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Orbán warns of risks during Trump transition, advocates for peace in Ukraine at Diaspora Council reception

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán gave a reception to members of the Diaspora Council attending a meeting in Budapest, the PM’s press chief, Bertalan Havasi, said on Wednesday.

Regarding world politics, Orbán told participants that while the election of Donald Trump had ended progressive-liberal government in the US, the two months until he is inaugurated “will hold a lot of insecurity in the US and Europe, and that may be a source of enormous risks.”

“Those on the side of war still haven’t acknowledged the new reality. We must do everything in our power against an escalation of the war in Ukraine — a ceasefire and peace talks have never been more important than now,” Orbán said.

“That is all the more important” because the Hungarian government has prepared a “peace budget” to help its new economic policy to succeed, he said. “Based on that [budget], people and companies may look into the future more positively,” he added.

Szijjártó: Hungary-US ties could enter ‘new dimension’ during Trump presidency

Hungarian-American ties will enter “a new dimension”, a kind of “golden age”, with the inauguration of Donald Trump in January, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said speaking at a business forum organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Budapest on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by his ministry, Szijjártó said Hungary-US ties had reached a “low point” in recent years. With the re-establishment of mutual respect, there could be a “great advance” in bilateral relations, he added.

He pointed to the impact of sanctions policies on the European economy, arguing that they had hurt Europe more than the Russians, and said an end to the war in Ukraine would be in Europe’s best interest.

“Many among us hoped for big change thanks to American voters and victory by the pro-peace candidate….We’re very pleased with the outcome,” he added.

He augured big geopolitical changes as a result of Trump’s win, impacting US ties with the EU and Hungary, too. He said partners in the European Union would have to face “a new reality” and grasp that a protracted war would cause the situations of Ukraine and the EU to worsen further. There is no solution for the conflict on the battlefield, he added.

He said that the remaining two months of the Biden presidency were “extraordinarily dangerous” and warned that the pro-war side would work “to make achieving peace more difficult or practically impossible”.

Szijjártó said Hungary would not support new EU sanctions extending to Russia’s energy sector.

Szijjártó noted that some 1,200 US-owned companies in Hungary employed several hundred thousand people. Agreements have been reached with US-owned companies recently on investments with a value of several billion dollars, he added.

Orbán: Most dangerous two months of war ahead

The two most dangerous months of the war in Ukraine lie ahead, Orbán said, noting that he has convened the country’s Defence Council in light of “alarming news”.

“The threat of escalation and the expansion of the war is greater than ever,” Orbán said in a video posted on his social media page after being briefed at a meeting of the Defence Council.

He said Donald Trump’s impending presidency had made the prospect of peace, or at least a ceasefire, tangible. But a pro-war US administration was “still in power” and would remain so for the next two months, he added.

“In practice this means that Ukrainians fired long-range missiles into Russian territory on Tuesday, and Russia responded by adopting a stricter nuclear doctrine,” Orbán said.

The prime minister said that in the next few weeks and months Hungary must draw on “all its knowledge and diplomatic experience” in order to “stay out of this war”.

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November 20, 2024

Hungarian FM Szijjártó: ‘Pro-war mainstream launches final attack against new reality’

szijjártó environmental standards battery plants

The foreign minister Szijjártó said on Monday that “the pro-war mainstream in Washington and Brussels have launched a final, bitter attempt against the new reality.”

Szijjártó: “we must stop efforts towards escalation in Brussels”

“A pro-peace candidate’s victory in America and patriotic forces forging ahead in Europe have created a new reality based on the will of voters,” Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook.

“They have decided to support pro-peace, patriotic forces, but the pro-war politicians voted out of power will not accept the people’s will either in Washington or in Brussels,” the minister said. He added that it was “not only anti-democratic but extremely dangerous, too.”

“The pro-war forces in their despair seem not to be deterred from the worst: escalating the war in Ukraine into a global conflict,” he said.

Referring to an upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, the first since the US presidential election, Szijjártó said “it will be a tough fight; we must stop efforts towards escalation in Brussels, too.”

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November 18, 2024

PM Orbán: Patriots in majority in the Western world with Trump, left unable to govern

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stressed the importance of patriotism and a strong Europe in an address at the inaugural assembly of the Patriots for Europe party alliance in Paris on Saturday.

Patriots in majority

Orbán thanked Marine Le Pen, the parliamentary group leader of the National Rally in the French Assembly, for organising the assembly, and congratulated the newly elected chairman of the Patriots for Europe, the leader of Spain’s VOX party, Santiago Abascal.

Turning to the results of the United States elections, Orbán said that Donald Trump, “the patriot himself”, would return to the White House. “We can say now proudly that now we patriots are the majority in the Western world,” he added.

Reflecting on the lessons to be learnt from the US elections, Orbán said the first was that “the left will do whatever it can to kill us, politically, morally and legally”. “They cannot accept the idea of us coming back to power. It’s only a democracy if they win, and everything is justified to stop us,” he added.

Orbán said the left was “weaponising” the law and the courts, pointing to legal action against Trump, Matteo Salvini of Italy’s Lega, Le Pen, and Herbert Kickl of the Freedom Party of Austria. Those efforts require a “common answer”, he added.

The second lesson, Orbán said, was that the American elections showed that “we can still win under these extremely difficult circumstances and not just win by a small margin, but we can achieve historic and monumental victory”.

“We can win because the left is completely incapable of governing,” he said, making the third point. “They are the obstacle standing in the way of a brighter future for the people,” he added.

The left is unable to govern well

“Countries could be governed better, but the left simply lacks the competence to do so. They had the power, but they left Europe and America powerless. They mismanaged inflation, energy security, war, education, civilisational challenges and, of course, migration. They are the barriers to making America, Hungary and Europe great again,” Orbán said.

Though they may be portrayed as experts, he said, the left are “only experts of the old world”. “We the patriots are the experts of the new world. New times call for a new era and new measures. And the fist important lesson from President Trump’s campaign victory is this: We must take bold positions and be able to speak about them loudly and clearly,” he added.

“There is no need to shift to the centre, because the centre has already shifted toward us,” he said.

Orbán noted that migration had been one of the central issues of the Trump campaign. “President Trump did not say let’s deport 30 percent of illegals. No. That’s what the left said. He said 100 percent,” he said. “And look what the people choose. This is the kind of brave leadership we need. Clear decisive and confident,” he added.

