Tag: Hungary

  •  3 Countries Offering Financial Incentives for Marriage

     3 Countries Offering Financial Incentives for Marriage

    By  Milcah   Tanimu

    As many countries face a decline in marriage rates and its impact on economic growth, some governments have introduced financial incentives to encourage more people to marry. Here are three nations where getting married can come with monetary benefits:

    1. Japan
    In Japan, newlywed couples can receive financial assistance of up to 600,000 yen (approximately $5,700) through the municipality’s newlywed support program. This aid helps cover rent and other living expenses, aiming to bolster marriage rates and support young couples starting their lives together.

    2. Hungary
    Hungary offers a substantial financial incentive for marriage. Couples who marry before the bride turns 41 can access subsidized loans of up to 10 million forints (about $33,000). Moreover, if the couple has three children, they are not required to repay the loan, significantly easing their financial burden.

    3. South Korea
    South Korea, facing a notable drop in marriage rates, has introduced a pilot program offering financial rewards ranging from $64,000 to $85,000 to couples who marry. If successful, this program might be expanded in 2025 to include international residents working or living in the country. The initiative reflects efforts to address the low marriage rates and the associated demographic challenges.

    These programs highlight how governments are using financial incentives to counteract declining marriage rates and support economic stability.

  • Russia-Ukraine Crisis: 256 Nigerians Have Been Received In Poland, Hungary, Romania – FG

    Russia-Ukraine Crisis: 256 Nigerians Have Been Received In Poland, Hungary, Romania – FG

    The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said 130 Nigerians have been received by the country’s embassy in Romania.

    In a statement, the ministry explained that it has also provided accommodation for them while arrangements are being made to take them back home.

    “Also, officials at Budapest, Hungary have received and accommodated 74 Nigerians safely, where they are being documented for subsequent travel arrangements back to Nigeria,” the statement, signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, read.

    According to him, another batch of about 200 Nigerians is expected in Budapest later in the day. He also said 52 persons have been received in Warsaw, Poland. Of the number, 23 are being processed at the Polish Government Reception Point at Hala Kijowska.

    “The camp is well organised with beds and beddings, food, heating, clothing, and medicals for evacuees,” the statement added.

    “We assure Nigerians that all hands are on deck and arrangements are being put in place to effectively evacuate our citizens, in safety and dignity.”

    The Federal Government’s recent move was a sequel to the Russian invasion of Ukraine about five days ago. On Sunday, the ministry said the Hungarian and Romanian governments have approved visa-free access to Nigerians coming from the Eastern European nation.

    “For now, movement to the Hungarian Zahony border and Romanian Suceava, Tulcea, Satu Mare County & Maramures borders is advised, as they have approved visa-free access to all Nigerians coming from Ukraine and arrangements for accommodation and feeding before evacuation is arranged,” Aduda said.

    Right To Safe Passage

    On the same day, the presidency described reports of Nigerians being barred from exiting Ukraine as “unfortunate”. It said the government is concerned about the safety and human rights of all Nigerians.

    “We understand the pain and fear that is confronting all people who find themselves in this terrifying place,” presidential aide, Garba Shehu, said in a statement.

    “We also appreciate that those in official positions in security and border management will in most cases be experiencing impossible expectations in a situation they never expected. But, for that reason, it is paramount that everyone is treated with dignity and without favour.

    “All who flee a conflict situation have the same right to safe passage under UN Convention and the colour of their passport or their skin should make no difference.”

  • FIFA to sanction Hungary over racist abuse of England players

    FIFA to sanction Hungary over racist abuse of England players

     Football’s ruling body FIFA on Friday promised “adequate actions” in response to the racist abuse, which marred England’s World Cup qualifying win in Hungary.

    England players, Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham were targeted by monkey chants by home supporters during the game in Budapest, which England won 4-0.

    Sterling was also pelted with cups after scoring England’s opening goal on Thursday night.

    FIFA’s regulations provide for offenders to be deducted points, ordered to play behind closed doors and even expelled from competitions.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on FIFA to act, and world football’s governing body has pledged to do so.

    “First and foremost, FIFA strongly rejects any form of racism and violence and has a very clear zero tolerance stance for such behaviour in football.”

    “FIFA will take adequate actions as soon as it receives match reports concerning yesterday’s Hungary-England game.

    “It is completely unacceptable that England players were racially abused in Hungary last night.

    “I urge FIFA to take strong action against those responsible to ensure that this kind of disgraceful behaviour is eradicated from the game for good,” Johnson said

    Hungary were given a two-match stadium ban by European football’s governing body UEFA in  July for  allegations of racist chanting and homophobic display of banners  during Euro 2020 matches against France and Portugal.

