Here is King Charles III’s message to Hungary on 20 August
His Majesty The King’s message to the President of Hungary, H.E. Dr Tamás Sulyok, on the occasion of the Hungarian National Day on the 20th of August:
❝As you and the people of Hungary celebrate the special occasion of your National Day, my wife and I have great pleasure in conveying our heartfelt congratulations to Your Excellency and the Hungarian people.
I value the bond between our nations, and hope that our countries can continue to work closely together on important global issues, whether they be peace and prosperity, or environment and climate change, which will benefit our future generations for years to come.
My wife and I would like to take this opportunity to send you and all Hungarians our warmest good wishes for the coming year.
Read also:
- What are we celebrating? – A guide to Hungary’s national days HERE
- PHOTO GALLERY, VIDEO: Spectacular Budapest fireworks in photos
PHOTOS: Budapest’s emblematic Chain Bridge’s twin found in England
The designer of the bridge in the charming English town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire was the same William Tierney Clark who connected Buda and Pest in the 1840s with a significantly longer and more decorated but similar suspension bridge.
English sibling of Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge
According to origo.hu, when Count István Széchenyi, the originator of the building of the Chain Bridge, was on route to find a pattern for the future bridge, he saw the Hammersmith Bridge in London overpassing River Thames and fell in love with it.
The designer was William Tierney Clark, and the bridge was inaugurated in 1827. Clark received the Hungarian project in 1838. However, he could not move to Hungary. Therefore, the Scottish Adam Clark won the project. The Scottish architect came to Hungary and remained here even after the Chain Bridge’s completion, marrying a Hungarian.
Currently, a plaque on the Thames bridge informs passers-by that the overpass they are looking at has an identical twin in Budapest.
Greek merchant behind the Chain Bridge project
Interestingly, a Greek merchant, Georgios Sinas, offered the highest donation for the Chain Bridge project. He also led the donation campaign to collect the financial resources for the overpass.
He had financial and land interests in the city, and his name is inscribed on the base of the southwestern foundation of the bridge on the Buda side. Pest’s “Greek colony” in those days was numerous. In the 1830s, more than 3 thousand “Greeks” were living around their “Greek Court” in today’s 5th district, Budapest’s heart. Their main occupation was foreign trade on the Danube. However, Hungarians named “Greek” multiple nations, including real Greeks, Macedonians, and Vlachs.
Find out how the Chain Bridge in Budapest got its name in THIS article.
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- 10 interesting moments in the history of the Chain Bridge – PHOTOS and more HERE
British PM Starmer: Hungary to host next EPC summit
The European Political Community will hold its next summit in Hungary, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the closing press conference of the EPC meeting held at Blenheim Palace on Thursday.
The one-day summit was dedicated to the subjects of aid to Ukraine and the fight against illegal migration.
Participants in the meeting agreed that the problem of illegal migration should be addressed where the problem was generated, Starmer said, adding that the UK would launch a humanitarian aid programme worth 84 million pounds in Africa and the Middle East.
Starmer said the next EPC summit will be held in Hungary later this year, while two summits were planned for 2025, in Albania and Denmark.
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- PM Orbán went on vacation to Croatia and awaits Trump and Putin there – Read more HERE
- Hellotickets: Budapest among Europe’s summer no-go zones
PM Orbán went on vacation to Croatia and awaits Trump and Putin there
PM Viktor Orbán regularly spends his holidays at the Croatian seashore, preferably on an Adriatic Island. Now, a restaurant owner posted a photo of him and Orbán of them and wrote something interesting as caption.
Orbán awaits Putin and Trump in Croatia
According to the playful owner, they wait for Trump and Putin, who are late. In the photo, the two of them can be seen with clenched fists, probably referring to the assassination attempt against President Trump last Saturday.
Here is the photo:
PM Orbán prefers to spend his holiday in Croatia. In 2022, he was on a motorboat journey where a Croatian journalist rescued him and his wife after the boat motor broke down. Later that summer a photo was posted of him seemingly wearing a T-shirt depicting Russia.
Orbán will travel to the UK
However, it seems this year’s vacation will not last long. He is expected to attend European Political Community meeting in the United Kingdom this Thursday.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will attend the fourth European Political Community (EPC) summit at Blenheim Palace near Oxford on Thursday, the prime minister’s press chief has said.
At the summit, the leaders of 47 European countries are set to discuss support for Ukraine, along with shared challenges such as energy, connectivity, security, democracy and migration, Bertalan Havasi told MTI on Wednesday.
Established in 2022 at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, the EPC is an intergovernmental forum for political and strategic debates on Europe’s future.
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Flat racing: Revisiting the 2024 British Classics thus far
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We are now a few months into the 2024 British flat racing season, and the Classics have dominated the headlines. At the time of writing, we have witnessed four of the five major races — with the 2000 and 1000 Guineas taking place at Newmarket in May and the Oaks and the Derby both playing out at Epsom. The prices of the winners have varied in the horse racing betting markets, with a mixture of favourites and outsiders landing the spoils.
That said, read on as we take a look at the four horses who have etched their names in racing folklore by winning one of the historic British Classics.
