UK enforces digital entry permit – transition period ends

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After the end of a transition phase, entering the United Kingdom has no longer been possible without a digital entry permit (ETA) since Wednesday. From now on, anyone who has not purchased the authorization online in advance for £16 (around €19) will be denied boarding by airlines and ferry operators. Citizens of all ages from 85 countries — including EU member states, the United States, and Canada — must present the permit in order to enter the UK, the British Home Office explained. A separate entry permit must be obtained…

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The Biology of Being Kind

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Kindness acts like a quiet, steady medicine for both body and mind. It lowers stress, strengthens our social bonds, and even influences how long we live. A feature on why kindness is good for our health can unfold across several layers — biological, psychological, and social — showing how something so simple can have such profound effects. Acts of kindness trigger a cascade of physiological responses that support well‑being. Emotional Benefits That Build Resilience Kindness doesn’t just make us feel good in the moment — it shapes long-term emotional health.…

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824,400 injured: Most accidents happen at home

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In 2025, hospitals in Austria treated 824,400 people for accident-related injuries, either as outpatients or inpatients. According to the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV), this represents a 2% increase compared to the previous year. Treatment costs rose by 7%, reaching three billion euros. Most injuries occurred at home (334,500 cases), followed by leisure and recreational sports (280,700), work and school (111,400), and traffic accidents (97,800). Accidents at home on the rise “The greatest risk of accidents is within your own four walls,” said KFV Director Christian Schimanofsky at a press…

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Why We Have to Wait Another Month for Daylight Saving Time

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On the last Sunday in March, clocks are moved forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., marking the start of Daylight Saving Time. This year, the change takes place during the night of March 29. The “lost” hour will be returned at the end of October when winter time begins again. Many people still have clocks that were never adjusted after the last time change in autumn — whether it’s the digital clock on an old oven, the one in grandma’s kitchen, or the display in the car. For anyone…

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Tick Alert: Regions With the Highest TBE Case Numbers Identified

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Austria recorded fewer cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in 2025 compared with the unusually strong infection year of 2024, according to new figures released on Thursday by the Austrian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (ÖVIH). Experts, however, warn that the risk remains unchanged for people without vaccination protection. A total of 132 hospitalised TBE cases were reported in 2025, marking a decline from 158 cases in 2024. Researchers at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien) said the latest season falls within the range of “typical annual fluctuations.” Upper Austria Leads Case…

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Sudden temperature jump — why your body feels out of balance

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One day it’s icy and snowy, the next the sun is shining and your winter coat stays in the closet. These rapid temperature swings don’t just feel strange — they can put real stress on your body. Biometeorology divides people into three groups: those who are weather‑reactive, weather‑sensitive, or weather‑susceptible. How your body reacts to weather changes Which group you fall into depends on several factors. Andreas Matzarakis, professor of environmental meteorology at the University of Freiburg, explains in an Ö1 interview that your reaction is shaped by your general…

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AKH Vienna’s global recognition: Voices of Filipino nurses: pride, gratitude, and memories

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AKH Vienna’s rise to 20th place in the World’s Best Hospitals 2026 ranking has sparked an emotional wave of pride among Filipino nurses who worked at the hospital over several decades. Their reactions, shared publicly on social media, paint a vivid picture of how deeply connected the Filipino community is to Austria’s largest and most prestigious medical institution. AKH Vienna’s global recognition The Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien) and the Medical University of Vienna climbed from 27th to 20th place in the Newsweek/Statista global hospital ranking, placing the institution among…

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New Traffic Rules – Major Changes Coming to Austria

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Austria’s road users will soon face noticeable changes. The government is pushing forward a comprehensive reform of the country’s Road Traffic Act (StVO), introducing stricter rules for e‑scooters, updated regulations for e‑mopeds, and clearer data‑protection standards. The revised law is expected to take effect in May. Infrastructure Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ) calls the reform a “milestone for transport in Austria.” E‑scooter riders will feel the impact most: carrying additional passengers or transporting objects will be banned, and the legal alcohol limit will drop from 0.8 to 0.5 per mille. Helmets…

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Vienna Faces Parking Permit Rush as Thousands Near Expiration

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Vienna currently has 402,877 residents with a parking permit (Parkpickerl). Four years after the city introduced the citywide short-term parking zone, a major wave of renewals is coming at the end of February. A total of 80,429 permits will expire, although 32,422 have already been renewed. The districts most affected are Hietzing, Floridsdorf, Donaustadt, and Liesing. This means that more than 48,000 permits still have no renewal application submitted. District offices are urging residents to apply for a new permit in time to avoid potential fines. Experience shows that many…

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