No gender, no migration, no war

“We must firmly say no,” Orbán said, “no gender, no war, no migration”.

He said the role of the West in the world had changed “inevitably and undeniably”, while Europe’s relationship with America was also changing.

“In Europe, there is also a new political reality. Basically, we are the new reality. The Patriots,” he added.

“It’s not just an empty establishment spirit anymore, it has a concrete body, a strong voice pushing for change in Europe every single day,” he said.

“In the European elections the people of Europe sent a clear message, they want change in Brussels. And we should think about this change. We are now the third largest force in the European Parliament. And there is every chance that we could become the strongest by the end of this term. We have already won in France, the Czech Republic and Austria, and we will keep winning,” he added.

Orbán acknowledged that the right had its own challenges, forming international alliances and harmonising policies, but said: “We are patriots, we love our countries, and every country is unique. Even we face similar problems, different countries need different solutions”.

“The left is in a better position, they don’t care about their countries. They only care about following their own ideologies. But even us on the right have to find some issues, where we can make a real impact, and come up with concrete objectives. And migration is, of course, one of the most important ones. This is what unites us,” he said.

Hungary runs a rebellion concerning migration

“The Patriots’ objective is clear: we do not allow people in, and those who are already here, must be removed. It is as simple as that. We must protect our borders and our countries. Weak borders create a weak Europe while strong borders create a strong Europe. If Brussels does not like this you must either change the rules or opt out of them just as our Dutch friends did,” he added.

“We Hungarians selected a way of running a rebellion. We in Hungary don’t let any migrants in, whatever Brussels says. Nationwide organised rebellion based on law and referendum. That was the way how we protected our nation against migration,” Orbán said.

“So in conclusion, I am optimistic. People across the Western world are tired of being ruled by the left. The age of the left has been like a long bad movie, poor plot, no resolution, and people ready to walk out half way through. Now it’s time for a new story. The era of patriots and sovereignty is on the horizon. And as it comes we, the Patriots, must be ready. We have a vision, clear objectives, and a concrete plan to achieve them,” he added.

“As the Hungarian Presidency motto goes: Let’s make Europe great again!” Orbán said in closing.

Press conference held before summit

Orbán attended the inaugural assembly of the Patriots for Europe party alliance, which unites the sovereigntist forces of Europe, in Paris on Saturday, his press chief said. The assembly will approve the statutes of the party family and elect officials, Bertalan Havasi said. The Patriots group in the European Parliament was formed with the participation of Fidesz and has become the third-strongest group in the EP, he added. Fidesz MEP Kinga Gal said on Facebook that she had been elected deputy chair of the party alliance in Paris. “Thank you for the trust you placed in me. We are building a strong Europe proud of its traditions and built on sovereign nations,” she said.

Read also:

Fidesz’s Patriots for Europe EP group formed as third-largest – read more HERE
PHOTOS show PM Orbán was key figure in first, ‘historic’ meeting of Patriots for Europe, demanded peace talks

November 17, 2024

BREAKING – Shocking testimony: the American woman died in Budapest due to BDSM sex gone wrong?

The American woman died in Budapest because of BDSM sex

An Irish man accused of murdering a 31-year-old American woman in Budapest has claimed that her death was the result of a tragic accident during a consensual BDSM encounter. The accused, who has been under investigation since the discovery of Mackenzie Michalski’s body, maintains his innocence. However, questions persist as to why he failed to call for medical assistance or alert the authorities. Meanwhile, the victim’s American boyfriend has alleged that she was brutally murdered.

US tourist died in Budapest

The American woman had travelled to Budapest with a friend, staying in an Airbnb in the central district of Terézváros. While her friend returned home on 5 November, Ms Michalski decided to stay on for an extra day to explore the city further. However, on Tuesday evening, she went missing. Her disappearance prompted a widespread search effort involving friends, family, and even her local congressman.

The investigation quickly led authorities to an Irish man, who was identified through CCTV footage. It is alleged that after Ms Michalski’s death, he attempted to conceal her body by burying it in a wooded area near Szigliget. Hungarian police apprehended the suspect within 24 hours of her disappearance and subsequently recovered the victim’s remains.

The suspect, identified as T.L.M., initially provided only a vague account of events. However, according to Hungarian media outlet 24.hu, he has since delivered a detailed confession. Represented by high-profile Hungarian lawyer György Magyar, the Irish man has claimed that the incident was a tragic accident during a consensual sexual encounter.

Irish national murdered American woman in Budapest — Photo: FB/Tamara Thorpe

T.L.M. provided a detailed confession today, elaborating on the incident. The marketing professional has enlisted the services of György Magyar, a prominent Hungarian lawyer and university lecturer in law. Mr Magyar is known for representing high-profile clients, including Ilaria Salis, an Italian Antifa activist and now MEP, who was imprisoned for violent Antifa attacks against Hungarians in Budapest. He has also defended figures such as Attila Ambrus, known as “The Whiskey Robber,” and Ramil Səfərov, who was convicted of murdering an Armenian military officer in Hungary in 2004.

The accused claims It was a BDSM sex-related accident

As reported by 24.hu, according to the Irish suspect’s testimony, the two met on the evening of 4 November and consumed significant amounts of alcohol together. Later, at his apartment, Ms Michalski allegedly requested a BDSM encounter that involved physical pain to enhance sexual arousal. The suspect claims that during this “game,” Ms Michalski fell into a state of oxygen deprivation, lost consciousness, and suffocated. His lawyer, Mr Magyar, has asserted that the autopsy will corroborate this version of events.

The American woman allegedly died as a result of BDSM sex in Budapest — The American woman has already visited Budapest at least once. This photo was uploaded to her Facebook profile in 2019. Photo: FB/Mackenzie Michalski

Even if the suspect’s account is accurate, serious questions remain about his actions following the American woman’s death. Instead of seeking medical assistance or notifying authorities, he allegedly concealed her body in a wardrobe, rented a car, and drove to the countryside to dispose of her remains in a suitcase in a forested area.

Mr Magyar has defended his client’s actions as those of a panicked man who was terrified of the consequences. He emphasised that the death was unintentional and not an act of murder.

