Category: Feature Stories

Corona vaccines have saved millions of lives – but have not significantly reduced the spread of the virus, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Because of that, an appeal from the organization came Friday to researchers. The organization called on them to develop new vaccines that reduce contagions. Otherwise, the risk remains that virus variants will develop against which the vaccines are less effective. Vaccines that are easier to administer than before, such as nasal sprays, are also needed. The WHO also updated its vaccination targets. It now aims…

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On July 29, 2022, at 3 p.m., church bells throughout Austria will ring for five minutes. The ringing is intended to draw attention – at the hour of Jesus’ death – to the fact that people die of hunger every day. As in previous years, the Austrian Bishops’ Conference is supporting this cause for the fifth time: “In as many parishes as possible,” the church bells should ring for five minutes on the last Friday in July, according to the bishops’ resolution at their recent summer plenary session. Under the…

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Almost eight percent of infections are among people infected for the second time – and the trend is rising. What does this mean for the individual risk? As the numbers clearly show, reinfections are on the rise due to Omicron: nearly 97 percent of multiple infections were reported in 2022. While some have yet to contract Covid-19 even after more than two years of the pandemic, the Omicron surge meant their second or even third Corona illness for others. What people observed anecdotally in themselves or their circle of acquaintances…

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Studies from the US show a very positive effect of Corona vaccination. The risk of Long Covid cases is reduced after vaccination, they say. Amid the summer covid 19 waves in Austria and neighboring countries, studies published in the U.S. show the very positive effect of vaccination: a booster showed sound protective effects against infection in top U.S. basketball players and their teams. So far, according to the studies, the vaccines have prevented about 60 percent of impending pandemic deaths in the United States. The three publications are in the…

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In large parts of the continent, more than 35 degrees were measured on Tuesday. In Germany and Austria, the peak of the heat wave is still to come. In Great Britain, trains are canceled because tracks can’t withstand heat, hospitals set up cold rooms – and yet the climate crisis hardly plays a role in British politics. The UK set a new heat record of 40.2 degrees at midday on Tuesday. The blood-red color hangs over the British media’s weather map like a premonition of the apocalypse. During the Empire,…

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Before going to bed, quickly pull the plugs – or not? Most electronic devices we should disconnect from the power at night for the climate and the wallet. But there are a few exceptions. Here you can find out which devices you should leave plugged in. Many people understand it’s not a good idea to leave electrical appliances plugged in overnight. Why shouldn’t you do that? There are two reasons: It costs energy and money. But did you know that this is precisely the opposite for one or the other…

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Faced with rapidly rising infection rates, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Europe office anticipates a challenging corona situation in autumn and winter. We are clearly in a similar situation to last summer, WHO Europe Regional Director Hans Kluge said Tuesday in Copenhagen. He said the problem is only now driven by the omicron sublines BA.2 and BA.5, which are more transmissible than the previous ones. Corona’s situation worsens due to travelers returning and the start of schoolAs the number of cases rises, one also observes an increase in hospital admissions.…

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Amid the summer Covid 19 wave in Austria and neighboring countries, studies published in the U.S. show the very positive effect of vaccination: the rate of long Covid cases is reduced, and a booster showed good protective effects against infection in top U.S. basketball players and their teams. So far, according to the studies, vaccines have prevented about 60 percent of impending pandemic deaths in the United States. The three publications are in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), one of the most respected medical publications. Elena Azzolini…

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It is a known fact that several Filipinos in Austria have “abandoned their religion” to avoid paying Kirchenbeitrag or church tax. Though these “kababayans” are no longer officially members of the Roman Catholic church, they are still practicing their faith. The primary reason why they leave the church is to evade tax. A priest who doesn’t want to be identified contends that “abandoning one’s religion is a way out for those who don’t want more deductions from their income. Austrian Press wants to answer some crucial questions about the “Kirchenbeitrag.”…

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