United News of Bangladesh

A court in Vienna on Monday acquitted former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of making false statements during a parliamentary inquiry into alleged corruption in his administration, overturning a previous ruling that had handed him a suspended prison sentence. According to the Austria Press Agency, judges at Vienna’s upper state court dismissed Kurz’s conviction after a brief appeal hearing.  Austria's new government takes office after a record 5-month wait The case focused on Kurz’s testimony before a parliamentary inquiry that examined the coalition government he led from 2017 until 2019. During that period, his conservative Austrian People’s Party governed in partnership with the far-right Freedom Party. The coalition ultimately collapsed in 2019. Prosecutors had accused the 38-year-old of providing false testimony in June 2020 about his involvement in establishing the state holding company OeBAG and the appointment of his former confidant Thomas Schmid as its head. OeBAG is responsible for managing the government's stakes in various companies. In February 2024, Kurz was convicted of making false statements regarding the appointment of OeBAG’s supervisory board members, although he was cleared of providing misleading information about Schmid’s appointment. He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended. That conviction followed a four-month trial and marked the first time in over three decades that a former Austrian chancellor had faced trial. Austrian FM Schallenberg appointed as interim govt leader Reacting to Monday’s acquittal, Kurz told reporters outside the courtroom, “What came out is what I have always said — namely, that I did not tell untruths to the parliamentary inquiry.” He added, “I now have a long time in (legal) proceedings behind me, and to be honest I'd like to set out my position in detail, but I ask for your understanding that I'm going home to family and my two children first.” However, the court upheld the conviction of Kurz’s former chief of staff, Bernhard Bonelli, who was found guilty of making a false statement to the same inquiry concerning his and Kurz’s roles in selecting OeBAG supervisory board members. Bonelli received a six-month suspended sentence in 2024. Kurz expressed deep regret over the decision on Bonelli. Once viewed as a rising star among Europe’s conservatives, Kurz resigned in 2021 following a separate corruption investigation and has since withdrawn from politics. His Austrian People’s Party remains in power under Chancellor Christian Stocker, although the party placed second in the September elections. Kurz, who rose to prominence on an anti-immigration platform, became the People’s Party leader and then chancellor at just 31 years old in 2017. He ended his first government in 2019 after a video scandal involving then–Vice Chancellor and Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who appeared to offer political favors to a supposed Russian investor. Kurz returned as chancellor in early 2020 in a new coalition with the Greens but stepped down in October 2021. His resignation followed pressure from the Greens after prosecutors named him a target in a second probe involving suspected bribery and breach of trust — allegations that Kurz has consistently denied. Speculation has occasionally surfaced about the potential for a political comeback by Kurz.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg will temporarily assume the role of interim leader as the far-right Freedom Party works to form a new coalition government, according to a statement from President Alexander Van der Bellen's office on Wednesday. Schallenberg, aged 55, will replace outgoing Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who announced his resignation over the weekend after failing to create a coalition that excluded the Freedom Party. Nehammer plans to step down on Friday, reports AP. Talks on a new 3-party Austrian government collapse as the smallest party pulls out The president's office confirmed that Schallenberg will be tasked with “continuing the management of the chancellery and leading the interim government.” This marks Schallenberg's second brief tenure as Austria’s leader; he previously served as chancellor for less than two months in late 2021 after Sebastian Kurz stepped down. Following that, Schallenberg returned to his position as foreign minister when Nehammer took over. Austrian companies keen to invest in Bangladesh: Ambassador The far-right Freedom Party, known for its anti-immigration stance, euroscepticism, and pro-Russia leanings, emerged victorious in Austria’s parliamentary elections in September. Initially shunned by other political parties, it now holds a central role in coalition negotiations after the Austrian People’s Party, led by Nehammer, reversed its earlier refusal to collaborate with the Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl. Bangladesh flags visa-related difficulties with Austria On Monday, Kickl was given the mandate to attempt forming a government, which could potentially become Austria’s first far-right-led administration since World War II. However, this process is expected to take weeks or even months, with no guarantee of success. Schallenberg has made it clear that he does not intend to remain in the government if Kickl leads it.

