Category: General Interest

Many households already use LEDs and energy-saving modes, but there is still potential for savings. Depending on the living situation, a two-person household consumes between 1,900 and 3,500 kilowatt hours per year. With electricity costs averaging 39.6 cents per kilowatt hour, this results in monthly costs of around 63 to 116 euros; with low rates for new customers tending to be at the lower end. According to AG Energiebilanzen, information and communication technology accounts for around 17 percent of consumption, with lighting accounting for around eight percent. Electricity costs: What…

Read More

Despite the flood of wellness advice online, many popular beliefs about nutrition are simply wrong. Experts say it’s time to separate fact from fiction and stop letting outdated myths dictate our diets. The Myth of “Carbs Make You Fat” Carbohydrates have been demonized for decades, but the truth is more nuanced. Complex carbs like whole grains, beans, and vegetables are essential sources of fiber, vitamins, and energy. Weight gain comes from excess calories overall, not carbs alone. “Coconut Oil Is a Superfood” Coconut oil has been marketed as a miracle…

Read More

Vienna, November 29 – As the first candle flickers on Austria’s Advent wreaths, the country enters a season that blends quiet reflection with vibrant folklore and bustling markets. The wreath, a circle of evergreen branches adorned with four candles, has become the centerpiece of Advent in Austrian homes and churches. The Wreath of Anticipation The Advent wreath tradition began in 1839 when German theologian Johann Heinrich Wichern created a wooden ring with candles to help children count down to Christmas. Austria quickly embraced the custom, weaving wreaths from fir branches…

Read More

Black Friday and the following Cyber Monday mark the start of Christmas shopping for many, as Rainer Trefelnik, chairman of the Federal Trade Association, puts it. Austrians will spend around 520 million euros on shopping on these days, according to a survey by the Chamber of Commerce. Last year, the figure was 430 million euros. Trefelnik hopes that at least part of this sum will be spent in domestic retail. In any case, the majority of business (more than 80 percent) will be done online, and the primary motive for…

Read More

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, the season of Advent begins. It is more than a countdown to Christmas—it is a sacred season of preparation, hope, and renewal that calls Christians to reflect deeply on Christ’s coming and His promise to return. Advent is four weeks leading up to Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25. The word Advent means “arrival” or “coming,” and the season invites believers to prepare their hearts for two realities: the celebration of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and the anticipation of His second coming…

Read More

Manila, Philippines — The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has released updated guidelines on the entry of temporary visitors, reaffirming the country’s visa-free access policy for short-term business and tourism travel. Nationals from 157 countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay of up to 30 days, as long as they hold a return or onward ticket and a passport valid for at least six months beyond their planned stay. This policy is part of the government’s effort to keep travel smooth, secure, and welcoming for…

Read More

FSW Debt Counselling is calling for greater financial awareness in light of Black Friday and Cyber Monday discount campaigns. Every year, online shops in particular tempt shoppers with special discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Clever marketing puts pressure on customers and often leads to impulsive purchases. FSW Debt Counselling is therefore urging caution. Advertising psychology tricks, such as claiming that there is only one product left or that a discount is limited in time, create enormous pressure among customers. “At this point, at the latest, customers should think…

Read More

Most flights feel routine. You board, stash your bag, plug in your headphones, and trust the crew to handle the rest. But behind the calm voice of the captain and the tidy cabin, there is a world passengers rarely see. Airline employees know it well, and they tend to keep a few details quiet. Your headphones are not fresh out of the boxThe plastic wrapping misleads almost everyone. Those headsets were used by passengers on earlier flights. They are cleaned, checked, and sealed again. You might be flying with coffins…

Read More

Moments of happiness as a couple can have a measurable positive effect on health: when older couples experience positive feelings together, their levels of the stress hormone cortisol decrease. This was reported by a team of researchers led by psychologist Tomiko Yoneda from the University of California, Davis, in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. “We know from numerous studies that positive emotions such as happiness, joy, love, and excitement are good for our health – they are even associated with a longer life,” explains Yoneda, according to a…

Read More