Despite these claims, Ms Michalski’s boyfriend has publicly alleged that she was beaten, raped, and murdered. Hungarian police continue to investigate the case as a possible femicide, examining both the suspect’s testimony and the forensic evidence.

Read also:

American woman’s boyfriend blames himself for her death in Budapest, details emerge about the case – details in THIS article
Irish man’s lawyer: The death of the American woman was an accident
Major security risk: Hungary’s defence system compromised in USD 5 million cyberattack – read more HERE

November 15, 2024

Will Marco Rubio clash with Hungary’s Orbán? Trump’s bold Secretary of State choice

Marco Rubio Viktor Orbán Secretary of State

The U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, is reportedly considering Florida Senator Marco Rubio for the role of Secretary of State, a selection that would make Rubio the first Latino to hold this prominent position. Should Rubio accept after Trump’s inauguration in January, he would assume a critical role, bringing a fresh perspective to U.S. foreign policy and potentially shaping the trajectory of American diplomacy on the global stage.

Throughout his career, Rubio has maintained a firm, sometimes uncompromising stance against America’s chief adversaries, particularly China, Iran, and Cuba. Over time, however, he has found common ground with Trump, adjusting his political views to align more closely with the President-elect’s foreign policy agenda. According to 24.hu, Trump’s choice could still change, as he has frequently shifted direction in the past—a hallmark of his approach in office.

Before the U.S. election, Viktor Orbán and Donald Trump appeared to share a strong rapport, with Trump often referencing the Hungarian Prime Minister in his speeches. However, if Rubio steps into the role of Secretary of State, a crucial question arises: how will Rubio’s stance on Hungary impact U.S.-Hungarian relations under the Trump administration?

Orbán says President Trump will end the war in Ukraine Orbán cabinet — Photo: FB/Orbán

Marco Rubio on Hungary’s democratic values

Rubio’s diplomatic concerns extend beyond traditional geopolitics to issues surrounding democracy among U.S. allies. In a letter to Trump, Rubio and a group of senators highlighted Hungary’s backsliding on democratic values, urging the President to address these issues with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The letter notes that Hungary has experienced a significant democratic decline, with reports citing restricted press freedom, weakened judicial independence, and a compromised electoral system. Freedom House’s classification of Hungary as “partly free” marks a first for an EU member state.

U.S. senators, including Rubio, are particularly wary of Hungary’s close relationship with Russia. Despite its NATO membership, Hungary remains heavily reliant on Russian energy, and its “golden visa” programme could serve as a potential route to circumvent U.S. sanctions. Additionally, the recent relocation of the Russian International Investment Bank to Budapest raises concerns about Russia’s growing influence in Hungary and, by extension, in Central Europe.

Marco Rubio’s position on the Ukraine conflict

If Marco Rubio assumes the role, one of his key challenges will be addressing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. While Rubio supports Ukraine’s sovereignty, he has advocated for a negotiated settlement rather than a military solution to reclaim Russian-occupied territory. Rubio’s position on aid has also distinguished him from many of his colleagues: he notably opposed the $95 billion aid package to Ukraine in April, signalling his cautious approach to deepening U.S. involvement.

America’s diplomatic role in Europe has long been grounded in the promotion of democratic principles, a guiding value since the Cold War. Marco Rubio and his Senate colleagues have pressed President Trump to keep democratic values at the heart of U.S.-Hungary relations, emphasising that American foreign policy in Europe is based not only on security cooperation but also on a shared commitment to democratic freedoms.

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November 14, 2024

American woman’s boyfriend blames himself for her death in Budapest, details emerge about the case

The tragic death of a 31-year-old American woman in Hungary has sparked investigation and speculation after her body was discovered near Szigliget, days after she vanished from a Budapest nightclub. Her boyfriend blames himself for not being able to protect her. In addition, fake news is also circulating regarding what happened to Kenzie.

American woman killed in Budapest

As we have reported before, Kenzie arrived in Budapest with a friend at the end of October and was last seen on 4 November, leaving a nightclub alone. When she missed her planned departure from the city, her friends and family grew concerned. Suspicion intensified when all her belongings, including her essential sleep machine, were found untouched in her rented apartment. By Friday, police announced that the 31-year-old American woman was suspected to have been killed by a 37-year-old Irish man she had met in a nightclub.

Kenton blames himself

As Blikk reports, her former partner, Kenton, who had decided not to join her on the Budapest trip, expressed deep regret and heartbreak over her tragic death. “I’m sorry I let you down,” he shared online, blaming himself for not being there to protect her. Kenton said he feared for Kenzie’s safety, especially when she drank, feeling she shouldn’t have gone out alone. He stated that she “did not deserve to be beaten, raped, and killed so brutally,” adding that he will always bear the regret of not being there to prevent the tragedy. Meanwhile, the suspect has claimed her death was accidental, a stance his lawyer supports.

Notably, the Hungarian police have refused to share more details about what happened to the American woman on the night of her murder. People keep looking for answers and sharing possible scenarios about the mysterious night under the Hungarian police’s posts on social media. However, the police only responded that they did not believe that it was an accident. Now, Kenzie’s boyfriend talked about beating and signs of abusive behaviour to Blikk, which sheds some light on the happenings.

Fake news?

As people speculate, fake news also emerges. The body of the American woman was discovered concealed in a wooded, marshy area near Szigliget, Hungary, with her suspected killer, a 37-year-old Irish man, reportedly attempting to hide her remains in a suitcase.

As Szeretlek Magyarország writes, a local landowner noticed unusual behaviour from his animals and, upon reviewing his security footage, saw a white car approach his property on Wednesday, with two men exiting and carrying an object into the dense marshland. Disturbed, the landowner later investigated and found a large bag, spotting part of a body protruding from it. He reported recognising one of the men as a Hungarian, who had previously cycled in the area near Lake Balaton with the victim.

However, the Hungarian police wrote:

The homicide was committed by a 37-year-old man of Irish nationality, who was also the only person involved in the removal of the body. The Budapest Police Headquarters, on the basis of the evidence obtained during the investigation and currently available, refutes all information and press reports to the contrary.

