Category: General Interest

BRUSSELS, Oct. 21 – Consumers ordering goods directly from online retailers outside the European Union could face a new cost factor ahead of this year’s Singles Day and Black Friday sales events. A new processing fee of €2 per customs item is expected to take effect from November 1, adding to the existing €3 customs charge introduced on July 1. The measure applies only to goods shipped directly from non-EU retailers to customers within the EU. Orders fulfilled from warehouses located inside the EU, or purchases from EU-based merchants, will…

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BRUSSELS, Oct. 18 — New European Union cash payment rules aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing will take effect in 2027, introducing restrictions on large cash transactions involving businesses while leaving private sales largely unaffected. Under the new regulations, commercial retailers and service providers will generally be prohibited from accepting cash payments of €10,000 or more from July 10, 2027. However, the limit will not automatically apply to transactions conducted exclusively between private individuals. This means that a person selling a used car to another private individual, for…

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Health experts have long promoted the familiar “five-a-day” rule, encouraging people to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. While the guideline is easy to remember, nutrition experts say the balance between fruit and vegetables is just as important as the total amount consumed. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating more than 400 grams of fruit and vegetables each day to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Meanwhile, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) also supports a five-portion target but places greater emphasis on vegetables…

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For decades, eggs have carried a mixed reputation. Praised as a nutritional powerhouse by some and blamed for high cholesterol by others, they remain one of the most debated foods on the breakfast table. New research and current dietary guidance, however, suggest that many long-standing fears about eggs may be overstated. Whether served soft-boiled at breakfast, fried for lunch, or baked into cakes and pastries, eggs are a staple in countless diets. Yet one question continues to surface: how many eggs can a person eat without compromising their health? A…

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BRUSSELS, July 4 – Air travellers in the European Union could soon be allowed to bring two pieces of hand luggage on board free of charge under proposed new passenger rights reforms agreed by EU lawmakers and member states. The preliminary agreement, reached in June, forms part of a broader overhaul of EU air passenger rights aimed at strengthening protections for travellers. One of the most notable changes would require airlines to allow passengers travelling on a standard ticket to carry two items of cabin baggage without paying additional fees.…

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PARIS, France, Sept. 26 – Pope Leo XIV began a four-day state visit to France on Friday, receiving a ceremonial welcome from President Emmanuel Macron at Paris-Orly Airport before calling for stronger protection of human life, nuclear disarmament and ethical safeguards in the age of artificial intelligence. Church bells rang across France as the pontiff arrived for his first visit to the country since his election last year. Thousands gathered along the streets to catch a glimpse of the pope, while authorities deployed around 14,000 security personnel for the high-profile…

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At first glance, the small notch found on the underside of some mugs looks like a manufacturing defect. But what many people mistake for a flaw is actually a clever design feature with a surprisingly practical purpose. A Small Detail With a Useful Function Many mugs are loaded upside down into a dishwasher to ensure that their interiors are thoroughly cleaned. During the wash cycle, however, water can collect on the base of the inverted mug. If the liquid remains trapped there, the mug may still emerge from the dishwasher…

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A seemingly harmless request for a vote is currently spreading via WhatsApp, but cybersecurity experts warn that it may actually be part of a phishing scheme designed to hijack users’ accounts. Messages beginning with phrases such as, “Hello, could you please vote for XX?” are drawing attention among WhatsApp users. While the request may appear innocent, it can mark the start of a sophisticated scam. The fraud tactic, sometimes referred to as “Ghost Pairing,” has been circulating for some time. Scammers typically claim that the vote is important for a…

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Travellers who have booked accommodation through Booking.com are being urged to exercise extra caution when receiving emails related to their reservations, as consumer advocates warn of a sophisticated scam targeting customers. Austria’s Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, AK) has issued a warning about fraudulent messages that appear to come from legitimate accommodation providers listed on Booking.com. The emails are designed to trick travellers into revealing sensitive information or making payments to criminals. According to the AK, the scam messages may contain accurate personal details and travel information, making them appear authentic.…

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