Category: Feature Stories

The current year is heading for a new temperature record: 2024 will almost certainly be the warmest year globally since records began. It is also likely to be the first year in which the average temperature is more than 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than the pre-industrial average, as reported by the EU climate change service Copernicus. Copernicus relies on a data set based on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, airplanes and weather stations worldwide. The US climate agency NOAA recently also believed 2024 would likely be a record year.…

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Pope Francis elevates 21 men, including his deputy in charge of the diocese of Rome and the archbishops of Turin, Belgrade, Lima, Tokyo, Abidjan, and Tehran, to the cardinalate in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday. Except for the retired Vatican diplomat Angelo Acerbi (99), all new cardinals are under 80 and would be potential papal electors. After the consistory, the College of Cardinals will have 253 members. Of these, 140 are under 80 and could participate in a conclave. The Indian Cardinal Oswald Gracias is already celebrating his 80th birthday…

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Paracetamol can be found in almost every household and is often taken for pain or fever. The over-the-counter drug is considered to be well tolerated and is often taken as a first choice for minor ailments. However, according to the STADA Health Report of 2023, many people are not sufficiently informed about the risks of the medication. In particular, the fact that paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory effect and is only safe in the recommended dose is often overlooked. The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has now…

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The Feast of St. Nicholas, celebrated on 6 December, honors the life and legacy of St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop renowned for his generosity, humility, and deep care for the less fortunate. This day is special in Christian tradition, particularly in Europe, and is marked by unique customs and heartwarming rituals emphasizing kindness and giving. St. Nicholas is widely recognized as the inspiration behind the modern figure of Santa Claus. However, his story goes far beyond the commercialized image of gift-giving. Known as a protector of children and…

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On Tuesday, the Eco-Social Forum hosted a panel discussion in Vienna on consumer protection on the Internet concerning purchasing cheap products, especially outside the EU. In addition to the health risks posed by medicines or food supplements with banned ingredients, the need for better market surveillance of online trade was also addressed. Ultimately, there is also a need to “raise awareness of the health risks.” The Director of the Federal Office of Consumer Health (BAVG) and AGES Managing Director Anton Reinl said that “online purchases are increasing massively. In 2023,…

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Cough, fever or aching limbs—it is often unclear whether it is a harmless cold, the flu or corona. There are various causes behind the symptoms. But how can they be clearly distinguished, and what measures should be taken? The cold season not only brings snow and cozy evenings but often also colds, coughs and exhaustion. Colds are common this time of year, but the cause is not always harmless. The flu and coronavirus are also active winter companions. Although the symptoms are often similar, they are caused by different pathogens.…

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Phishing is one of the biggest threats on the internet. Fake emails, websites, WhatsApp messages, or phone calls are designed to defraud and steal from you. What phishing methods are there?The term phishing is derived from “password harvesting fishing.” This primarily refers to “fishing for passwords.” Criminals use a suitable lure to get you to hand over your login details for online banking and other portals. Email phishing: In this case, well-known websites are often made to look deceptively real, and victims are tricked into entering their login details on…

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Scams involving invoices and requests for money, alleged lottery winnings or prizes, “risk-free” investments, spying on data or the daughter-son or police trick—the range of criminals has grown in recent years. “With the Christmas season and the growing number of orders being placed, there is now an increase in order fraud cases in particular,” warns Werner Pucher from the Carinthia Provincial Police Directorate. Fraudsters are taking advantage of the hectic buying behaviour when looking for gifts. Pucher points out that order fraud has many facets and can also affect sellers:Non-delivery…

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Around 320,000 types of viruses and 5,000 types of bacteria worldwide pose a health risk to humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a list of the world’s most dangerous pathogens for the first time. This includes 17 viruses and bacteria that urgently need to be combated due to their risks, resistance, and potential consequences for health and society. The key criteria for the selection included high death rates, the severity of consequential damage, antibiotic resistance, and economic impact. Many pathogens lead to serious health problems, while some claim…

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