Booking.com Scam Warning: Fraudulent Emails Could Cost Travellers Dearly

Travellers who have booked accommodation through Booking.com are being urged to exercise extra caution when receiving emails related to their reservations, as consumer advocates warn of a sophisticated scam targeting customers. Austria’s Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer, AK) has issued a warning about fraudulent messages that appear to come from legitimate accommodation providers listed on Booking.com. The emails are designed to trick travellers into revealing sensitive information or making payments to criminals. According to the AK, the scam messages may contain accurate personal details and travel information, making them appear authentic.…

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Winter Time 2026: Clocks to Go Back on October 25

The next seasonal clock change is approaching, with daylight saving time set to end on October 25, 2026. On that date, clocks across much of Europe will be turned back by one hour, marking the return to winter time. People looking to remember the date can follow the usual rule of thumb: the clock change takes place on the last Sunday of October. In 2026, that falls on October 25. In the early hours of Sunday morning, clocks will be moved back from 3 a.m. to 2 a.m. The change…

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Austrian Families Face Financial Squeeze as Family Benefits Changes Take Effect From 2027

Austrian families will have to adjust to reduced financial support from 2027 after the government approved measures in its 2027-2028 double budget that will affect household finances. While some benefits are not being directly cut, the continued suspension of inflation adjustments means their real value will continue to decline as living costs rise. One of the most significant changes concerns key family benefits, including family allowance and childcare benefits. According to financial portal Finanz.at, neither payment will be indexed to inflation in 2028, marking the third consecutive year without an…

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Researchers Warn: Too Much Coffee May Accelerate Brain Aging

VIENNA – Austrians are among Europe’s keen coffee drinkers, consuming an average of around 2.75 cups per day, according to a representative survey conducted last year. While moderate coffee consumption is generally considered safe, new research suggests that regularly drinking large amounts of coffee could have negative effects on cognitive health later in life. Scientists from the United States and Australia reported at the 2024 International Conference of the Alzheimer’s Association (AAIC) that consuming four or more cups of coffee daily may accelerate the decline of so-called “fluid intelligence” –…

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Voices United in Faith: Filipino Catholic Community Joint Choir Enriches Peñafrancia Thanksgiving Mass in Vienna

On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Filipino Catholic Community in Vienna came together in prayer and thanksgiving at the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy, where music became a powerful expression of faith, unity and devotion. At the heart of the celebration was the Filipino Catholic Community Joint Choir, whose members from different Filipino Catholic choirs joined their voices to provide the musical accompaniment for the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia and the Thanksgiving Holy Mass of Bishop Cyril “Jojo” Villareal. Hundreds of faithful gathered for the celebration, filling the church with…

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The Three Things to Give Up If You Want to Live Longer

In the quest for a longer, healthier life, many people are constantly searching for the latest superfood, dietary supplement, or fitness trend. Yet while the wellness industry promotes new solutions almost daily, researchers have long agreed on a simpler truth: longevity is influenced not only by what we add to our lives, but also by what we choose to leave behind. The encouraging news is that improving life expectancy does not necessarily require expensive programs, extreme diets, or revolutionary lifestyle changes. Often, the most effective steps are surprisingly straightforward. According…

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Bishop Cyril Villareal Leads Peñafrancia Feast on the Danube in Vienna

VIENNA — The Filipino Catholic community in Vienna gathered on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a special celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, bringing together around 300 devotees aboard the MS Tegetthoff near the Reichsbrücke for a day of faith, Marian devotion, thanksgiving and Filipino community spirit. The annual Danube River celebration, organized by the Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy in Vienna, once again brought to Austria a distinctive expression of the centuries-old Filipino devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia, or Ina Peñafrancia. Procession, Rosary and Marian Hymns The…

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Austria Tightens Scrutiny of Large Cash Deposits as New EU Rules Loom

VIENNA – Austrians depositing large amounts of cash into their bank accounts may be asked to explain where the money came from, even though there is currently no fixed threshold below which banks are guaranteed not to conduct additional checks. Cash deposits from legitimate sources such as long-term savings, the sale of a vehicle, or insurance payouts are generally permitted. However, banks are required to monitor customer transactions as part of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations. If a deposit appears unusual compared with a customer’s typical banking activity, financial…

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Ube: The Purple Philippine Yam Taking Austria by Storm

A striking shade of purple is making its way into Austria’s cafés, dessert counters and social-media feeds. The ingredient behind the trend is ube, the naturally violet yam from the Philippines that is increasingly appearing in everything from lattes and cheesecakes to ice cream. The recent Treffpunkt Österreich zu Mittag segment, “Ube: Die lila Knolle im Trend-Check,” takes a closer look at the ingredient behind the growing culinary trend. According to the programme, purple is becoming an increasingly popular colour in gastronomy, with ube at the centre of the phenomenon.…

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