Now that amalgam fillings will be banned at the end of the year, the struggle to find a free alternative is proving tedious. An agreement was reached just before Christmas, but not for all patients in the country. While no solution has yet been found with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), the Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways, and Mining (BVAEB) and the Dental Association have now agreed on amalgam fillings. From 1 January 2025, filling materials, glass ionomer cement, and alkalies will be covered by health insurance instead…
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Interesting fact: each year, three billion trees are used to make shipping boxes
Two-thirds of Austrians store online, and hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Cardboard boxes and shipping produce gigatons of CO2. Online retail continues to grow worldwide. The Covid-19 pandemic has given the sector even more impetus, leading to breathtaking sales records. Large companies such as Amazon and Alibaba have “monopolized” online shopping and raised consumer expectations by offering instant delivery and free returns, says climate expert Martina Igini from the environmental portal earth.org. Online retail is also in the fast lane in Austria. However, many sales flow abroad, explains Rainer…
Read MoreMinus 10 degrees! We are now feeling extremely cold due to the winter
The weather remains exciting, with temperatures well below freezing and a varied mix of sun, clouds, and precipitation. Here is a detailed preview of the days leading up to Christmas. Sunny Saturday morning, cloudy afternoonThe influence of an intermediate high will initially calm the weather, but this will not last long. After local patches of early morning fog clear in the south, the sun will appear everywhere. However, from the afternoon onwards, denser clouds will move in from the west, especially along the northern side of the Alps. Above around…
Read MorePACES hosts Thanksgiving Afternoon Tea
Vienna, Austria—8 December 2024, In a heartfelt celebration of generosity and shared purpose, the Philippine Austrian Cultural and Educational Society (PACES) hosted a Thanksgiving afternoon tea at the prestigious Haas & Haas Tea House in Vienna. The event honored the unwavering support of sponsors, donors, and supporters who have propelled PACES towards the realization of its mission of supporting “needy but outstanding Filipino university students in the form of scholarships in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)” with the vision of a sustainable scholarship program in STEM…
Read MoreUnited Nations Commemorates Arabic Language Day in Vienna
Vienna, Austria,18 December 2024 – The United Nations community in Vienna, in partnership with the League of Arab States, marked Arabic Language Day with a vibrant celebration at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) Rotunda. The event showcased the Arabic language’s rich cultural, linguistic, and artistic heritage, recognized as a cornerstone of knowledge, civilization, and creative expression throughout history. The ceremony began with opening remarks from H.E. Ambassador Salah Boucha, Head of Mission of the League of Arab States in Vienna, followed by addresses from Ms. Ghada Waly, Director-General of UNOV…
Read MoreWhite Christmas in Austria? Here are the chances
A change in the weather shortly before Christmas will most likely result in snowfall across Austria. This means the chances of a white Christmas are extremely good—even in Vienna. Chances of a white Christmas are decreasingAustria has a good chance of a white Christmas this year. As the experts from Geosphere Austria forecast, an area of low pressure will cause snowfall—even heavier—in the west on Monday. On Christmas Eve, Tuesday, there should also be scattered snowfall in the eastern lowlands. In the first half of Friday, it will be widely…
Read MoreShopping on December 24: How long are the stores open?
Every year again: Even if you have firmly resolved to have done all the important shopping by Christmas, you can always forget something. After all, the pre-Christmas stress should not be underestimated.Whether it’s a few last presents or missing groceries for the holidays, local retailers have the following opening hours on 24 December. Generally, shops are open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. This is because workers are employed; therefore, regular working hours end at 1 p.m. on 24 December.However, confectionery shops and flower stores can stay…
Read More5 million dollars for a stone tablet with the 10 commandments
A 1,500-year-old stone tablet with the Ten Commandments has been auctioned in New York for 5.04 million dollars (4.81 million euros), far exceeding expectations. When the piece was presented, the auction house Sotheby’s expected proceeds to be between 1 and 2 million dollars. According to the auctioneer, it is the only known complete stone tablet with the bids from this period. The stone was discovered in 1913 during railroad construction in IsraelThe piece of marble, which is around 60 centimetres high and weighs 50 kilograms, is engraved with the commandments…
Read MoreGastronomy and food: Prices rose by 1.9 percent in November
On average, consumer prices in Austria were 1.9% higher in November than a year ago—as expected in the flash estimate just under three weeks ago. According to Statistics Austria, the average price level rose by 0.3% compared to October 2024. Inflation was below the European Central Bank’s (ECB) 2% target for the third month. Household energy as a price damperIn October, the year-on-year price increase was slightly lower at 1.8%. Once again, lower household energy prices proved to be the strongest price dampener in November 2024, with cheaper fuel also…
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