Grace Bumbry, 1st Black singer at Bayreuth, dies at 86
May 8, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Grace Bumbry, a pioneering mezzo-soprano who became the first Black singer to perform at Germany's Bayreuth Festival during a career of more than three decades on the world's top stages, has died.
Austrians tried for allegedly helping Mossad shield Syrian
April 14, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Five former Austrian officials went on trial in Vienna on Friday accused of granting asylum to a suspected Syrian war criminal in Austria at the request of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency.
2 police hurt, 143 people held in Vienna gas talks protest
March 27, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Two police officers were injured Monday in scuffles that broke out when protesters tried to break through a police cordon during a demonstration against a meeting of oil and gas companies in Vienna.
Austrian police warn of abstract threat to Syrian facilities
March 16, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Austrian police issued a terror threat warning Thursday for Vienna, saying there was an “abstract" danger for Syrian institutions in the city.
The alert came a day after police in Austria's capital warned of " a possible “Islamist-motivated attack” on churches and other houses of worship, citing undisclosed information received by the country’s intelligence service.
Austrian police: Possible threat to Vienna places of worship
March 15, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Austrian police warned Wednesday of a possible “Islamist-motivated attack” in Vienna against churches and other houses of worship, citing undisclosed information received by the country's intelligence service.
Christian Thielemann leads Vienna Philharmonic US tour
March 3, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, when Vienna was shut down and people were allowed outside mainly to walk their dogs, Christian Thielemann was stopped by a police officer in the Heldenplatz.
Russian delegates defiant at hostile OSCE assembly meeting
February 24, 2023 GMTVIENNA, Austria (AP) — A contentious Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe parliamentary meeting ended Friday with condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — as Russian delegates accused the West of preventing dialogue by arming Kyiv.
Russia expels 4 Austrian diplomats in retaliatory move
February 17, 2023 GMTMOSCOW (AP) — Moscow has asked four Austrian diplomats to leave Russia in retaliation for the expulsion earlier this month of four Russian diplomats from Vienna.
Austria had accused the Russian diplomats of spying, and Chancellor Karl Nehammer on Friday defended their Feb.
Austria expels 4 Russian diplomats based in Vienna
February 2, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Austria's government said Thursday that it has ordered four Russian diplomats based in Vienna, including two at Moscow's mission to U.N. agencies in the city, to leave the country.
The Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement that two diplomats at the Russian Embassy had “engaged in acts incompatible with their diplomatic status” and two at the permanent mission to the United Nations in Vienna “committed acts incompatible with the Headquarters Agreement.” It didn't elaborate.
Vienna court convicts 2020 gunman’s alleged helpers
February 2, 2023 GMTVIENNA (AP) — An Austrian court has convicted four men of terrorist offenses and participation in murder over their alleged links to a sympathizer of the Islamic State group who carried out a deadly shooting in Vienna in 2020.
Protesters: ‘Cop City’ activist’s killing doesn’t make sense
January 29, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — Tortuguita’s cautious voice rang out from a platform amid the tall pines the first time Vienna met them: “Who goes there?” she remembers them calling.
The tree-dweller, who chose the moniker Tortuguita – Spanish for “Little Turtle” – over their given name, was perched above the forest floor in the woods just outside Atlanta last summer.
Austrian court acquits ex-vice chancellor in retrial
January 10, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A Vienna court on Tuesday acquitted former Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of trying to change laws to favor a private hospital in exchange for donations to his political party, local media reported.
Conscript fatally shot in scuffle at Austrian barracks
January 6, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A conscript was killed and an officer hurt during a scuffle at a military barracks in Austria on Friday that resulted in several shots being fired, the country's defense ministry said.
Skier Shiffrin enters new dimension with 50th slalom win
December 29, 2022 GMTSEMMERING, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin made ski racing history once again on Thursday night.
This time, however, she wasn't the only American skier doing so.
Skier Shiffrin edges Gut-Behrami in GS for career win 79
December 28, 2022 GMTSEMMERING, Austria (AP) — Everyone in ski racing seems to be counting Mikaela Shiffrin's World Cup wins. Except for Mikaela Shiffrin herself.
