Category: Feature Stories

Excerpts from the interview were published on Sunday, the Pope’s 70th birthday. Leo XIV talks at length about his experience as the first US-born pope and the first pope with Peruvian citizenship. He jokes about which team he would cheer for in a soccer World Cup and shares his views on the papacy and current issues, such as peace in Ukraine and the polarization that divides many parts of the world. “The Latin American perspective is very valuable to me.” “I am, of course, North American and feel very much…

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Hundreds of thousands of faithful made a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for the canonization of Italian blesseds Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) and Pier Giorgio Frassati (1909-1925). The ceremony at the Vatican is a highlight of the Catholic jubilee year. Thirty-six cardinals, 270 bishops, and over 1,700 priests from around the world celebrated Mass with Pope Leo XIV. Also present were the parents and siblings of Carlo Acutis and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. Before Mass, the Pope greeted the people in St. Peter’s Square. “Today is a wonderful celebration…

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Rice is a staple food for more than half of the world’s population. Still, researchers have long warned that it can contain traces of arsenic—a naturally occurring toxic element linked to cancer, heart disease, and developmental problems. Unlike other grains, rice plants absorb arsenic more efficiently from soil and water, meaning the risk of exposure can be higher for frequent rice eaters. The good news: how you cook rice can make a big difference. The Problem with Arsenic in Rice Arsenic exists in two forms: organic and inorganic. The inorganic…

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The new school year begins on September 1 in Vienna, Lower Austria, and Burgenland. In the other federal states, school starts on September 8. Here are the most important dates at a glance. The temporary timetable must be ready by the following day. As lessons not only start early, but also end late on July 3 (west: July 10), pupils will spend a week longer in the classroom in the 2025/26 school year than in previous years. 2025/26 school year particularly long The longer school year is simply due to…

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Do you keep paper towels in your refrigerator? Usually, this absorbent and tear-resistant paper is stored under the sink or in a special holder. However, there are a few tangible advantages to storing it in the refrigerator. Here you can find out how kitchen paper can help you keep not only your food fresher, but also your refrigerator cleaner. The advantages of keeping paper towels in the refrigerator Paper towels are indispensable for many people in the kitchen, whether it’s for mopping up spilt milk or dabbing meat. But kitchen…

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Whether you’re a frequent flyer who travels around the world for work or only get on a plane twice a year to treat yourself to a well-deserved break, most of us have flown at some point in the last few months. And regardless of the reason for traveling, we all want a relaxed flight so that we arrive refreshed and ready to continue our journey. But as with any form of public transportation, the same applies on an airplane: your behavior on board can have a major impact on how…

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The Slovakian security software company ESET has uncovered a campaign in which criminals use a new type of Android malware to steal data from bank cards—including PINs—and forward it to a second, prepared cell phone. The aim is to make cash withdrawals directly at ATMs. Money gone because of Android malware: How the scam works For potential victims of the Android malware, it all starts with a text message in the name of the bank, as ESET explains in a press release. The hook often used is a tax refund.…

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Current income reports in Austria show apparent differences between the rich and the poor. While over 1.5 million people are considered at risk of poverty, the group of top earners is defined as those with a gross annual income of 71,000 euros or more. A particular focus is placed on educational attainment and gender distribution. According to the latest EU poverty report, around 336,000 people in Austria were living in “absolute poverty” last year. A total of 1,529,000 people (16.9 percent of the population) are considered at risk of poverty…

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Grapes are back in season. In fact, red grapes are a tad healthier than their green relatives—especially those with seeds. Grape season is here, and these sweet fruits are once again available from regional growers. Not only are they an ideal snack, but they are also packed with fiber and valuable minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. “The fruits also score points with many vitamins, including B vitamins such as folate,” Antje Gahl from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) told “Die Zeit.” Core Computer Science Have you ever…

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