    However, the ban could not be extended or carried over into the World Cup qualifier against England because it is a FIFA competition.

    Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland also condemned the “deeply depressing” racism targeted at England players.

    England’s players were also booed before kick-off after they took the knee as a gesture against racism.

  • Euro 2020: UEFA sanctions Hungary over fans’ ‘discriminatory behaviour’

    Euro 2020: UEFA sanctions Hungary over fans’ ‘discriminatory behaviour’

    UEFA on Friday ordered Hungary to play their next three home matches behind closed doors and fined the Hungarian football federation 100,000 euros for “the discriminatory behaviour of its supporters”.

    European football’s governing body had opened an investigation into allegedly homophobic banners and monkey noises during Hungary’s Euro 2020 group stage matches in Budapest and Munich.

    AFP

  • Euro 2020: Ronaldo Sets Euro Goalscoring Record as Portugal Beat Hungary

    Euro 2020: Ronaldo Sets Euro Goalscoring Record as Portugal Beat Hungary

    Cristiano Ronaldo netted a double to become the European Championship’s all-time leading scorer as Portugal struck three times late on to beat a stubborn Hungary 3-0 in their Euro 2020 opener at a packed Puskas Arena on Tuesday.

    The holders, who appear to have a much stronger squad than when they won their first major title five years ago, laboured for long periods in Budapest.

    But Raphael Guerreiro made the vital breakthrough in the 84th minute and Ronaldo slammed in a penalty shortly afterwards before tapping home in injury time.

    The Juventus striker has now scored 11 goals in the tournament, two more than French great Michel Platini, who netted nine times when he led France to glory in 1984.

    The 36-year-old is also just three goals away from matching Iranian Ali Daei’s all-time international scoring record of 109.

    Ronaldo chose by far the biggest crowd of the tournament to break the record in front of, with Budapest the only Euro 2020 venue not to limit fan capacity due to Covid-19.

    The Puskas Arena has a capacity of almost 68,000 fans.

    World Cup winners France and three-time European champions Germany meet in the other Group F game later in the day at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

    Portugal coach Fernando Santos opted to play Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and Bernardo Silva alongside Ronaldo ahead of Joao Felix.

    It almost paid instant dividends, as Jota forced Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi into a smart save with a left-footed drive in the fourth minute, although he perhaps should have squared the ball for an unmarked Ronaldo.

    Five minutes later, Jota, who was out injured for most of the latter stages of the club season, volleyed Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick over the crossbar.

    Ronaldo created an opportunity for Bernardo Silva in the 28th minute by winning the ball back high up the pitch, only for the Manchester City winger to delay his shot too long and see the opening snuffed out by an excellent tackle from Hungary centre-back Willi Orban.

    Hungary offered very little from open play, although they sent Portugal a warning shortly before half-time when Adam Szalai headed a free-kick too close to Rui Patricio.

    Jota continued to be Portugal’s most dangerous player, but his shot on the turn was beaten away by Gulacsi.

    Ronaldo misses glorious chance

    The best chance of the opening period fell to Ronaldo in the 44th minute, only for the Portugal captain to plant the ball over from six yards out after meeting Guerreiro’s low cross.

    Portugal came out of the blocks quickly after the break, knowing failure to win would put them in trouble in such a difficult group, with Pepe seeing a downward header well saved by the stretching Gulacsi.

    Santos’ men continued to press despite Hungary growing in confidence, with Fernandes drawing Gulacsi into another fine stop with a dipping strike from long range.

    Despite having Felix, in-form Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva and Pedro Goncalves, last season’s top-scorer in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, on the bench, Santos waited until the 71st minute to make a change, sending on Rafa Silva for Bernardo Silva.

    Portugal’s increasing frustration in the closing quarter of an hour was shown when Ronaldo begged for a penalty for handball against Attila Fiola.

    Hungary thought they had snatched a shock lead through substitute Szabolcs Schon, but he was denied by a late linesman’s flag for offside.

    Rafa Silva played a key role in the opening goal, though, as his deflected cross was met by Guerreiro, whose shot also took a huge deflection and dribbled agonisingly into the corner of the Hungarian net.

    The home side’s resistance was totally over three minutes later, as Orban pulled back Rafa Silva when he was clean through on goal.

    Ronaldo stepped up and made no mistake, sending Gulacsi the wrong way to add another record to his collection on the day he became the first player in history to play at five European Championships.

    There was more to come from Ronaldo, as he danced through after a one-two with Rafa Silva and rolled in his 106th goal for Portugal.

    AFP