The four-time overall champion won a gripping duel with Swiss rival Lara Gut-Behrami in a giant slalom Wednesday to earn career victory No.
Albania’s last captive bear rescued to Austrian sanctuary
December 7, 2022 GMTTIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s last brown bear in captivity was rescued by an international animal welfare organization Wednesday and will be taken to a sanctuary in Austria.
Four Paws began the journey with the 24-year-old bear, named Mark, accompanied by a large file of documents to get him across multiple national borders.
Russia rejects $60-a-barrel cap on its oil, warns of cutoffs
December 3, 2022 GMTKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russian authorities rejected a price cap on the country's oil set by Ukraine’s Western supporters and threatened Saturday to stop supplying the nations that endorsed it.
Austria: 3 men convicted in rape, death of 13-year-old girl
December 2, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — An Austrian court has convicted three Afghan men for the rape and death of a 13-year-old girl whose body was found dumped next to a tree in Vienna last year in a case that shocked the Alpine nation.
Climate activists throw liquid at Klimt painting in Vienna
November 15, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Climate activists in Austria on Tuesday attacked a famous painting by artist Gustav Klimt with a black, oily liquid and one then glued himself to glass protecting the painting's frame.
UN agency: Iran increases highly enriched uranium stockpile
November 10, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — The U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday it believes that Iran has further increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and criticized Tehran for continuing to bar the agency's officials from accessing or monitoring Iranian nuclear sites.
6 on trial in Vienna over links to gunman in 2020 attack
October 18, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Six men went on trial in Vienna on Tuesday over their alleged links to a sympathizer of the Islamic State group who carried out a deadly shooting in the Austrian capital in 2020.
A verdict in the trial at the Vienna state court is expected in February at the earliest, public broadcaster ORF reported.
Austria’s president likely to be re-elected as ‘safe’ choice
October 7, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, who held office through a period of domestic political instability, a global pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, has campaigned for reelection by pitching himself as the stable option in unstable times.
OPEC+ makes big oil cut to boost prices; pump costs may rise
October 5, 2022 GMTFRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The OPEC+ alliance of oil-exporting countries decided Wednesday to sharply cut production to support sagging oil prices, a move that could deal the struggling global economy another blow and raise politically sensitive pump prices for U.S.
Montenegro bans entry to 28 foreigners for ‘malign’ activity
September 30, 2022 GMTPODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — A day after it expelled six Russian diplomats, NATO member Montenegro on Friday revoked residence permits and banned entry to 28 foreign citizens it accused of spreading “malign influence” in the interest of unidentified foreign services.
UN nuclear watchdog, Iranian officials meet in Vienna
September 27, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said he met with his Iranian counterpart in Vienna for talks about an ongoing investigation into manmade uranium particles found at undeclared sites in Iran.
Liz Weston: 6 new rules for smarter European travel
September 19, 2022 GMTTourism rebounded this summer in Europe — and Europe wasn’t ready. Pandemic-related staff shortages led to massive lines and flight cancellations at many airports; meanwhile, prices for hotels and taxis soared.
6 men face trial over links to gunman in 2020 Vienna attack
September 19, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Six men with alleged links to a sympathizer of the Islamic State group who carried out a deadly shooting in Vienna in 2020 will go on trial next month, a court in the Austrian capital said Monday.
UN board calls on Russia to leave Ukraine nuclear plant
September 15, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The U.N. atomic agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution Thursday calling on Moscow to immediately end its occupation of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant, where shelling of the facility and nearby areas in recent weeks heightened fears of a possible radiation disaster.
UN atomic watchdog: Iran increases uranium stockpile further
September 7, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — The U.N. atomic watchdog said Wednesday it believes Iran has further increased its stockpile of uranium that is highly enriched to one short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels.
Austria announces price cap to curb rising power prices
September 7, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Austrian government on Wednesday announced plans for a power price cap to curb the rise in energy costs tied to Russia's war in Ukraine.
