Vienna says goodbye to summer as the calendar autumn officially arrives — but the weather isn’t quite ready to play along. Vienna is preparing to bid farewell to summer, as the calendar autumn officially begins in Austria overnight. According to the astronomical calendar, autumn starts on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at exactly 2:05 AM. At that moment, the sun reaches the autumn equinox point, when day and night are roughly equal in length. With that, the warm season comes to an end in the early hours of the morning from…
Read MoreStudy Links Blue as the Favorite Color of Highly Intelligent People, Korean Research Finds
A recent study from South Korea suggests that people with higher IQs tend to share a common preference: the color blue. The research, titled “Intelligence and Color Preferences: Is There a Connection?”, examined 900 students who were surveyed about their favorite colors and subsequently administered standardized IQ tests. Cold Colors Linked to Higher Cognitive Scores The findings, widely reported across European media outlets including 20 Minuten, Heute, and L’essentiel, indicate that participants with higher IQ scores showed a statistically significant preference for cool colors—particularly blue. Conversely, those with lower IQ…
Read MoreBooking.com Scam Warning: Fraudulent Emails Could Cost Travellers Dearly
Travellers who have booked accommodation through Booking.com are being urged to exercise extra caution when receiving emails related to their reservations, as consumer advocates warn of a sophisticated scam targeting customers. Austria’s Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, AK) has issued a warning about fraudulent messages that appear to come from legitimate accommodation providers listed on Booking.com. The emails are designed to trick travellers into revealing sensitive information or making payments to criminals. According to the AK, the scam messages may contain accurate personal details and travel information, making them appear authentic.…
Read MoreWinter Time 2026: Clocks to Go Back on October 25
The next seasonal clock change is approaching, with daylight saving time set to end on October 25, 2026. On that date, clocks across much of Europe will be turned back by one hour, marking the return to winter time. People looking to remember the date can follow the usual rule of thumb: the clock change takes place on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, that falls on October 25. In the early hours of Sunday morning, clocks will be moved back from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. The change…
Read MoreAustrian Families Face Financial Squeeze as Family Benefits Changes Take Effect From 2027
Austrian families will have to adjust to reduced financial support from 2027 after the government approved measures in its 2027-2028 double budget that will affect household finances. While some benefits are not being directly cut, the continued suspension of inflation adjustments means their real value will continue to decline as living costs rise. One of the most significant changes concerns key family benefits, including family allowance and childcare benefits. According to financial portal Finanz.at, neither payment will be indexed to inflation in 2028, marking the third consecutive year without an…
Read MoreResearchers Warn: Too Much Coffee May Accelerate Brain Aging
VIENNA – Austrians are among Europe’s keen coffee drinkers, consuming an average of around 2.75 cups per day, according to a representative survey conducted last year. While moderate coffee consumption is generally considered safe, new research suggests that regularly drinking large amounts of coffee could have negative effects on cognitive health later in life. Scientists from the United States and Australia reported at the 2024 International Conference of the Alzheimer’s Association (AAIC) that consuming four or more cups of coffee daily may accelerate the decline of so-called “fluid intelligence” –…
Read MoreVoices United in Faith: Filipino Catholic Community Joint Choir Enriches Peñafrancia Thanksgiving Mass in Vienna
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Filipino Catholic Community in Vienna came together in prayer and thanksgiving at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy, where music became a powerful expression of faith, unity and devotion. At the heart of the celebration was the Filipino Catholic Community Joint Choir, whose members from different Filipino Catholic choirs joined their voices to provide the musical accompaniment for the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Thanksgiving Holy Mass of Bishop Cyril “Jojo” Villareal. Hundreds of faithful gathered for the celebration, filling the church with…
Read MoreThe Three Things to Give Up If You Want to Live Longer
In the quest for a longer, healthier life, many people are constantly searching for the latest superfood, dietary supplement, or fitness trend. Yet while the wellness industry promotes new solutions almost daily, researchers have long agreed on a simpler truth: longevity is influenced not only by what we add to our lives, but also by what we choose to leave behind. The encouraging news is that improving life expectancy does not necessarily require expensive programs, extreme diets, or revolutionary lifestyle changes. Often, the most effective steps are surprisingly straightforward. According…
Read MoreBishop Cyril Villareal Leads Peñafrancia Feast on the Danube in Vienna
VIENNA — The Filipino Catholic community in Vienna gathered on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a special celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, bringing together around 300 devotees aboard the MS Tegetthoff near the Reichsbrücke for a day of faith, Marian devotion, thanksgiving and Filipino community spirit. The annual Danube River celebration, organized by the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna, once again brought to Austria a distinctive expression of the centuries-old Filipino devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, or Ina Peñafrancia. Procession, Rosary and Marian Hymns The…
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