Hungary frees 777 foreigners convicted of people smuggling – statement
Budapest, HungaryReuters Hungary has in recent weeks freed 777 foreigners, mostly Serbian, Ukrainian and Romanian nationals, convicted of human-trafficking, the directorate of prisons said on Wednesday in a reply to Reuters questions. Citing overcrowded prisons, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government issued a decree in April allowing the release of foreign nationals convicted of people smuggling, […]
Austrian police: Possible threat to Vienna places of worship
Vienna, Austria AP Austrian police warned on Wednesday of a possible “Islamist-motivated attack” in Vienna against churches and other houses of worship, citing undisclosed information received by the country’s intelligence service. A police van drives past St Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday, 15th March, 2023. Austrian police are warning of a possible “Islamist-motivated […]
Austria’s Turk appointed UN human rights chief
Geneva, Switzerland Reuters The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday approved the appointment of Austria’s Volker Turk as the next UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Reuters reported earlier on Thursday that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had proposed that Turk succeed Chile’s Michelle Bachelet, whose term ended on 31st August. Turk currently works in Guterres’ […]
As battle looms in Ukraine’s east, Austrian leader to meet Putin
Kyiv/Buzova, Ukraine Reuters Russian forces pounded targets in eastern Ukraine with missiles and artillery on Sunday as Austria’s leader planned to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Washington pledged to give Ukraine “the weapons it needs” to defend itself against a new Russian offensive. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he would meet with Putin […]
Thousands march against COVID restrictions in north-west Europe
Reuters Tens of thousands of protesters marched through several north-west European cities on Saturday to demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions imposed amid a surge in infections. Austria last month became the first country in Western Europe to reimpose a lockdown, which is set to last 20 days, and said it would make vaccinations mandatory from February. […]
Austria locks down unvaccinated as COVID cases surge across Europe
Vienna, Austria Reuters Austria imposed a lockdown on people unvaccinated against the coronavirus on Monday as winter approaches and infections rise across Europe, with Germany considering tighter curbs and Britain expanding its booster program to younger adults. Europe has again become the epicentre of the pandemic, prompting some countries to consider re-introducing restrictions in the […]
Alien world under Austria’s doomed glaciers tells tale of their collapse
Jamtalferner Glacier, AustriaReuters Scientists are venturing inside otherworldly ice caves growing beneath Austria’s doomed glaciers to study why they are melting even faster than expected, and understand the fate that will befall glaciers elsewhere if climate change is not halted. It is already too late to save the glaciers of the eastern Alps, which scientists now say are past the point of no […]
Vienna gunman rampaged alone, intelligence was fumbled – Austrian minister
Vienna, AustriaReuters Large quantities of mobile phone footage have confirmed that the jihadist who killed four people in a rampage in Vienna on Monday was the only gunman, but Austria fumbled intelligence on him, Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said on Wednesday. Austria arrested 14 people aged 18 to 28 on Tuesday in connection with the […]
Austrian police arrest 14 in manhunt after gunman’s deadly rampage
Vienna, AustriaReuters Austrian police raided 18 properties and arrested 14 people in a massive dragnet on Tuesday, after a gunman identified as a convicted jihadist killed four people and injured 22 in a rampage in the centre of Vienna. The 20-year-old gunman, who was killed by police minutes after opening fire on crowded bars late […]
Austrian minister says “Islamist terrorist” in Vienna attack, death toll rises to five
Vienna, AustriaReuters Hundreds of police fanned out across Vienna on Tuesday, searching for perpetrators of attacks that left five people dead in the city’s centre, after what a government minister said was an “Islamist terrorist” incident. In an early morning televised news conference, Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer repeated calls for the public to stay […]