Category: Feature Stories

What reads like the plot of a science fiction movie is a bitter reality: NASA has issued an official warning of a mega solar storm. In the next few days, massive solar flares – so-called coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – could hit the Earth and severely damage our technological infrastructure. Solar storm: harbingers already last weekThe consequences could be far-reaching: power outages, communication disruptions, and, worst case, a complete internet blackout. Several massive solar flares have already been recorded in the past week, resulting in radio blackouts worldwide – in…

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The Pope opened his first general audience on Wednesday with a message of peace. He called on people to “disarm their hearts”. On the situation in the Middle East, the Pontiff said: “The situation in Gaza is becoming ever more worrying and painful. I renew my urgent appeal to allow humanitarian aid to enter in a dignified manner and to put an end to the hostilities, the devastating price of which is being paid by children, the elderly, and the sick.” “In this month dedicated to Our Lady, I would…

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Our ESC king JJ (436 points) is ahead of the Israeli Yuval Raphael (357) and the cool Estonian Tommy Cash (356)—this is the official and, for Austria, so pleasing final result of the 69th Song Contest. The ranking looks slightly different in the iTunes charts, which are currently determined by the ESC hits.JJ’s haunting pop opera “Wasted Love” has been at number 1 for days now, that’s for sure! But behind him comes the first surprise: Italian Lucio Corsi, who only made it to 4th place at the ESC with…

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In the digital era, booking travel online has become the norm. But did you know that the price of the same trip can vary depending on the device you use? A recent analysis by the Chamber of Labor (AK) shows that prices for online travel bookings can vary depending on the device, booking date, and browsing behavior. Price differences depending on device and dayThe AK conducted a comprehensive study between March 11 and 22, 2025, in which 30 price queries were carried out on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with up…

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Before a planned trip, the question often arises: “Do I need a visa for my destination?” Some countries, such as Thailand, Great Britain, and Israel, have recently changed their rules. The Austrian passport is one of the most powerful in the world; nevertheless, a visa, eVisa, or electronic travel authorization (ETA) is required before entering around 60 countries. In some cases, the documents can be conveniently applied online; in others, however, a personal visit to the embassy is necessary. New rules for Thailand since MaySince May 1, 2025, Austrian citizens…

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Vienna, Austria – May 12, 2025 – The overseas voting process at the Philippine Embassy in Vienna concluded smoothly as the Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) officially closed the polls at 1:00 PM today, May 12, 2025. Despite a slight delay in the arrival of necessary election paraphernalia—including SIM cards and USB routers—the digital voting and counting proceeded efficiently, yielding results within hours. Consul General Zoilo Velasco, chairman of the SBOC, convened the board at 9:00 AM to oversee the proceedings. Poll watchers from various Filipino political parties were present…

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Pope Leo XIV urgently appealed for peace during his first Sunday prayer in St. Peter’s Square. “Never again war!” cried Robert Francis Prevost, elected Pope on Thursday, in his Regina Coeli prayer, which is said in the period after Easter. In front of around 100,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope urged an end to conflicts around the world. He called for prayers for “the miracle of peace.” The new pontiff urgently pleaded for a ceasefire in the Middle East, an end to the violence, and the release…

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Mother’s Day, celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May, falls on May 11 in 2025. The holiday originated in the early 20th century in the United States, spearheaded by Anna Jarvis in 1908 to honor her late mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist who cared for soldiers during the Civil War. Anna Jarvis sought to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of mothers and successfully campaigned for the day to become a national holiday. 1914 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day a national observance, solidifying its place in American…

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Since the early days of the Catholic Church, the choice of a pope’s name has never been trivial. It often reflects a spiritual intention, an ideological origin, or a tribute to a significant figure in the Church’s history. When analyzing the 266 popes elected since St. Peter in the 1st century, specific names appear particularly often. John, the most popular papal nameThe name John was chosen by 23 popes, making it the most frequently used name in the papacy’s history. Its popularity is due to several factors, including the critical…

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