Category: General Interest

For the first time, details of the electricity price brake were presented in the National Council. In addition to the electricity subsidy, however, there is another cash bonus. In the Economic Committee, the government’s so-called electricity price brake has already been rubber-stamped with the votes of the ÖVP, Greens, and FPÖ, and now it is being discussed in the National Council. The details remained the same: All households, no matter how big they are and how many people live in them, are to receive a temporary electricity cost subsidy. This…

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On the weekend, Austria’s currently calm and mild autumn weather will be interrupted by clouds and partial rain showers. On Saturday, a cold front with precipitation will arrive from the northwest. Still, the south and east will be spared precipitation until the evening, the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG) forecast on Thursday. The daily highs still range up to 23 degrees on Friday, and in the following days still from 15 to 20 degrees. Weekend weather in Austria with rain showersOn Friday, the high-pressure influence will still dominate…

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The border controls with Slovakia, temporarily imposed last week, will be extended. This was announced by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) to APA. The rules were initially supposed to end on Saturday and will now be extended for another 20 days. With this step, Austria follows the neighboring Czech Republic, which had announced on Wednesday to extend its people controls at the border with Slovakia until October 28. Because of the Czech controls, the Interior Ministry feared a possible shift of the trafficking route running via the Czech Republic towards…

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Regular vaccination against Covid-19 is likely to remain proverbial for the world shortly. According to a large-scale network study by the U.S. National Centers for Disease Control, protection from the vaccine keeps wearing off. That probably makes further immunizations necessary. According to the study, the protective effect of a Covid 19 vaccine also diminishes relatively quickly after boosters. This shows a new analysis of the VISION network of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has now appeared in the prestigious British Medical Journal (DOI:10.1136/bmj-2022-072141), written on…

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The governing parties ÖVP and Greens have agreed to adjust pensions for 2023. Among other things, an increase of ten percent for minimum pensioners is already a deal. The details will be announced by the Minister of Social Affairs, Johannes Rauch (Greens), and the chairman of the Austrian People’s Party, August Wöginger, tomorrow, Tuesday morning. According to unofficial information, the following details have already been agreed upon: The pension increase is to take effect on January 1, 2023.The income of the approximately 200,000 pensioners with equalization supplement (i.e., so-called minimum…

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Last September was quite unpleasant. With an average of 11.6 degrees, a lot of rain, even frost, and snow. The almost usual changeable weather will not change at the weekend. Rain on SundayEspecially in the northern half of Austria, extensive and partly multi-layered clouds will move through on Sunday, with intermittent precipitation to be expected. The snow line will retreat to high mountain elevations above 2,500 meters above sea level. Much friendlier weather conditions can be expected on the southern side of the Alps, where the sun will shine for…

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In Austria, the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) amendment comes into force on Saturday. The regulation will bring significant improvements, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. StVO amendment in force: These rights have cyclistsThe amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations is intended to bring significant improvements above all for pedestrians, cyclists, and road safety. “With comprehensive improvements, the new traffic regulations ensure a much higher priority for cycling and walking,” said Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). Improvement through StVO amendment for cyclists and pedestriansFor cyclists, the following changes: Cars must maintain a…

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The cold winter months begin, and with them, the trembling before the high heating costs—the most important thing to save money: tight windows. The first heaters are gradually put into operation with the falling outdoor temperatures. But this winter, you have to dig deep into your pockets for warm four walls. Prices for energy, gas, oil, and wood, and thus heating, have skyrocketed. Savings are made wherever possible, and only tight windows can help with heating. To do this, they must be set correctly. A tricky undertaking, which is better…

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The weather will present its cool and unsettled side in the coming days. In addition to rain, snow will fall again. A low-pressure complex over Central Europe will provide Austria with changeable and cool autumn weather on Thursday and Friday. Towards Saturday, the low-pressure influence will temporarily weaken, but the next front of an Atlantic storm low will already reach us from the west. Thus, the weekend will also be unstable but significantly milder than recently. A stable autumn high is still not in sight. Thursday will be widespread cloudy…

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