2000 Guineas – Notable Speech
The Guineas meeting at Newmarket is the official start of the flat racing season in Britain, and the 2000 Guineas is a fantastic way to raise the curtain on the campaign.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained City Of Troy was the heavy favourite for the race after being crowned the champion two-year-old last year, but he flattered to deceive when finishing ninth of 11 runners.
Instead, the 2000 Guineas went to Godolphin and Charlie Appleby for a second time as 16/1 chance Notable Speech reigned supreme.
The three-year-old was unbeaten in his three races in the build-up to the 2000 Guineas, but there were concerns surrounding that form due to all those wins being on the all-weather.
Notable Speech cast any doubt aside by running on to beat Rosallion by over a length.
1000 Guineas – Elmalka
There was another shock upset on Guineas weekend at HQ, as Elmalka won the fillies’ version of the Classic from 28/1.
Fallen Angel was the 100/30 favourite after a strong campaign as a juvenile but was back in eighth when the 1000 Guineas unfolded at the finish line.
Nonetheless, it was a thrilling conclusion to the contest as Elmalka, under an expert ride from Silvestre De Sousa, kept on well inside the final strides to win.
There was just one length separating the first five over the line, with Porta Fortuna beaten by just a neck and closely followed by Ramatuelle, Tamfana and Ylang Ylang.
The Oaks – Ezeliya
Following the same trend as the Guineas, the favourite once again failed to deliver in the Oaks at the end of May.
Ylang Ylang was expected to come on from her Newmarket performance and was as short as 11/8 for the Oaks.
However, the O’Brien-trained horse could fair no better than sixth and was over nine lengths off the pace.
The honours ultimately went to Ezeliya, securing Irish handler Dermot Weld his second Oaks success over 40 years after his maiden triumph in the race back in 1981.
The Derby – City Of Troy
While Ylang Ylang couldn’t bounce back for Ballydoyle in the Oaks, her stablemate City Of Troy righted his wrongs from the 2000 Guineas in the Derby.
Faith was restored in the three-year-old in the market ahead of the Epsom showpiece as he was priced as the 3/1 favourite, and it was an epic performance from the Coolmore star.
Held up in the rear by Ryan Moore in the early stages, City Of Troy was ridden into the lead two furlongs out, and he stormed to a comfortable victory over Ambiente Friendly.
It was a record 10th victory in the race for O’Brien, and an almost identical repeat of last season, when Auguste Rodin bounced back from his Guineas blowout to win the Derby for Ballydoyle.
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.
Featured picture: depositphotos.com
Changes in the UK Family Visa for Hungarian Immigrants: What Has Changed in 2024, and How is it Affecting the Immigration Process?
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Just as new Hungarian immigration reforms were implemented by parliament in 2024, the UK Family Visa has also undergone some recent changes as part of a series of measures to reduce overall migration levels in the country.
This reform came after the Office for National Statistics released official estimates showing that net migration was at an all-time high. Although family visas represented 5% of all entry visas in 2023, there were 81,203 family-related visas issued, which is a 72% increase from 2022 and the highest year on record.
In response, the UK government increased the annual minimum income threshold for family visas to £29,000 starting 11 April 2024. By early 2025, it would rise to £38,700, more than double the 2023 threshold of £18,600.
Hungarian nationals married to or in a long-term relationship with British citizens or settled persons will need to consider this new requirement if they choose to reunite with their partners in the UK.
How the New Policy Was Announced
In July 2012, Theresa May introduced a minimum income threshold for sponsoring foreign spouses and partners, setting it at £18,600 annually. Families with children were required to earn at least £3,800 for one child and £2,400 for each additional child.
The income requirement ensures that families are self-sufficient and do not rely on public funds. It also ensures that migrants reuniting with their families can integrate into British society and contribute positively to the economy.
Over the years, however, the UK government has been clear that the net migration levels were too high, putting a strain on public services and housing. Family visa holders were also getting into work, and coupled with other work visas issued, this was undercutting British workers.
In December 2023, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary announced new reforms that affected some UK visa routes, including family visas. They stated that the minimum income threshold for sponsoring partners and spouses would reach £38,700 by Spring 2024.
However, on 21 December 2023, the Home Office released a fact sheet showing that the policy was reversed and that the increment would be introduced in three phases. This staged approach aims to give families predictability and enable them to plan accordingly.
The Details of the New Reforms
General Threshold Increment
According to the Home Office’s fact sheet, the minimum income threshold would increase to £29,000 by Spring 2024 and reach £34,500 later in the year. By 2025, it will finally rise to £38,700, bringing it into line with the minimum salary threshold for skilled workers (the 50th percentile of earnings for eligible skilled jobs.)
In line with the fact sheet, the first phase of the increment became effective on 11 April 2024.
Furthermore, under these new rules, there will no longer be an additional income requirement for families with children. The minimum income requirement will be the same regardless of the number of children sponsored.
Considerations for Those Already on the Partner Route
Additionally, the fact sheet stated that individuals already on the partner route of the family visa before 11 April would not need to meet the new income requirement when applying for an extension. That is, as long as they apply to extend their visas to live with the same partner they initially had permission to stay with.
