When the Phone Becomes a Trap: How Scammers Target Austria’s Households

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Austria is facing a sharp rise in sophisticated telephone scams, many of them using spoofed numbers that appear local, official, or even police‑related. These scams are evolving quickly, targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting trust in familiar institutions. The New Face of Phone Fraud in Austria Telephone scams are not new, but the current wave sweeping Austria is more polished, more convincing, and more technologically advanced than anything seen before. Authorities and consumer‑protection agencies warn that the surge in spoofed caller IDs, fake police calls, and ghost calls is creating a…

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Turning the Heating Off Once a Day: What Really Happens

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As temperatures drop across the country, many households are switching their heating back on for the first time this season. With rising energy costs and high utility bills from 2024 now reaching tenants in 2026, it’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to save money. One common idea sounds simple enough: turn the heating off at night. But experts warn that this strategy may backfire. Should You Switch Off the Heating at Night? The belief that shutting off the heating overnight saves money is widespread. After all, most…

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That Tiny Hole Next to Your Smartphone Camera Has a Real Purpose — And It’s More Important Than You Think

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Smartphone owners notice it sooner or later: a tiny, perfectly round hole sitting right beside the camera lens. It’s so small and so discreet that many people never question it. Those who do often come up with creative theories — from a hidden reset button to a secret sensor or even a secondary camera. But the truth behind this mysterious opening is far simpler and far more practical. A Small Detail With a Big Job The hole isn’t a design flourish or a leftover from manufacturing. It’s placed there intentionally,…

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Deadly Nipah Virus Triggers New Health Alarm in India as Fatality Rate Reaches 75%

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January 28, 2026 — West Bengal, IndiaIndia is facing renewed public health concern following the detection of new Nipah virus cases in the eastern state of West Bengal. The virus, known for its extremely high fatality rate of up to 75%, has prompted both national authorities and neighboring Asian countries to strengthen surveillance and emergency preparedness measures. A Dangerous Virus Re-Emerges Indian health officials confirmed five Nipah virus infections connected to a private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata, with nearly 100 individuals placed under quarantine. Several infected patients are healthcare…

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Three Devices That Waste Power in Standby Mode

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Energy specialists are sounding the alarm about a hidden drain on household electricity bills: devices that continue to draw power even when they appear to be switched off. This so‑called standby consumption may seem insignificant day to day, but over the course of a year it can noticeably increase energy costs. Desktop Computers in the Home Office As remote work becomes more common, many households now keep desktop computers permanently set up. When these machines are left in standby rather than fully shut down, they can generate an estimated additional…

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Reduced VAT on Food Items in Austria Now Finalized

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Austria’s Council of Ministers is expected to finalize today the list of food products that will soon benefit from a reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate. According to information reported by APA, only minor adjustments have been made to the product selection originally drafted by Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler and Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, both of whom represent the SPÖ. Under the updated plan, a wide range of staple foods will see their VAT rate drop from the current ten percent to 4.9 percent. The reduced rate will apply to bread,…

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Why Housework Might Be Healthier Than You Think

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Physical activity is often associated with gym workouts, running sessions, or structured fitness programs. Yet new scientific findings suggest that everyday movements—many of them far less intense—may play a surprisingly important role in supporting long‑term health. A Closer Look at the Study The analysis draws on a large-scale longitudinal study involving nearly 70,000 adults aged 43 to 78. Researchers set out to understand how light daily activity influences the risk of disease and overall mortality. This included simple, routine actions such as doing housework, standing, or walking at a slow…

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Long‑Awaited Sunshine Expected in Vienna — but Only Briefly

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After weeks of grey skies, Vienna can finally look forward to several hours of sunshine on Tuesday, 27 January. Forecasts suggest that bright, clear conditions will dominate across the entire city, offering a welcome break from the persistent winter gloom. Meteorologists expect the sun to show its best side throughout the morning and early afternoon. However, the improvement won’t last: as the day progresses, dense high fog is forecast to move in gradually from the southeast, dimming the sunshine later on. Winds will remain weak to moderate, shifting from west…

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Vienna Launches Test Phase for New “Scan-Cars” to Boost Parking Enforcement

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Vienna is turning to high‑tech tools in its ongoing effort to curb parking violations. Four newly developed “scan‑cars” will soon support the city’s parking enforcement teams, marking the start of a pilot phase that was officially announced on Monday. Full deployment is planned for December 2026. The vehicles—electric cars equipped with roof‑mounted sensors—use cameras to scan the license plates of parked cars. The system checks in real time whether a digital parking ticket or a valid residential permit is registered for each plate. If everything is in order, the onboard…

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