How much tip should you give abroad?

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An attentive waiter in a restaurant, a friendly taxi driver—in Austria, it is customary to tip around 10 percent of the bill for good service. A political debate has erupted over tipping. But what is the situation like abroad? “In many countries, tips of five to ten percent are also common,” explains Yvette Polasek, travel expert at ÖAMTC. But there are also countries where different customs apply. It’s important to know this to avoid putting your foot in your mouth. Italy and Croatia In Austrians’ favorite vacation destinations, a tip…

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New telephone scam—Police: “Hang up immediately!”

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The police are warning that there has been an increase in calls in Upper Austria in which the perpetrators introduce themselves as security staff from the victim’s bank. In this brazen scam, the victim is told that “suspicious money transfers” have been detected on their account and must be stopped immediately to prevent any damage. “Be careful, these bank employees do not exist—they are fraudsters!” warn the police. Tips from the police End these conversations immediately. Never allow remote access to your PC. Never install programs based on caller instructions.…

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Tonight it will be at its largest—the “Hay Moon” is coming

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The first full moon of the astronomical summer is known as the Hay Moon in our region. Its origins go back a long way. It’s worth taking a look at the night sky today. At 9:17 p.m., the so-called Hay Moon or Buck Moon will rise over Vienna. It will be fully illuminated by the sun at 10:36 p.m. The July full moon is one of the lowest of the year; only the Strawberry Moon on June 11 was lower above the horizon. The reason is that after the summer…

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Partial retirement in Austria approved

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Partial retirement approved: The government plans to extend working hours—new regulations are set to take effect in 2026, including restrictions on partial pension. Before the 75-day parliamentary recess, the government is rushing a marathon of legislation through the National Council. In addition to the controversial surveillance of messengers, this also includes a minor pension reform. The latter was decided on Thursday afternoon. The aim is to keep Austrians in the workforce for even longer. The key point is the introduction of partial pensions, which are to be paid in parallel…

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More and more warnings: How dangerous is the Asian hornet really?

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The Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) is spreading at an alarming rate in Europe, as several local institutions have recently reported. The insect was first sighted in France in 2015, and its spread is increasingly threatening biodiversity and agriculture in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Hungary. In Austria, the first case was documented on April 9, 2024, in the city of Salzburg. The threat posed by the Asian hornet to native honeybees is particularly worrying. The invasive species specifically hunts honey bees—and does so in a ruthless manner, lurking in…

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Water is better than diet soda

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People with type 2 diabetes who are also obese should drink water instead of diet sodas. According to a Canadian study, water leads to greater and longer-lasting weight loss. It can even cause diabetes to disappear. For type 2 diabetics with obesity, water is a much better drink than zero-calorie soft drinks. This was the finding of a Canadian study recently presented at the annual congress of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Water led to greater and longer-lasting weight loss and, in many cases, to the disappearance of diabetes. For…

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June breaks heat records for the third year in a row

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Heat alert: June 2025 breaks records again, becoming the hottest month in Western Europe since records began. According to the EU Earth observation program Copernicus, last month was the hottest June in Western Europe since measurements began. Worldwide, June 2025 was the third warmest June, trailing only June 2024 and coming close to the heat of June 2023. This means that record average temperatures have been measured for the third consecutive year. In Europe, which is warming twice as fast as the global average, particularly “extreme” temperatures were measured. Hottest…

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Virus causes massive carp deaths in Vienna’s Old Danube

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According to ORF, the cause of the carp die-off is the koi herpes virus. The University of Veterinary Medicine identified this virus after examining the dead fish. The virus entered the Old Danube through illegally released koi fish The Austrian Fisheries Society has determined that the virus entered the waters through the illegal release of koi fish. Unfortunately, the affected carp apparently have no defense against this pathogen. Although 200 carp have died so far, Stefan La Garde from the Fisheries Society emphasizes that the general fish population in the…

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Measles and hepatitis on the rise in Vienna

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Fever, accompanied by a skin rash covered with red pustules: the measles virus is highly contagious. The Vienna Health Authority recently sent a warning to hospitals, emergency services, and doctors’ offices. In it, MA 15 reports an increase in measles and hepatitis cases in the city. Here are the reasons why and how you can protect yourself. Measles is a highly contagious infectious disease that is easily recognizable by the red pustules that cover the skin and cause fever. The insidious virus (transmitted by tiny droplets) often affects children, but…

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