This rule also applies to Hungarians in the UK on the fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner route before 11 April but intend to switch to the spouse or partner route after the effective date.
The reforms also introduced a child component cap for spouses and partners extending their visas and fiancé, fiancée, or proposed civil partner switching to the spouse route.
According to the old income requirement, these applicants must earn an additional income for each child in their family. However, with the new child component cap, if the total earnings they need exceeds £29,000, such as if they have more than four children, their income requirement will be capped at £29,000.
Applications Not Decided Before 11 April 2024
For individuals who submitted new applications before 11 April but whose cases were not decided before the policy came into effect, the Home Office will assess their applications using the old income requirement.
The Home Office also states that the child component cap will not apply to these applications. However, if an applicant’s situation will make the old rules disadvantageous to them in comparison with the new rules, the Family Policy Team might consider using the new rules.
For instance, applicants with five children are supposed to meet a threshold of £32,000 under the old income requirement. However, if they can’t meet this threshold but evidence shows that they can meet the new income requirement of £29,000, the new threshold may apply.
Considerations for Members of the Armed Forces
When the new threshold was announced, there were some concerns for families of soldiers, as the starting salary for a trained soldier was around £24,000 in 2023.
The Ministry of Defence worked with the Home Office to lower the general income requirement for armed forces members to £23,496 annually. These changes were included in the new immigration rules published on 14 March 2024 and became effective on 11 April 2024.
This new threshold is fixed irrespective of the number of children an applicant has and those already on the family visa route will have a child component cap of £23,496 when extending their visas.
The Increase in Immigration Health Surcharge
The Immigration Health Surcharge required for certain UK visa applications, including family visas, increased on 6 February 2024. The fee for adults rose from £624 to £1,035 annually and from £470 to £776 for children under 18.
With this increase, adult applicants will now pay £3,105, and children will pay £2,328 for a 2-year and 9-month period at their first application.
The Impact of the New Rules on the Immigration Process
The UK’s new minimum income threshold seems to conflict with its goal of supporting family reunification. For instance, Hungarian immigration requirements don’t currently impose a specific income threshold for sponsors and promote the stability of the family unit.
While the UK government states that its goal is to ensure that anyone coming to the country can be supported financially, the threshold doesn’t match the average UK income. Critics also argue that it unfairly impacts lower-income earners, such as women and entry-level workers.
It has further sparked concerns that it will result not only in family separation but also in longer settlement routes as many may not be able to meet the requirement.
Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.
Plane makes emergency landing in Budapest due to two serious incidents
A passenger became ill on a British Airways flight, forcing the plane to abort. The aircraft, flying from London to Hong Kong, made an emergency landing in Budapest, seriously causing its braking system to overheat. It is not yet known when passengers can resume their journey.
A British Airways flight from London to Hong Kong was interrupted in Budapest and landed at Liszt Ferenc International Airport late in the evening on Sunday due to a passenger feeling unwell, Budapest Airport said. According to the statement, the plane was overweight due to the amount of fuel in the tanks, and the braking system overheated after landing.
After coming to a standstill, firefighters measured the brakes’ temperature and immediately began cooling them. After cooling them back to operating temperature, they handed the plane over to mechanics.
Budapest Airport said passengers were immediately disembarked as usual and left the aircraft in a few minutes.
The passengers are waiting in the terminal for the airline’s decision on their further travel.
There were 273 passengers and 13 crew members on board.
As written, the tower ordered a state of emergency for a while due to the overweight landing. There was no need to call external forces to deal with the incident; the situation was handled by the Budapest Airport Facilities Fire Department.
The passenger, who was in a bad condition, was taken by ambulance to the South Pest Central Hospital.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
Hellotickets: Budapest among Europe’s summer no-go zones!
Hellotickets, a global platform and passionate provider of travel experiences, put Budapest on a list of Europe’s summer no-go zones, including even Warsaw, Poland’s capital, and Corfu.
Here are the best cities for pollen sufferers
Hellotickets is a leading global platform and passionate provider of travel experiences, tours and activities, helping explorers from 15 countries find their way to more wonder in the world. They compiled a list of the best and worst European travel destinations for hay fever sufferers. Budapest did not perform well on the list.
“In the UK, hay fever affects 49% of the population, particularly in the pollen season from early spring to mid-autumn, making it one of the most common allergies in the country”, Hellotickets wrote.
If you have tree pollen allergies, avoiding travel during the spring months is advised. Instead, organising your holidays from July to January will be your best option. If you are especially sensitive to grass pollen, then early summer is the time to skip. Lastly, if ragweed is your biggest allergy, early autumn will be a no-go, Hellotickets added.
Among the best cities for tree pollen sufferers are Lisbon, Athens, Reykjavík, and Madrid. Concerning grass pollen, Athens, London, Reykjavík, and Dublin are on the top. Meanwhile, weed pollen sufferers should go to Reykjavík in September and October, Paris in November, Lisbon in December, and Madrid in January and February.
Budapest is among Europe’s summer no-go zones
A lot depends on the exact travel time. For example, Dublin is the worst place to go as a grass pollen sufferer in September and October, but the best in January and February. HERE is Hellotickets’ chart in the issue.