Talks on forming a new three-party government in Austria collapsed Friday as the smallest of the prospective coalition partners pulled the plug on the negotiations. The talks had dragged on since Austria's president tasked conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer in October with putting together a new government. That decision came after all other parties refused to work with the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, which in September won a national election for the first time. Nehammer has been trying to assemble a coalition of his Austrian People's Party with the center-left Social Democrats and the liberal Neos party. Nehammer's party and the Social Democrats have governed Austria together in the past but have the barest possible majority in the parliament elected in September, with a combined 92 of the 183 seats. That was widely considered too small a cushion, and the two parties sought to bring in Neos. Trump's strength and unpredictability can help end the war with Russia: Zelenskyy But Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger said she informed Nehammer, Social Democratic leader Andreas Babler and President Alexander Van der Bellen early Friday that her party “won't continue” talks on becoming a partner in a new government. She pointed to the implications of a “budget hole” left by the last government as a major source of difficulty, adding that the election showed a desire for change but the talks appeared to be going backward rather than forward in recent days. “There was a repeated ‘no’ to fundamental reforms this week,” Meinl-Reisinger told reporters in Vienna. Austrian People’s Party general secretary Christian Stocker blamed “backward-looking forces” among the Social Democrats for prompting the collapse of the talks. It wasn't immediately clear how the situation could be resolved. The two bigger parties could potentially try to form a government alone or turn to the environmentalist Greens as a prospective third partner. Nehammer's often-tense two-party outgoing coalition with the Greens lost its parliamentary majority in the election, though it remains in office as a caretaker administration. 2 dead and 18 injured in Southern California plane crash The Freedom Party, which has seen its poll ratings rise since the election, called for Nehammer's resignation. Its general secretary, Michael Schnedlitz, accused the chancellor of refusing to accept his election defeat and said it had long warned against a three-way coalition “on the German model” — a reference to the quarrelsome government in neighboring Germany that collapsed in November. Germany is holding an early election next month.

Austria wants to become partner in Bangladesh’s development and build up economic relations with the country. Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his country’s interest on Friday while he called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the ocassion of Golden Jubilee of the diplomatic relations of the two countries. “ Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer called Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at about 4pm and discussed various issues for ten minutes,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB. He said that putting emphasis on the issue of development partner and establishing economic relations with Austria, Sheikh Hasina urged the chancellor to come up with investment in Bangladsh. “Geographical location of Bangladesh is very much congenial for investment,” she said. Austrian chancellor expressed his interest to visit Bangladesh after the prime minister invited him. Sheikh Hasina expressed her gratitude to Austrian chancellor and thanked him for giving 1.5 million coronavirus vaccine as gift. Karl Nehammer Said that his country is ready to provide kore vaccine if Bangladesh needs in future, Ihsanul said.

Austria has issued two commemorative stamps on the occasions of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh on Monday evening. The Secretary General of the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria Ambassador Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal and the Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masud Bin Momen jointly unveiled the stamps from Vienna and Dhaka respectively. Also raed: Bangladesh strongly condemns Houthi attack on Saudi Airport The unveiling of the commemorative stamps was preceded by the handing over of nine hundred fifty-six thousand (9,56,000) doses of AstraZeneca vaccines gifted by the Government of Austria to Bangladesh.  

