Vienna International Community - People in the News - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about key players in Vienna's international community, such as expats, executives, politicians, diplomats, investors, artists and others.

Orthodox Christians Celebrate Christmas in Austria

Every year on January 6 and 7, millions of Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Christmas. In the capital, Vienna and many other cities, especially Serbian and Russian Orthodox Christians, as well as Oriental Orthodox Christians, are currently celebrating Christmas.

January 7, 2023

ViennaUP'22 - Event in Vienna Excites Thousands of People

The Vienna International Business Festival ViennaUP'22 attracted 10,000 participants from all over the world this year. With the attention-grabbing event, the City of Vienna hits the bull's eye for international visibility and positioning in the startup scene.

June 3, 2022 · Updated: January 7, 2023; 14:40

Inflation Sank in December to 10,2 Percent

The inflation rate continues to drop in Austria. After a reduction in November to 10,6 percent, inflation dropped even further in December to 10,2 percent. However, experts are slowing the enthusiasm down for the moment.

January 5, 2023

Viennese Air Quality Is at a Good Level

The City of Vienna implements measures to improve air quality in various areas that affect air quality. The measures seem to be working since the air quality in the city is at a good level.

January 4, 2023

Czech Foreign Minister States That Austria's Schengen-No Was Unexpected

Czech Presidency Europe was briefly troubled by Austria's No to Schengen enlargement regarding Bulgaria and Romania. For Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Austria's "no" vote regarding Romania's and Bulgaria's Schengen accession came "suddenly".

January 4, 2023

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar Visits Vienna

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg welcomed his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar to Vienna. It was the first visit of an Indian Foreign Minister to Austria in 27 years and the fifth meeting with Foreign Minister Schallenberg in the past twelve months.

January 3, 2023

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer Will Represent Austria at Former Pope Benedict XVI’s Funeral

Several Kings and Queens, Nobles, Heads of State, and Clergy are expected to attend the former pope Benedict XVI’s funeral. Former president Heinz Fischer will represent the Austrian state.

January 3, 2023

Exhibition of Jean-Michel Basquiat at the Albertina

ALBERTINA presents "Jean-Michel Basquiat. The Retrospective" the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat for the first time in Austria. An exhibition of Jean-Michel Basquiat at the Albertina lasts only until 08.01. 2023.

January 3, 2023

Robert Menasse Wins the Bruno Kreisky Award for the Political Book 2022

The Bruno Kreisky Award for the Political Book 2022 will reward several persons and organizations for their outstanding work in the fields of equality, democracy, solidarity and tolerance. Austrian author Robert Menasse is honored this year for the political book.

January 2, 2023

Mask Obligation in Vienna's Public Transport Remains

While the Corona measures have been softened further at the Austrian federal level, Vienna is sticking to its stricter rules. The mask requirement on public transport in Vienna will be maintained into the year to come.

December 29, 2022

French Ambassador Gilles Pécout in Austria Visits Linz

As part of the initiative "Das Land tagt mit der Welt" ("The country meets with the world") by the President of the Provincial Parliament, Peter Binder, an event was held to "promote more internationality and cosmopolitanism in Upper Austria. The French ambassador to Austria, H.E. Gilles Pécout, arrived from Vienna as a guest of honor.

December 28, 2022

Russia Bans Oil Export on Countries with Gas Price Cap

Russia has responded to the west’s decision to cap gas prices as a measure to brake the rising energy prices. This was an expected move as Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized this cap numerous times.

December 27, 2022

Austrian Government Reviews the Year 2022

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler made a review and concluded the year 2022 with a positive and determined outlook for the following year. The subjects of the past year were the recovery from the pandemic, the energy crisis, inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

December 25, 2022

Meet the New Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in Vienna

Vilawan Mangklatanakul, Thailand's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Dennis Thatchaichawalit. Meet Ambassador, Vilawan Mangklatanakul, the new permanent representative of the Kingdom of Thailand to the International Organizations in Vienna.

December 23, 2022

Russian Permanent Representative to UN in Vienna Says Soon Agreement with IAEA on Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant

At Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control, there have again been several powerful explosions, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. An agreement on a protection zone is being fiercely discussed but has yet to be reached. The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and Moscow expect significant progress in this direction.

December 22, 2022

Austria's Nobel Anton Zeilinger Laureate Receives Honor from President

Austrian quantum physicist Anton Zeilinger was awarded the "Grand Decoration of Honor in Silver with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria" by Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen.

December 21, 2022

First Austrian State Prize for Women Awarded

Austria's Minister for Women Susanne Raab ceremoniously presented the first Austrian State Award for Women in Vienna. Among others, the Austrian women's soccer team received the Austrian State Prize for Women, which is endowed by the Ministry of Women's Affairs.

December 20, 2022

New International Institute for Media in Vienna Holds First Event on Fake News at Hofburg Palace

The newly founded "International Institute for Media (IIM-Vienna)" has set itself the task of counteracting state-controlled disinformation and making known the information wars that are going on in secret. The new think tank invites to the event "The armies of trolls and astroturfers" at the Hofburg.

