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Austria's News in English
Read the latest headlines about other developments in Vienna and Austria
Austrian University Spin-offs at the World Expo in Dubai
The World Expo 2020, which retained its name despite being postponed to 2021, will begin in October in Dubai. Various Austrian university spin-offs will present their innovations that will have positive impacts on climate-conscious behavior. These spin-offs include GREENPASS, REEgain, WoodC.A.R., City Intelligence Lab (CIL), Mostly AI's Mostly GENERATE, and Incremental3D's myPot. Read more about Austria's contribution to the upcoming World Expo and what innovations these spin-offs will be presenting.
September 8, 2021 · Updated: September 8, 2021; 16:16
Forum Alpbach: Reaffirming the Importance of the Conference on the Future of Europe
The EU ministers from five member states signed the "Alpbach Declaration on the Future of Europe" at the European Forum Alpbach. The five ministers were Judit Varga from Hungary, Thomas Byrne from Ireland, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis from Greece, Juan González-Barba from Spain, and Karoline Edtstadler from Austria. The declaration highlights the necessity for cooperation and dialogue to ensure that the EU has a successful future.
September 7, 2021
Schallenberg on Afghanistan: "Clear advance of mistrust toward the Taliban"
The Gymnich Meeting of EU foreign ministers recently took place in Slovenia. One of the main issues discussed during the two days of meetings was the situation in Afghanistan and how to deal with the Taliban going forward. Alexander Schallenberg expressed that there is a deep mistrust of the Taliban, but technical cooperation with them is currently necessary. Read more about what Schallenberg said and watch the video of him taking questions from the press.
September 7, 2021
Women on the Boards of Austrian Listed Companies: Only 14 out of 192
A study shows that women are still significantly underrepresented on the boards of Austrian companies on the Vienna Stock Exchange. The number of female board members in Austria's listed companies has decreased by one woman compared to the beginning of 2021, leaving the total at 14 out of 192. Read more about the details of the study.
September 6, 2021
Ivan Vejvoda Temporarily Succeeds Shalini Randeria as Acting Rector of the IWM
The Vienna based IWM - Institut fuer die Wissenschaften vom Menschen (Institute for Human Sciences) has announced that Permanent Fellow Ivan Vejvoda has been selected to be the Acting Rector of the Institute.
September 2, 2021
Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein in Vienna
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in Vienna for bilateral discussions. Some specific issues the pair discussed include Afghanistan, the security situation in Iraq and the Middle East, terrorism, and migration. Read about their meeting and watch their joint press conference.
September 1, 2021
Afghanistan: Austria Discusses Aid with Neighboring States Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan
To discuss cooperation and support on the situation in Afghanistan, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer initiated a joint video conference with Afghanistan's Central Asian neighbors, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as three European countries, Germany, Denmark, and Greece. The focus of the conversation with Afghanistan’s neighboring countries was on security, migration, and humanitarian aid.
August 31, 2021
40 Years After Terror Attack on City Temple in Vienna - Commemoration of Victims and Heroes
On August 29, 1981, the synagogue in Vienna (City Prayer House - Stadttempel) was shaken by a terrorist attack. It was the bloodiest attack on Jewish life in Austria after World War II. Two Palestinian terrorists killed two people in the attack, and 21 were injured, some seriously.
August 31, 2021
Corona Virus in Austria: Latest Figures
To date, there have been 687,076 positive test results in Austria. As of today, 10,782 people have died as a result of Corona virus across Austria, currently with 1,120 new infections Austria-wide, 122 are being cared for in intensive care units. Read on to get all the latest stats.
August 30, 2021
50th Anniversary: Diplomatic Relations between China and Austria
To commemorate the anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and Austria, the Austrian Post (Österreichische Post) has now also issued a special postage stamp.
August 30, 2021
The Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Austria-Liechtenstein Turns 100 Years Old
The Chamber of Commerce Switzerland-Austria-Liechtenstein or Handelskammer Schweiz-Österreich-Liechtenstein (HKSÖL) has supported economic relations between the countries for 100 years. They provide professional assistance to companies in these countries and Central and Eastern Europe. The HKSÖL has facilitated a particularly successful economic relationship between Austria and Switzerland. Read more about what the HKSÖL does and the Austro-Swiss economic relationship.
August 27, 2021
Lavrov in Vienna: Tensions Following the Establishment of the Crimea Platform
In the first official bilateral visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Vienna since 2009, Sergey Lavrov met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. The working talks included tense issues like the annexation of Crimea, human rights in Russia, Afghanistan, and the refugees on the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. However, they all expressed interest in continued dialogue and finding areas for cooperation between Austria, the EU, and Russia.
August 26, 2021
Covid Package of Measures for a Successful Start of the School Year 2021/22
Children and young adults, who have already had to do without many things in the past two years, are starting the new school year with a safety concept that is based on four pillars. Large-scale school closures and shift teaching are no longer an option in the new school year. But what will attendance look like in the new school year?
