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,…
Read MoreAustria’s Christmas Menu: Big Differences Across the Provinces
One week before Christmas, the question comes up again: what do people in Austria actually eat on Christmas Eve? Festive meals are a long‑standing tradition, but the dishes vary widely from one province to another. According to a recent iglo study, 43 percent of Austrians say they always serve a special dish on December 24, while another 28 percent stick to a traditional meal that can occasionally be changed. Raclette, cold platters, and soup are the favorites If you’re still undecided about your own Christmas dinner, the most popular choices…
Read MoreViennese Give Away 74 Million Euros in Gift Vouchers for Christmas
Gift vouchers remain the most popular Christmas present among Viennese residents in 2025. According to the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, around one third of the population – approximately 495,000 people – will give vouchers this year. The average value has risen to 150 euros, about 25 percent more than in 2024. Altogether, this amounts to a remarkable Christmas voucher volume of 74 million euros. “Gift vouchers are a safe choice,” says Margarete Gumprecht, Chair of the Retail Division. “They strengthen local businesses while offering recipients maximum flexibility.” Where the voucher…
Read MoreTabs or powder in the dishwasher? A clear look at the pros and cons
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…
Read MoreA Season Awakened: Simbang Gabi Begins in the Philippines and Around the World
As the cool December air settles over the Philippine archipelago, a familiar sound breaks the dawn: church bells ringing before sunrise, calling the faithful to gather. It is the beginning of Simbang Gabi, the beloved nine‑day novena of early morning Masses that ushers Filipino Catholics into the heart of the Christmas season. For generations, this tradition has been more than a liturgical practice—it is a cultural homecoming, a communal act of hope, and a spiritual preparation for the birth of Christ. A Tradition Rooted in Faith and Community Simbang Gabi…
Read More“Arbeitsnehmerveranlagung” (Employee tax assessment 2025): New rules and important deadlines
Anyone who wants to secure money from the tax office in good time at the turn of the year should keep an eye on deadlines and new rules for employee tax assessment. This is pointed out by the tax consulting company BDO. For the 2025 assessment year, extended benefits for teleworking apply, and the five-year period for the 2020 assessment expires on December 31, 2025. Home office becomes location-independent teleworking A new development is that the previous home office is being expanded to include location-independent teleworking. This means that working…
Read MoreWhy coffee can help you stay mobile longer
A morning coffee is not only good for you—it could also help you stay physically and mentally fit in old age. New research suggests that regular coffee consumption can significantly reduce the risk of frailty. Seven years of observation As reported in the European Journal of Nutrition, scientists followed 1,161 adults over the age of 55 for seven years. The results were clear: people who drank two to four cups of coffee a day showed fewer signs of age-related frailty than those who did not consume coffee. The researchers observed…
Read MoreThird Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday and the Hope of Filipinos Abroad
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…
Read MoreAustria to Raise Public Transport Ticket Prices Starting January 2026
Vienna, Austria — Public transport users across Austria will face higher ticket prices beginning 1 January 2026, as regional transport associations and Vienna’s municipal operator introduce new fare structures to secure long‑term service quality and respond to rising operational costs. Vienna: First Major Fare Adjustment in Over a Decade Wiener Linien, Vienna’s public transport operator, confirmed that its new fare structure will take effect on 1 January 2026, marking the first significant price adjustment to the city’s ticket system in more than 13 years. The network has expanded substantially in…
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