Hellotickets put Budapest among the European no-go zones for summer with Warsaw and Corfu. Based on the data they worked with, provided by Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, pollen concentration is high in Budapest’s air, index.hu wrote.
Nevertheless, Budapest is a good choice in May and June because the concentration is low in those two months. The situation worsens and gets unbearable for hay fever sufferers in July, August, and early autumn. Zürich is the opposite of Budapest. Concentration is very high in spring and early summer but is much lower in the late summer and autumn months.
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Hungarians’ exodus number at historic high, jobless rate at negative peak!
Hungary’s jobless rate was 4.3 percent in May, edging down from 4.4 percent in April, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. Meanwhile, the number of Hungarians leaving the country reached a historic high with more than 35 thousand, the entire population of settlements like Vác or Budapest’s 6th district.
The number of Hungarians leaving the country hit a historic record, with 35,736 people leaving Hungary in 2023. That is 24% more than in 2022. Compared to the previous peak, 32,852 in 2015, the current number is 8.8% higher. The three top target countries are Austria, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The number of Hungarians moving to Austria was 16,505 in 2023, while in the case of Germany, that number is 8,595. The number of Hungarians starting a new life in the United Kingdom did not reach 1,000 due to Brexit, 444.hu wrote.
Jobless rate also at peak
The rate covers unemployment among people between the ages of 15 and 74. In absolute terms, there were 212,000 unemployed in May. The number of jobholders was 4,749,000 in May, 36,000 more than twelve months earlier. In the March-May period, the average number of employed in the age group was 4,745,000, 41,000 more than in the same period a year ago.
Commenting on the data, Sándor Czomba, the state secretary for employment policy, said employment and the number of economically active people had both increased compared with the same period last year, while the number of registered jobseekers is at an all-time low.
The state secretary said economic activity continued to expand, which helped boost employment and economic output. He attributed the drop in unemployment to the fact that those entering the labour market were able to find work almost immediately.
He noted the government’s aim of increasing the labour activity rate in the 20-64 age group from the current 81 percent to 85 percent
by mobilising the domestic labour market reserves of around 300,000 people.
Guest nights up
Guest nights at commercial and private accommodations in Hungary rose by an annual 13 percent to 3.7 million in May from the same period a year earlier, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. The number of guest nights spent by domestic travellers rose by 5.1 percent to 1.7 million, while guest nights spent by foreign visitors rose by 21 percent to 2.0 million.
Revenue of commercial accommodations climbed 20 percent to 88 billion forints (EUR 221.8m). In January-May, guest nights spent by domestic travellers rose by an annual 4.9 percent, while foreigners’ guest nights rose by 13 percent, KSH said.
Industrial PPI down 0.2 pc in May
Factory gate prices in Hungary fell by an annual 0.2 percent in May, falling for the tenth month in a row after rising for years, the Central Statistical Office (KSH) said on Friday. Prices for domestic sale fell by 3.9 percent but export prices were up 1.7 percent. In a month-on-month comparison, factory gate prices inched up 0.2 percent as prices for domestic sale slipped by 0.9 percent while export prices rose 0.7 percent.
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UK Ambassador to Hungary Paul Fox about King Charles III, Brexit, Ukraine war and many more – Interview
We did an interview with His Excellency Paul Fox, King Charles III’s ambassador to Hungary, in which we talked about current issues like the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Pécs Pride, Brexit and the work of the British Council in Budapest. The ambassador even shared his favourite Hungarian dishes and a traditional Hungarian ‘dream menu’.
DNH: You live in a picturesque palace in Buda and are a respected member of society. Tell us a bit about Budapest through the eyes of an ambassador.
H.E. Paul Fox: It is a privilege to be the British Ambassador in Budapest and in Hungary generally. The city is one of the most beautiful in the world, the country is at the heart of Europe and the role is brilliant. I have found my hosts to be more than welcoming and the diplomatic community vibrant and supportive. The residence is beautiful, and we are custodians of an important historic building, though I wouldn’t call it a palace.
DNH: Have you had the chance to explore rural Hungary? Which country town would you take your friends to when visiting?
H.E. Paul Fox: I try to visit different parts of Hungary regularly, getting out of Budapest at least once a month. My most recent excursion was to Pécs, where I took part in the Pride march. It is impossible to single out any one town. Each has its owns charms whether it be Sopron, Szeged, Debrecen or Székesfehérvár.
DNH: It is well known that many Hungarians have emigrated to the UK. How significant is the Hungarian minority over there? Has their number now stopped rising since Brexit? How many British people live in Hungary?
H.E. Paul Fox: Our departure from the EU brought an end to the free movement of people between the UK and the EU. This obviously has an impact. However the Hungarian community remains significant, numbering around 170,000 who preserved their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
It is safe to say that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU came as a shock to many. However, a significant proportion of Brexit supporters may not have fully believed that the process would actually go through. Separation is always challenging, but things can smooth out with time.
DNH: How would you describe the UK-EU relationship now? And how is the rapport between Budapest and London?
