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business
Last-minute Christmas gift ideas, not just for beginners!
The Christmas special of Hype&Hyper’s Business&Strategy column. For those who leave the shopping to the last minute!
Relaxation, reflection, and spending time with family and friends – ideally, these are the activities we associate with Christmas. But the holiday season also means less pleasant activities, such as the
strategy
The newest weapon: Facebook
Modern warfare takes place on several fronts: land, sea, air, and, equally importantly, in the media. Who defines the narrative has a huge advantage: Russia limits the freedom of media outlets within its territory and wants the Kremlin’s voice to be heard in the West during the war.
Propaganda
business
Does the war make those to pay who are doing well?
The Hungarian government implemented a significant tax increase in the summer of 2022, labeled as an „extra profit tax.” Budapest’s decision caused an outcry at that time, with several market players, including Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, openly criticizing the government’s decision. But since then, similar unexpected taxes have
strategy
Let’s think realistically
John Mearsheimer’s lecture on international politics.
International relations sound intangible to many of us: Why do wars start? Why do we trade with certain countries? Are there real allies, or is every country actually against every country? John Mearsheimer, one of the most well-known scholars of the realist school
business
Poland wants to be a nuclear energy great power
2022 has pushed European policymakers to rethink their energy supply vision. The future holds the promise of a more sustainable, greener, and more independent European energy sector. One of the most striking examples of the European green transition is Poland, which traditionally relies on coal.
Nuclear power plants provide the
strategy
Muslims are welcome in politics, but political Islam is not
It is hard to constructively talk about heavily politicized topics as they are often not seen as real societal questions anymore. The question of radical Muslims in Europe is a great example of this issue. Therefore, Austria’s Dokumentationsstelle Politischer Islam (DPI) faces many challenges because they monitor political Islam.
business
Did China dress up as Russia for this year's Halloween?
As Europe kicks the Russian Bear out, a less aggressive panda appears in the background. Europe-China relations have existed before, but now it seems Beijing wants what Moscow had to leave here.
Marriage in silk
Europe and China did not find each other because of the decline of Russian commercial
strategy
Turkey's Russian roulette - interview with Nikolett Pénzváltó
Turkey and Russia have a unique position in modern Western politics: the two authoritarian countries are at the edge of Europe with interests that the West cannot or is unwilling to consider. Turkey has always been a bridge between East and West; thus, it is crucial to understand its role.
strategy
You don't play traditional politics when you deal with climate change
Interview with David Moran, the COP26 Regional Ambassador for Europe, Central Asia about climate change in turbulent times.
Tackling global warming can only be done together. If a major country decides not to cooperate, the whole globe is put at risk. The key to these cooperations is climate change conferences,
business
Israel and Europe become friends again
The rough patch in Israel-EU relations might finally end due to the Russo-Ukrainian war and the strengthening relationship between Central and Eastern Europe and Israel.
The 2010s were a decade of growing political estrangement between Europe and Israel. The European Union and Israel signed an Association Agreement in 1995, and
strategy
How do we heat in Central and Eastern Europe?
Utility bills are skyrocketing, and the cold winter is just around the corner. How can people tackle high heating bills in Central and Eastern Europe?
Cold winter has been our bogeyman since the Russo-Ukrainian war broke out, but we have not yet experienced the effect of multiplied heating bills. But
strategy
Ukraine needs three things: weapons, weapons, and weapons
Coverage from The Rīga Conference 2022.
„Putin does not want to negotiate. He has made that clear. The fact that Russians make energy supply more difficult proves that. Putin is committing war crimes against civilians,” – said Aleksey Arestovich, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
strategy
What is Ukraine demanding from Georgia?
Ukraine misses Georgia’s and Moldova’s solidarity and strongly expressed its disappointment in The Rīga Conference 2022. Conference coverage from Hype & Hyper.
Eastern Europe might have received more international press coverage in the past eight months than ever. This is, of course, due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, which has
business
Where to invest during an economic crisis?
These months are more influential than the last 15 years, said one investor, and he is right. The coming decade will transform the way we live and consume. But how to invest in these challenging times?
After three consecutive years of strong equity market returns, 2022 has brought losses and
business
What is the way out of the economic crisis?
In the context of the war and the escalating crisis, we usually talk about the problems of the past and the difficulties and challenges of the future. But what will be the way out of the crisis for Germany, the Achilles’ heel of the EU since the war broke out?
business
Economists' prediction: we will not return to our former lives
The Russo-Ukrainian war has undoubtedly turned Europe upside down. The human and social losses are mostly felt in the two fighting countries, but the whole continent will feel the economic impact of the events for years. What lies ahead of us?
Massive inflation, the collapse of economic growth, and the
strategy
A single European railway network for a connected Europe?
Everything indicates that the development of the railway network is the shared interest of everyone in Europe. Our continent already has an advanced rail transport system, but recent trends call for an even more complex network.
As big cities started to push out cars for a more people-centered urban environment,
business
Why are there increasingly more Americans in Europe?