August 25, 2021
Van der Bellen Appeals for the Acceptance of Afghans
In his speech at the opening of the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen appealed for the acceptance of refugees from Afghanistan. Despite Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's concerns about accepting refugees, the president argued that there is a legal, moral and political obligation for the EU to offer protection to those forced to leave their country.
August 25, 2021
Central European University: Shalini Randeria Succeeds Michael Ignatieff
Professor Shalini Randeria has been elected to succeed Michael Ignatieff as the sixth rector and president of Central European University (CEU). Professor Randeria is the first woman to hold this position in CEU's history. Read more about Professor Randeria's election, her previous academic and professional experience, and Professor Ignatieff's tenure at CEU.
August 25, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Reduces Validity for Access Tests
The validity of Corona tests will be significantly reduced in Vienna. The reason for this is the increasing numbers due to the delta variant.
August 24, 2021
The Fourth Corona Wave in Austria: Admission to Discos and Nightclubs Only for the Vaccinated?
Unvaccinated people in Austria will soon no longer be able to party. Because the fourth wave with rising infection numbers rolls over the country, the government plans hard measures for the autumn to be expected.
August 23, 2021
These Are Austria's Most Popular Lakes
Lake Constance is the most popular Austrian swimming lake on Instagram. Lake Wörthersee came in second, while Tyrol's Achensee, the newcomer to the podium, came in third. Read which other Austrian public bathing lakes took the 4th to 20th places.
August 18, 2021
Miss Europe: The Most Beautiful Woman in Europe to be Crowned in Vienna
Some 30 beauties from 21 nations, including three finalists from Austria, are vying for the title of "Miss Europe".
August 17, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: The New Corona Regulations for Vaccinated Persons
If you wish to visit a hotel or pub in Austria, or use a service provider such as a hair salon, partial vaccination is no longer sufficient. Since August 15, only when fully immunized is a vaccination considered proof of a low epidemiological risk. What are the details of the new regulation?
August 16, 2021
Vienna International Centre - Live-Ticker Coronavirus Situation: Several New Positive COVID-19 Cases, 380 Cases in Total
The Vienna International Centre (VIC, UNO City) and the Vienna International Centre Medical Service are reporting new positive COVID-19 cases. The total number of VIC personnel who have tested positive is 380. Below you can see the latest updates of the four main Vienna-based United Nations organizations (United Nations Office at Vienna/UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN Industrial Development Organization and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization), as announced by UNIS and provided by the Vienna International Centre Medical Service. Regular updates on the number of cases of are no longer issued
June 25, 2020 · Updated: August 9, 2021; 17:25
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Memorial: Austria Calls for Disarmament
On the 76th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg called for nuclear disarmament. They highlighted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), signed earlier this year, as a good starting point.
August 5, 2021
Danube Limes to Become a World Heritage Site
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has decided to include a section of the Danube Limes located in present-day Austria, Bavaria and Slovakia in the list of World Heritage Sites under the name Frontiers of the Roman Empire - Danube Limes (Western Segment).
August 1, 2021 · Updated: August 2, 2021; 09:38
Peace in Hard Times: Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony
After canceling the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2020 was recently held in Baden. The Global Peace Photo Awards Ceremony 2021 will be held later this year. These awards honor the images that best capture the theme of peace each year. Read about the ceremony and who won the awards for 2020.
July 30, 2021
Restitution of Austrian Citizenships to Shoah Survivors and Descendants
One Holocaust survivor and 5 descendants of victims of Nazi terror received Austrian citizenship at the Consulate General in New York City. The restitution of 4,621 Austrian citizenships based on the new special procedure has already been successfully completed.
July 27, 2021
Von der Leyen Meets With Alexander Schallenberg and Karoline Edtstadler
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Austrian Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution Karoline Edtstadler at the Salzburg Festival.
July 27, 2021
Austrian Contemporary Art at Reichenau Castle: "Tension of the Moment"
The Professional Association of Fine Artists of Austria presents Austrian contemporary art in the exhibition "Tension of the Moment" as part of the project series "Augen-Blicke über den Horizont hinaus (Eye-Views Beyond the Horizon)" at Reichenau Castle.
Birgit Adelsberger · July 27, 2021
City of Vienna Offers Moderna Vaccine Without Registration
The City of Vienna is offering the Moderna vaccine without prior registration at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This marks the fourth vaccination campaign offered by the City of Vienna.
July 26, 2021
Opening of the 75th Bregenz Festival
After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 75th anniversary of the Bregenz Festival is finally happening. President Alexander Van der Bellen gave a passionate address about climate change and other issues at the opening of the festival.
July 22, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: These Are the Updated Entry Rules
Due to today's amendment of the Austrian "COVID-19 Entry Regulation 2021", we bring you an update on the regulations for entering Austria.
July 20, 2021
Jewish Museum Vienna Opens “Jedermann's Jews. 100 Years of the Salzburg Festival.”
The Jewish Museum Vienna is now displaying an exhibition entitled “Jedermann's Jews. 100 Years of the Salzburg Festival.” The exhibition provides a wonderful look at the Jewish Community's contributions to the world's most important festival of classical music and the performing arts. Read more about the exhibition and the history behind it.