H.E. Paul Fox: The agreement of the Windsor Framework, which smoothed out arrangements over Northern Ireland, has improved the relationship. Both sides have built on this by agreeing UK’s rejoining of the Horizon programme which will increase scientific and technological cooperation. The overall point is that the relationship between the UK and EU will always be important and will remain vibrant.
As an EU member and NATO ally, the UK views the relationship with Hungary as important, especially now that we both face the challenge posed by Russia to our security with its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. We might not always agree on all matters but we both remain staunch partners of the Euro-Atlantic alliance, and we are keen to increase our mutual prosperity and foster strong people-to-people links.
DNH: As we wrote earlier: “London has fallen, there’ll be a general election on July 4, there’s an Islamist organisation, and the country’s culture is changing,” Zoltán Kovács, the state secretary for international relations and communications said, adding that much the same was true in Germany and France and everywhere illegal migration was prevalent. “There is a war going on next door. The Hungarian government is desperate for peace, but Ukraine understandably does not want to lose any of its territory. What is your government’s position?
H.E. Paul Fox: Russia’s assault on Ukraine is an unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. It is the defining struggle of our generation. The UK and our international partners stand united in condemning the Russian government’s reprehensible actions. They are an egregious violation of international law and the UN Charter. This should matter to every country, no matter where they are in the world.
DNH: Let’s move on to economic issues. What Hungarian goods can Brits find on supermarket shelves?
H.E. Paul Fox: In the UK, a variety of Hungarian goods are available, reflecting the rich culinary and cultural heritage of Hungary. These include foods and beverages, such as paprika, essential for Hungarian dishes like goulash, sausages and meats, like Gyulai and Csabai kolbász, and wines and spirits, such as Tokaji wine and pálinka.
DNH: There are many British firms in Hungary. What are the three biggest British companies present in our country?
H.E. Paul Fox: The UK is among the largest foreign investors in Hungary. British companies have carried out nearly $6 billion worth of investments in Hungary, employing over 50,000 people. There are around 15 major UK investors operating in Hungary. What do we mean under “big”? The size of a company can be measured by different factors, such as registered capital, turnover, or the number of employees, to name a few. Significant players include Tesco, Shell, GSK and Unilever.
DNH: The British Council contributes significantly to Budapest’s rich diversity. Can you introduce the institution and tell us about its mission in your own words? What are the major upcoming cultural events the Hungarian public can attend?
H.E. Paul Fox: British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. Our bilateral relationship with Hungary is based on strong people-to people relationships where the British Council plays a vital part of UK soft power by finding ways to connect, build understanding and trust through the Arts, the English language and by brokering creative and collaborative partnerships between the people of Hungary and the UK. The British Council’s three key activities Arts amplification, English Teaching and Examination are all present in Hungary and contribute to the above mission, mainly targeting the youth and young people. In their language school they offer a range of English language courses for individuals of all ages and proficiency levels. They provide learners with the opportunity to improve their English language proficiency and achieve their language learning goals.
The British Council Hungary administers globally recognised English language exams, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Cambridge English exams. These exams serve as accurate measures of language proficiency and provide individuals with internationally recognised qualifications.
They co-organise cultural events such as exhibitions, performances, and film screenings to promote cultural understanding. They offer educational opportunities, share the UK’s expertise and innovation, and bring partners together to work on collaborative projects. Their Youth Leadership Programme supports young people to gain skills to contribute to trust-building and cohesion in their societies and respond to contemporary challenges such as climate change and artificial intelligence.
DNH: King Charles III is a regular visitor to Szeklerland and popular among Hungarians. What virtues of the new monarch would you highlight?
H.E. Paul Fox: His Majesty has learnt so much from his mother, Her late Majesty. Above all he appreciates the vital role the monarch plays in providing stability and continuity to the United Kingdom.
DNH: Hungarian hospitality begins and ends with a huge feast. What are your favourite Hungarian dishes (starter, main course, dessert)?
H.E. Paul Fox: Hungarian cuisine is truly delightful. For a starter, I enjoy a bowl of goulash soup (gulyásleves), rich with meat and paprika. My favourite main course is stuffed cabbage rolls (töltött káposzta), and for dessert, I can’t resist some somlói galuska, a delicious trifle made with sponge cake, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
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Special opportunity: Try Queen Elizabeth II’s royal meal at the iconic Gundel Palace in Budapest
In celebration of its 130th anniversary, Budapest’s iconic Gundel Palace debuts the Celebrities Menu, featuring dishes once served to notable guests. For ten days in early July, diners can enjoy a recreated four-course meal inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s 1993 visit, offering a taste of the restaurant’s storied past.
Gundel Palace’s 130th anniversary
As Világgazdaság reports, Budapest’s iconic Gundel restaurant marks its 130th anniversary with a special gastronomic tribute, the Celebrities Menu, celebrating notable guests it has hosted throughout its rich history. This innovative offering allows guests to experience the exact menus served during significant events held at the restaurant. The first menu in this series commemorates Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Budapest in 1993, offering a unique opportunity for diners to indulge in a royal feast.
For a limited ten-day period starting on 8th July, Gundel will present a meticulously recreated four-course menu inspired by the Queen’s historic lunch. This special initiative was announced at a press conference attended by Károly Gundel, the great-grandson of the restaurant’s original owner.
