Exercise or eat less? What keeps us healthier

More than a billion people worldwide are obese. The causes are considered to be excessive calorie intake and too little exercise. But which is more important? Many people are severely overweight. So many people worldwide are affected that experts are even talking about a global epidemic. According to a study by researchers at Duke University (North Carolina, USA), this is mainly due to excessive calorie intake. Lack of exercise plays a rather minor role. But there are still some uncertainties. The team led by Amanda McGrosky and Amy Luke evaluated…

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What to do with your Christmas tree after the holidays?

Christmas tree disposal in Vienna: 609 collection points open until January 17 – free and climate-friendly. After the holidays, Vienna’s environmentally friendly Christmas tree collection begins again. Until January 17, 609 collection points will be available throughout the city. They are open around the clock and marked with signs reading “Christbaum-Sammelstelle” (Christmas tree collection point). Trees can also be dropped off at all MA 48 waste collection sites throughout the year. Important: Christmas tree decorations, tinsel, and hooks must be removed beforehand so that the trees can be recycled. The…

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Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen Calls for “European Patriotism” in 2026 New Year’s Address

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen used his 2026 New Year’s address to urge citizens to embrace what he called a “European patriotism,” warning against the growing tendency to disparage the European Union and stressing the need for Austria to remain capable of reform. Speaking against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable global environment, Van der Bellen emphasized that Europe remains “a place many people envy,” and cautioned that it must not be talked down. Belief in the European project, he said, is essential for the continent’s future. “Europe Is…

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Frosty start to the year: Temperatures could drop to minus 20 degrees

The new week will bring freezing temperatures, but it will be sunny in many places. With the turn of the year comes winter: In the coming days, a cold snap will bring frost down to minus 20 degrees. Snowfall will remain local for the time being, but the sun will still shine often. Vienna weather in detail The first Geosphere forecast of the year promises a prolonged period of wintry weather. The coming days will see a steady cooling: maximum temperatures will initially drop from plus seven degrees to a…

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2025: A Year of Upheaval, Acceleration, and Fragile Hope

As 2025 closed, the world found itself navigating a landscape marked by political upheaval, technological leaps, climate extremes, and shifting geopolitical alliances. Far from offering a respite from the turbulence of previous years, 2025 intensified many of the world’s most pressing challenges while opening new chapters in global transformation. Political Shockwaves: Trump Returns to the White House One of the most consequential developments of the year was the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, reshaping domestic and international politics alike. His administration launched sweeping policy reversals, from mass…

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The Filipino Community in Austria: A Year of Creativity, Connection, and Compassion

If 2025 taught us anything, it is that the Filipino spirit—wherever it finds itself—knows how to gather, create, and uplift. Across Austria, from Vienna’s historic districts to community halls filled with laughter and song, Filipinos spent the year weaving a tapestry of culture, solidarity, and shared purpose. What follows is not just a list of events, but the story of a community that continues to grow in confidence and unity. A Year That Opened With Purpose As the year unfolded, Filipino organizations across Austria stepped forward with renewed energy. The…

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Pension system: These changes will come into effect in 2026

The key change is the introduction of partial retirement, which will largely replace partial retirement for older workers. The statutory retirement age for women will continue to rise. The path to corridor pensions will become longer. Pension adjustments will only fully compensate for inflation for incomes up to €2,500; above that, there will be a fixed amount. Specifically, an increase of 2.7 percent is planned for pensions up to €2,500, while all higher pensions will be increased by a fixed amount of €67.50. It should be noted that different pension…

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A New Year’s Message to Our Readers

As we welcome the dawn of a new year, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you—our readers, supporters, and community partners—who continue to make austrian.press.com a vibrant and trusted space for news, stories, and shared understanding. In a world that moves quickly and often unpredictably, your engagement inspires us to uphold our mission with even greater dedication: to deliver accurate, timely, and meaningful journalism through multimedia, to illuminate the issues shaping Austria today, and to connect local experiences with global perspectives. This past year has reminded us how essential responsible…

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