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November 12, 2024

Orbán cabinet: Trump’s presidency ‘beacon of hope’ for Europe, Hungary

Donald Trump’s incoming presidency is a beacon of hope for Europe and Hungary alike, Zsolt Semjén, the deputy prime minister, said in an interview to public media portal hirado.hu.

Trump to bring hope?

Trump’s win “restores faith in a normal America”, and his presidency would bring back “common sense and normal human values”, he said in the interview published on Tuesday.

The Democratic Party, he added, “is destroying America” with their values and its administration wanted to force them on the world “under the name of exporting democracy”.

Semjén said it could be expected that the US and Russia would resolve the war in Ukraine, which he said was in the interest of the world and Europe in particular. Europe itself, he added, had borne the brunt of sanctions against Russia, so Trump’s presidency was a beacon of hope for Europe and Hungary.

Semjén, who leads the junior governing Christian Democrats, said his party did not support Ukraine’s bid to join NATO as this could spark a third world war. Also, if Ukraine was a NATO member, Article 5 may no longer apply in respect of all its member states, he added. First a ceasefire was necessary as a prelude to peace negotiations, he said, adding that Americans would no longer finance the war and Europeans would not have the money to spend on it either.

The deputy PM said that as long as he was in power he would “do everything to ensure that no Hungarian person dies” in the war.

Meanwhile, he said “only stupid people” failed to accept that migration “leads to disaster”. Once irregular migrants have entered the country, “it’s extremely hard to get them out, so they shouldn’t be allowed in at all”.

Also, Semjén decried “trans issues in the West”, saying gender had been distorted to the extent that was totally at odds with human nature, “to the point of absurdity”.

Regarding opposition claims that Hungary was diplomatically isolated, he said the centre of world diplomacy was in Budapest and defined in relation to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, “from Austria and Slovakia, all the way to the United States”, so the claim was “absurd”.

Semjén rejected “turning economic issues into ideological issues” and said economic cooperation was far preferable to the emergence of a Cold War.

Meanwhile, turning to party politics, he said the Christian Democrats were under attack “not because we are guilty of serious crimes but because we uphold Christian values, and this annoys the anti-church camp.”

He said Orbán was reviled by the left wing as he was “a symbol” who represented Christianity and the nation, adding that Democratic Coalition (DK) leader Ferenc Gyurcsány “hates him” as DK was “anti-Christian and Hungaro-phobic”.

Semjén said the opposition paid lip service to supporting Hungarians across the border, so Hungarians beyond the border rejected them. Hungarians communities abroad should not be the subject of everyday party politics, he said.

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November 12, 2024

Forint’s freefall: The dollar and euro take a toll on Hungary’s economy

The Hungarian forint is facing significant challenges, continuing its rapid depreciation against both the euro and the dollar. On Monday, the forint hit a two-year low against the dollar, while the euro also reached a record high, fueled by global economic factors and U.S. fiscal policies under Donald Trump. This decline comes at a time when Hungary’s economy is entering a recession, putting further pressure on the forint. With low interest rates and international market instability, the currency’s future remains uncertain, raising concerns about the extent of its weakening.

The Hungarian currency is facing a severe depreciation, hitting alarming lows against both the euro and the dollar. On Monday afternoon, the euro surged to a two-year high, reaching over 411 forints, before slightly retracing to around 410, Telex reported. This marks a continuation of the steep decline that began in late September, with the Hungarian currency also hitting a historic low against the Polish zloty, according to Portfolio.

The U.S. dollar is performing exceptionally

The forint’s weakening is largely tied to the robust performance of the U.S. dollar, which has reached a six-month high against the euro and a two-year peak against the Hungarian currency. The dollar’s rise, particularly in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory, is driven by expectations of expansive fiscal policies, which may generate inflationary pressure and force the Federal Reserve to maintain high interest rates. This strengthens the dollar, especially in a global economic environment where most countries are cutting interest rates to revive their economies.

The euro’s weakness is not solely due to the dollar’s strength. The ongoing challenges within the Eurozone, including concerns about Germany’s sluggish economy and the potential impact of Trump’s planned tariffs, are also weighing heavily on the euro. These tariffs are expected to reduce demand for European goods, diminishing the euro’s appeal among investors. Furthermore, the political instability in Germany under Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s leadership is further undermining confidence in the Eurozone.

Very few encouraging signs for the forint

For Hungary, the strong dollar presents a major challenge. The U.S. currency’s dominance often leads to a pullback of capital from emerging markets, including Hungary, as investors seek the safety and high yields of the U.S. economy, Világgazdaság explains. On top of this, Hungary’s domestic economic situation is not helping the forint. Recent GDP data show the Hungarian economy has entered a recession, leading to expectations of looser monetary policies. While lower interest rates may help stimulate the economy, they also weaken the forint further.

With the forint now at a two-year low against the dollar, touching 385.88 forints per dollar, questions arise about the future of Hungary’s currency. The Hungarian National Bank (Magyar Nemzeti Bank, MNB) faces a delicate balancing act, as further rate cuts may risk even steeper depreciation of the forint, without any clear exchange rate targets to guide its decisions. The currency’s value is poised to remain volatile, as both international and domestic factors continue to push it downward.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

November 12, 2024

Irish man’s lawyer: The death of the American woman was an accident

Irish national murdered American woman Kenzie Michalski in Budapest

American citizen Mackenzie Michalski went missing in Budapest on 5 November. After a couple of hours, police found her murderer, a 37-year-old Irish man who confessed his crime. He claims it was an accident, while others believe it was a brutal murder… What’s the truth?

Brutal murder or accident?

As Blikk writes, an Irish man has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and suspected murder of Kenzie, who went missing in Budapest on 5 November. Kenzie was last seen at Szimpla Kert nightclub, prompting a city-wide search when she failed to return from her night out. Within 24 hours, police apprehended the 37-year-old Irish tourist, who had arrived in Budapest a week earlier.

Authorities believe that after meeting Kenzie, the man took her to his rented apartment, where he killed her. He then attempted to conceal her body in a suitcase, which he transported in the boot of his rental car to a marshy area in Szigliget. The suspect has been detained for 30 days due to the risk of flight, though this decision remains subject to appeal.

