Still 6.8 billion schillings not exchanged for euros

Almost 7 billion schillings are still in circulation. The value has only fallen marginally compared to 2023. While 6.8 billion schillings worth a reasonable 497 million euros had not been exchanged by the end of November last year, this figure was still 495.8 million euros at the same time in 2024—and thus, rounded up, there are still 6.8 billion schillings “hiding.” A total of 18.4 million schillings were exchanged for 1.3 million euros this year, the National Bank announced. According to the National Bank (OeNB), three billion schillings are banknotes,…

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Carolers (Sternsinger) go from house to house again

From 27 December to 6 January, the “Three Wise Men” will be out and about throughout Austria to bring the Christmas message of peace and blessings for 2025. The children also sing and collect to free people from poverty and exploitation for a better world. “We are already highly motivated,” said the carol singers from the parish of Leopoldau. The Epiphany Campaign, the aid organization of the Catholic Children’s Movement (Katholische Jungschar), supports around 500 aid projects in poor regions of the world with donations.540 million euros in donations already…

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Money, deposit, driving: This will all change from January 1, 2025 in Austria

Numerous things will change again from 1 January 2025, with some innovations coming in the course of the year. Here are the most important points: Higher energy billsThe new year will bring higher gas and electricity bills. The main reasons for this are higher grid costs and the fact that from January, the levies, which were reduced to a minimum during the energy crisis, will once again apply in full. The expiry of the electricity price cap on 31 December 2024 may also lead to higher costs. Household energy bills…

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New “plastic deposit” from January 1: What consumers need to watch out for in the future

Only a few days are left before the single-use deposit for drink packaging is introduced on 1 January 2025. But what will change for consumers at the beginning of January? How much deposit do they have to pay, and how do they get their money back? Which packaging will be subject to a deposit in future?As is already the case with reusable packaging, a deposit will also be introduced for disposable plastic or metal drinks packaging in January. Customers will have to pay 25 cents per PET bottle or can,…

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Flu epidemic has begun in Austria

The flu epidemic has begun in Austria. The Center for Virology at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) has reported a significant increase in influenza viruses in clinical samples. Cases of real flu are rising throughout Europe; experts still advise vaccination. In the previous week, a more than four-fold increase in cases of real flu (influenza, note) was observed in clinical samples nationwide compared to calendar week 50, MedUni Vienna’s Center for Virology announced on Monday. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) reported 905 sick days due to influenza.…

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Urbi et Orbi: Pope Francis gives Christmas blessing and calls for peace

With a moving Christmas message and the traditional Christmas blessing “Urbi et Orbi,” Pope Francis called for global peace on Christmas Day. He expressed concern about numerous trouble spots, including Ukraine and the Middle East wars. 38,000 faithful at Christmas massAfter the Pope opened the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday evening, ushering in the Holy Year 2025, Francis read his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday. From the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the head of around 1.4 billion Catholics blessed Urbi et Orbi (to the city of…

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8th place for Vienna: these are the best food travel destinations worldwide in 2025

TasteAtlas has selected the 100 best food travel destinations in the world. From street food gems to culinary traditions, the ranking is a must for anyone who plans their vacation by taste. Vienna is among the top ten. With 8th place in the current ranking, Vienna proves why it deserves a top position worldwide regarding culinary delights. The Austrian capital leaves cities such as New York (12th place) and Madrid (11th place) in its wake. Whether it’s Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Zwiebelrostbraten, or apple strudel, the variety and quality of the…

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Finally: a standardized charging plug is coming

The USB-C charging plug will become the standard for smartphones, tablets, and other electrical devices throughout the EU. Which devices does the directive apply to?All new cell phones, tablets, and digital cameras should be able to be charged via the USB-C charging plug. This also applies to loudspeaker boxes, headphones, portable navigation systems, mice, and printers. Starting in spring 2026, all new laptops will have a standardized charging plug. Under the new directive, other conventional plugs, such as the older micro-USB connector and the Lightning connector for iPhones, will no…

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Garbage piles increase during the holidays

Twinkling lights and festive feasting—but Christmas also has its dark side: an extra meal ends in the bin. And then there’s the gift wrapping. A fine festive roast, Christmas carp, vegetables, fruit—often carted from far away—tasty cheese, fine sausages, sophisticated desserts, and cookies: it’s time for a little more, they say during the holidays. Austria’s households produce 4.5 million tons of waste every year. Despite high prices, food accounts for 16 percent of residual waste. When we surprise our loved ones with a delicious meal, our eyes are often bigger…

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