Category: General Interest

Pope Francis left the hospital after pneumonia and returned to the Vatican after five weeks. Doctors continue to recommend rest and therapy. After more than five weeks of hospital treatment, Pope Francis is allowed to return to the Vatican. According to the doctors treating him, the 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church will be discharged from the Gemelli Clinic on Sunday. Francis’ condition has steadily improved recently. He can, therefore, live in his residence in the Vatican again, said the doctor Sergio Alfieri. He will continue to receive medical care…

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The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) actively encourage overseas Filipino voters to register for online voting before the 2025 elections. This initiative simplifies Filipinos’ voting process abroad, allowing them to participate without visiting embassies or consulates. ​ To register, overseas Filipinos should visit their nearest Philippine embassy or consulate to complete the pre-voting enrollment. This step is mandatory before they can cast their votes online. The online voting period is scheduled from 13 April to May 12, 2025, concluding at 7 p.m. Philippine Standard…

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If you’re feeling tired, you probably reach for a cup of coffee here and there. But does this drink help against drowsiness? During the vacation season, many people set off on vacation by car. But they all know that moment behind the wheel when you almost nod off. Then it’s best to pull over and rest. But quite a few people prefer a different remedy: to wake themselves up again, they drink coffee (which you should never drink on an empty stomach). Whether this helps against drowsiness has now been…

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Last Friday, 14 March 2025, World Sleep Day was celebrated under the motto “Make Sleep Health a Priority.” Scientific findings clearly show that good sleep is essential for our health. However, the right time of day is also crucial. A recent study has investigated the optimal time to go to sleep. An international team of researchers from Stanford University analyzed the sleeping habits of 74,000 people, the data of which came from the UK Biobank. The scientists investigated whether there is a connection between bedtime and mental health—with an astonishing…

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A recent study of patients suffering from arteriosclerosis shows that microplastics and nanoplastics can even be detected in the carotid artery. Austrian researchers report that this could lead to an increase in acute cardiovascular diseases. “We ingest microplastics daily: through inhalation, skin contact, via the mucous membranes of the eye surfaces, or through the consumption of contaminated food. It is estimated that humans ingest around a quarter of a kilogram of microplastics in this way every year,” write cardiologist Friedrich Hoppichler and health psychologist Julia Schätzer in the medical journal…

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According to the Vienna Astronomy Consortium, two total lunar eclipses will occur in 2025. However, the first will only be faintly visible on Friday, 14 March 2025. You must look out your window at six o’clock, as the lunar eclipse begins at exactly 6:09 a.m. However, the spectacle will hardly be visible in Austria, as the moon will set before totality is reached. At 6:09 a.m., the moon enters the Earth’s umbra, turning the shadowed lunar surface a coppery red color. This characteristic color is caused by the scattering of…

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From April, tourist trips to England, Scotland or Wales will require registration for a fee. The USA and Canada led the way, and now the UK follows suit: From 2 April, tourists from EU countries, including Austria, will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and a valid passport.Registration must be carried out separately for each individual traveler (including children), regardless of the type of entry (flight, ferry, etc.). Only travelers who change planes in the UK and do not leave the airport’s transit area do not need an ETA. Since…

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Whether you wash your hands with cold or warm water after using the toilet does not matter. What matters is the duration of the washing process and the use of soap. Viennese hygiene experts have now proven this in an experiment with test subjects. “Hand washing is an important public health measure to prevent communicable diseases such as gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. The washbasins in public toilets are often only equipped with cold water. It can be observed time and again that users only rinse their hands briefly after using…

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International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated worldwide today, 8 March 2025, under the United Nations theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” This annual observance celebrates women’s achievements and calls for action for gender equality. In Houston, Texas, various events are marking the occasion. The Greater Houston Partnership hosted the “Rise to the Top Luncheon,” featuring Gretchen Watkins, President of Shell USA, as the keynote speaker. The Museum of Fine Arts is spotlighting women’s contributions, and Discovery Green is hosting an all-day festival with food, music, and discussions.…

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