The US dollar and the euro are at parity for the first time in twenty years. The strengthening of the American currency means that imports from the United States are becoming more expensive, but it also makes Europe more attractive for American remote workers as their salary worth increasingly more
business
One hundred million tonnes of food end up in the trash instead of on the hungry people’s plates
Our present is the energy crisis, skyrocketing utility bills, and insane inflation. We are being told to limit our consumption and use only as much energy and products as we absolutely need. Still, vast amounts of food are wasted yearly, not only at the end-user level but also during the
strategy
The Iron Dome would defend Romania
Romania would buy Israel’s shekel-billion project to build an Iron Dome to protect the country. Is the Romanians’ interest serious or just a rumor?
The question of how countries can develop their air defense systems to defend themselves against possible attacks has been a priority in Eastern Europe for
budapest
Russians flee, airfares skyrocket
Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization on 21 September, meaning 300,000 reservists would be called to fight. As a result, tickets to flights out of Russia were sold out overnight as their prices skyrocketed. What is more, men aged between 18 and 65 could not even buy tickets in
business
One of the largest travel agencies for accommodation reservations in CEE will go to Polish hands
Wirtualna Polska Holding, a company listed on the Polish stock exchange, is to acquire Szallas Group, which has become an international player in recent years and is behind the Hungarian szallas.hu website. The Warsaw-based e-commerce and media giant is expected to pay €82 million to the owners.
The Polish
strategy
Our history is more interesting than Superman or Batman
Politicians and academics discussed the Polish-Hungarian friendship, the two nations’ shared values, narratives, and representation at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland. We were there; here is our coverage!
The Economic Forum, the largest conference in Central and Eastern Europe, was held for the 31st time in the southwestern Polish
business
Is environmental awareness just a marketing ploy?
Industry stakeholders rarely discuss this topic, but we tried to catch them at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland. So, is businesses’ commitment to environmental protection indeed just a marketing ploy? Read our article to find it out!
The Economic Forum, the largest conference in Central and Eastern Europe, was
strategy
The media as soft power and the potential of Central and Eastern Europe
Journalists and politicians from Central and Eastern Europe discussed the state and politicization of the media in the region, the potential of Central Europe, and the battle of narratives at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland. We were there; here is our coverage!
The Economic Forum, the largest conference in
strategy
How do Hungarians define democratic transition? | The transition to democracy in our region – Part VIII.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Work from home or not?
Work from home has been an integral part of our life since the coronavirus pandemic when employees in numerous sectors started to work from home, and many continue to do so. It is no surprise as it is convenient, saves time, and in many cases, does not reduce efficiency but
business
The COVID-19 boom was not undoubtedly positive for e-commerce – interview with Balázs Várkonyi
Everything is becoming more digital these days, especially shopping. What are the challenges in this environment for one of the largest online retailers in the region? Can the extra revenue from the pandemic be fully seen as a blessing? We asked these questions from Balázs Várkonyi, CEO of eMAG, a
business
The transition of two countries in one: Czechoslovakia | The transition to democracy in our region – Part VII.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Rail Baltica: the next step for an interconnected Europe
The project of the century, the biggest shared investment in the Baltics so far, and the most important north-south rail link in Europe. All these headlines refer to one railway infrastructure project that cannot be underestimated. A new chapter in European infrastructure and trade is being built before our eyes:
branding
Digital tourism: The Hungarian Tourism Agency launches a new data-based website
We live in an increasingly digital and data-driven world, and public bodies such as the Hungarian Tourism Agency (HTA) cannot overlook this. These two aspects are combined on HTA’s new website, igyutazunk.hu, creating a webpage that provides experts and the general public with useful information and spectacular visualizations
business
The cost of heatwaves
We have experienced an extreme heatwave in the last few weeks, with temperatures of 36-38 degrees. How vulnerable are we to extreme weather? Are there measurable economic and social impacts of the heatwave? Read our article to find out where we give some tips to avoid heatstroke too.
The other
business
The story of Chinese investments in Central and Eastern Europe
After the post-Soviet Central and Eastern European countries transitioned to democracy, they quickly had to adapt to the rules of the world market. Foreign investment was the driving force behind their development, mostly from neighboring countries. The most significant investor has been Germany and the Nordic countries in the Baltic
business
Poland, who started everything | The transition to democracy in our region – Part VI.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Who is the conductor of the energy industry’s orchestra?
The energy crisis is one of the most pressing issues in Central and Eastern Europe. How will we heat during the winter? Is energy independence possible, and if so, at what cost? Does Europe have to decide between building a turbine or a tank from its steel? These questions were
russia
Europe’s contribution to global deforestation
Trees cover 30% of our planet’s land area. Being in nature is good for our mental health, forests are home to many animals, not to mention that they capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. So, there is no doubt that we would have a much worse quality of life
business
A giant automated e-commerce logistics center will open in Hungary soon
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the global economy, but not e-commerce in Hungary: 70 million orders generated a turnover of HUF 1203 billion in 2021, meaning a growth of over 30% for the sector. The new, automated logistics center of eMAG-Extreme Digital in Dunaharaszti will open in this prosperous environment
business
How rare are female bosses?