Austria went into a nationwide lockdown early Monday to combat soaring coronavirus infections, a step being closely watched by other European governments struggling with national outbreaks that are straining health care systems. The measures are expected to last for a maximum of 20 days but will be reevaluated after 10. They require people to stay home apart from basic reasons like getting groceries, going to the doctor and exercising. Restaurants and most shops must close and larger events will be canceled. Schools and day care centers can remain open, but parents are encouraged to keep their children home. Austria hopes to lift the measures on Dec. 13 but may keep a further lockdown on the unvaccinated. The new lockdown measures kicked in a day after many Austrians hurriedly enjoyed a last day out at coffeehouses and Christmas markets across the country. Read: Brazil's Amazon deforestation surges to worst in 15 years Christmas markets across central Vienna were packed Sunday with people eager to buy gifts and enjoy one last round of warm drinks and food. At the Freyung Christmas market in Vienna, Alexandra Ljesevic and her sister Anna sipped mulled wine and punch amid wooden stands and under sparkling holiday lights. “It’s the last chance to feel the Christmas time and vibes,” Alexandra Ljesevic said. The sisters said they feel luckier than most, since their jobs won’t be affected by the lockdown. But they’re not optimistic that things will reopen as quickly as authorities hope. “It would be weird if in 20 days they said, ‘Okay, for vaccinated people, you’re free to go,’ if the hospitals are still overwhelmed,” said Anna Ljesevic. “That’s the only reason why we even need the lockdown.” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg also announced Friday that Austria will also introduce a vaccine mandate as of Feb. 1. The details of how the mandate will work aren't yet clear. In an interview Sunday in the Kurier newspaper, Schallenberg said it’s “sad” that the Austrian government had to resort to a mandate in order to ensure that enough people get vaccinated. Just under 66% of Austria’s 8.9 million people are fully vaccinated, one of the lowest rates in Western Europe. Read:Italian Coast Guard rescues 550 migrants from stormy seas On Saturday, Austria reported 15,297 new infections, after a week in which daily cases topped 10,000. Hospitals, especially those in the hardest hit regions of Salzburg and Upper Austria, are overwhelmed as the number of coronavirus patients rises in intensive care units. Schallenberg said he and other officials had hoped this summer that a new lockdown would not be necessary and it was a tough decision to impose one that affected vaccinated people. “That people’s freedoms need to be restricted again is, believe me, also difficult for me to bear,” he said. The new measures, especially the vaccine mandate, have been met with fierce opposition among some Austrians and vaccine skeptics. A Saturday protest in the capital of Vienna drew 40,000 people, according to police, including members of far-right parties and groups. Interior Minister Karl Nehammer said Sunday that the country's anti-coronavirus protest scene is radicalizing.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said Saturday that he will step down in a bid to defuse a government crisis triggered by prosecutors' announcement that he is a target of a corruption investigation. Kurz, 35, said he has proposed to Austria's president that Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg become chancellor. But Kurz himself will remain in a key political position: he said he will become the head of his conservative Austrian People's Party's parliamentary group. Kurz's party had closed ranks behind him after the prosecutors' announcement on Wednesday, which followed searches at the chancellery and his party's offices. But its junior coalition partner, the Greens, said Friday that Kurz couldn't remain as chancellor and demanded that his party nominate an “irreproachable person” to replace him. The coalition government took office in January, 2020. Read: Austria's Greens clear final hurdle for government with Kurz The Greens' leader, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler, welcomed Kurz's decision as “a right and important step.” “This means that we can continue our work in government,” he said. Kurz and his close associates are accused of trying to secure his rise to the leadership of his party and the country with the help of manipulated polls and friendly reports in the media, financed with public money. Kurz, who became the People’s Party leader and then chancellor in 2017, denies wrongdoing. The Greens said the probe created a “disastrous” impression. In a separate case, anti-corruption authorities put Kurz under investigation in May on suspicion of making false statements to a parliamentary commission, an allegation he also rejected. Opposition leaders had called for Kurz to go and planned to bring a no-confidence motion against him Tuesday in parliament. Read:Austria awaits Greens' approval for government with Kurz “We are still in a very sensitive phase in Austria — the pandemic is not yet over and the economic upswing has only just begun,” while a reform of the country’s tax system to help curb greenhouse gas emissions has been negotiated but is not yet implemented, Kurz said. “What we need now are stable conditions,” he told reporters in Vienna. “So, in order to resolve the stalemate, I want to make way to prevent chaos and ensure stability." He insisted again that the accusations against him “are false and I will be able to clear this up — I am deeply convinced of that." Kurz said of the Greens' demand for his replacement: “Many tell me that this is unfair and ... you can imagine that I personally would also be grateful if the presumption of innocence in our country really applied to everyone.” He insisted that the accusations against him were being “mixed up” with old text messages that have surfaced in recent days. “Some of them are messages that I definitely wouldn't formulate the same way again, but I am only a human being with emotions and also flaws,” he said. Kurz will keep his party's leadership as well as becoming its parliamentary group leader. Read: Austria's Kurz optimistic new coalition will last full term He responded to the demand for an untainted new leader with Schallenberg, 52. Although loyal to Kurz, Schallenberg has a background in diplomacy rather than party politics. Schallenberg already served as foreign minister in a non-partisan interim government that ran the European Union nation of 8.9 million people for several months after Kurz’s first coalition with the far-right Freedom Party collapsed in 2019. Kurz pulled the plug on that government after a video surfaced showing the vice chancellor and Freedom Party leader at the time, Heinz-Christian Strache, appearing to offer favors to a purported Russian investor. Austria's next regular parliamentary election is due in 2024.

