Also in Vienna: The chances of a white Christmas in 2025 are very good

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The chances of a white Christmas this year are quite high. Light snowfall is possible on Christmas Eve, especially in southern and eastern Austria. In Vienna, it would be the first white Christmas since 2012. Snow could also fall on Boxing Day and Christmas Day, according to forecasts by meteorologists at Geosphere Austria. New week starts with fog and black ice On Monday, however, the sky will still be gray. At the beginning of the week, the lowlands in the eastern half of the country will continue to be covered…

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Saint Mutter Teresa von Calcutta Center in Vienna welcomes over 120 Homeless Guests for 24‑Year Filipino Christmas Tradition

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Vienna, Austria — More than 120 homeless and hungry brothers and sisters found warmth, food, and community at the Saint Mutter Teresa von Calcutta Center in Vienna, continuing a heartfelt Christmas tradition that began 24 years ago with one Filipino’s simple act of compassion. The initiative started when Mr. Wilson “Bebot” Tan Ho, a Filipino living in Vienna, decided to cook and personally serve meals to people experiencing homelessness. What began as a small gesture has grown into an annual Christmas mission of generosity, now known as “Regalo ni Wilson…

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Store opening hours in Vienna on December 24, 2025

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On December 24, 2025, numerous stores in Vienna will be open, as Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year. We have compiled an overview of the opening hours of supermarkets, drugstores, and shopping centers for last-minute Christmas shopping. On December 24, Vienna’s shops are traditionally still bustling with activity as many people rush to buy last-minute gifts, food, or decorations. Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday this year, and although it is not a public holiday, special rules apply to opening hours. Shortened opening hours in shops on Christmas Eve…

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Christmas alert: Virus wave sweeps across Austria

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The flu wave has already hit Austria – around a month earlier than in previous years. While the peak is usually reached in January, the number of cases is already rising significantly this year at Christmas and New Year. Mutated variant spreads The H3N2 influenza variant is currently dominant. According to Judith Aberle, Professor of Virus Immunology at MedUni Vienna, around 80 percent of cases are caused by H3N2, with the rest caused by H1N1. The new mutant is not considered more dangerous, but it could be more easily transmissible.…

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Reflection for the 4th Sunday of Advent: Mary, the Mother of Hope, Walks With Us

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The 4th Sunday of Advent draws our gaze toward Mary, the woman who said yes to God even when the path ahead was uncertain. Her quiet courage, her openness to God’s plan, and her willingness to carry Christ into the world become a mirror for our own journeys—especially for Filipinos living and working far from home. Mary’s Yes and the Filipino Migrant Heart For many Filipinos in Austria, migration began with a difficult but loving “yes.” A yes to sacrifice. A yes to responsibility. A yes to hope for a…

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Attention, vacationers: These changes are coming in 2026

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Higher vignette prices, new environmental zones, and additional entrance fees—vacations in 2026 will require more planning. Here is a summary of the most important information for you. 2026 is also expected to be a strong year for travel – the ÖAMTC has summarized the most important changes for vacationers. The changes mainly affect road traffic in popular vacation destinations such as Spain, Greece, and Croatia. “Many of the changes mean additional organizational effort for travelers, but the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria will make paying much easier,” explains ÖAMTC…

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Christmas Snow Surprise – Even Vienna Could Turn White

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Austria may be in for a rare festive treat this year: fresh snow right on Christmas Eve. While the current calm weather pattern continues through the weekend, meteorologists warn that a dramatic shift is on the horizon just in time for the holidays. Calm Before the Christmas Change A strong high‑pressure system over northern and western Europe is maintaining mostly quiet conditions, bringing sunshine to the west of Austria and persistent fog to the east. But the situation looks very different to the south, where a Mediterranean low‑pressure system is…

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PHILIPPINES CLOSES LANDMARK DIPLOMATIC YEAR IN VIENNA WITH TRIBUTE TO UN 

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Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evangelina A. Bernas was joined by Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives from various diplomatic missions, Filipino international civil servants, and members of the international community at the opening ceremony of the “Hope & Endeavor: A Tribute to the United Nations at 80” event on 12 December 2025. 12 December 2025,  Vienna – The Philippines marked the end of a defining year in its multilateral engagement by paying tribute to the United Nations 80th Anniversary and to the Filipinos who have contributed to its work across generations.  The…

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How the Zeitgeist Shapes Meaning: New Study Shows How Words Evolve Over Time

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Language is never still. Not only do new words emerge and old ones fade, but the meanings of familiar terms can shift dramatically within just a few decades. A new analysis of speeches from the U.S. Congress shows just how quickly—and how broadly—these changes take hold. It’s not only younger generations who adopt new meanings; older speakers adapt as well. Linguists have long known that language evolves on multiple levels: form, sound, and meaning. Words appear, disappear, or subtly transform until they refer to something entirely different from what they…

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