Category: Feature Stories

Early‑bird discounts, expanded summer flight schedules, and an undiminished appetite for travel: 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year for tourism. Austria’s automobile club ÖAMTC expects high demand and has outlined the most important changes holidaymakers should be aware of in the coming year. According to ÖAMTC travel expert Yvette Polasek, many of the new regulations will require additional planning. One major simplification, however, will be Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro. The Southeast European country will introduce the common currency on 1 January 2026. For the first month,…

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Higher vignette prices, new environmental zones, and additional entrance fees—vacations in 2026 will require more planning. Here is a summary of the most important information for you. 2026 is also expected to be a strong year for travel – the ÖAMTC has summarized the most important changes for vacationers. The changes mainly affect road traffic in popular vacation destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Croatia. “Many of the changes mean additional organizational effort for travelers, but the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria will make paying much easier,” explains ÖAMTC…

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Language is never still. Not only do new words emerge and old ones fade, but the meanings of familiar terms can shift dramatically within just a few decades. A new analysis of speeches from the U.S. Congress shows just how quickly—and how broadly—these changes take hold. It’s not only younger generations who adopt new meanings; older speakers adapt as well. Linguists have long known that language evolves on multiple levels: form, sound, and meaning. Words appear, disappear, or subtly transform until they refer to something entirely different from what they…

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A new wave of cybersecurity reports is once again shining a harsh light on one of the internet’s oldest and most persistent problems: weak passwords. Despite years of warnings, millions of people around the world continue to rely on simple, easily guessable combinations — leaving their personal data dangerously exposed. Recent analyses of leaked password databases reveal that the same predictable patterns dominate year after year. According to data compiled from global breaches, passwords like “123456,” “admin,” “12345678,” and the ever‑present “password” remain among the most frequently used worldwide. NordPass,…

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Many households ask themselves whether dishwasher tabs or classic powder deliver better results. Is one option truly superior — and if so, why? The overview below breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of both products so you can decide what fits your routine and priorities. Tabs in the dishwasher: advantages and disadvantages Dishwasher tabs are the most common choice — and for good reason. They offer several conveniences: But tabs also come with drawbacks: Powder in the dishwasher: advantages and disadvantages Powder offers a different set of benefits — especially…

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The Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday—stands as a gentle interruption in the quiet, penitential waiting of the season. Its very name, Gaudete, meaning “Rejoice,” invites the Church to lift its eyes toward the nearness of Christ. The rose candle, the softened vestments, and the joyful tone of the liturgy all proclaim a simple but profound truth: God’s promise is close. Joy is not a distant dream but a grace already breaking into our lives. From a Catholic perspective, this Sunday reminds us that Christian joy is not mere emotion. It…

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A European Union country has reported the first confirmed case of a mutated H3N2 influenza strain, informally referred to by the media as the “super flu.” Health experts across the continent are expressing growing concern. Mutated H3N2 Raises Alarm According to Romania’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP), the altered virus strain was recently detected in the country. Authorities warn that it may lead to more severe illness, particularly among vulnerable populations. The INSP highlights increased risks for older adults, pregnant individuals, people with chronic health conditions, and those with…

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On a chilly December afternoon in Vienna, a group of teenagers spill out of a tram at Schwedenplatz. Their jackets are oversized, their headphones even larger, and their slang — as always — is a universe of its own. One boy bumps into another, laughs, and shouts, “Bro, that was so six seven!” His friends nod knowingly. A nearby adult raises an eyebrow. Six what? Seven who? Welcome to the latest linguistic mystery sweeping through youth culture: “Six Seven.” A phrase that seems to mean everything, nothing, and whatever the…

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Rhinoviruses cause the typical flu-like infection, usually harmless, insidious, and significantly milder than the real flu. Typical symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, sneezing, and in some cases a slight fever, fatigue, or headache and aching limbs. The cold usually subsides after one to two weeks, but the cough may linger longer. SARS-CoV-2 – a wide range of symptoms COVID-19 manifests itself in many different ways: from headaches, sore throats, fatigue, coughing, and fever to gastrointestinal problems and night sweats. Skin rashes or irritation in the mouth are…

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