Many loved Kenzie

At a memorial service outside the US Embassy in Budapest, the parents of Mackenzie Michalski expressed deep gratitude to the Hungarian community and police for their unwavering efforts in the search for their daughter, who was tragically murdered. Friends, family, and former colleagues gathered to honour the 31-year-old, lighting candles in her memory. Mackenzie was remembered for her compassion and dedication to her work, with a former colleague noting her genuine care for patients beyond medical treatment. Being a nurse wasn’t just a job for Kenzie, it was a vocation. She lived in Portland, Oregon and was known and loved by many.

New information and photos emerged of American woman who went missing in Budapest (Copy) — Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

Mackenzie, a keen traveller who loved Budapest for its vibrant culture and cuisine, had a special fondness for the city. Her parents, now remaining in Hungary, are committed to staying as long as needed to support the investigation and seek justice for their daughter. The Irish man suspected in her murder appeared in court on Sunday, where his arrest was confirmed.

The Irish man’s lawyer believes it was an accident

The Irish man suspected of Mackenzie Michalski’s murder has denied guilt in court, with his lawyer, József Pásztor, stating that he claims her death was an accident. According to Pásztor, the 37-year-old man, who has no prior criminal record in Ireland or the UK, maintains that the incident was a tragic mishap. To our information, the autopsy and forensic examination are still pending, and authorities have yet to confirm the cause of death. We will keep our readers updated as more details emerge about the case.

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November 11, 2024

Justice minister Tuzson: Europe is in big trouble, its competitiveness is lagging behind that of the US and China

Justice Minister Bence Tuzson said in Budapest on Monday that Europe “is in big trouble” and that its competitiveness is lagging behind that of the US and China. This was ahead of a conference on competitiveness held in the framework of Hungary’s EU presidency.

Speaking ahead of the conference entitled Legal Competitiveness—Instruments of Law for a more Competitive Europe, which will be held in downtown Várkert Bazar from 11 to 12 November, Tuzson said the Hungarian presidency focused on competitiveness and saw legal and legislative work as of primary importance within that topic. The timing and structure of regulations are fundamental factors in competitiveness, and it is important that the issue is addressed on a European level, he said.

Tuzson lamented the EU’s “tunnel vision” regarding legislation’s impact on competitiveness. As an example, he pointed to GDPR’s effect on SMEs in the EU, saying they were at a competitive disadvantage compared with companies in third countries “to whom GDPR doesn’t apply and so they can be more competitive.”

Tuzson said the EU is also behind in digitalisation and AI, adding that they would be important tools in legal work.

“The EU still has a chance, but we are in the last minute” to catch up with competitors posing “an enormous global challenge” for the EU, he said, adding that the Hungarian presidency was working to facilitate that process.

New Mercedes models built in Hungary may feature Chinese engine

November 11, 2024

How PM Orbán’s tax treaty plans could benefit Hungarian expats in the U.S.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent proposal may offer relief for Hungarians living and working in the U.S., particularly those with dividend and bond investments. The announcement aired Sunday night on Hungary’s TV2 Tények and included plans to renegotiate the U.S.-Hungary double taxation treaty as part of a broader economic agreement with the United States.

Hungary’s Finance Minister, Mihály Varga, noted that a Trump victory in the 2024 U.S. presidential election could open doors for reestablishing the double taxation treaty. Initially signed in 1979, this arrangement allowed U.S.-based Hungarians to avoid paying taxes in both countries. Since its termination, Hungarian citizens working in the U.S. have faced increased tax obligations. The last date for the treaty’s application was 31 December 2023, with the new tax rules coming into effect as of 1 January 2024.

New tax treaty between Hungary and the US?

As we wrote yesterday, PM Orbán revealed his intention to renew the double taxation agreement between Hungary and the U.S., which the U.S. government unilaterally terminated in mid-2022. According to Orbán, renegotiating this treaty could benefit Hungarians abroad by potentially reducing their tax burdens. The Hungarian prime minister also emphasised his hope for cooperation on “several significant economic issues” with former U.S. President Donald Trump, should he return to office.

Orbán commented,

“There are a few things that the current U.S. administration mishandled, such as not renewing the double taxation treaty with Hungary once it expired. This needs to be addressed.”

However, he cautioned against viewing any potential cooperation with the U.S. as a “saviour” relationship, suggesting instead that Hungary should view the U.S. as an “ally” in shared economic interests.

Who will benefit if the tax treaty is renewed?

Dividend Investors: Hungarian investors in U.S. stocks currently pay a withholding tax of 30% in the U.S., along with an additional 5% Hungarian income tax.
Bond Investors: Hungarians earning interest on U.S.-based bonds face a combined 35% tax burden (30% U.S. withholding tax plus 5% Hungarian tax). For purchases made after 1 July 2023, there is also a 13% social contribution tax applied to interest income.
Hungarians Earning Salaries in the U.S.: Regardless of tax residency, Hungarians working in the U.S. are subject to U.S. taxes and must also pay Hungarian personal income tax. They can offset their Hungarian tax liability by up to 90% of what they paid in the U.S., provided that their U.S. tax rate exceeds 17%. If it falls below that threshold, they are required to pay the difference in Hungary. Managing these tax requirements has proven challenging, as taxpayers must complete and file their Hungarian returns manually.

What’s next?

As Orbán’s administration pursues potential economic agreements with the U.S., Hungarian expats in America remain hopeful for an updated tax treaty. A renewed agreement could bring financial relief and streamline tax obligations, particularly for those navigating complex U.S.-Hungary tax rules.

Forint strengthened, but the EUR/HUF exchange rate may exceed 500 in 2025

November 11, 2024

PM Orbán: Great Hungary-US deal on the horizon

“Donald Trump’s victory will primarily restore peace and broaden our economic possibilities,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an interview broadcast by commercial TV2 on Sunday night.

Hungary was a world centre this week

The prime minister added that “important achievements could be made, which would not be possible if the war (in Ukraine) went on, with a continued risk of Hungary becoming involved.”

Orbán said Hungary’s diplomacy “has not been as strong in the past 100 years”. The prime minister added that Hungary had not had “such strong influence in the world as now” especially considering Hungary’s small size.

While “they say so many things (about Hungary) in the West and it is difficult to tell what should be taken seriously … the problem cannot be too large if forty plus European heads of state will come to Hungary at the invitation of the Hungarian prime minister,” Orbán said referring to the recent European Political Community summit in Budapest. The prime minister highlighted the “efforts of many years” by European Affairs Minister János Bóka and Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó that contributed to the success of Hungarian diplomacy.

