Category: Feature Stories

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a “peace treaty with nature” at the COP15 international biodiversity conference. “It is time for an ambitious biodiversity framework – a true peace treaty with nature,” the UN chief told reporters in Montreal, Canada, on Wednesday (local time). He said this is the only way to ensure a “green, healthy future for all.”Guterres made his comments on the first day of the UN Biodiversity Conference. Delegates from nearly 200 countries are expected to reach a historic agreement within two weeks to prevent the…

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The top 10 search terms of the year in Austria were “Ukraine,” “Corona vaccination near me,” “World Cup,” “Olympics,” Dominic Thiem,” “federal presidential election,” “monkeypox,” “Vladimir Putin,” “Russia” and “climate change.” Second on the podium behind tennis star Thiem among the much sought-after domestic celebrities, was Olympic snowboarding champion, Anna Gasser. One trend was queried on climate, environment, and energy, the most frequent searches here being for “climate change,” “climate bonus,” “fuel price calculator,” “Wien Energie,” and “EVN.” “Energy cost compensation” and “electricity price brake” managed ninth and tenth place.…

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Although the coronavirus does not affect nerve cells, a Covid-19 disease can impair brain functions. Researchers at the University and University Hospital Basel have now identified an “exaggerated immune response” as the cause. General long-term neuronal damages of a Covid-19 infection are the loss of the senses of smell and taste or even more severe consequences such as persistent concentration deficits up to strokes, the University of Basel announced on Monday. Researchers led by Gregor Hutter of the Department of Biomedicine have published new findings on these “neuro-covid” phenomena in…

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The situation in outpatient clinics and pediatric practices, and hospitals is alarming. The pediatric clinic in Graz only accepts emergency cases. Inpatients already have to use gangway beds. Even 29 children requiring oxygen in Graz have been transferred to regular wards. Almost 500 children in the outpatient department on the weekend were admitted. Three viruses are rolling through Austria at once: RSV, influenza, and Corona. Covid is at the same activity level, with about 5,000 new cases daily. Now RS viruses and influenza dominate. The two waves are hitting Covid…

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“Nuts and Christmas” – this traditional duo of pleasure and nostalgia is an integral part of the gift table. Walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts are indispensable to the cold, cozy winter season. Why is that so? The origin nuts and Christmas were found together not for nutritional reasons but received their deep meaning as decoration for the fir tree, which moved many years ago as a unique Christmas custom in the warm rooms. Originally it was decorated with red apples and nuts. The apples symbolize God’s love and the expulsion from…

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The distribution of gifts on the eve of St. Nicholas Day is based on the many legends about the saint who saved the city of Myra from famine and three young women from forced prostitution with the secret gift of golden balls. St. Nicholas saved young women from forced prostitution with the secret gift of golden balls. December 6 is the commemoration day of St. Nicholas of Myra. The distribution of gifts on the eve of St. Nicholas Day is based on the many legends about the saint who saved…

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Due to the Corona pandemic, life expectancy in the EU region fell by more than a year in 2021 compared to pre-crisis levels. This is the highest decline for most countries since World War II, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) announced in Paris on Monday. According to the report, life expectancy in 2021 was just over 80 years. The pandemic has strained health systems everywhere, it said. As a result of the Corona pandemic, life expectancy in the EU region fell by more than a year in…

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Many theories arose to explain the sudden appearance of omicron – now, this mystery has been solved.Omicron was officially detected in November 2021, but according to a new study, the corona variant existed much earlier – it was just overlooked. Omicron spread gradually in AfricaThe original coronavirus was followed by alpha, beta, gamma, and delta as variants with high transmissibility. Every few months, a new variant emerged, some dominating soon after. Until Omicron appeared at the end of 2021 – and remained. According to a study published in the journal…

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Especially in the pre-Christmas period, parcels are often ordered via Amazon. Criminals use this time to steal users’ data* and, in the worst case, credit card data through a false SMS. Watchlist Internet, a project of the Austrian Internet Ombudsman’s Office, warns against such methods. The criminals would send an SMS saying that the Amazon account will be temporarily blocked if the account information is not updated. Underneath, there is a link where the data can supposedly be entered. However, the link does not lead to an Amazon page but…

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