Many people in Austria are experiencing allergies that are making everyday life difficult. The main culprits are trees and shrubs, many of which are already in full bloom. According to experts, global warming extends the pollen season and makes the forests more allergenic. Cross-reactions are also making life difficult for those affected. Birch, alder, and hazel are tree species that release much pollen and cause allergic reactions. However, the pollen load is probably not higher this year than last year, said Silvio Schüler from the Federal Research Center for Forests.…
Read MoreMonth: April 2025
Elections in Vienna
Elections will be held in the federal capital, Vienna, on Sunday. Around 1.4 million people are being called upon to decide on the future composition of the municipal council, state parliament, and district councils. The election was initially scheduled to take place in the fall. However, the governing parties, SPÖ and NEOS, decided to bring it forward in January. The polling stations are open from 7.00 am to 5.00 pm. There were almost no losers in the 2020 election. The SPÖ achieved 41.6 percent (up two percentage points). Its coalition…
Read MoreThis Is How Big an Impact the Environment Has on Health
When people think about health, they often focus on diet, exercise, and genetics. But the environment around us plays a huge role, bigger than most realize. The World Health Organization states that nearly a quarter of global deaths are linked to environmental factors. That’s around 13 million deaths every year caused by things like air pollution, contaminated water, exposure to chemicals, and unsafe workplaces. Air pollution alone is responsible for about 7 million deaths annually. Breathing in delicate particulate matter damages the lungs, heart, and brain, leading to diseases like…
Read MoreIs St. Peter Really Buried Under the Vatican?
The Vatican claims that St. Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles and the first pope, is buried beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. But how solid is the evidence? According to Christian tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome around 64 AD during Emperor Nero’s persecution. Early Christians reportedly buried him in a simple grave on Vatican Hill, a site that later became a significant place of worship. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine built the original basilica directly over what was believed to be Peter’s tomb. Fast forward to the 20th century: during…
Read MoreWorld bids farewell to Francis
The world is bidding farewell to Pope Francis: hundreds of pilgrims and 200 state guests are expected to attend the grand papal funeral in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Saturday. Billions of people worldwide can follow the historic event live on television. The Italian capital is in an emergency, with the highest security precautions in place. More than 1,000 police officers will be on duty to ensure the safety of the 170 delegations in Rome.Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) will lead the…
Read MoreVienna Election 2025 on Sunday: How to find the polling station
In the Vienna elections on Sunday, voters can use 1,504 polling stations in the federal capital between 7 am and 5 pm. With a few exceptions, the polling stations for the Vienna election are barrier-free. In addition, all polling stations in Vienna have voting booths that can be used barrier-free. There is also a barrier-free polling station for polling cards at each location. The Vienna Electoral Service asks you to check the address of the relevant polling station in good time. Vienna Election 2025: Hotline helps to find a polling…
Read MoreThe Papacy
The term “pope” comes from the ancient Greek word “πάππας” (Latin “papa” = father).The term “pope” is an honorary title. The title comes from the Greek world, where it initially referred to abbots and bishops, and from the 5th century AD, to both the Bishop of Rome and the other patriarchs. Since the Middle Ages, the term “Pope” has been used as shorthand for the holder of the Petrine office, although the term “Bishop of Rome” is formally the correct term. As Bishop of Rome and thus successor to the…
Read MorePope’s death: why the corpse didn’t decompose
Typically, the body begins to decompose about 24 hours after death. In the case of Pope Francis, this process was halted using a special method. Thanatopraxy was used to ensure that the faithful could say goodbye to the head of the church one last time. Thousands of people will file before Pope Francis’s body in St. Peter’s Basilica until Friday. For Catholics, the opportunity to bid farewell to the dead pope is a ritual and a gesture of gratitude. So that the faithful can see the Pope one last time,…
Read MoreWeather in Austria: First continuous rain, THEN everything changes again
The temperature trend is upwards, especially after the weekend. Even the sun will be out more often. Still changeable and cool until FridayThe weather will remain unsettled in many parts of Austria until and including Friday. Thick clouds, wind, and comparatively cool temperatures will continue to dominate events. Rain is to be expected at times, especially in the north and east of the country, so the umbrella remains a reliable companion. More sun on the weekend due to high pressureThe weather will start to improve on Saturday. An area of…
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