Conclave: Cardinals who have a good chance

On Wednesday, the cardinals will enter the conclave in the Sistine Chapel. On that day, a mass is celebrated first, then the procession into the Sistine begins. The first ballot takes place in the afternoon. As things stand, 133 cardinals will elect the new pope; two prelates have canceled due to illness. The so-called pre-conclave, the informal consultations of the cardinals in the synod hall, is currently underway. Pietro Parolin is highly regardedThe former Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin (70), is considered an up-and-coming candidate to succeed Pope Francis.…

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Why May 1st Matters: The Real Meaning of Labor Day

Every year on May 1st, millions of workers worldwide observe International Workers’ Day, better known as Labor Day in many countries. It’s not just a day off—it’s a powerful reminder of how far labor rights have come and how much further they need to go. The celebration on May 1st isn’t random. It’s rooted in protest, sacrifice, and a fight for dignity in the workplace. The Origins: Born from Struggle Labor Day on May 1st traces back to the labor movement in the late 19th century, particularly the 1886 Haymarket…

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30 degrees on Saturday, cold front on Sunday

According to the Geosphere weather forecast, the next three days will be sunny and warm in early summer, with maximum temperatures of 29 and 30 degrees expected on Friday and Saturday. However, local rain showers or isolated thunderstorms are possible, even on Thursday, the public holiday. From Sunday, a cold front will move in from the northwest, and the weather will become much cooler and unsettled across the country. The new week will also start cool, according to a statement on Wednesday. On May 1st, the sun will shine throughout…

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How much money do you need to live? – a comparative overview between Austria and the Philippines

Global Overview World Bank Poverty Line: Extreme poverty is living on less than $2.15/day (2023). Many developing nations use thresholds like $3.65/day or $6.85/day, depending on the country’s income level. The cost of living varies significantly between Austria and the Philippines, influenced by housing, food, transportation, and lifestyle choices. Here’s a comparative overview for a single adult in both countries: (Austria – Cost of Living – Expat Focus) Austria (as of early 2025) Average Monthly Expenses for a Single Adult: Total Estimated Cost: Approximately €1,709 to €1,900 (Your guide to…

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Why Asian Catholics are becoming increasingly important

Demographic growth and dynamics The number of Catholics in Asia is growing steadily, even if they remain a minority of the overall population. While around one in nine Catholics worldwide live in Asia, their proportion steadily increases, particularly in the Philippines, India, and South Korea. In absolute figures, there are around 150 million Catholics in Asia, corresponding to around ten percent of all Catholics worldwide. The growth rates are higher than in Europe or America, where the Church is stagnating or shrinking. Growth is particularly dynamic in countries such as…

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Sunny Wednesday in Vienna: temperatures rise to around 25 degrees

Vienna can look forward to sunny and mild spring weather on Wednesday. With only a few harmless spring clouds, temperatures will rise to around 25 degrees during the day. The weather in Vienna on Wednesday will be sunny throughout, and the sky will remain mostly cloudless. “A few harmless cumulus clouds may form during the day, but it will remain dry. The wind will remain light. Early temperatures will be around 10 degrees, reaching up to 25 degrees during the day,” says GeoSphere Austria. source: 5minuten.at/picture: pixabay.com

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Papal election: Conclave begins on May 7

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni announced this on Monday. The date was set during a general congregation of cardinals at the Vatican, the first since Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday. Bruni reported that over 180 cardinals, including around 100 papal electors, took part in the fifth general congregation. The names of the three cardinals who will support the Camerlengo, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, at the conclave were drawn by lot: German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, and Frenchman Dominique Mamberti. On Monday, Bruni reported that the cardinals discussed the challenges…

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Tick alert: this is how high the virus risk is in Austria

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is one of Europe’s most serious neurological infections. Symptoms include fever, headaches, walking difficulties, paralysis, and, in the worst cases, death. There is no treatment for TBE. Only the symptoms are treated. The TBE virus is usually transmitted to humans by ticks during a bite. The virus is found throughout Austria and other countries in Central and Eastern Europe. It takes two to 28 days from the bite of the infected tick to the illness. TBE is not transmitted from person to person. According to the latest…

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Brown rice increases the risk of cancer – which alternative should you choose

Rice is one of the most essential foods in the world. In Asia, in particular, it forms the basis of the diet of billions of people. Rice consumption has also changed significantly in Germany: In the 2023/24 harvest year, everyone in this country consumed an average of 6.8 kilograms of rice, three times as much as in 1950. The choice in the supermarket is huge: long grain, basmati, jasmine, or whole grain rice. Many people deliberately choose brown rice because it is considered healthier. However, new research findings from the…

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