December 20, 2022

Minister Edtstadler Pushes for Registration of Migrants in Hungary

Austrian Minister of Europe Karoline Edtstadler pushes for the initial registration of migrants in Hungary before they enter Austria. This is seen as a preemptive measure against the rising numbers of illegal migrants in Austria.

December 20, 2022

On Saint Nicholas Day, Ukranian Music Band Kalush Orchestra Visited the Largest Ukrainian School in Austria

Ukranian music band Kalush Orchestra, whom also won the Eurovision Song Contest this year, performed on a Ukranian saturday school in Vienna on a beneficiary basis to congratulate the kids in school for the St.Nicholas Day.

December 19, 2022

Espionage in Vienna: Russian Spy Exposed

A Greek citizen of Russian descent allegedly spied on state secrets for Russia in Vienna. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution unmasked the 39-year-old son of a former diplomat as a Russian spy. During the house search, the police also found listening devices, as well as other compromising materials.

December 19, 2022

IAEA Arrives in Iran Capital for New Nuclear Negotiations

A delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has arrived in Tehran. On the agenda of the IAEA team are new negotiations with the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) as well as representatives of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic efforts over Iran's nuclear program appear to be dragging on and on.

December 18, 2022

EU Delegation in Vienna Organized Charity Gala "#EU4UKRAINE

The EU Delegation to the International Organizations in Vienna organized for the third time the EU Multilateral Christmas Charity Gala. The Kalush Orchestra, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) winner from Ukraine, also came to MuTh for the EU Multilateral Christmas Charity Gala in favor of Ukraine and performed together with the Janoska Ensemble, the Chorus Juventus of the Vienna Boys Choir.

December 18, 2022

Austrian Government Will Expand Subsidies on Housing and Heating

The Austrian government wants to challenge the rising energy prices and help low-income persons by subsidizing their home and their heating. People who are eligible for those subsidies can get up to 330 Euros.

December 15, 2022

Austrian Parliament Passes Resolutions Regarding Iran and Ukraine

The Austrian Parliament has passed several resolutions concerning worldwide human rights issues such as hunger in Ukraine and women’s rights in Iran.

December 15, 2022

Project "Christmas together with Ukraine" in Vienna

Children from different regions of Ukraine visited Vienna for a Christmas concert. The project "Christmas with Ukraine" is held on the route Uzhhorod-Budapest-Vienna-Bratislava-Prague-Warsaw-Uzhhorod. Despite air raids and the bombing of cities, the children prepared and currently present a bright Christmas performance.

December 15, 2022

Minister Schallenberg at the European Foreign Affairs Council

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Brussels for the European Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) to meet with his counterparts from the other EU-member states. The main focus of the agenda was Iran.

December 14, 2022

Austrian President Van der Bellen Visited Slovenia

Re-elected Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen traveled to Slovenia for an official visit with his counterpart Borut Pahor. Besides discussions around the common issues in Slovenian, Austrian and European politics, this visit was also a farewell meeting between "personal friends", as Pahor is leaving office.

December 14, 2022

Symbolic Act of Handover in St. Stephen's Cathedral on the Occasion of the Swedish EU Presidency

Sweden's next year's Presidency of the Council of the European Union was acclaimed by the Swedish Embassy with a unique event at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. On the occasion of the traditional Swedish Festival of Lights, St. Stephen's Cathedral hosted a concert featuring a Lucia procession to symbolize the transfer of the EU presidency.

December 13, 2022

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani Visits Vienna

Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani came to Vienna for a meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. The visit of Tajani asked for the opportunity to consolidate cooperation and talks with Vienna on the main bilateral issues (especially in the fields of economy, energy and infrastructure), European and international, starting with the migration issue.

December 13, 2022

Austrian Parliamentarians Report on Visit to Ukraine

During a press conference representatives of the Bilateral Parliamentary Group Austria-Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine reported on their visit to war-torn Ukraine. Members of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the Green Party and the NEOS took part in the trip.

December 12, 2022

Romanian Interior Minister Lucian Bode Accuses Austria of Lying

Romanian Interior Minister Lucian Bode wrote a letter to Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner, strongly criticizing him for Austria's rejection of his country's Schengen accession.

December 12, 2022

Annual Meeting for Intercultural and Religious Dialogue of the European People's Party in Vienna

The annual meeting of the Working Group on Intercultural and Religious Dialogue of the European People's Party (EPP) parliamentary group in the European Parliament took place this weekend in Vienna. Without religions and their contribution to the formation of values, a future for Europe is unimaginable, according to the EPP.

December 11, 2022

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsbergis Visits Vienna

Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis came to Vienna for a visit, meeting his counterpart in Austria, Alexander Schallenberg. In addition, Landsbergis met with IAEA Chief Rafael Mariano Grossi and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid. The exchanges focused on the Russian war in Ukraine, in particular European support efforts against the backdrop of the approaching winter, as well as the prosecution of war crimes. In addition, the two foreign ministers discussed current developments in Iran and increasing migration pressure.