Orbán said similar European summits “could be met with disinterest” but the Budapest meeting was the first such occasion after the US presidential election, and it also had the EU competitiveness pact, as proposed by the Hungarian EU presidency, on its agenda.

Peace budget in the pipe

According to the prime minister, “it is certain” that the government would prepare a “peace time budget” under which “we will spend less on war-related items and we could afford a lot more measures aimed at prosperity for the people.”

Orbán said next year would see “an unprecedented” programme to promote small business, loans for employees, as well as “opportunities for cheaper, more affordable housing” and a maintained 13th month pension scheme. He said Trump’s election was bringing the world “an enormous step closer to peace”, adding that “now the whole world is speculating” how the new president would achieve that.

Viktor Orbán Donald Trump Danube Institute — Source: Facebook / Orbán Viktor

Analysing the American elections, Orbán said the most important question is what will happen to Hungarians. “We Hungarians, the current Hungarian government must stand up for Hungarian interests,” he added. After Trump’s election, he said “we can achieve our interests and goals more easily than before, but only we can achieve them.” He warned however, that Trump is “not our saviour but our comrade-in-arms”. While Hungary “has often felt alone”, now “we are not alone anymore, the whole of America is with us, the American government,” Orbán added. “Everybody was surprised at Trump’s win,” Orban said, but he added that he had been “as certain as two and two make four”. He said people both in Europe and in the US were fed up with war, migration, and “this gender thing” and the Democrat administration was “pro-war, pro-migrant, and pro-gender”.

Orbán seeks a great agreement with the USA

Orbán said he was seeking to strike “a great agreement” between Hungary and the US.

Hungary and the US will need to sign an agreement to prevent double taxation, as the incumbent administration “has failed to renew the one that expired”, Orbán said, adding that he was seeking agreement with Trump “on some major economic matters”. “I think we will have to opportunity to do so,” he said.

Referring to the recent EU summit in Budapest, Orbán said participants had realised that “Europe cannot go on doing what it has done so far” and that it needed change. European leaders “so far giving Ukraine everything will now switch to the opposite”, he said.

“I wouldn’t want to see Europe being torn apart into opposing camps,” the prime minister said, adding that his goal was to “shift from a pro-war position to a pro-peace approach together”.

Competitiveness a key

On another subject, Orbán said “Europe would be on the losing side as long as it pays four times for gas and three times for electricity as its American competitor.” Within half a year, decisions resulting in a reduction in European energy prices must be made, he said. Speaking about an agreement adopted at an informal meeting of EU heads of state and government in Budapest on Friday, the PM said in Hungary households receive the cheapest gas and electricity in all of Europe, so this agreement will primarily be good for entrepreneurs, who pay very high prices in the same way as European entrepreneurs.

This is largely down to politicians, because the formulas used to set energy prices in Europe have been set up badly, he added.

Orbán pointed to an anti-bureaucratic revolution as a second step in the series of measures. He said that within half a year, the number of rules that clearly hinder free competition and the operation of companies must be radically reduced. He noted a new rule that no new legislation can be created that does not have a competitiveness test.

Read also:

Hungary is the ‘safest part’ in Europe, the Hungarian government believes
Disturbing new details, VIDEO, PHOTOS: Irish man killed American woman while getting intimate

November 11, 2024

Forint strengthened, but the EUR/HUF exchange rate may exceed 500 in 2025

Hungarian forint state budget historic lows

After Donald Trump’s victory, the Hungarian forint started to fall and reached even 412/EUR, which was a 2-year maximum. The same trend was happening in the case of the dollar-forint exchange rate level. Later, the forint began to strengthen, and now it is at 407/EUR.

One euro may cost 500 forints in 2025

According to experts discussing the future of the Hungarian economy and the forint at the Portfolio Investment Day 2024 conference, Trump’s economic policy would cause three times as big budget deficit than the Democrat administration. The consequence will be higher interest rates siphoning money from emerging markets like Hungary and the entire Central European region.

In trade, Trump may initiate new trade wars, which would also harm Europe and strengthen the dollar. Péter Virovácz, a leading analyst of ING Bank, said that by mid-2025, the dollar-euro rate can become 0.98, which would cause a euro/forint rate above 500.

forint huf — *Will that sum be only EUR 4 in 2025? Photo: Pexels*

The Hungarian National Bank remained calm

Although Portfolio wrote about a possible base interest rate increase, the Hungarian National Bank remained calm despite the weakening forint.

The Monetary Council of the National Bank of Hungary discussed a single option, to keep the base rate on hold, in line with a “careful, patient and stability-oriented approach”, at a monthly policy meeting in October, the minutes from the meeting show, MTI wrote.

The Council members voted unanimously to keep the base rate on hold at 6.50pc at the meeting on October 22.

Members highlighted that deteriorating international investor sentiment and volatile commodity prices posed upside risks to domestic inflation and said the moderation in the external interest rate environment was likely to continue at a slower pace than previously expected, the minutes show.

“There was a consensus among decision makers that, given the increase in upside risks to inflation, careful and patient monetary policy was still warranted looking ahead,” according to the minutes. “Members in general reaffirmed their commitment to the importance of cautious, data-driven and stability-oriented decision-making.”

Forint at 407/EUR

The forint strengthened in the second half of this week. Currently, it is at 407/EUR.

According to MTI, the forint traded at 406.52 to the euro around 5:30 in the evening on Friday, softening from 404.68 late Thursday. The forint slipped to 379.15 from 375.15 against the dollar. It eased to 433.36 from 429.91 to the Swiss franc.

Read also:

Trump’s victory threatens forint with collapse, Orbán cabinet happy and congratulates – read more HERE
U.S. presidential election pushes forint to 2-year low

November 10, 2024

Disturbing new details, VIDEO, PHOTOS: Irish man killed American woman while getting intimate

“The 31-year-old American [Mackenzie Michalski – DNH] had arrived in Hungary as a tourist. She met an Irish man, a couple years her senior, in a nightclub and together they visited another nightclub, where they danced and became closer. After she had decided to go to his rented apartment in the 7th district, they had gotten intimate, and he killed her in the process”, the Hungarian police wrote in a statement clarifying what happened to the American woman.

