All articles tagged with #austria
A 44-year-old Austrian paraglider named Sabrina filming near Schmittenhöhe was struck by a sightseeing plane, tearing her canopy in half. She deployed her emergency parachute, survived a high-altitude spin, and landed safely; the plane also landed at Zell am See Airport, with Sabrina receiving minor injuries before being treated by authorities.
A Vienna court convicted former Austrian intelligence official Egisto Ott of spying for Russia, finding he supplied Russian agents and Wirecard fugitive Jan Marsalek with secret data from police databases and other sources in exchange for payment. Ott received four years and one month in prison and plans to appeal; Marsalek remains at large with an Interpol Red Notice and is believed to be in Moscow, linked to Russia intel activity.
Austria scrambled two Eurofighters to identify two U.S. Air Force PC-12s—likely U-28A Draco ISR aircraft—that briefly overflew Austrian airspace on May 10 and again on May 11, with the second overflight’s clearance unclear; the incident underscores ongoing U.S. ISR activity in Europe and the diplomatic handling of transits through Austrian airspace.
Eurovision opens in Vienna with the first semifinal amid a boycott over Israel, drawing protests and debate about the intersection of politics and entertainment.
Austria expelled three Russian diplomats over spying accusations after a report that antennas on the roofs of Russian diplomatic sites in Vienna were used to intercept data; the diplomats have already left, Moscow condemned the move and warned of retaliation, and the incident fits a broader pattern of Russian espionage activity linked to Vienna and Germany.
A 39-year-old suspect was detained in eastern Austria after rat poison was found in HiPP baby-food jars at SPAR supermarkets, triggering recalls in Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Authorities are investigating intentional endangerment of the public, with five tampered jars seized before consumption; HiPP says it was a victim of extortion and a toxicity report is pending.
Austria announced the expulsion of three Russian diplomats over espionage allegations, signaling renewed friction with Moscow and highlighting Vienna’s security concerns amid ongoing East–West tensions.
Austrian police have detained a suspect in connection with a case in which rat poison was found in jars of baby food on supermarket shelves, as investigators probe how the contamination occurred and who is responsible.
An Austrian police force in Burgenland arrested a 39-year-old man in connection with the discovery of rat poison in HiPP baby-food jars, a case that followed a partial recall earlier this year in Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. HiPP said the contamination was a criminal act and the situation is under investigation, and the company had been contacted by an extortionist seeking to blackmail them. Authorities urged consumers to avoid affected jars, noting warning signs such as damaged seals or unusual smells; poisoning can cause symptoms like bleeding and weakness that may appear 2–5 days after ingestion.
A 21-year-old Austrian national, identified as Beren A, pleaded guilty to plotting a terrorist attack at Taylor Swift’s August 2024 Eras Tour concert in Vienna. He was intercepted a day before the planned attack with knives and homemade explosives, prompting the cancellation of three Eras Tour shows at Ernst Happel Stadium. Prosecutors say he was aligned with ISIS and tied to a broader Middle East plot to strike in Istanbul, Dubai, and Mecca; he faces terrorism charges and membership in a terrorist organization.
Austria’s police say a jar of HiPP carrot-and-potato baby purée was tampered with and contained rat poison; authorities warn more tainted jars may be circulating, prompting Spar Austria to recall all HiPP jars sold in its stores. HiPP says the recall is due to a criminal act and that jars left the factory in perfect condition, with guidance to inspect for damaged/open lids, missing seals, unusual odors, or a white sticker with a red circle on the bottom and to return affected jars for a refund. Related tainted jars have also been seized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at 48 after his car was struck by a train at a level crossing near Salzburg; he made 64 Arsenal appearances between 1997 and 2002, won the Premier League and FA Cup, earned 33 Austria caps and was part of Euro 2008; tributes poured in from clubs and Austria's football association.
Austria is considering a ban on social media use for people under 14, joining a trend of countries tightening rules to curb youth online access as part of broader youth-protection efforts.
Health authorities report 13 mpox cases of the transmissible clade Ib in Austria (6) and Sweden (7) as of March 12, 2026, prompting travel precautions. The virus spreads through direct contact with lesions, with a 5–21 day incubation, allowing infection during travel. Guidance includes vaccination where available, thorough hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick animals in certain regions, and for sexually active travelers to monitor symptoms, discuss with partners, and avoid new sexual contact if symptoms appear until cleared.
The IEA has agreed to coordinate a record release of emergency oil reserves to calm surging prices, with Germany and Austria set to release their stockpiles to help stabilize energy markets.