Category: General Interest

For many WhatsApp users, receiving voice messages causes eye-rolling. For many, it’s an annoying affair listening to the rambling until they finally get to the point. A few written words would have done the trick. It is often more practical to speak on the cell phone than to laboriously search for the right letters on the keyboard. However, for the recipient of a voice message, this is usually anything but practical. More order in voice messagesBe that as it may. Voice messages are very popular, so WhatsApp regularly expands its…

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Thousands of carol singers will again be out and about shortly after Christmas. According to the Epiphany Campaign (DKA), the donations collected this year will particularly benefit child protection and the education of young people in Nepal, the focus country. DKA’s partner organizations, Yuwalaya and Opportunity Village Nepal (OVN), are fighting poverty, exploitation, and human trafficking with local projects. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Almost half of the population lives in poverty. “A lack of jobs and low wages keep many people trapped in a…

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A completely new type of disease has been spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since October. The previously unknown epidemic “Disease X” with flu-like symptoms is said to have already killed 143 people. Now, a case from Italy has come to light: A man who returned from Africa with symptoms of “disease X” has been admitted to a hospital in Tuscany in recent days. According to Italian media reports, the Italian was treated at the hospital in Lucca from November 22 to December 3. The hospital informed the…

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Buying a Christmas tree is an integral part of the pre-Christmas season for many families. But when is the right time to get the tree? According to the “Natural Christmas Tree” association, more and more people are buying their tree before the third Advent. When is it too early to buy a Christmas tree? Buying a Christmas tree: the right timeOf course, the later the tree is cut, the longer it will stay fresh. A fresh tree can be recognized by the white cut; a grey cut indicates an older…

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If you’re feeling tired, you probably reach for a cup of coffee here and there. But does this drink help against drowsiness? The Christmas season is around the corner, and surely, many people set off on vacation by car. But they all know that moment behind the wheel when you almost nod off. Then it’s best to pull over and rest. But quite a few people prefer a different remedy: To wake themselves up again, they drink coffee (which you should never drink on an empty stomach). Whether this helps…

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Yesterday, asteroid 2024 XA narrowly missed Earth. It was also spotted over Austria, and images were taken over the Gesäuse in Styria. Yesterday’s asteroid flyby was the second closest since 1900. Only the 2020 VT4 came closer than the 2024 XA, at 368 kilometers.For near-Earth asteroids, the distance given in lunar distances (LD)—1 LD is about 385,001 kilometers. 2024 XA flew past Earth on Sunday at a distance of 0.02 LD. The asteroid, sighted yesterday over the Gesäuse, has an approximate diameter of 1.3 to 2.8 meters. Boulders of this…

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Advent, derived from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “arrival,” is a Christian tradition that marks the four weeks leading up to Christmas. Its origins trace back to the 4th and 5th centuries, when the Church instituted a period of preparation and penance in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Initially, Advent was observed similarly to Lent, with fasting and prayer, reflecting on the first coming of Christ at Christmas and the second coming at the end of time. Traditionally, Advent is characterized by various customs that encourage…

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Cooked rice is a staple food in many households. But many people don’t know this: Reheated rice can harm health! This is because of the bacteria Bacillus cereus, often found in cooked rice. These bacteria are hazardous as they form spores that are not killed even when heated. This can lead to the formation of other bacteria that produce toxins, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.Bacteria in rice: how problems ariseBacillus cereus is a bacterium that can multiply particularly well in cooked rice if not…

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The German Federal Environment Agency strongly advises against using hot tap water for consumption or food preparation, citing possible health risks and loss of quality. Risks in the hot water systemDue to circulation, hot tap water often remains in the pipes for longer. While this movement is necessary to prevent the formation of legionella bacteria, it also means that substances such as heavy metals can be released from the pipe materials—a problem that is particularly common in older or poor-quality installations. Hot water standing in dead pipe sections can also…

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