Source: facebook.com/gundelrestaurant
Queen Elizabeth II’s lunch at Gundel
During Queen Elizabeth II’s visit on 5th May, 1993, she and Prince Philip of Edinburgh enjoyed a grand lunch at Gundel Palace, an experience now accessible to all through the Celebrities Menu series. According to Gundel Palace, the preparation of the lunch was quite special:
Before the celebratory lunch, the kitchen prepared 10 test menus to make sure they fit into the 1 hour 40 minutes available. Of course, in addition to speed, quality was also a priority. The menu was written by hand and the waiters were taught a special choreography.
Gundel Palace, now operated by the Eventrend Group since 2021, strives to maintain the high standards and inclusive philosophy set by its founder. The new menu crafted by chef Kálmán Kalla, encapsulates this vision, ensuring that the Gundel experience is available to a wider audience.
The menu
The royal menu is a true culinary journey. The first course is pink-smoked salmon with white asparagus and sage dressing, followed by a double broth of pigeon. The main course features the so-called Braided Veal -à la Queen Elizabeth, braided veal tenderloin, thin potato whips, stuffed with Hungarian rice and goose liver stuffed with mushrooms. Ready for dessert? Trompe l’Oeil of Spring Strawberries is a crown-shaped pastry, crisp and decorated with real and parfait strawberries. This exquisite meal is complemented by Gundel Palace’s selection of wines, including a rare 1952 vintage Tokaj aszú, honouring the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne.
Following the ten-day summer offering, the Four Crowns menu may return in the autumn, accompanied by other special guest menus. These menus will be available in two-, three- and four-course options, priced around HUF 20,000 (EUR 51.26), reflecting the restaurant’s average consumption rate per guest.
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Heated debates expected by Orbán cabinet at NATO foreign ministers’ informal meeting on Friday
Heated debates can be expected at Friday’s meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague, Péter Szijjártó, the foreign minister, said in Brussels on Thursday. “We can expect war psychosis to peak and [participants] to support crazier ideas than ever,” he said.
Szijjártó said he did not expect “a friendly atmosphere”, and he warned of “a very dangerous situation”, the ministry quoted him as saying.
“Apparently, our European colleagues have plunged themselves with great vigour into the deepening pits of war psychosis on Monday, and I believe that the presence of the Americans and the British will even stimulate this hysterical state,” he said.
“And I expect the meeting of NATO foreign ministers to be surrounded by an even greater pro-war atmosphere than before…” he said.
Regarding a proposal to allow Ukrainian forces to use Western weapons to fire into Russian territory, he said the Russians far from lacked equipment and were bound to retaliate, leading to “many, many more casualties”.
Arms deliveries to Ukraine would increase the number of weapons on both sides of the front, causing more deaths.
“Even the NATO decision to cross the red line that we drew ourselves two years ago in February is very dangerous. NATO crossed this red line by increasing its own role in coordinating weapons deliveries and the training of Ukrainian soldiers,” he said.
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He noted that preparations for NATO’s Ukraine mission had been progressing at full tilt in recent weeks, which was “extremely dangerous” and contrary to the alliance’s original mission, as the organisation was not under attack.
“There is no need to use war rhetoric or create war tension,” the minister said. “This is a defence alliance, not one designed to attack.”
He said the government had made it clear in recent weeks that “no Hungarian soldiers can take part in such operations, no Hungarian territories can be used for such operations and no Hungarian taxpayers funds can be used either.” Yet Hungary was being “put under pressure to join this”, he added.
“Naturally, I will continue to resist tomorrow, and make it clear that there is no way Hungary can be forced to join this operation. And it is still unclear how the mission can go ahead without Hungarian taxpayers’ money being used. So heated debates can be expected tomorrow,” Szijjarto said.
- read this: PM Orbán wants Hungary to be non-participant in the NATO: will Budapest be expelled?
Hungary Ranks as the Easiest Nation to Move to, and Brits Know it
Over the last ten years, Hungary has seen many more foreigners settle in the country. In fact, the number of expats now living in Hungary is 61 percent higher than in 2013. These figures showed people from Slovakia and Ukraine were arriving in significant numbers. This was as well as an influx of German immigrants.
One country that’s got loads of people seemingly itching to move abroad is the UK. For a long time, France and Spain were taking in the glut of wantaway Brits. Since Brexit, though, those nations have made immigration from the UK much tougher. So, the Brits are looking elsewhere. It turns out that Hungary is the easiest place to move to.
Hungary tops the charts for expat ease
In March this year, it was revealed that Hungary is the easiest place for expats to relocate to. Topping the charts below Hungary, per the report, were Malta and then Austria. The ranks were established by creating a difficulty score. Hungary’s clocked in at 3.85 – with low figures being better. After Hungary came the 3.87 of Malta.
The key selling points for Hungary are its low salary threshold (£12,982) and lack of a language test requirement. Both Malta and Austria have high expat populations. Yet, Hungary topped them all and stands as the best place for would-be immigrants to explore. Hungary is also found to be a great place for digital nomads to relocate to.
