Category: Feature Stories

Plants like to align themselves with the sun – more light means more photosynthesis. When sunflowers grow up, they do the same. During the day, they move with the sun. So in the morning, they face east, where the sun rises. Throughout the day, they follow it across the south to the west in the evening. There the sun sets, the sunflower turns back to the east during the night, and the game starts the next day again. With “adult” sunflowers, i.e., when they have fully blossomed, things are different:…

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The five-day debates with around 7000 participants at the second United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon were in vain, according to the unanimous opinion of environmentalists. It was a “wasted opportunity,” criticized organizations such as WWF, BUND (Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland), and the aid organizations Misereor and Brot für die Welt at the end of the conference on Friday. Marine expert Till Seidensticker of Greenpeace Germany also expressed disappointment. He warned, “We are running out of time.” The conference was attended by some 30 heads of state and…

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The most significant wave of price increases since the 1970s is causing household problems. Especially when it comes to daily shopping, many have to turn over every euro twice. No wonder who buys food today pays around 9% more than one year ago. Especially oils and fats and meat have become more expensive, as has bread (see chart).So some increases can hardly be avoided, but it can be worthwhile, for example, to do without meat (in total +11.3%) at times. When it comes to fruit, there are sometimes significant differences:…

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With the action “climate month,” one receives a free month to purchase an Austria-wide climate ticket. When buying an Austria-wide climate ticket, you can use public transportation throughout Austria for thirteen months instead of twelve, starting at the beginning of the month. The “Climate Month” promotion is valid until December 2022. For customers who extend after one year, the action is valid until June 2023. According to Environment and Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), it is a “quick and uncomplicated protection against inflation.” The free month with the “climate month”…

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New inflation record in Austria: not since September 1975 has the inflation rate been as high as it is now. Statistics Austria announced this. Inflation in Austria accelerated further in June. According to Statistics Austria’s flash estimate, the inflation rate is expected to be 8.7 percent. The price level is expected to rise by 1.4 percent compared to the previous month. In May, prices were 7.7 percent higher than a year ago. This means that the inflation rate has reached its highest since September 1975. “In the meantime, inflation has…

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The flu vaccination will be offered at a significantly lower cost for everyone 18 and older throughout Austria starting in the fall of 2023: For the first time, the federal government, the provinces, and social insurance have agreed on a regular public vaccination program for adults; only the prescription fee will then have to be paid. The program is initially limited to two years and will then be evaluated. The common goal is to extend it to other vaccinations as well. Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) spoke of a historic…

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The GECKO advisory committee expects up to 70,000 new infections per day at the peak of the summer pandemic wave. The extent to which new infections will increase will depend on the measures imposed and individual behavior. In any case, the panel, headed in the medical section by Chief Medical Officer Katharina Reich, recommends facilitating the availability of drugs against the coronavirus. Many uncertainties remain about the timing of the peak of the current wave. Two effects should ensure that there is initially a slowing effect on the spread of…

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On July 1, 2022, EU roaming will be extended by ten years. Data speeds may then no longer be restricted. Free-roaming in the EU will be even better as of July 1Sending a photo from the beach in Italy or calling your parents from a city trip to Paris will incur no additional costs. The new EU roaming regulation will only come into force on Friday at the start of the vacation season. EU citizens can make calls, surf the Internet or send text messages on their cell phones at…

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Relief measures such as the reduction of energy levies provided a brief easing in household prices for electricity and gas in May. However, this effect was offset by the rise in prices of other energy sources, the Austrian Energy Agency admitted. In a year-on-year comparison, energy prices nevertheless rose by 38 percent overall in May. The experts expect further price increases. “Anyone who wants to sign a new contract must currently expect enormous price increases for new customer tariffs,” the Austrian Energy Agency said in a statement provided to APA.…

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