Latest Austria government News

Today in History: June 18, Sally Ride becomes first American woman in space

Jun. 18, 2024 00:14 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Tuesday, June 18, the 170th day of 2024. There are 196 days left in the year. This is Father’s Day. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally K. Ride became America’s first woman in space as she and...

Austrian chancellor to remain in government coalition despite his minister's controversial EU vote

Jun. 17, 2024 13:08 PM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said his conservative Austrian People's Party would remain in the current government coalition with its Green party junior partner — even though the Green's environment minister voted on Monday for the so-called Nature Restoration plan, which...

Brigitte Bierlein, Austria's first woman chancellor, dies at 74

Jun. 03, 2024 11:49 AM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — Brigitte Bierlein, the former head of Austria’s Constitutional Court who became the country’s first female chancellor in an interim government in 2019, has died. She was 74. Her death on Monday was announced by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who wrote that “for...

Austrian leader lauds UK's efforts on migration and cites its plan for deportations to Rwanda

May. 21, 2024 06:30 AM EDT

VIENNA (AP) — Austria's leader praised Britain Tuesday as a “pioneer” in outsourcing asylum proceedings to places outside Europe, citing a U.K. bill to send migrants to Rwanda as he hosted Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Vienna. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer's conservative...

An avalanche in the Austrian Alps kills 3 people from the Netherlands

Apr. 11, 2024 10:27 AM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — An avalanche near the Austrian ski resort of Soelden on Thursday killed three people from the Netherlands who were on a skiing and hiking trip, authorities said. Another person was rescued and taken to a hospital. Police said a group of 17 people from the Netherlands,...

An espionage scandal rocks Austria, laying bare alleged Russian spying operations across Europe

Apr. 08, 2024 08:14 AM EDT

VIENNA (AP) — Austria faces its biggest espionage scandal in decades as the arrest of a former intelligence officer brings to light evidence of extensive Russian infiltration, lax official oversight and behavior worthy of a spy novel. Egisto Ott was arrested March 29. The 86-page...

Austria likely to be largely ice-free within 45 years as glaciers recede quickly, experts say

Apr. 05, 2024 09:47 AM EDT

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian glaciers receded last year at a rapid pace and the Alpine country is likely to be largely ice-free in 40 to 45 years as the process continues, experts said Friday. The Austrian Alpine Club said that, of the 93 glaciers its volunteers measured and observed,...

Ecuador declares Mexican ambassador persona non grata and says she will leave 'shortly'

Apr. 04, 2024 20:26 PM EDT

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) — Ecuador on Thursday declared Mexico's ambassador to Quito persona non grata due to recent statements made by Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and said she will be leaving the country “shortly.” López Obrador's remarks were about the 2023...

Austrian minister aims to tighten espionage law to ban spying against international organizations

Apr. 04, 2024 04:26 AM EDT

BERLIN (AP) — Austria's justice minister said Thursday that she plans to tighten the country's rules on espionage, which currently is explicitly banned if directed against Austria itself but not if it targets other countries or international organizations. Justice Minister Alma...

Chancellor says Austria needs to deter Russian infiltration after allegations of spying emerge

Apr. 01, 2024 18:05 PM EDT

VIENNA (AP) — The arrest in recent days of a former Austrian intelligence officer on serious allegations of spying for Russia suggests that Austria needs to boost its security to thwart Russian infiltration, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Monday. The allegations against...