People who come on a non-EU White Card get a one-year visa. They can be employed remotely outside of the country but do need to stay for at least 90 days within a six-month period. Plus, over the first six months, you won’t be taxed by Hungary. The caveat is that you can’t work for a Hungarian company on the White Card.
Brits on the move
The British have famously made the most of sunnier climates in their later years. However, separating from the EU certainly put up more roadblocks to future plans of living on the continent. It didn’t stop the desire to move, though. In mid-2022, it was found that 4.5 million UK residents were looking to move overseas for a better life.
Helping to make this possible is the nimbleness of the UK’s housing market. It’s been steadily on the rise since the much-maligned mini-budget. In May this year, there were even reports of record house prices. So, many are looking to capitalize and get a move on while the going is good.
Some will go down the high-street agent route, pay the fees, and wait for buyers. Others who have found their perfect home overseas and want to move quickly will opt to sell a house fast online. Doing this gets a free cash offer in minutes. If accepted, the cash can be with the seller in as little as seven days.
Alternatively, if there’s paperwork to get through first, the seller can pick their own completion date. As the seller gets a guaranteed sale at a time that suits them, it’s easier to plot the still somewhat cumbersome process of becoming an expat. This is even if moving to the incredibly welcoming country of Hungary.
The Brits are on the move, and Hungary’s easy access might convince a bunch of them to settle here.
Massive debt: Hungarian Embassy owes millions of pounds to London
Between 2003 and 2023, the Hungarian Embassy in London accumulated more than HUF 625 million (EUR 1.6 million, GBP 1.37 million) in unpaid congestion charges to the city.
Since the introduction of the London congestion charge in 2003, the Hungarian Embassy has accumulated a considerable amount of unpaid fees. The British capital now wants to recover HUF 625 million, hvg.hu reports.
In a press release, Transport for London (TfL), the local authority responsible for transport in the British capital, also published a “list of shame”. According to the list, the United States owes the most money: however, the Hungarian embassy is also in the middle of the “ranking”.
Budapest owes millions to London
According to TfL, between 2003 and 2023, the Hungarian Embassy in London owed them GBP 1,374,870, or more than HUF 625 million, because they have not paid a penny for using the toll road network since the introduction of congestion charging in 2003.
The organisation argues that the congestion charge is not a tax, but a fee for a service, and therefore diplomats are not exempt from it.
TfL says that the majority of embassies are paying the tolls properly, but there is a “stubborn minority” who refuse to pay. Accordingly, GBP 143,527,113, or more than HUF 65 billion, would now be collected from the various embassies, citing congestion charges that have accumulated over nearly 20 years.
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Huge honour: Yale University confers honorary degree on Hungarian computer scientist
Yale University has conferred an honorary degree on mathematician and computer scientist László Lovász, a full member and former president of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) in recognition of his pathbreaking contributions in combinatorics, MTA said on Wednesday.
Nine individuals received honorary degrees from Yale this year, in a tradition that goes back to 1702, the statement added.
Yale said in its laudation that Lovász was a “brilliant mathematician and theoretical computer scientist” whose “pathbreaking contributions in combinatorics, a branch of pure mathematics, have led to real-life applications in computer science, engineering and technology, statistics, and science that serve and advance humankind”. It added that over time Lovász had received nearly every award a mathematician can earn, including the Abel Prize, the highest award in mathematics.
“We are honored that you have agreed to receive one more, from the university where you taught and conducted research for over a half decade, and which itself is honored to present you with the degree of Doctor of Engineering and Technology,” the university said.
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Putin-Orbán friendship: British generals shared Hungary’s disgraceful role after a Russian attack against NATO
A British tabloid wrote about how some former British army chiefs imagined WW3 would start until next summer, provided Ukraine did not get the needed help from the West. In their scenario, Hungary has a disgraceful role. The British generals believed Budapest would be the first nail in NATO’s coffin.
Summer Russian offensives can lead to WW3
The Sun asked General Sir Richard Shirreff and General Richard Barrons, ex-leaders of the country’s armed forces, how they believed WW3 would escalate if Ukraine did not get enough help from the West. The generals believe the first step would be the fall of the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine following a devastating Russian strike.
Afterwards, Putin would become bolder and would continue their attacks not only in Ukraine but also in the Baltic region, the Caucasus and Moldova. And that is when NATO comes into question. All the Baltic states are NATO members, so an attack against Estonia or Lithuania (they do not calculate with Latvia) would mean an attack against all member states, including the United States of America.
Hungary would have a disgraceful role
However, Putin would be able to break the alliance’s unity with the help of three Central European countries, the British generals said. That is because Hungary, Austria and Slovakia would conclude deals with Putin.
Afterwards, Macron would deploy French troops in Kyiv. Moscow would answer with tactical nukes, which would lead to WW3. The article does not discuss why Hungary would negotiate with the Russians after decades of Soviet occupation (which is a bad memory here). Moreover, they do not answer the question of what consequences a tactical nuclear weapon explosion in Kyiv would mean for Hungary, being not far from the Ukrainian capital.
UK afraid of not garnering enough support for Ukraine?
Anyway, the scenario is just a fantasy right now and shows that the United Kingdom is afraid of not garnering enough support for Ukraine to evade the coming Russian offensives.
