Stories from Vienna · Austria

Interior Minister Gerhard Karnau announced new age requirements for purchasing weapons in Austria. The minimum age for buying pistols or revolvers increases from 21 to 25 years. The age limit for purchasing rifles rises from 18 to 21 years. Karnau stated the tightening of regulations is based on expert opinions and is undergoing final processing. An Austrian politician has proposed tightening firearm laws following a shooting involving a 21-year-old student, nine youths, and a teacher. Additionally, the plan seeks to raise the minimum age for long guns from 18 to 21 years. Exceptions would be made for hunters, sport shooters, and specific professional groups.

The Vienna State Opera has revived productions of Richard Wagner's 'Parsifal' and Giacomo Puccini's 'Tosca'. 'Parsifal' features Jennifer Holloway as Kundry and Klaus Florian Vogt as Parsifal, conducted by Axel Kober. 'Tosca', the oldest production in the repertoire, is conducted by Daniel Oren, with Ananit Repko in the title role and Markus Eiche as Baron Skarpia.

The Austrian government leadership is meeting this afternoon for a new round of negotiations regarding the planned double budget for 2027 and 2028. Freedom Party (FPÖ) spokesperson Arnold Schiefer described the budget as a "rotten compromise" and claimed the government missed its last chance before the 2029 National Council election. The Green Party characterized the budget as an "injustice expressed in numbers." Schiefer stated that everyone from pensioners to businesses is being asked to pay more. The weekly government session is scheduled for today to address various matters. The measure previously reduced the cost of gasoline and diesel by 10 cents per liter. The future status of fuel pricing remains uncertain, according to the report. Financial State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedel of the ÖVP provided details on the expiration.

Austrian authorities have forcibly deported more than 1,600 individuals, according to Ministry of the Interior data. The majority of these deportations involve individuals from Eastern Europe, specifically including citizens from Slovakia. The remaining cases involve Dublin Regulation transfers, where refugees are sent to other EU member states responsible for their asylum procedures. Niklas Lercher reported on the composition of these figures for the domestic politics desk. Almost half of those deported were convicted of criminal offenses. The report was presented by Niklas Lerche. Austria has a mandatory kindergarten law in place for 16 years. The country can deport foreign nationals who do not hold Austrian citizenship if they pose a risk of committing criminal acts. This is seen as the easiest way to remove them from the country.

Protests have emerged in Austria regarding Israel's participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. The Austrian Ministry of the Interior stated that previous protest events related to the contest have occurred without incident. The Vienna Police Director confirmed that police will ensure security for both the contest and any gatherings, noting they will intervene proportionately if necessary. Authorities stated they will intervene in a legally compliant and proportionate manner if necessary to maintain order. Organizers expect approximately 3,000 participants to attend the protests. The demonstrations follow announcements that five countries—the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Iceland—plan to boycott the event. Local authorities are managing the expected influx of demonstrators. Local authorities are weighing whether to ban the protests to avoid potential escalations.

Vienna is preparing for a large demonstration, with organizers expecting around 3,000 participants. Poland's Eurovision contestant Alicja Szemplinska is preparing for the 70th edition of the musical competition in Vienna. The event is scheduled to begin in approximately two weeks. Szemplinska discussed the emotions regarding her recent preparations for the performance.

A new documentary film, 'Take Care,' set to be released in cinemas this spring, examines the multifaceted nature of care work. The film delves into the physical and emotional labor involved in caring for others and the environment, highlighting its significance beyond traditional definitions. It features interviews with activists and artists, including writer Clara Heinrich and filmmaker Ina Ivanshano, exploring themes of human connection and societal responsibility.

Austria has officially closed its airspace to United States military flights, joining a growing number of European nations implementing such restrictions. The decision marks a significant shift in regional aviation policy regarding US military transit. This move is expected to impact logistics and flight paths for US operations in Europe. The decision aims to strengthen information and communication technology infrastructure and enhance digital sovereignty.