July 19, 2021
The Rich in Austria: Dollar Millionaires Up 5.3 Percent to Record 163,300
The number of so-called high net worth individuals (HNWIs) in Austria grew by 5.3 percent from 2019 to 2020 to 163,300 dollar millionaires. This is 8,200 more HNWIs than in the same period last year.
July 17, 2021
Delta Variant on the Rise in Austria: Tightening of Coronavirus Measures Again
The rapid spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus in Austria is the reason for significant tightening of access to night catering and events and changes to the green passport. The latest changes are as follows.
July 15, 2021
City of Vienna and Vienna Business Agency Create New Business Immigration Office
The Vienna Business Agency and Vienna City Government have partnered to create the Business Immigration Office (BIO). The BIO will help streamline residence permit and immigration issues and offer help with integration for key personnel and highly skilled workers.
July 15, 2021
Public Transport in Austria: When and How Will the Low-Cost Flat-Rate "1-2-3-Ticket" Be Introduced?
Before the end of 2021, it is to become possible to use all means of public transport throughout Austria for three Euros a day, as part of an annual ticket for 1,095 Euros. While six federal states have signed an "implementation agreement," the states of Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland are still missing. What is the next step and when can the ticket be expected?
July 14, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Austria Prepares for a "Summer Like Back Then"
Austria is getting ready for a summer with (hopefully) little Covid-19 impact. Night life will be celebrating its full return in a week from now and travel with the Green Passport should become easier as of July 1 as well. The Find out more about this week's developments.
June 24, 2021
Vienna Hosts Western Balkan Summit
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has invited political leaders from various Western Balkan countries to Vienna to discuss current issues on an European as well as on a bilateral level. Read more below to find out what was discussed.
June 21, 2021
Vienna Introduces New Parking Regulations
Vienna is introducing a new parking system as of March 2022. The new regulations will apply to all 23 districts and will additionally standardize prices. Read more about the new rules below.
June 18, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Return to Normality in July
The Austrian government has announced the reduction of restrictions as of July 1. Three weeks later, some more relaxations could be implemented. Are the coming weeks the last ones of the pandemic? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 17, 2021
Europa Forum Wachau: "Include Western Balkans in EU Programs"
At the 25th Europa Forum Wachau, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg spoke out in favor of finding creative approaches to bind the Western Balkan states to the EU even before a possible EU accession.
June 16, 2021
Vienna Film Festival to Celebrate Anniversary with "High-Caliber Productions"
Vienna will host the Film Festival right in front of the City Hall for the 30th time this year. After months of restrictions and numerous cancelled events, the City of Vienna plans a Film Festival that will try to go above and beyond.
June 11, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Is the Pandemic Really Over?
In a meeting with his Italian counterpart, Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen stated that the "pandemic as we have experienced it can be considered overcome." Is this the case? Find out more about this week's developments.
June 10, 2021
International Pride Month: Austria Wears Rainbow Colors
In June, Austria will celebrate the LGBTIQ community by hosting numerous events. One of these events will be the Vienna Rainbow Parade on June 19. Read more about this event and how President Van der Bellen supports the LGBTIQ community.
June 8, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Belarus Faces Harsh Criticism
After the forced landing of a passenger plan and the arrest of an anti-government blogger, the international community, among them a number of Austrian politicians, demand strong sanctions for the authoritarian regime. Find out more about this week's developments.
June 4, 2021
Innovation is Key for Austria's Climate Neutrality by 2040
At the Mission Innovation Ministerial Summit in Chile, Austria's Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler and her international counterparts stressed the importance of innovation for achieving the Paris Agreement.
June 4, 2021
New CEO for OMV: "Beginning of a Major Transformation"
The Austrian multinational company OMV has appointed a new CEO. After the current and parting CEO Rainer Seele has been facing heavy public criticism, OMV will now try to rebuild its image.
June 2, 2021
Austrian Parliament Prepares for World Conference
At the physical conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at the Austria Center Vienna in September, dozens of international Speakers of Parliament will discuss the creation of effective multilateralism. A conference website was now launched.
June 1, 2021
Russia Denied Austrian Airlines Flight to Moscow: Now Approved After All
Russia has denied permission for a scheduled Austrian Airlines (AUA) flight to Moscow. Due to the recommendation of EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency to avoid the airspace over Belarus, the flight plan should be changed and Belarus should be avoided. Today, word from the Federal Ministry for Climate Action is that AUA has received approval for today's flight to Moscow. How does it continue?
May 28, 2021
Weekly Briefing: Green Passport is Coming Soon
After the EU countries and the EU Parliament have agreed on the framework for an Europe-wide Green Passport implemented on July 1, Austria will have its version ready by the beginning of June. Find out more about this week's developments.
May 27, 2021
Chinese Ambassador to Austria Receives Grand Decoration of Honor
Ambassador Li Xiaosi from the People's Republic of China has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for his Servicer to the State of Vienna by Mayor Michael Ludwig.
May 27, 2021