Filipino Community in Vienna Honors Sto. Niño with Vibrant Sinulog Festival Celebration

The Filipino community in Vienna came together on Sunday, 18 January 2026, at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy Church in the 10th District to celebrate the annual Sinulog Festival—one of the most cherished expressions of Filipino faith and culture. Organized by the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy and the Kapunongan ng mga Bisaya sa Austria (KBA), the event highlighted the community’s enduring devotion to the Sto. Niño and its commitment to preserving Filipino traditions in Austria. The celebration opened with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Ely Dalanon, Chaplain of the…

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Austrian Government Lowers VAT: These Everyday Groceries Will Soon Cost Less

Shoppers in Austria may notice a pleasant surprise on their next receipt. The federal government has announced a targeted reduction of value‑added tax (VAT) on a range of essential food items, aiming to ease pressure on household budgets. During an interview on ORF’s Pressestunde on Sunday, Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) confirmed which products will benefit from the new reduced tax rate. The measure focuses on staple foods and locally produced agricultural goods—items that form the backbone of many Austrian households’ daily meals. The newly introduced VAT rate will be…

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False Friends? How to Recognize Them Before It’s Too Late

Friendship is often described as one of life’s greatest gifts — a source of comfort, joy, and belonging. Yet not every person who enters our lives with a smile has our best interests at heart. “False friends” can drain energy, undermine confidence, and quietly destabilize relationships long before the damage becomes obvious. Recognizing them early is not about becoming suspicious of everyone, but about protecting emotional well‑being and nurturing healthier connections. The Subtle Signs of a False Friend • Support that disappears when you need it most – A reliable…

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The Secret Life of Your First Initial: What Your Name’s Beginning Says About You

Names are among the first gifts we receive. Long before we speak, walk, or choose our own path, a name is placed gently—or sometimes boldly—upon us. It becomes our introduction to the world, our signature, our anchor in conversations and memories. But what if the very first letter of your name carries a quiet influence of its own? What if your initial shapes how others perceive you—and even how you perceive yourself? This idea isn’t new. Across cultures and centuries, people have believed that letters hold symbolic power. From ancient…

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Survey Reveals Alarming Levels of Loneliness in Austria

A new Caritas study paints a troubling picture of social isolation in Austria: around 700,000 people report feeling very frequently lonely, with older adults and those with low incomes particularly affected. Loneliness Persists After the Pandemic Although the COVID‑19 pandemic has ended, its social consequences linger. According to the study, one in four people in Austria wishes for more social interaction. At a press conference in Vienna, Caritas Vienna Director Klaus Schwertner described loneliness as “the silent pandemic that remains” and renewed his call for a national action plan to…

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High Screen Time Linked to Rising Cardiovascular Risks in Children and Teens

A growing body of research is challenging the assumption that excessive screen time is merely a lifestyle issue. A new Danish study, highlighted by the Austrian Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (ÖGKJ), suggests that the hours young people spend on smartphones, gaming consoles, and other digital devices may have measurable consequences for their heart health. More Screen Time, Higher Risk According to the study, every additional hour spent in front of a screen is associated with changes in key cardiometabolic risk factors — including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and…

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2025 Confirmed as the Third‑Warmest Year on Record, Says Copernicus

The year 2025 has officially ranked as the third‑warmest year worldwide since temperature records began, according to new data released by the EU’s Earth observation programme Copernicus. The global average temperature reached 14.97°C, continuing an alarming trend: the past eleven years have been the warmest eleven years ever measured. Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of Copernicus, emphasized the narrow margins separating recent record years. “2025 was only slightly cooler than 2023, and 2024 remains the warmest year on record,” she said during the publication of this year’s Global Climate Highlights. According…

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Sinulog Fiesta in Vienna to Bring Faith, Culture, and Color to the Filipino Community

The vibrant spirit of Cebu’s most beloved festival is set to fill Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy Church in Vienna as the Filipino community prepares to celebrate the Sinulog Fiesta on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy on Wienerfeldgasse 11, 1100 Vienna. Organized by the Kapunungan ng mga Bisaya sa Austria in partnership with the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy, the event promises a day rich in faith, heritage, and joyful cultural expression. A Celebration Rooted in Faith The festivities will open with the celebration of the Holy Mass, honoring the…

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Aggressive Virus Surge in Austria – Virologist Recommends Three Key Measures

Austria is facing a rapidly intensifying flu wave, with hospitals reporting an unusually high number of severe cases. Health experts warn that the situation shows no signs of easing, and the coming weeks may bring even more infections. Rising Hospitalizations Across the Country Influenza cases have been climbing steadily, mirroring the severe flu situation already gripping Italy. According to Austria’s SARI dashboard—which tracks hospital admissions for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections—more people were hospitalized with influenza shortly before the end of the year than at the peak of the 2024/25 flu…

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