Story of the week – Kosovo Independence
The
birth of a new nation – Kosovo is independent
Kosovo’s parliament has approved a declaration of independence from Serbia. The
extraordinary session opened Sunday with the region’s Prime Minister, Hashim
Thaci, calling Kosovo from this day forward “proud, independent and
free.”…
Serbian
Protesters Break Into US Embassy in Belgrade
A group of Serbian demonstrators protesting Kosovo’s declaration of
independence has broken into the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade…
Â
Politics and referendum
Fidesz’s
Kosa may run for PM in 2010
Debrecen Mayor and main opposition Fidesz stalwart Lajos Kosa is considering
running for prime minister in 2010, business weekly HVG reported in an
interview on Thursday…
PM
calls for calm and understanding
The prime minister called for positive efforts to replace the political clashes
currently underway, while addressing a gathering of about 500 people in
Kaposvar, W Hungary, on Thursday evening…
Fighting
the healthcare reform has triggered cooperation, says opposition chief
Fighting the government’s healthcare reform programme has become a real example
of cooperation across party lines, opposition Fidesz chair Viktor Orban told
the media on Tuesday, at a news conference held at the entrance to the Veszprem
County Hospital…
Â
Culture
Hopes
for Tinseltown’s new backyard in Hungary fade
Hungary was to have become Hollywood’s new backyard. Now the grandiose
dream of one of the industry’s kingpins Andy Vajna — of Terminator fame — to
bring the biggest and baddest productions to the massive soundstage he planned
outside Budapest look set for a sorry demise…
Korda
Studios doing fine, thank you – flatly deny problems
Developments at Hungary’s biggest film studio complex Korda Studios, built
in the village of Etyek 30 kilometres west of Budapest, are moving forward
right on schedule, said a statement from the studio’s management sent to MTI on
Thursday, denying press reports of problems…
House
Speaker opens French drawings exhibition
House Speaker Katalin Szili on Thursday opened an exhibition of French
drawings from the Paris Louvre’s collection at Budapest’s Fine Arts Museum…
Â
Economy and Business
One
of blackmailers of OTP CEO was advisor to ex-tax chief
One of the three men arrested in a Tuesday sting operation by Hungary’s
National Bureau of Investigation against three unnamed Hungarian citizens for
attempted extortion of Sandor Csanyi, CEO of Hungary’s top retail bank, OTP,
was IT advisor to the former head of the tax bureau, Finance Minister Janos
Veres confirmed on Wednesday…
Over
2 million Hungarians ready to invest in state-owned firms
Over two million residents in Hungary are ready to invest in state-owned
firms, after Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany announced the scheme in a keynote
speech earlier in the week, …
FinMin
expects HUF 219.8m budget deficit in Feb
Hungary’s Finance Ministry expects a cashflow-based budget deficit of 219.8
billion forints (838.9 million euros) excluding local councils in February …
Hungary
is the 36th most expensive office location in the world
The world’s top ten most expensive office locations saw rents, a large
component of occupancy costs, increase by an average 40 per cent last year,
according to Office Space Across the World 2008, a global report by real estate
services firm Cushman & Wakefield.…
Â
Miscellaneous
2008
Oscar Race – Less Than One Week to Go!
Movie lovers, star obsessed people
and fashion freaks, it is almost time to tune in to one of the most important
nights in the movie industry – that’s right, I’m talking about Oscar Night!…
Gov’t
commission discusses future of Afghanistan mission
Hungary’s newly set-up government commission for its army’s NATO mission in
Afghanistan met for the first time on Wednesday…
Five-party
agreement signed on preparations for Hungary’s EU presidency
Representatives of the five parliamentary groups, Foreign Minister Kinga
Goncz and parliamentary speaker Katalin Szili signed an agreement on Thursday
about setting up a working group to prepare for Hungary’s European Union
presidency for 2011…
Drink
Diet, Get Fat
Many of us believe that our daily habit of drinking diet soda is one that
helps us to consume fewer calories and more effectively manage our weight…
Abroad
Fidel
Castro Retires as Cuban President
Fidel Castro has resigned as Cuba’s
president, ending his nearly 50-year rule of the Caribbean nation…
Â
Weather forecast and program guide for the weekend
Expect cloudy skies
and isolated showers on Saturday and sunny skies on Sunday. Lowest nighttime
temperatures won’t go below 0 degrees Celsius while daytime highs will range
between +9 and +17.
The weekend weather will
be perfect for going outdoors. Take a long hike or visit the Budapest Zoo
on Saturday and say goodbye to the winter at the first “Goodbye Winter” Family
Sunday in Godollo’s King Palace. Programs include etiquette lessons, fencing, costume
competition and meeting the countess of the palace. If you’d rather stay
indoors, we recommend the “The Splendour of the Medici” exhibition in the Museum
of Fine Arts. The exhibition – opening on Sunday – embraces those two centuries
during which Medici rule strengthened and consolidated in Renaissance Florence.
For more information on the above events please go to one of
these websites or visit the Budapest Buzz at www.budapestbuzz.com for dining and
clubbing ideas:
Godollo Family Sunday – www.kiralyikastely.hu
Medici Exhibition – http://www.mediciexhibition.hu
The Budapest Zoo – http://www.zoobudapest.com Continue »
