Protecting human rights was “the basis of European cooperation”, she said, adding that this was especially so in the case of migration policy and the defence of the external borders.
Austria’s Gerhard Karner said his visit to Hungary had highlighted the importance of protecting the external borders, noting that Austrian, Czech and Slovak police officers were assisting these efforts effectively.
Slovakia’s Matus Sutaj-Estok said his country stood ready to provide help in protecting the bloc’s external borders, and the state of affairs was “favourable right now” thanks to “the action of the Serbian authorities and the weather” but preparations were needed to handle what would inevitably be renewed migration pressure in the spring.
Poland’s Bartosz Grodecki, the deputy interior minister, said the Schengen zone was a core value of the EU that must be maintained.
As we wrote a week ago, Hungary resumes residency sales for the wealthy, details HERE.
- read also: Why do German pensioners flood Hungary? – VIDEO