Austria

Gleisdorf – September 13, 2026 -- Artificial intelligence can now solve homework, write full essays, and answer complex questions within seconds, prompting education economist Ludger Wößmann to warn that children risk losing the motivation to build knowledge on their own.

Basic literacy and math remain non-negotiable, expert says

Wößmann argues that reading, writing, and arithmetic are becoming more important, not less, in the AI era. Without solid language skills, a child cannot judge the quality of an AI-generated text. Without foundational knowledge, they cannot critically evaluate an AI's answer or even know which questions to ask.

Vienna – September 12, 2026 -- Austrian company Tubolito is marking ten years since it introduced bicycle tubes made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a material shift that created an entirely new product category in cycling.

Founders questioned why butyl remained the default material

Ákos Kertész and Christian Lembacher founded Tubolito in 2016 after years of experience working with TPU plastic. Kertész recalls that the real question was never whether TPU could work for bike tubes, but why the industry kept using butyl at all, while frames, wheels and gearing had already been redesigned around new materials.

No machines existed for TPU tube production, so the founders built their own

At the time, there were no manufacturing machines or industry standards suited to producing TPU bicycle tubes. Kertész and Lembacher developed their own fabrication processes and equipment from scratch to make the material viable for cycling.

Munich – September 11, 2026 -- Italian restaurant chain L'Osteria is putting fresh black truffle on its pizza menu for the first time, launching the dish as part of a limited-time "Mamma Mia" promotion running September 12 to 20.

The Pizza Tartufo, topped with freshly shaved black truffle, costs 11.95 euros in participating restaurants across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and France. The same pizza is priced at 345 Czech koruna in the Czech Republic and 22.90 Swiss francs in Switzerland. Availability is limited to stock on hand.

Truffle moves from fine dining to casual pizza tables

John Schlüter, CMO of L'Osteria, said truffle is typically associated with white tablecloths and multi-course tasting menus. He said the chain wanted to bring freshly shaved black truffle to its pizzas without turning it into something complicated, aiming instead to give guests an accessible special moment.

Hall in Tirol – September 09, 2026 -- The Hall-Wattens tourism region in Tyrol is promoting its autumn season, combining hiking trails, historic museums and a discounted two-night package starting at 98 euros.

A hike to Walderalm reveals panoramic mountain views

The Walderalm, described as one of the region's power spots, sits on a plateau offering views stretching from the Tuxer Alps to the rugged cliffs of the Karwendel range. Multiple trail options make the alm accessible for both families and more experienced hikers.

Museums fill in the gaps on rainy autumn days

The Bergbaumuseum documents the history of local salt mining, while the Münze Hall traces the origin of the first taler coin and its link to the development of the modern dollar. The Swarovski Kristallwelten in Wattens remains a recommended stop as well.

Munich – September 09, 2026 -- Drivers across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy should brace for heavy congestion this weekend as the return wave from summer holidays collides with ongoing vacation traffic, the ADAC warns.

With school holidays ending in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and the last Austrian regions, return traffic from the south toward the north is expected to peak. At the same time, outbound traffic toward the Alps, lakes, coasts and low mountain ranges remains elevated.

Friday evening and Saturday carry the highest risk of gridlock

The ADAC identifies the worst congestion windows as Friday afternoon and evening, Saturday morning, and the return rush from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.