Stories from Graz · Austria

Caroline List, the President of the Graz Regional Court for Criminal Matters and widow of Christian Pilnaček, is accused of destroying evidence. List allegedly used a Bunsen burner to destroy Pilnaček's smartphone.

Infectiologist Robert Krause from the University of Graz stated that hand-foot-mouth virus symptoms include fever, muscle pain, joint pain, and headaches. Krause noted that eye involvement can occur, potentially causing temporary vision impairment for several days.

The ensemble Traustani is staging Eugene Ionesco's classic play 'Rhinoceros' in Graz. The production explores themes of mass production and conformity. The premiere is today at 7 PM at the Theater am Länd, with further performances scheduled for tomorrow and the day after.

The Green Tech Welle cluster, which began near Graz in 2005 with 80 small companies, has expanded to include Carinthia. Approximately 300 green technology companies in the region are currently developing green innovations with 2,300 employees.

Andritz AG is manufacturing components for hydroelectric power plant generators at its facility in Austria. The production process involves installing large copper conductors into the units.

Experts and the municipal association in Styria are calling on the population to conserve water due to falling groundwater levels. The drought is affecting several regions, specifically Enns Valley and Murthal. Residents are being asked not to fill private swimming pools without consulting their local municipality. There are approximately 66,000 pools in the Styria region. A message said the importance of saving water, likening a single drop to the sea. The importance of saving water in daily life and addressing leaky faucets was said as a simple act that can help arid lands. It urges immediate action on leaky faucets to help dry land breathe again, said that small efforts can make a difference. The broadcast said the importance of water conservation, stating that if even a drop of water is wasted, the ocean will feel lonely.

A forest fire north of Graz has expanded to approximately 70 hectares. More than 300 firefighters and helicopters have been deployed for the fourth consecutive day to control the flames. The fire was first reported by a hiker on Saturday. Firefighting efforts are also continuing in Kärntner Lesachtal.

Stricter weapons regulations have gone into effect in Austria following a parliamentary decision last September. The legislative change follows a shooting in Graz three months prior to the decision, where a 21-year-old shot a student and a teacher before killing himself. The new laws include tighter restrictions on revolvers and pistols.

Austria is raising the minimum age for acquiring long firearms to 21, from the current 18. Psychological assessments will also be required for gun ownership. This legislative change follows a shooting incident in Graz last June where a former student killed 10 people before taking his own life.

Martin Sprenger, a public health physician at Graz Medical University, left the Austrian government's Corona Taskforce shortly after joining. Sprenger stated that the taskforce was too narrowly focused on medical and virological aspects. He was recognized across national borders for his expertise. An Austrian sociologist discussed the limitations of the COVID-19 task force.