Latest Austria News

Germany and other European countries suspend decisions on Syrians' asylum bids after Assad's fall

Dec. 09, 2024 12:11 PM EST

BERLIN (AP) — Germany and several other European countries said Monday they are suspending decisions on asylum claims by Syrian nationals because of the unclear situation in their homeland following the fall of Bashar Assad. Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees said...

Weather affects World Cup bobsled, luge races in Austria and Germany

Dec. 08, 2024 14:31 PM EST

ALTENBERG, Germany (AP) — Germany swept the podium spots in the first women's bobsled World Cup race of the season Sunday, with the team of Laura Nolte and Deborah Levi getting the victory. Lisa Buckwitz and Neele Schuten took second in Altenberg, and Kim Kalicki and Lauren Siebert...

Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40

Dec. 07, 2024 14:52 PM EST

COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races...

Friedrich wins 80th World Cup bobsled gold, Humphries returns, USA Luge gets pair of top-5 finishes

Dec. 07, 2024 12:58 PM EST

ALTENBERG, Germany (AP) — Francesco Friedrich of Germany got the 80th World Cup win of his career Saturday, teaming with rookie Simon Wulff to prevail in the opening two-man bobsled race of the season. It was Friedrich's 133rd World Cup medal — including four-man results — in...

Lindsey Vonn to make her comeback to downhill racing at age 40 this weekend

Dec. 04, 2024 12:23 PM EST

At age 40, Lindsey Vonn is going to enter an official ski race for the first time in nearly six years this weekend. Having already announced last month that she was coming out of retirement, Vonn will race lower-level FIS downhills and super-Gs on Saturday and Sunday, respectively,...

Austrian court rules that Ukrainian businessman Firtash can't be extradited to the US

Dec. 04, 2024 12:08 PM EST

VIENNA (AP) — An Austrian court has ruled that Ukrainian businessman Dymitro Firtash can't be extradited to the U.S. in a long-running legal saga that centers on a corruption case related to an alleged plan to pay bribes in India. The Vienna State Court said Tuesday evening it...

Sweeney-Gustafson and Forgan-Kirkby teams medal for USA Luge in World Cup races

Dec. 01, 2024 09:07 AM EST

LILLEHAMMER, Norway (AP) — Emily Sweeney and the doubles team of Chevonne Forgan and Sophie Kirkby headlined the best World Cup weekend for USA Luge on a foreign track in nearly nine years. Sweeney and Jonny Gustafson finished second in the inaugural World Cup mixed singles race on...

The Vienna sausage stand is more than just a snack stall. Now it has a UNESCO heritage recognition

Nov. 28, 2024 11:47 AM EST

VIENNA (AP) — The Vienna sausage stand is a place where the street sweeper, the manager, the tourist and the celebrity converge for the same tasty snack. Now it also has the official stamp of approval as part of Austria's heritage. The culture of the humble “Würstelstand”...

Bulgaria and Romania 'one step closer' to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says

Nov. 22, 2024 08:17 AM EST

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Bulgaria and Romania could become full members of Europe's Schengen travel zone starting at the beginning of 2025, Hungarian officials said on Friday. The two Balkan countries joined the European Union in 2007 but were not integrated into the borderless...

Lighting of Vienna town hall Christmas tree marks start of Yuletide season in Austrian capital

Nov. 16, 2024 18:36 PM EST

VIENNA (AP) — A flip of the switch, some oohs and ahhs from a crowd of onlookers, and a giant decorated Christmas tree went up in lights on Vienna’s town hall square as the Yuletide season got rolling in Austria's capital on Saturday evening. Mulled wine was poured, frosted...