Philippines and Austria Mark 80 Years of Diplomatic Relations with Thanksgiving Mass at St. Stephen’s Cathedral

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VIENNA, Austria — The Philippines and Austria marked the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations with a Eucharistic celebration on October 17, 2026, at the historic St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, bringing together members of the diplomatic community and the Filipino community in Austria in a spirit of thanksgiving and friendship. The celebration was organized at the invitation of the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Philippines to the international organizations in Vienna. It highlighted eight decades of diplomatic ties between the two nations, built on mutual…

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EU Cash Payment Rules to Change From 2027, With Limits for Businesses

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BRUSSELS, Oct. 18 — New European Union cash payment rules aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing will take effect in 2027, introducing restrictions on large cash transactions involving businesses while leaving private sales largely unaffected. Under the new regulations, commercial retailers and service providers will generally be prohibited from accepting cash payments of €10,000 or more from July 10, 2027. However, the limit will not automatically apply to transactions conducted exclusively between private individuals. This means that a person selling a used car to another private individual, for…

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Golden October Holds On Until Midweek as Weather Change Looms in Austria

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VIENNA – Austria is set to enjoy several more days of mild and sunny autumn weather before a change arrives in the middle of the week. According to the latest forecast from Geosphere Austria, a ridge of high pressure will keep conditions largely stable through Tuesday, with temperatures reaching up to 22 degrees Celsius. From Wednesday onward, however, a frontal system and a Mediterranean low-pressure area are expected to bring rain to many parts of the country. Monday will begin with widespread sunshine across much of Austria, although persistent morning…

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Sanghimig Choristers Earn Praise for World Mission Sunday Celebration in Vienna

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VIENNA, Austria – The Sanghimig Choristers received warm appreciation from parishioners for their outstanding musical contribution to the celebration of World Mission Sunday at the Parish of Leopoldau in Vienna’s 21st district on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The Filipino choir, led by Debbie Beltran-Tschirch, provided the musical accompaniment for the Holy Mass at 9:30 a.m., helping create a prayerful and uplifting atmosphere for the parish community. Parishioners who attended the Mass praised the choir’s performance, expressing their appreciation for the beautiful singing and the meaningful contribution it made to the…

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Why Some People Get Bitten by Mosquitoes More Than Others: Scientists Say They Have Found the Answer

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For years, many people have wondered why mosquitoes seem to target certain individuals while leaving others largely untouched. A growing body of research now suggests the answer lies in a specific mix of chemicals released by human skin, with one compound emerging as a particularly powerful attractant. Anyone who has attended a summer barbecue has likely seen the phenomenon firsthand. One person repeatedly swats at mosquitoes while others sit comfortably nearby. By the next morning, that same individual may be covered in itchy welts and wondering what makes them such…

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Amangpintor Brings Filipino Artistic Creativity to the United Nations in Vienna

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Picture: Mandy Salonga

VIC Club Filipino and ENFiD-Austria marked 80 years of Philippine-Austrian diplomatic relations through art, traditional craftsmanship and cultural exchange. VIENNA, Austria, October 16, 2026 — Internationally acclaimed Filipino artist Elito Villaflor Circa, popularly known as Amangpintor, was among the highlights of an art workshop organized by VIC Club Filipino in collaboration with the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD)-Austria at the United Nations Office in Vienna on Friday, October 16, 2026. The special event was held in connection with the Art Exhibit Finissage 2026 and formed part of the celebration…

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Vatican Releases First Photos of Pope Leo XIV After Lung Cancer Surgery

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ROME – The Vatican has released the first photographs of Pope Leo XIV since he underwent lung cancer surgery earlier this week, showing the 71-year-old pontiff celebrating Mass at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital as he continues his recovery. Two images published by the Holy See depict the pope standing in liturgical vestments during a Mass held at the hospital. One of the photographs shows his personal assistant, Edgard Rimaycuna, standing beside him. According to the Vatican, the American-born pope also thanked the hospital staff for their work and care throughout his…

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David Alaba Between Dolce Vita and a Fight for Survival: Why Filipinos in Austria Are Watching Closely

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For many football fans in Austria, David Alaba’s move to Udinese marks the beginning of a new chapter. For the vibrant Filipino community in the country, however, the story carries an even deeper meaning. As the son of a Filipino mother, Gina, Alaba has long been a source of pride for Filipinos around the world, and his latest challenge in Italy has become a closely watched journey of resilience, identity, and redemption. By all accounts, David Alaba was not expected to find himself here. Just a few years ago, the…

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New Rules for Online Shopping in Austria: Stricter Checks on Buy Now, Pay Later Purchases from November 2026

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VIENNA – Austrians who are accustomed to ordering products online and paying weeks later will soon face stricter consumer credit rules. From 20 November 2026, new regulations implementing the EU Consumer Credit Directive will apply in Austria, bringing tighter oversight of deferred-payment services, small loans and “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) offers. The changes will affect popular payment options offered by providers such as Klarna and other financing services, while Amazon has already announced the end of its monthly invoicing option in response to the new legal framework. Even Small…

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