„Who run the world? Girls” – goes the famous Beyoncé song. But if we look deep inside ourselves, we might think this statement is unfounded as mostly men hold the top positions in today’s macho corporate-political world. What is the employment rate of women, what percentage of managers are women,
russia
Will the Baltic Sea become a NATO sea?
It is no surprise that the Baltic states became even more worried about their eastern neighbor since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Their fears are absolutely understandable, although the three countries are NATO members. Thus, when Finland and Sweden announced their NATO bids, no wonder Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were
business
Belarus, who failed | The transition to democracy in our region – Part V.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
sustainability
Is a vegan diet automatically healthier?
What is veganism associated with? Sustainability? Or a healthy diet? Whatever our answer is, the community of vegan people is diverse; no stereotype can be applied to all members. Debates where we hear two antithetical opinions can be refreshing as we can look outside our comfortable opinion bubble for a
business
Are the eastern EU Member States catching up or lagging behind?
The European Commission published its 8th report on economic, social, and territorial cohesion. Published every three years, the report reveals how disparities between European countries have changed between the millennium and the pandemic and shows in which areas did the different regions catch up or lag behind. Analysis from Hype&
art
If we behaved as we do at festivals, we would live in a more peaceful world
Hospitality has been one of the hardest-hit sectors by the pandemic. Many pubs have gone bankrupt, waiters lost their jobs, and festivals have been canceled. But, this summer, the festival season is back in full swing.
Hungary is famous for its festivals, at least in the CEE region, and today’
business
Do we still pay with cash abroad?
Hungarians predominantly pay by card when traveling abroad. Where do we travel, how long do we stay, and how much do we pay? We looked into these questions.
Visa’s study on travel and payment habits in 2022 shows that digitalization has permeated the tourism industry. 62% of Hungarians prefer
russia
Struggling Ukraine | The transition to democracy in our region – Part IV.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Circuses without bread | Ukraine faces grain export difficulties
The Russo-Ukrainian war has entered its fourth month, but nobody can tell when and how the invasion will stop. Nevertheless, one thing is sure; the conflict has severe global political and economic effects. Today we will focus on food supply. Ukraine is a significant grain exporter, but many regional trade
business
Lithuania's escape from the clutches of Russian gas
Two countries can commercially attract each other just like two celestial bodies do because of the law of gravity. The larger the economies and the closer the geographical proximity, the more likely they will become trading partners. Thus, it is no surprise that Russia has been one of the most
budapest
Are we in a new Cold War? | Neighbourhood Dialogues x V4
The driving force of modern history is arguably the international relations between the great powers. It has never been as noticeable as in the bipolar world of the Cold War era. But who are the great powers in 2022, how do they relate to each other, and what is their
community
Lithuania: borrowing population is impossible | The transition to democracy in our region – Part III.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Eighteen years passed since the Eastern Enlargement of the EU
The biggest ever EU enlargement had entered adulthood. Ten countries joined the EU in 2004, almost doubling the number of Member States. Love it or loathe it, the European Union is undoubtedly a major global political and economic player. And a discussion is inevitable on it.
On 1 May 2004,
business
Eating our future: the economic impact of obesity
I kill 1.2 million people every year, making me the fourth leading cause of death in Europe by contributing to 13% of all deaths. Who am I? Or actually what am I…? I am the obesity epidemic, and I have a huge negative impact on Europe both from a
business
Latvia, who quickly settled in – The transition to democracy in our region - Part II.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Are we better off than the Portuguese?
Poland and Hungary have overtaken Portugal in terms of living standards. Poland and Hungary reach 77% and 76% of the EU average GDP based on purchasing power parity, respectively. This means the 19th and 20th place in the European Union. But what do these figures mean to us, and why
business
Estonia: the powerhouse of innovation | The transition to democracy in our region I.
More than thirty years have passed since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which left an enormous economic and political void in Central and Eastern Europe. In this series of articles, we explore the responses of the countries of the region to the new circumstances: how they could adapt to
business
Fear or flight? | The impact of war on tourism
European tourism is getting the short end of the stick again. After the Covid-19 pandemic, when it seemed that nothing could stand in travelers’ way, Russia attacked Ukraine. What are the implications of war in this context? Can the current situation lead to a similar backlash as in 2020? Or
tech
Silicon Valley in Wartime | Tech giants' response to the Russian-Ukrainian war
The world’s top high-tech companies are forced to respond to Russian aggression. Their main objective is to curb Russian propaganda, but some measures might go beyond and raise questions about the future of social media. Analysis from Hype&Hyper.
Apple got the ball rolling shortly after the outbreak of
tech
Elon Musk at the forefront of help | Tech giants' intervention in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict
With the war between Russia and Ukraine, many were worried that the Russian invasion might include cutting off Ukraine’s internet access, either through cyber-attacks or by destroying infrastructure. Although there hasn’t been an internet blackout yet, apart from some temporary outages and attacks on government websites, Ukraine’s
