Category: Feature Stories

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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The toilet is flushed thousands of times on an average medium-haul flight. This justifiably raises the question: What happens to all the wastewater? The way an airplane works raises many mysteries, starting with the toilets and especially what happens to the waste water. No, it doesn’t go straight up in the airIn the past, a blue liquid was used for wastewater disposal to carry toilet waste straight off the plane. The problem with this? Large lumps of blue ice would often form and frozen excrement would cling to the aircraft.…

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PayPal is one of the most popular payment services worldwide. So it’s no wonder millions of people in Germany also use the service. But a serious problem that can cost you hundreds of euros is spreading again, and the chances of protecting yourself are slim. Fraudsters are exploiting PayPal guest accountsConsumer protection experts warn: A function in PayPal’s offering known to be vulnerable for years is currently being increasingly exploited again. The option of processing payments via PayPal without having a PayPal account runs under the name “guest account” at…

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The spicy bulb enhances every dish and is also good for our health. However, mistakes often creep in during preparation, which can severely impair the quality and flavour of the vegetable. With these tips, you can prevent it from becoming bitter and losing none of its flavor. Incorrect storageGarlic actually keeps for a very long time, up to 12 months. However, the bulb quickly becomes overripe. It is best to store it in a clay pot with a lid or wrapped in a paper bag in a dark, cool place.…

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