The Impact of Fireworks on New Year’s Eve: A Closer Look at the Environment and Animals

Every New Year’s Eve, the sky lights up with dazzling fireworks displays, symbolizing celebration and hope for the coming year. While these spectacular shows captivate millions worldwide, their impact on the environment and animals is often overlooked. Understanding these effects is crucial as we strive to balance traditions with sustainability and compassion for our planet and its inhabitants. Environmental Impact of Fireworks 1. Air Pollution Fireworks release a cocktail of harmful chemicals and particulate matter into the atmosphere. When fireworks explode, they emit delicate particulate matter (PM2.5), heavy metals like…

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How the Viennese celebrate New Year’s Eve

The turn of the year is just around the corner, and the Viennese usually celebrate New Year’s Eve in a very traditional way, with lots of culinary delights from close family or friends. Fireworks, toasts, and the Danube Waltz are a must. According to a recent study conducted by KMU Forschung Austria on behalf of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, 6 out of 10 Viennese (62 percent) plan to celebrate the turn of the year. This festive mood is also reflected in consumer spending, which averages 60 euros per person.…

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Weather remains sunny and mild at the end of the year

The last days of the year bring mild weather and sunshine to Austria. Temperatures of up to ten degrees are also forecast for New Year’s Eve. The end of the year will bring Austrians sunshine and milder temperatures as the days go by. According to the Geosphere Austria forecast, it is set to reach up to ten degrees on New Year’s Eve and even up to twelve degrees next Sunday. However, it will primarily remain cold—or rather, icy—in the morning. Year-end brings sunshine and milder temperaturesThe details: On Friday, there…

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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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