Category: Feature Stories

On Sunday, 29 March, the clocks will jump forward by one hour. For most people, that means one hour less sleep — and, in the days that follow, noticeably longer evenings. Twice a year, this ritual returns. And although politicians have debated abolishing it for decades, the clock still skips an hour every spring. Originally introduced during the First World War to save energy, seasonal clock changes resurfaced in the 1970s amid global energy crises. Today, however, researchers warn that the spring shift may cost us more than it saves.…

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On grey days when energy runs low and motivation feels miles away, many people chalk it up to stress or the season. But sometimes the culprit is far simpler—and far more common—than we think: a lack of vitamin D. The Sunshine Vitamin With Big Responsibilities Vitamin D plays a surprisingly central role in keeping the body running smoothly. It supports the immune system, strengthens bones, and participates in countless metabolic processes. Unlike most essential vitamins, however, it isn’t primarily absorbed through food. Instead, our bodies produce it when sunlight hits…

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It’s a familiar scene: A conversation is flowing smoothly, everything feels relaxed — and suddenly the other person crosses their arms. Many people instantly interpret this as rejection or emotional distance. But psychology tells a more nuanced story. Crossed arms are often harmless and frequently misunderstood in everyday interactions. Why We Misread This Gesture So Easily In nonverbal communication research, crossed arms are considered a “closed posture.” From the outside, this can appear defensive or aloof. But that impression is just that — an impression. It doesn’t automatically reveal what…

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Rising oil prices and major disruptions in Gulf-region air traffic are driving up the cost of summer holidays for European travelers. Airlines, cruise operators, and tour providers are warning that the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran is reshaping global travel patterns — and straining budgets. Qatar has already grounded 20 long‑haul aircraft, storing them in Spain “protected from wind and weather — and Iranian rockets,” according to the report. With airspace over Qatar largely closed and travelers avoiding the region, the Gulf’s major hubs — Dubai, Abu Dhabi,…

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The clocks are about to shift once more. As every spring, most countries in Europe prepare to switch from winter time to summer time. And just like every year, the same questions pop up: Do we move the clocks forward or back—and when exactly does it happen? Clocks Jump Forward: From 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. The time change takes place in the night from Saturday, March 28, to Sunday, March 29. Technically the country’s standard time—will end, and summer time will begin. This means the clocks will be set…

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When tensions rise in the Middle East, one narrow stretch of water repeatedly returns to the center of global attention: the Strait of Hormuz. This 39‑kilometer-wide maritime corridor between Iran and Oman is the most critical chokepoint in the international oil trade. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through it each day. The question of what would happen if Iran were to close this route is not new, but it remains one of the most consequential geopolitical hypotheticals of our time. A Chokepoint With…

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Europe’s major airlines are sounding the alarm. In a rare joint statement, several airline CEOs warn that the continent’s aviation sector is approaching a critical turning point. Without swift political action, they say, passengers could soon face sharply higher ticket prices, fewer flight connections, and a loss of Europe’s competitiveness in global aviation. Regulatory Costs Triple in a Decade According to the industry group Airlines for Europe (A4E), regulatory costs for EU carriers have tripled since 2014, reaching €15.5 billion per year. By 2030, these costs could surge to €27.6…

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Earth may be vast, but humanity has a curious habit of clustering. While some regions feel almost deserted, others resemble a global game of “how many people can we fit into this tiny space?” Population density—how many people live on each square kilometer—reveals just how dramatically human settlement patterns vary. Some of the world’s most crowded places aren’t sprawling megacities but tiny territories that, despite their size, host astonishing numbers of people. And at the very top of this list stands a country so small you could walk across it…

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The phone is fully charged, you unplug it with a quick flick of the wrist—and rush on with your day. The charger, however, stays behind in the socket. It’s a tiny detail most of us overlook, but it raises a surprisingly common question: Does a charger still consume electricity even when no device is connected? According to Michael Hartmann, Professor of Power Electronics at the Institute of Electrical Drives and Power Electronics at TU Graz, the answer is simple: yes—but only a very small amount. Why Chargers Draw Power in…

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