Austria: Ministry of Finance warns: Beware of this e-mail!

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On Saturday, the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) once again warned about an email scam circulating: criminals are trying to obtain people’s personal data by sending messages in the ministry’s name. Specifically, potential victims are led to believe that they will receive a 500-euro refund but will have to disclose their credit card details to do so. Links then lead to fake websites in the FinanzOnline style. The ministry stated that the e-mails with the subject “The processing of your refund has begun” are fake. It also said the requests…

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2025 will see income increases and higher pensions

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Wages, salaries, and pensions will be adjusted again next year, measured as always against last year’s inflation. As a result, the increase in income in most major sectors will be around four percent.The new collective agreement for the public sector will apply for the next two years. The agreement for the coming year provides for an average increase of 3.5 percent with social grading of a minimum of 82.40 euros and a maximum of 437.80 euros. An agreement was also reached for 2026, where a further 0.3 percent will be…

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The friendliest people in the world live in these countries

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Whether you are travelling in Europe or further afield, planning a longer stay abroad, or even wanting to emigrate, one thing is always important: how friendly the people are at your vacation destination or in your destination country. After all, we often fondly remember the helpfulness or surprising invitations from locals.In April of this year, Remitly, a digital provider of financial services, commissioned a study to determine which nations are the friendliest in the world. More than 3,000 people from all over the world took part and answered questions on…

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2025 brings deposit on cans and higher energy bills

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2025 will be marked by an economic downturn, crises, and global warming. But there is also plenty to celebrate, such as the anniversaries of the end of the Second World War, the State Treaty, and Austria’s accession to the EU. Citizens will face many changes, such as introducing a deposit on cans and plastic, new teleworking regulations, and standardized chargers. Many things will become more expensive, but salaries and social benefits will also increase. As always, the benchmark for wages, salaries, and pensions was last year’s inflation. In the public…

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Epiphany campaign: Carol singing for children’s and women’s rights in Nepal

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Thousands of carol singers will again be out and about shortly after Christmas. According to the Epiphany Campaign (DKA), the donations collected this year will particularly benefit child protection and the education of young people in Nepal, the focus country. DKA’s partner organizations, Yuwalaya and Opportunity Village Nepal (OVN), are fighting poverty, exploitation, and human trafficking with local projects. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Almost half of the population lives in poverty. “A lack of jobs and low wages keep many people trapped in a…

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Austria: Weather will be milder again next week

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The weather will be milder again next week. Due to a warm front that will hit Austria on Monday, the experts at Geosphere Austria are forecasting temperatures of up to ten degrees. However, the weekend will still be unsettled. High air pressure will continue to dominate the weather on Friday. Very sunny weather will prevail in the mountains, but in many basins and valleys, but also in the east and southeast, fog or high fog is to be expected. The wind will blow weakly in the Danube region and the…

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It’s getting more expensive again: Driving as a luxury—What will change in 2025

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No new year is complete without new burdens for car owners. Above all, the increase in the CO₂ price will be felt by Austrians in their wallets—diesel and petrol will be more expensive again. An overview. The two major automobile clubs, ÖAMTC and ARBÖ have already gained an overview of what is in store for motorists at the turn of the year. In a nutshell: The more emissions a vehicle emits, the more expensive it will be. The debate is also focusing on the regional climate bonus, which was introduced…

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Charity Effort Led by Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag Brings Winter Clothes to Ukraine

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In a heartwarming act of solidarity, the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary of Manaoag, supported by the Through Mary to Jesus (TMTJ) devotional group and Foundation, responded to a call for aid by the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Töllergasse, 1210 Vienna—the initiative aimed to provide winter clothes for those affected by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. This collaborative effort resulted in collecting numerous sacks of winter clothing, which will soon be transported to the war-torn country. The distribution will be facilitated by established contact…

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Austrians are spending more on gifts again

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Retailers have drawn a first, satisfied balance of the Christmas business. On average, we spend 386 euros on gifts. December is the most important month of the financial year for most Austrian retailers and is considered the “5th quarter” within the industry. Christmas business determines whether the financial year ends successfully or not. In 2024, this crisis applies more than ever, even though this year’s starting position was primarily characterized by loss limitation due to the economic recession, countless bankruptcies, and below-average consumer sentiment. The good news, according to the…

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