Icy Nights, Grey Days: Sunshine in Short Supply Across Austria

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Austria is heading into a turbulent stretch of winter weather, marked by persistent fog, thick cloud cover, and an increasing mix of rain and snow as the weekend approaches. Meteorologists warn that the coming days will bring not only bitterly cold nights but also a heightened risk of icy roads, especially on Saturday. Friday: Fog Dominates, Bitter Cold at Dawn On Friday, dense fog remains a defining feature along the Danube and across the northeastern and southeastern regions, with Lower Austria particularly affected. Elsewhere, passing clouds alternate with occasional sunny…

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ATM Safety: Why Pressing This Button After Withdrawing Cash Still Matters

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Vienna – Withdrawing cash from an ATM remains part of everyday life for many people in Austria, even as digital payments continue to grow. One button on the machine, however, is often overlooked: the red “Cancel” key. Most customers only use it when they accidentally start the wrong transaction. Yet this button once played a far more important role – and in certain situations, it still does. A Look Back: What the “Cancel” Button Was Originally For In the early generations of ATMs, a session stayed active until the customer…

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Minus 10 Degrees – Extreme Cold Now Has Serious Consequences

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In Linz, temperatures dropped to an icy minus 10 degrees in recent days, as shown on a car’s temperature display. Many insects don’t stand a chance in such conditions. The extreme cold of recent weeks is now having its first effects on nature: some insect species are likely to be heavily reduced. For years, the Asian tiger mosquito has been spreading in Austria—helped by mild winters. But this year, the extreme cold is expected to significantly slow its advance. “Winter mortality in this species is clearly higher this year than…

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Housing in Vienna Set to Become Even More Expensive in 2026

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Vienna’s housing market is heading into another challenging year, with experts warning that rents will continue to rise significantly in 2026. According to a new market assessment released on Tuesday by the real estate consultancy EHL Immobilien, a sharp decline in construction activity combined with persistently high demand is driving prices upward—most notably in districts outside the Gürtel. Construction Slump Deepens Supply Shortage EHL describes the current situation as marked by a “dramatic shortage of supply.” For the first time in nearly a decade, the number of newly completed apartments…

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Breathing Plastic: New Research Reveals the Hidden Cloud of Microplastics Indoors

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For years, scientists have warned that microplastics contaminate oceans, soil, and even the food chain. Now, new research suggests that the air we breathe—especially indoors—may be an even more significant source of exposure than previously imagined. According to a study published in PLOS One by a team led by Nadiia Yakovenko of the University of Toulouse, humans inhale tens of thousands of microscopic plastic particles every single day. The numbers are startling. An average adult may breathe in around 68,000 microplastic particles daily, while children—who inhale less air overall—still take…

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Why Do Vitamins Have Letters for Names?

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For most of human history, people understood—intuitively and through experience—that food could heal, strengthen, or harm. Long before anyone spoke of “nutrients,” communities knew that certain foods restored energy, prevented illness, or helped children grow. Yet the scientific explanation behind these effects remained a mystery until surprisingly recently. The story of why vitamins carry letters rather than poetic names is, in many ways, the story of modern nutrition itself. When Food Became Chemistry By the late 19th century, scientists had already identified proteins, fats, and carbohydrates as the major building…

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Wiener Eistraum 2026 Opens Its 31st Season

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Mayor Michael Ludwig and City Councillor Barbara Novak visit construction site ahead of Thursday’s opening Vienna, 22 January 2026 – This Thursday marks the start of the 31st season of the Wiener Eistraum, Vienna’s iconic winter attraction. Since its debut in 1996—exactly 30 years ago—the event has become a beloved fixture of the city’s cultural calendar and is now considered one of Europe’s largest mobile ice-skating venues. Running for 46 days, one week longer than last year, the Wiener Eistraum will welcome visitors daily from 10:00 to 22:00. With more…

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SK Rapid U19 Clinch Mercedes-Benz Cup Bronze with Austro-Pinoy Talent Daniel Mahiya

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Vienna, January 2026 — SK Rapid Wien’s U19 team capped a strong international showing by finishing third at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Cup, held this January and featuring elite youth sides from across Europe. The young Rapids delivered a series of disciplined and energetic performances throughout the tournament, showcasing the club’s renowned youth development system. After navigating a competitive group stage and rebounding from a narrow semifinal setback, SK Rapid U19 closed the campaign with a convincing victory in the third-place playoff to secure a spot on the podium. One of…

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Austria’s Night Sky Ignites: Rare Aurora Shines Across the Country — Even Over Vienna

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Austria witnessed an extraordinary celestial display on Monday night, as vivid auroras illuminated the sky from Vorarlberg to Vienna. Christian Möstl, head of the Austrian Space Weather Office at GeoSphere Austria in Graz, described the event as an “incredible aurora” — a rare spectacle at these latitudes. Western Austria Glows, Vienna Gets a Subtle Show Clear skies in western regions offered the most striking views, with bright red, green, and violet hues dancing above the Alps. Even in the east, where fog and city lights usually drown out faint phenomena,…

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