Diocese of Imus Mourns Fr. Jose “Joey” Demoy, Former Long‑Time Chaplain to Filipinos in Vienna

admin

The Diocese of Imus, Cavite, with profound sorrow, announces the passing of Rev. Fr. Jose “Joey” S. Demoy, Parish Priest of Ang Mabuting Pastol Parish, Palapala, City of Dasmariñas, Cavite. Fr. Demoy returned to the loving embrace of the Father on January 30, 2026. Fr. Demoy was a devoted priest whose ministry extended far beyond the borders of Cavite. He served for many years as Chaplain of the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy (FCC) in Vienna, Austria, where he became a spiritual father to thousands of Filipino migrants. His pastoral leadership, compassion,…

Read More

February Opens With a “Snow Moon”: A Celestial Spectacle to Start the Month

admin

February wastes no time delivering its first cosmic highlight. On the very first evening of the month, skywatchers across Europe can look forward to a striking full moon—known traditionally as the Snow Moon—which reaches its peak illumination on February 1 at 23:09 CET. Yet the show begins much earlier: the moon will already be visible around 6 p.m., rising large and luminous over the horizon. Why Is It Called the Snow Moon? The name “Snow Moon” has deep cultural roots. It originates from Native American tribes, whose calendars relied heavily…

Read More

January 2026 Was the Coldest in Austria’s Lowlands in Nine Years

admin

Austria experienced its coldest lowland January since 2017, according to the preliminary climate report released by Geosphere Austria. Mountain regions also saw their chilliest January since 2021. Despite the cold, much of the country remained relatively dry and sunny. Climatologist Alexander Orlik of Geosphere Austria noted that January 2026 stood out sharply against recent decades. “Compared to the more recent past, January 2026 was significantly too cold. Around 40 years ago, however, these temperatures would have been considered fairly normal,” he explained. Temperatures Well Below Recent Averages In the lowlands,…

Read More

Semester Break Begins for Students in Vienna and Lower Austria

admin

The school bell rings for the last time this Friday before nearly half a million students in Vienna and Lower Austria head into their week‑long semester break. Before they pack their bags, pupils receive their mid‑year school reports, giving them an overview of their academic performance halfway through the school year. With the start of the holidays, traffic authorities are preparing for heavy congestion on Vienna’s main exit routes from Friday afternoon onward. Travel delays are also expected on Saturday, particularly on roads leading to popular ski resorts, as many…

Read More

When the Phone Becomes a Trap: How Scammers Target Austria’s Households

admin

Austria is facing a sharp rise in sophisticated telephone scams, many of them using spoofed numbers that appear local, official, or even police‑related. These scams are evolving quickly, targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting trust in familiar institutions. The New Face of Phone Fraud in Austria Telephone scams are not new, but the current wave sweeping Austria is more polished, more convincing, and more technologically advanced than anything seen before. Authorities and consumer‑protection agencies warn that the surge in spoofed caller IDs, fake police calls, and ghost calls is creating a…

Read More

Turning the Heating Off Once a Day: What Really Happens

admin

As temperatures drop across the country, many households are switching their heating back on for the first time this season. With rising energy costs and high utility bills from 2024 now reaching tenants in 2026, it’s no surprise that people are looking for ways to save money. One common idea sounds simple enough: turn the heating off at night. But experts warn that this strategy may backfire. Should You Switch Off the Heating at Night? The belief that shutting off the heating overnight saves money is widespread. After all, most…

Read More

That Tiny Hole Next to Your Smartphone Camera Has a Real Purpose — And It’s More Important Than You Think

admin

Smartphone owners notice it sooner or later: a tiny, perfectly round hole sitting right beside the camera lens. It’s so small and so discreet that many people never question it. Those who do often come up with creative theories — from a hidden reset button to a secret sensor or even a secondary camera. But the truth behind this mysterious opening is far simpler and far more practical. A Small Detail With a Big Job The hole isn’t a design flourish or a leftover from manufacturing. It’s placed there intentionally,…

Read More

Deadly Nipah Virus Triggers New Health Alarm in India as Fatality Rate Reaches 75%

admin

January 28, 2026 — West Bengal, IndiaIndia is facing renewed public health concern following the detection of new Nipah virus cases in the eastern state of West Bengal. The virus, known for its extremely high fatality rate of up to 75%, has prompted both national authorities and neighboring Asian countries to strengthen surveillance and emergency preparedness measures. A Dangerous Virus Re-Emerges Indian health officials confirmed five Nipah virus infections connected to a private hospital in Barasat, near Kolkata, with nearly 100 individuals placed under quarantine. Several infected patients are healthcare…

Read More

Three Devices That Waste Power in Standby Mode

admin

Energy specialists are sounding the alarm about a hidden drain on household electricity bills: devices that continue to draw power even when they appear to be switched off. This so‑called standby consumption may seem insignificant day to day, but over the course of a year it can noticeably increase energy costs. Desktop Computers in the Home Office As remote work becomes more common, many households now keep desktop computers permanently set up. When these machines are left in standby rather than fully shut down, they can generate an estimated additional…

Read More