Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
Authorities looking to curb illegal racing, energy prices rising, traffic expected ahead of the extended weekend and more news from Austria on Friday.
Vienna wants to take action against speeding drivers
The City of Vienna is looking for ways to deal with illegal races across its street, especially in its 19th-Döbling district, where accidents happen too often, daily Der Standard reported.
Some measures have already been taken, including adding concrete guard walls in parking lots where racers meet and adding a 30km/h speed zone.
Now, Viennese authorities want changes in laws at a federal level, specifically a way to legally confiscate cars in cases of serious infractions or multiple offences.
READ ALSO: What happens if you get arrested in Austria?
Rising energy costs
Austrian households paid 45 percent more for energy in June than in the same month the year before, Die Presse says. The prices of fuels, heating oil and gas have risen sharply. Wood pellets and firewood are also more expensive.
When it comes to electricity and gas, many providers are also increasing prices.
In addition to the gas crisis, other factors also affected the price of electricity: drought in large parts of Europe reduces production in river power plants. Besides that, many nuclear power plants are not in operation due to technical defects; others have to be throttled because the rivers used for cooling lead were either too warm or had too little water.
"The high prices are a signal for diversification towards more wind power, photovoltaics, and geothermal energy and at the same time, more energy efficiency and energy saving", Austria's Energy Agency said.
READ ALSO: Cost of living: Austria’s postal service announces prices increases
Austria wants to reopen its embassy in Baghdad
Austria is looking to reopen its embassy in Iraq by September 1st, daily Kurier reported. The Austrian ambassador left Baghdad in January 1991, with other Western diplomats, due to security reasons.
According to the Kurier, the embassy in Baghdad is now to be "housed in a protected, international area as a first step", with security forces hired locally. The authorities believe permanent representation in the country will be a "decisive advantage" for Austrian companies and organisations.
Additionally, a specific officer in the embassy should inform Vienna of "current developments and the prevailing situation in Iraq" and, in particular, any news on the topic of migration.
READ ALSO: MAP: Who are the foreigners in Austria?
Traffic and troubles for the extended weekend ahead
Austria's ÖAMTC expects heavy travel on the country's transit routes ahead of the long weekend and warned motorists to expect traffic jams and queues by the borders.
The transport club said many travellers continue to drive south while some are already driving in the opposite direction returning from vacation. The extended weekend due to the Monday holiday (Mariä Himmelfahrt) also favours day trips and short breaks, especially with the nice weather forecast.
The worst traffic should be divided into Sunday and Monday, ÖAMTC warns.
READ ALSO: ‘Bad and hasty drivers’: Your verdict on scrapping Austrian autobahn speed limits
Heat and thunderstorms this Friday in Austria
Though the day starts sunny in most of Austria, the afternoon should bring showers and thunderstorms, especially above the mountains. In the east, it should be more stable and sunny, Austria's meteorologic agency ZAMG said. Afternoon temperatures will be between 22C and 27C.
During the evening hours, the rain will subside and dry weather generally prevails. Low temperatures will be between 8C and 17C.
"In Vienna, sunny weather prevails, even if clouds seem denser. Short rains cannot be ruled out", ZAMG says. Afternoon temperatures will be around 27C. The night will be around 16C.
READ ALSO: Wild weather in Austria: How to protect yourself during summer storms
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Vienna wants to take action against speeding drivers
The City of Vienna is looking for ways to deal with illegal races across its street, especially in its 19th-Döbling district, where accidents happen too often, daily Der Standard reported.
Some measures have already been taken, including adding concrete guard walls in parking lots where racers meet and adding a 30km/h speed zone.
Now, Viennese authorities want changes in laws at a federal level, specifically a way to legally confiscate cars in cases of serious infractions or multiple offences.
READ ALSO: What happens if you get arrested in Austria?
Rising energy costs
Austrian households paid 45 percent more for energy in June than in the same month the year before, Die Presse says. The prices of fuels, heating oil and gas have risen sharply. Wood pellets and firewood are also more expensive.
When it comes to electricity and gas, many providers are also increasing prices.
In addition to the gas crisis, other factors also affected the price of electricity: drought in large parts of Europe reduces production in river power plants. Besides that, many nuclear power plants are not in operation due to technical defects; others have to be throttled because the rivers used for cooling lead were either too warm or had too little water.
"The high prices are a signal for diversification towards more wind power, photovoltaics, and geothermal energy and at the same time, more energy efficiency and energy saving", Austria's Energy Agency said.
READ ALSO: Cost of living: Austria’s postal service announces prices increases
Austria wants to reopen its embassy in Baghdad
Austria is looking to reopen its embassy in Iraq by September 1st, daily Kurier reported. The Austrian ambassador left Baghdad in January 1991, with other Western diplomats, due to security reasons.
According to the Kurier, the embassy in Baghdad is now to be "housed in a protected, international area as a first step", with security forces hired locally. The authorities believe permanent representation in the country will be a "decisive advantage" for Austrian companies and organisations.
Additionally, a specific officer in the embassy should inform Vienna of "current developments and the prevailing situation in Iraq" and, in particular, any news on the topic of migration.
READ ALSO: MAP: Who are the foreigners in Austria?
Traffic and troubles for the extended weekend ahead
Austria's ÖAMTC expects heavy travel on the country's transit routes ahead of the long weekend and warned motorists to expect traffic jams and queues by the borders.
The transport club said many travellers continue to drive south while some are already driving in the opposite direction returning from vacation. The extended weekend due to the Monday holiday (Mariä Himmelfahrt) also favours day trips and short breaks, especially with the nice weather forecast.
The worst traffic should be divided into Sunday and Monday, ÖAMTC warns.
READ ALSO: ‘Bad and hasty drivers’: Your verdict on scrapping Austrian autobahn speed limits
Heat and thunderstorms this Friday in Austria
Though the day starts sunny in most of Austria, the afternoon should bring showers and thunderstorms, especially above the mountains. In the east, it should be more stable and sunny, Austria's meteorologic agency ZAMG said. Afternoon temperatures will be between 22C and 27C.
During the evening hours, the rain will subside and dry weather generally prevails. Low temperatures will be between 8C and 17C.
"In Vienna, sunny weather prevails, even if clouds seem denser. Short rains cannot be ruled out", ZAMG says. Afternoon temperatures will be around 27C. The night will be around 16C.
READ ALSO: Wild weather in Austria: How to protect yourself during summer storms
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