The Austrian police have released an acute nationwide warning after a sharp rise in fraudulent “Schockanrufe” — scam calls in which criminals pose as police officers, court officials or prosecutors to extort money from unsuspecting victims. What’s happening In recent days, authorities have received a growing number of reports from people across Austria who were contacted by callers claiming that a close relative had caused a serious traffic accident and was now in custody. To avoid jail, the scammers demand an immediate cash bail payment. The perpetrators exploit the emotional…

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Only one in three Austrians supports banning artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT in schools, while smartphones and social media face considerably stronger opposition, according to the latest Ipsos Global Education Monitor. The survey found that 34 percent of Austrians would support a ban on AI applications in schools, while 48 percent opposed such a measure. Internationally, support for an AI ban was slightly higher, at 39 percent. Majority backs smartphone ban The picture changes significantly when it comes to smartphones. Sixty-two percent of Austrians support banning smartphones in schools,…

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Vienna commuters face a new wave of public transport disruptions this autumn as the Wiener Linien begin extensive track and station renovations across several districts. Starting in September, multiple tram lines will be rerouted, sections suspended, and the U6 station Neue Donau partially closed for more than two years. Major Track Works Begin in Floridsdorf One of the largest projects launches on 8 September along Donaufelder Straße, where around 1,100 meters of track will be replaced. The Carminweg stop will be widened and modernized. From 14 September until the end…

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