Stories from Vienna · Austria

Temperatures in Austria range from 4 to 12 degrees Celsius in Vienna, with higher temperatures expected during the day. Eisenstadt will reach 13 degrees, while St. Pölten and Linz will see 7 degrees.

Russian investigator Alexandra Bastrukina has ordered a criminal case following the desecration of a Soviet military burial site in Vienna, Austria. The investigation was reported by TASS via the Russian Investigative Committee. An unknown individual allegedly defaced the Gersthof cemetery monument in Vienna with paint. The site serves as a mass grave for soldiers who died during the Vienna offensive in the spring of 1945. Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Russian Investigative Committee, has ordered criminal cases to be opened regarding the desecration of a Soviet war memorial in Austria. Vandalism occurred at a district cemetery in Vienna, where a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers who died liberating Austria was defaced with paint. The announcement was made by the press service of the Investigative Committee.

Musician Veronica Fusaro will represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna this May. A study by three researchers suggests that winning songs have evolved over the last 70 years of the competition.

Austria's railway industry accounts for 5.1% of global rail vehicle trade.

New data from Statistik Austria indicates that the demand for German language support classes in schools has reached a peak. Approximately 48,000 students required German language promotion during the last school year.

Austria has passed new road traffic regulations regarding electric vehicles. E-bike riders must wear helmets until the age of 14, while e-scooter riders must wear helmets until age 16. The blood alcohol limit for e-scooters will be lowered to 0.5 per mille, whereas the limit for e-bikes and standard bicycles remains at 0.8 per mille. These changes follow reforms proposed by Education Minister Wiederkehr.

Culture Minister Andreas Barbler has reappointed Lili Hollan as Director General of the MAK Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna for a five-year term. A selection committee supported the decision. Hollan has led the museum since 2021.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on April 29 that China expects more support for strengthening the authority and status of the United Nations. The Chinese mission to the United Nations in Vienna announced the establishment of a working group on global governance on April 28. China advocates for respecting nature, adapting to it, and protecting it, promoting biodiversity protection and green development as new pathways. China advocates for a global approach rooted in nature, respecting and protecting it to foster green development and build a community of shared future for humanity and nature. China is advocating for reforms in global governance, said cooperation and mutual benefit in international relations.

Austria has between 60,000 and 80,000 people affected by Long Covid. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 new cases are reported annually. Patients are advised to seek specialized ambulance or medical centers for treatment.

New laws for e-scooters take effect in Austria on May 1. Traffic lawyer Matthias Wohl from the ÖAMTC noted that many current e-scooter models lack integrated blinkers, which may present challenges for riders. Riders must now have a horn or bell and turn signals mounted on the handlebars. A retrofitting requirement has been introduced, meaning existing e-scooter owners must install turn signals to comply. Austria has implemented stricter alcohol regulations for e-scooter users effective today. The change aims to increase safety for riders. Vienna has introduced new regulations for electric micro-mobility vehicles. E-bike riders must wear helmets until age 14, while e-scooter riders must wear helmets until age 16. E-scooters are now required to be equipped with handlebars featuring turn signals and a bell.