VIENNA: Austria is preparing tougher laws and higher penalties for espionage, but the planned reform has been delayed by political negotiations within the governing coalition. Austria is widely regarded as an important centre for foreign intelligence activity. However, despite the Justice Ministry presenting a draft in April, the proposal has not yet been approved. It […]
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MOSCOW: Russian authorities have acknowledged fresh petrol shortages in several regions as Ukraine continues to attack oil refineries and other energy facilities deep inside Russia. Ukraine has carried out months of drone and missile strikes on Russian energy sites. Kyiv describes the attacks as “long-range sanctions,” aimed at damaging an important source of revenue for […]
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TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has accused the European Union of using human rights concerns as a pretext to interfere in Iran’s affairs, saying the bloc lacks the moral authority to lecture other countries. Araqchi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Gerapetritis. The two officials discussed relations between […]
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PARIS: Firefighters in France, England, Croatia and Greece battled dangerous wildfires on Aug. 14 as a powerful heatwave pushed temperatures to record levels across Europe. Dry forests, strong winds and landscapes weakened by months of drought made the fires especially difficult to control. France, which is facing its driest year on record, was hit by […]
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Vienna — Austria’s Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) has closed its investigation into two businessmen suspected of money laundering in connection with the controversial purchase of Eurofighter fighter jets for the Austrian military. The decision comes after three other businessmen were finally acquitted of breach of trust in a related Eurofighter case. According to […]
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For nine long months, the USS Abraham Lincoln has drifted far from home, its 5,000 sailors enduring conditions that families describe as breaking point. Now, help is finally on the way. The USS George Washington, last spotted near Malaysia, is steaming toward the Middle East and could arrive within nine days, according to BBC tracking […]
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Cash Limits Coming to Austria in 2027 VIENNA: Austrians are known for their strong attachment to cash. But from 10 July 2027, people and businesses across the European Union will face stricter rules on large cash payments. Under a new EU regulation, companies and self-employed people will no longer be allowed to make or accept […]
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Vienna Sees Sharp Rise in New Austrian Citizens VIENNA: The number of people receiving Austrian citizenship in Vienna has risen sharply this year. In the first six months of 2026, a total of 3,333 people became Austrian citizens, 60.5 percent more than in the same period last year, according to Statistics Austria. Across the country, […]
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WASHINGTON: A federal judge in Boston has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration accusing Harvard University of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence. US District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled on Thursday that the government had not shown a continuing violation of federal civil rights law. He said the lawsuit, […]
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DUBAI: The Strait of Hormuz has become the centre of a growing war of words between the United States and Iran, with both sides claiming control over the strategic waterway that carries a major share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. The latest dispute began after US President Donald Trump said the United […]
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