More plastic in oceans than previously thought

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The amount of plastic in the oceans may have been significantly underestimated to date. When measuring plastic particles in the nanometer range, a research team discovered that their mass is probably greater than that of visible plastics and microplastics combined. The measurement data comes from twelve locations in the North Atlantic, from coastal marine areas to the deep sea, and from temperate climates to the subtropics. The study by the research team led by Dušan Materić from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig has now been published…

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Should you eat spicy food in hot weather? Fact-checking summer myths

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The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) has fact-checked various summer myths. Isotonic drinks in extreme heat? “For everyday life and normal physical activity, even in sweaty summer temperatures, the tried-and-tested classics of water, mineral water, and unsweetened tea are sufficient,” explains VKI nutritionist Teresa Bauer. During intense physical activity lasting longer than an hour (e.g., long hikes or extended bike rides), the body loses not only fluid but also essential minerals through increased sweating. “Isotonic drinks can help to compensate for this loss quickly,” says Teresa Bauer. “However, expensive sports…

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Austria ranks 13th among the world’s most visited countries

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After five years, global tourism has returned to the level it was at before the coronavirus pandemic. Around 1.47 billion international arrivals were recorded last year. This is according to data from the World Tourism Organization, UN Tourism, which regularly publishes statistics on global travel behavior. Austria recorded 32.2 million arrivals last year and ranks 13th. France ranks first with 102 million tourist arrivals. A ranking provides insight into which countries are trending or still popular and also which are less in demand than before. The latest list is based…

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Eurostat: EU population reaches record high of 450 million due to migration

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Immigration to the European Union pushed the Union’s population to a record high of 450.4 million people last year, according to Eurostat data released on Friday. Since 2012, the EU has recorded more deaths than births each year, meaning that migration is the only driver of population growth. “The observed population growth can largely be attributed to increased migration movements after COVID-19,” according to Eurostat. In 2024, the EU gained 1.07 million new residents, with a positive net migration of 2.3 million people offsetting a natural population decline of 1.3…

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How much tip should you give abroad?

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An attentive waiter in a restaurant, a friendly taxi driver—in Austria, it is customary to tip around 10 percent of the bill for good service. A political debate has erupted over tipping. But what is the situation like abroad? “In many countries, tips of five to ten percent are also common,” explains Yvette Polasek, travel expert at ÖAMTC. But there are also countries where different customs apply. It’s important to know this to avoid putting your foot in your mouth. Italy and Croatia In Austrians’ favorite vacation destinations, a tip…

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New telephone scam—Police: “Hang up immediately!”

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The police are warning that there has been an increase in calls in Upper Austria in which the perpetrators introduce themselves as security staff from the victim’s bank. In this brazen scam, the victim is told that “suspicious money transfers” have been detected on their account and must be stopped immediately to prevent any damage. “Be careful, these bank employees do not exist—they are fraudsters!” warn the police. Tips from the police End these conversations immediately. Never allow remote access to your PC. Never install programs based on caller instructions.…

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Tonight it will be at its largest—the “Hay Moon” is coming

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The first full moon of the astronomical summer is known as the Hay Moon in our region. Its origins go back a long way. It’s worth taking a look at the night sky today. At 9:17 p.m., the so-called Hay Moon or Buck Moon will rise over Vienna. It will be fully illuminated by the sun at 10:36 p.m. The July full moon is one of the lowest of the year; only the Strawberry Moon on June 11 was lower above the horizon. The reason is that after the summer…

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Partial retirement in Austria approved

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Partial retirement approved: The government plans to extend working hours—new regulations are set to take effect in 2026, including restrictions on partial pension. Before the 75-day parliamentary recess, the government is rushing a marathon of legislation through the National Council. In addition to the controversial surveillance of messengers, this also includes a minor pension reform. The latter was decided on Thursday afternoon. The aim is to keep Austrians in the workforce for even longer. The key point is the introduction of partial pensions, which are to be paid in parallel…

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More and more warnings: How dangerous is the Asian hornet really?

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The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is spreading at an alarming rate in Europe, as several local institutions have recently reported. The insect was first sighted in France in 2015, and its spread is increasingly threatening biodiversity and agriculture in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary. In Austria, the first case was documented on April 9, 2024, in the city of Salzburg. The threat posed by the Asian hornet to native honeybees is particularly worrying. The invasive species specifically hunts honey bees—and does so in a ruthless manner, lurking in…

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