For example, Donald Trump does not seem too committed to maintaining the current level of weapons and ammunition deliveries to Ukraine. But that may change after his possible victory in November. The Hungarian government regularly highlights that peace is unimaginable without Trump, but that does not mean Trump’s victory would result in immediate ceasefire and peace talks.
Read also:
- Hungarian government sends email to public concerning NATO plans on Ukraine war – Read more HERE
- FM Szijjártó: War can end if right-wing dominates EP and Trump is re-elected
Romanian predator brutally battered 20-year-old Hungarian girl to death!
The horrific murder took place in 2021, but the Romanian perpetrator, 66-year-old Neculai Paizan, felt the jury convicting him for the murder was under the influence of drugs, so he submitted an appeal to the court against his conviction and sentence.
According to the Daily Mail, a British court sent him to jail with a minimum term of 22 years in July 2022 for brutally killing 20-year-old Ágnes Dóra Ákom, a Hungarian girl living in London.
“Paizan hit the petite Hungarian woman at least 20 times over the head with a jigsaw power tool during the assault on 9 May 2021, a trial at the Old Bailey previously heard”, the British daily wrote. Later, the Romanian predator buried her body in a grove.
The Romanian predator “dragged her through the mud”
Paizan wrote in his appeal that one of the jurors smelled of cannabis, the sentence did not consider his age and health problems, and he did not get a proper Romanian interpreter. However, the Court of Appeal refused his application against both his verdict and sentence.
Before, he falsely claimed the Hungarian woman tried to poison him and that she was working as a prostitute. Furthermore, he said he liked her “as a daughter”. In reality, he stored semi-naked photos of the Hungarian girl on his phone and tried to start a sexual relationship with her. The Hungarian girl denied that, and the judge believes that is why the Romanian predator battered her to death.
Read also:
- Dutch woman stabs partner to death in Budapest flat – crime scene photos, videos – Details in THIS article
- Biggest murder case in 90’s has now been decided by a Hungarian court: Portik, Gyárfás sentenced to prison
Featured image: illustration
Superb: New flight from Budapest announced to a Western European metropolis
Wizz Air is to get a competitor concerning the Budapest-Liverpool route this October, based on a post published by Budflyer, a Hungarian Facebook page focusing on air travel news. Here is what we know about the new flight from Budapest.
New flight from Budapest to the United Kingdom
The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair began to upload its winter timetable this week, and Budflyer already noticed a new direct flight from Budapest to Liverpool in the United Kingdom. The first flight will take off from Budapest Airport on 28 October, and Ryanair plans two flights per week in their winter timetable.
Wizz Air already operates a direct flight between the UK metropolis and the Hungarian capital. However, considering the high number of Hungarians working, studying, or living in the United Kingdom, we believe there will be considerable demand for a new flight from Budapest on that route.
Lots of Hungarians work abroad, one of their favourites is the UK
444.hu wrote in April that the number of Hungarians working abroad was 109 thousand between January and March. That is 8 thousand more than in January-March 2023. In November, it was 110 thousand. The Hungarian nationals working abroad peaked before the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit with 120 thousand. The United Kingdom is one of the Hungarians’ favourites apart from Austria and Germany, particularly because most Hungarians learn English in school.
Among the many reasons are the low salaries in most sectors and the long shifts or lack of proper equipment in sectors like the Hungarian healthcare system or education. That is why 65% of the Hungarians plan to work abroad, while the global average concerning that factor is just 54%. Meanwhile, lots of foreign citizens – mostly from East Asia – come to work in Hungary. Between 2013 and 2024, the number of Asian guest workers in the country increased from 27 thousand to 93 thousand. Most of them work and live in Budapest’s downtown.
Ryanair expands network
The last time Ryanair announced a new flight from Budapest was this April: the Irish low-cost airline added some flights from Budapest to Milan Malpensa Airport to the summer schedule. Later, they announced the resumption of their popular flight from the Hungarian capital to Israel’s Tel Aviv. The first plane will take off on 4 June and will be available five times a week.
According to the Hungarian press, there is not much chance for Budapest Airport to get some Transatlantic flights due to the unfavourable Hungarian-American relations. That may only change after the November presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Hungary’s air connections to the East are constantly developing. Apart from the multiple projects announced during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Budapest – including the private super-fast train connection between Budapest downtown and Budapest Airport – new flights may begin to carry passengers between China and Budapest this summer.
Seven Chinese cities available from Budapest
According to airportal.hu, China Southern Airlines will fly between the Hungarian capital and Guangzhou four times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Before, the Hungarian government announced a direct flight to Shenzhen twice a week.
Based on the Polish Rynek Lotniczy, the operator of Budapest Airport is working on two additional flights: Chengdu (Sichuan Airlines) and Xiamen (Xiamen Airlines).
From 2024 H2, seven Chinese cities will be available with direct flights from Budapest with 19 flights per week.
Read also:
- 5 supercheap but mesmerizing destinations from Budapest by plane – Details in THIS article
- Superb news: Hungarian Wizz Air saves passengers after Ryanair’s announced departure!
Featured image: depositphotos.com