December 11, 2022

AACC has organized a Business & Innovation Panel held at Palais Eschenbach

The Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) organized a high-level Business & Innovation panel which was held in the United Arab Emirates. Speeches were made, highlighting the good business relations between UAE and Austria.

December 9, 2022

Wirecard Scandal: Trial of Marsalek and other Austrian Entrepreneurs to Begin

The Wirecard criminal trial in what is believed to be the biggest fraud case in Germany since 1945 begins in Munich. The public prosecutor's office accuses the former Wirecard CEO, Austrian Markus Braun, and his two co-defendants of forming a criminal gang, falsifying the group's balance sheets and cheating lenders of 3.1 billion euros

December 7, 2022

First Indications Because of Morbid Parcels to Ukrainian Embassies

The suspicious and morbid parcels sent to Ukrainian embassies and consulates in various countries all have a Tesla dealer in Germany as the sender. As recently reported, Ukrainian missions abroad received "Bloody" packages with animal eyes, also in Austria.

December 7, 2022

Sweden Received Austria's Minister for Europe Edtstadler

Austria's Minister for Europe Karoline Edtstadler traveled to the Swedish capital Stockholm on a working visit and met with her Swedish counterpart Jessika Roswall for talks on the country's EU presidency next year. The Austrian minister also met with Nobel Prize winner in physics Anton Zeilinger to kick off "Nobel Week".

December 6, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Honduras to the United Nations in Vienna

Elena María Freije Murillo, Honduras's new permanent representative, presented her credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Elena María Freije Murillo, the new permanent representative of Honduras to the International Organizations in Vienna.

December 6, 2022

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

The 16 Days of Activism is an annual campaign against gender-based violence that runs from November 25 to December 10, marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. There are 20 panels on the outside grills of the French Embassy building in Vienna dedicated to preventing and combating violence against women.

December 6, 2022

Schallenberg Travels to Slovakia for “Slavkov 3” Meeting

The Austrian foreign minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to Slovakia to meet with his Slovak and Czech counterparts to discuss the important topics currently challenging the region.

December 5, 2022

UN Internet Governance Forum in Ethiopia: Austria's Constitutional Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler Appointed to Governing Body

To increase the content and importance of the Internet Governance Forum, a ten-member Leadership Panel chaired by U.S. information scientist Vinton Gray Cerf was established. Austria's Constitution Minister Karoline Edtstadler was appointed to this leadership panel by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

December 4, 2022

OPEC Plus Sticks to Production Strategy

The OPEC+ oil alliance is sticking to its current production strategy for the time being. EU sanctions against Russia's oil revenues will apply from tomorrow. The OPEC+ countries have nevertheless confirmed their previous oil production targets. However, an expert committee wants to review the production strategy every two months.

December 4, 2022

Defense Ministers of Western Balkans Meet in Austrian Wachau

The Defense Ministers of the Western Balkan States met today with the Austrian minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner. The meeting was about the global security challenges which include the Westbalkan states.

December 2, 2022

Russian Foreign Minister Gets Excluded from OSCE Security Meeting

The annual Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Security Council took place between the 1st and 2nd of December in Lodz, Poland, where the Foreign Ministers of the OSCE Countries met. However, the meeting was overshadowed by the back-and-forth situation between the Ministers of some OSCE countries – mainly Poland - and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

December 2, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Austria’s Dealing with Rising Energy Prices

The Find out more about this week's developments. Austria is trying to stop the rise of energy prices through multiple discussions, possible laws and creative methods. Read about the latest developments!

December 1, 2022

New Online Tool in Austria Should Help You to Save Electricity

A new electricity-saving tool is available online, where it is visible how you can save electricity depending on the time of the day. It shows you when it makes more sense to turn the light on.

December 1, 2022

Meet the New Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the International Organizations in Vienna

Alibek Bakayev, Kazakhstan's new permanent representative, presented his credentials to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna, Ghada Waly. Meet Ambassador Alibek Bakayev, the new permanent representative of Kazakhstan to the International Organizations in Vienna.

December 1, 2022

German Literature Archive Receives Estate of Austrian Poet Rainer Maria Rilke

The transfer of writings and materials of the poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) to the German Literature Archive Marbach is the largest transfer to the Literature Archive in Baden-Württemberg with the estate, which had been in private hands for almost 100 years.

December 1, 2022

Austria Gives 8 Million Euros to Syria and Jordan

The Syrian conflict, which has been going on for more than 10 years, has led to one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises. The precarious situation on the ground and in neighboring Jordan, where many Syrian refugees are, is worsening and a political solution to the conflict is not in sight. Austria's humanitarian aid on the ground is helping to prevent illegal migration to Europe, the government said.

November 30, 2022