Irish man killed the American woman while getting intimate

Here’s the unchanged statement of the Hungarian police:

“Budapest Metropolitan Police were looking for a 31-year-old American woman who disappeared from a Budapest nightclub on 5 November 2024.

The 6th District Police Department was conducting the missing person procedure, so the investigators and the Fugitive Search Division obtained footage from all available CCTV cameras in the neighbourhood, and noticed a man with whom the missing girl was seen together in several nightclubs. Suspicious circumstances in connection with her disappearance led the investigators believe that the possibility that the American girl became the victim of a crime could not be ruled out.

The unidentified man was arrested at his rented apartment in District VI. in the evening of 7 November.

Given the fact that after the arrest further evidence was found which gave rise to the suspicion of murder, the Homicide Division launched an investigation, and in the course of 24 hours the following was established:

The 31-year-old American girl had arrived in Hungary as a tourist. She met an Irish man, a couple years her senior, in a nightclub and together they visited another nightclub, where they danced and became closer. After she had decided to go to his rented apartment in the 7th district, they had gotten intimate, and he killed her in the process.

The perpetrator then tried to cover up the murder; so he cleaned his apartment and hid the girl’s body in the wardrobe cabinet while he went out to buy a suitcase.

Irish man killed American woman while getting intimate (Copy) — Photo: PrtScr/Youtube

Rented car, trunk and Google search

He then put the victim’s body in the suitcase, rented a car and drove to Lake Balaton with the suitcase in the trunk.

He hid his victim in the woods, in an area outside Szigliget and then drove back to Budapest, where he was captured and arrested.

Investigators from the Homicide Division questioned the 37-year-old Irish citizen with the initials L.T. M. as a suspect for murder. He confessed to killing the woman, but claimed it was an accident. After his interrogation, the suspect also showed the detectives where he had hidden the body. He was taken into custody and his arrest was initiated.

Irish man murdered American woman while getting intimate — Photo: police.hu

The investigation also revealed that after the murder, the 37-year-old man had searched the Internet for the phrases “Do pigs really eat dead bodies?”, “Texas woman killed by a wild boar. “, “Wild boar sighting in Lake Balaton coastal towns”, “What does a corpse smell like after it decomposes”, “Getting rid of the smell of rotting meat “, Budapest webcams”, “What happens after a person is reported missing”, “How do the police handle missing person cases?”, “How reliable is the police in Budapest?”

In Budapest, people organised a candlelight vigil for Ms Michalski, here is a photo:

Irish man killed the American woman while getting intimate — The candlelight vigil. Photo: FB/Orsolya Prohászka

UPDATE

Irish man’s lawyer: The death of the American woman was an accident

Read also:

Hungarian media: Irish killed American woman in his apartment then bought a huge bag – disturbing details HERE

November 9, 2024

Orbán and Trump are ‘extremely close’ allies, the Hungarian government believes

Hungary has never had such a strong and undisputable ally than Donald Trump who after being elected the next US president was to call Viktor Orbán first among European leaders on Wednesday, the communications director of the Fidesz-Christian Democrats said.

Trump and Orbán are extremely close allies

Donald Trump has become president of the United States, Menczer said, the man who referred to Orban as “a leader who defends his country” many times during his election campaign.

He noted on Facebook that the biggest-ever two diplomatic events in Hungary’s history were taking place in Budapest on Thursday and Friday, with the leaders of Europe discussing the issue of the continent’s security and ways of enhancing its competitiveness. “They are doing so aware of the fact that the new US president and the Hungarian prime minister are extremely close allies,” said Menczer, adding that the Ukrainian president, too, considered it important to travel to Budapest.

Donald Trump Viktor Orbán — Photo: FB/OrbánViktor

Europe ‘more, bigger than EU’

Europe is “more and bigger than the European Union”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Budapest on Thursday, calling for closer cooperation on the continent.

Szijjártó held talks with his North Macedonian, Georgian, Monegasque, Armenian, San Marino and Turkish counterparts on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

He pointed out that they were all foreign ministers of non-EU countries, which meant that “Europe is more, Europe is bigger than the European Union.”

He said Europe’s security and competitiveness had declined in the recent period, and there was “more than one correct way” to improve the situation.

“One of these, no doubt, is that the European Union should be enlarged and should establish much closer and more coordinated cooperation with European countries that are not EU members,” Szijjarto said.

The key phrase is respectful cooperation

He said the EU was giving up significant growth potential by not admitting new members, not deepening ties with the Caucasus countries and by having failed to build “respectful cooperation” with Türkiye.

“And the European Union will continue to lose much more in the future as well unless it can become a real and full European integration,” he added.

“A policy of respect and openness is needed instead of a policy of closing ourselves off, getting offended and lecturing others,” the minister said.

Szijjártó said it was “unacceptable” that the Western Balkan countries have been waiting for the possibility of EU membership for an average of 15 years, and certain countries have been waiting 10 years to sign an association agreement. He said the EU should not apply “double standards” by rejecting countries in the east of Europe that elect “conservative, patriotic governments”.

“We hope this message will get through here at the European Political Community summit today,” he added.

Read also:

Military changes: Government allowed to deploy Hungarian troops abroad in secret – read more HERE
American woman murdered in Budapest: here’s what the Irish perpetrator did – details in THIS article

November 9, 2024

New reality created by Trump’s second victory, Hungarian foreign minister says

The US presidential election is creating a completely new reality, not only in Europe but in the whole world, and old approaches are losing their validity and so must be discarded, the foreign minister said on Thursday.

The ministry cited Péter Szijjártó telling a press conference on the sidelines of the EPC summit that it was a welcome development that some “colourful” opinions had been presented at the opening meeting as against “the old cliches”.

“We heard opinions from the Turkic world, from the Western Balkans, Scandinavia, and also from a leading European member state,” he said.

The diversity of the positions presented was proof that Europe was at the crossroads, with a new situation emerging that could “change the rules of the game”, he said. The differences in opinion about the right way forward was “not a bad thing”, because it demonstrated the democratic character of the platform, he said.

Szijjártó said Europe’s current situation was “dangerous and difficult”. He added that for nearly 1,000 days, Hungary had been living in the direct vicinity of the war and Ukraine, paying its price while bearing no responsibility for the outbreak of the war in any way.