The death toll from flooding in Western Europe climbed above 180 on Sunday after rescue workers dug deeper into debris left by receding waters. Read:Deadly flooding, heatwaves in Europe, highlight urgency of climate action: WMO Police put the toll from the hard-hit Ahrweiler area of western Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state at 110 and said they feared the number may still rise. In neighboring North Rhine-Westphalia state, Germany’s most populous, 45 people were confirmed dead, including four firefighters. And Belgium has confirmed 27 casualties. Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to visit Schuld, a village near Ahrweiler that was devastated by the flooding, later Sunday. Her visit comes after Germany’s president went to the area on Saturday and made clear that it will need long-term support. Read:Europe floods shows need to curb emissions, adapt There was flooding Saturday night in the German-Czech border area, across the country from where last week’s floods hit, and in Germany’s southeastern corner and over the border in Austria. Some 65 people were evacuated in Germany’s Berchtesgaden area after the Ache River swelled. At least one person was killed. A flash flood swept through the nearby Austrian town of Hallein late Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties. Read:Death toll from Europe floods tops 150 as water recedes Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Twitter that heavy rain and storms were causing serious damage in several parts of Austria.

Bangladesh Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna recently organised a cricket tournament to commemorate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as the Golden Jubilee of the country's Independence. The 2nd Bangabandhu Memorial Cricket Tournament was held recently amid much enthusiasm and interest among members of the Bangladeshi community in Austria, particularly the youth, the Bangladesh Mission said in a release on Wednesday.  Read:Connecticut guv pledges to address Bangladesh's Covid vaccine needs The 1st edition of the tournament was held in August 2020.     The event was organised at the Seebarn Cricket Ground with support from the Bangladesh Cricket Club of Austria (BCCA). Five teams, namely Sylhet Express, Vienna Tigers, Linz Mohammadan, Bikrampur Sporting Club and Greater Noakhali Kings, participated in this year’s tournament. Sylhet Express emerged as the champion, while Vienna Tigers was the runners-up. Read:Genuinely excited to welcome Bangladesh Olympic team to Tokyo: Japanese envoy

Bangladesh and Austria have inked a key pact to boost bilateral aviation business and increase air connectivity between the two countries. Read:76th UNGA session: Bangladesh elected vice-president Bangladesh Ambassador to Austria Muhammad Abdul Muhith and Ambassador Andreas Riecken from the Austrian Ministry of European & International Affairs signed the Air Services Agreement (ASA) on behalf of their respective countries in Vienna on Monday. The ASA between Bangladesh and Austria is expected not only to boost the aviation business for the two countries, but also to increase the business-to-business and people-to-people connectivity, according to the Bangladeshi side. Read:76th UNGA session: Maldives elected president, Bangladesh VP The agreement will also help turn Vienna into a regional hub for Central, Eastern and Northern European countries, including Scandinavia, thanks to its unique location, for transportation of goods and passengers between Bangladesh and the region, a release said.  In particular, both the countries expect that this agreement will expedite the process of passenger and cargo flights to and from Dhaka in near future and expand business opportunities between the two countries. Read:Greater efforts sought from envoys to enhance trade with Asean