He expressed concern about the reformulation of blocs in the world, stating that Hungary stood to lose much as a result, as it had done during the Cold War.

The government instead has a vested interest in connectivity and international cooperation based on trust and respect, he said. “And this has nothing to do with ideology; it has nothing to do with any political theory, only with our experiences,” he added.

Szijjártó said that in the past few days a completely new reality had emerged in the world. “The result of the US presidential election creates a completely new reality, not only in Europe but in the world as a whole,” he added.

Strategic dialogue is needed, the foreign minister said

The minister also said that a domestic political crisis in Germany was another development suggesting that “nothing is as it used to be”.

“Old approaches don’t work anymore, so the old cliches must be discarded,” he added.

“Strategic dialogue is needed. And we hope that the meetings of the European Council starting tonight will serve as a platform for strategic dialogue instead of repeating old cliches, which I believe have lost validity as a result of the developments of recent days,” he said.

In response to a question, he said the outgoing US government had caused Hungary many difficulties such as the cancellation of a bilateral tax agreement and the amendment of visa waiver rules. Meanwhile the US ambassador was behaving as “a political activist and an opposition leader”, he said.

The government’s experience from the time of Trump’s presidency was completely different, he said, adding that hopes were now high in respect of his second term.

The personal ties and trust with the newly elected president “will definitely serve as a good basis for developing relations”, he added.

Szijjártó also expressed his belief that relations with China, similarly to all other bilateral relations, would not cause friction between Budapest and Washington.

He added that beyond the EU, Hungary’s two most important trade and investment partners were the US and China.

Read also:

Military changes: Government allowed to deploy Hungarian troops abroad in secret – read more HERE
Informal meeting of EU heads of state and government approves Orbán’s initiative

November 9, 2024

American woman murdered in Budapest: here’s what the Irish perpetrator did

It was not the first time 31-year-old Mackenzie Michalski from Portland was in Budapest. The nurse practician was here with a friend, stayed in a Terézváros Airbnb, ate dinner in a restaurant, and then visited some downtown ruin pubs downtown. That is where she met her murderer, an Irish national. Chilling details emerged about what he did to her.

Kenzie loved Budapest, the restaurants, the capital’s culture

Kenzie’s boyfriend told RTL Klub news that she had visited Budapest multiple times. She travelled to the Hungarian capital with one of her friends to conclude their European journey. They rented an Airbnb apartment and discovered the city. According to Szeretlek Magyarország, they even visited the Széchenyi bath.

On Monday afternoon, Kenzie accompanied her friend to Budapest Airport and then returned to the downtown. She ate her dinner alone in a restaurant, where she spent two hours. She sent photos from there, just like from Szimpla Kert, a ruin pub in Budapest downtown. After she left that place, her phone was turned off, and nobody could reach her again.

Missing American woman murdered in Budapest hungary news Irish murder — Photo: FB/Nicholas Michalski

His boyfriend said she loved Budapest, the restaurants, and the culture, and was excited to be here. They have been a couple for six years, and Mr Reichen immediately came to Budapest after he learned Kenzie disappeared.

37-year-old Irish identified as perpetrator

RTL News said she met the 37-year-old Irish man in Szimpla Kert and accompanied him to several other pubs in Budapest. The Irish murdered her during that night and took her body out of Budapest to hide.

On Friday, the police said they identified the perpetrator and caught him in 24 hours. The Irish suspect confessed to the crime and showed authorities where he hid the woman’s body. However, nobody knows why he did the terrible deed. The Hungarian police promised to share more information on the brutal tragedy today.

Candlelight vigil to be held today

People organised a candlelight vigil for the murdered American woman in Budapest’s Szabadság Square (Liberty Square) this evening. The organisers wrote on Facebook that “the location will be Liberty Square, Budapest, near the US Embassy. Time is 7 PM CET, which is 1 PM Eastern. The plan is to walk to the “eternal flame” on the other end of this Aulich street”. The “eternal flame” they refer to is Batthyány’s sanctuary lamp at the corner of Báthory Street and Hold Street. The lamp sits on the former location of the courtyard of the New Building, where Count Lajos Batthyány (1807–1849), the first Prime Minister of Hungary, was executed on 6 October 1849.

Kenzie’s friends said farewell to her in a touching Facebook post

“We would like to express our profound and heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. and Hungarian authorities and local police for their prompt attention, diligence, care, and consideration”, the family and friends wrote.

“Kenzie will forever be remembered as a beautiful and compassionate young woman who dedicated herself to caring for others and making the world a better place. As a nurse practitioner, Kenzie used her humour, positivity, and limitless empathy to help heal her patients and encourage family and friends alike. (…) Her wish for the world: fully embrace the present moment, be your authentic self, practice kindness, and always walk in the light”, they wrote about her.

They also asked everybody to respect the privacy of the mourning family and friends.

Read also:

Missing American woman murdered in Budapest – details HERE
Crime statistics: The most dangerous places in Hungary – check out the details in THIS article

November 9, 2024

BREAKING: Missing American woman murdered in Budapest – UPDATED

Missing American woman murdered in Budapest hungary news

31-year-old Mackenzie Michalski came for a holiday to Budapest but she went missing on 5 November. She did not return to her Airbnb apartment, so her friends and the Hungarian police started searching for her. Even the congressman of her electoral district in the USA wrote to secretary Blinken to conduct a more effective search with the help of the U.S. and Hungarian authorities. Tragic news about her emerged this afternoon.

According to police.hu, the police officers of Budapest’s 6th district measured multiple suspicious information about Ms Michalski’s disappearence. Therefore, they did not exclude that the American woman fell victim to a murderer.

They identified a man who was seen together with the young woman in several places in Budapest’s downtown before her disappearance. They arrested the suspect in front of his 7th district apartment.

M. L. T. is 37 years old and an Irish national.

He confessed his crime to the police and showed the place where he hid Ms Michalski’s body. The Irish national will remain in custody.

UPDATE (7.09 P.M.): the Budapest police headquarters announced in a Facebook post that they would hold a press conference sharing further details about the tragic murder on Saturday.

We offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends. May Kenzie rest in peace.

November 8, 2024