Austria grants 2-billion loan to struggling energy supplier
August 31, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — The Austrian government said Wednesday it has granted a credit line of 2 billion euros (dollars) to financially distressed energy supplier Wien Energie.
Austria’s largest regional energy supplier, which has 2 million customers and belongs to the city of Vienna, has run into massive financial problems due to the turbulence on the electricity and gas markets triggered by Russia's war on Ukraine.
Austrian court overturns conviction of ex-vice chancellor
August 30, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A Vienna court overturned the corruption conviction of former Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache for trying to change laws to favor a private hospital in exchange for donations to his political party, local media reported Tuesday.
3 migrants die after smuggler’s van crashes in Austria
August 13, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Authorities in Austria say three people died Saturday when a van carrying 20 people believed to be migrants overturned after evading a police check.
Police in the eastern district of Burgenland, near Vienna, said officers tried to stop the white van at the border with Slovakia early Saturday, but the driver drove off at high speed.
Talks to revive Iran nuclear deal end, produce ‘final text’
August 8, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Talks to revive Tehran's tattered nuclear accord with world powers in Vienna ended Monday as the parties closed a final text and key negotiators prepared to consult with their capitals, diplomats said.
Negotiators optimistic about progress on Iran nuclear deal
August 8, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Top negotiators in renewed talks to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal indicated Sunday that they are optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement to impose limits on Tehran's uranium enrichment.
Iran nuclear talks in Vienna as Tehran expands enrichment
August 4, 2022 GMTNegotiators from Iran, the U.S. and the European Union resumed monthslong, indirect talks over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal Thursday, as international inspectors reported that the Islamic Republic is expanding its uranium enrichment.
Analysis: Iran now speaking openly on nuclear bomb prospects
August 4, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian officials now speak openly about something long denied by Tehran as it enriches uranium at its closest-ever levels to weapons-grade material: The Islamic Republic is ready to build an atomic weapon at will.
Iran, US, EU to send envoys to Vienna for nuclear talks
August 3, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran, the United States and the European Union said Wednesday they would send senior representatives to Vienna amid what appears to be a last-ditch effort at reviving talks over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.
Austrian ex-vice chancellor acquitted in corruption trial
July 29, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Former Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was acquitted Friday in a corruption trial, the second he has faced since a scandal surrounding him brought down the country's government in 2019.
Austrian, Hungarian leaders discuss migration, Ukraine war
July 28, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Vienna on Thursday for bilateral talks that focused on migration as well as on the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
Western European powers press Iran to agree to nuclear deal
July 27, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Western European powers are pressing Iran to agree to a revival of its 2015 nuclear deal after a months-long standstill in negotiations, warning that what's on the table now is “the best possible deal.”
German soldier who posed as refugee convicted of attack plot
July 15, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A German court on Friday convicted a military officer who posed as a Syrian asylum-seeker of plotting to attack prominent politicians, sentencing him to 5½ years in prison.
The Frankfurt state court convicted the defendant of preparing a serious crime meant to endanger the state, violations of weapons laws and fraud, German news agency dpa reported.
Iran and EU say Vienna nuke talks will resume in coming days
June 25, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — The European Union and Iran agreed on Saturday to resume negotiations in Vienna in the coming days over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
The agreement could help relieve tensions after the talks stalled for months, while Iran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels under decreasing international oversight.
Auschwitz Museum says it’s a target of Russian propaganda
June 24, 2022 GMTWARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Auschwitz-Birkenau museum alleged Friday that it was the target of “primitive" propaganda spread by Russian state agencies on social media.
The museum said that social media posts falsely claim to show anti-Russian stickers placed around the memorial at the former site of the Auschwitz death camp site in southern Poland, an area under German occupation during World War II.
Iran pulls UN nuke cameras in possible ‘fatal blow’ to deal
June 10, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Iran has started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, the head of the U.N. atomic watchdog said Thursday, warning this could deal a “fatal blow” to the tattered nuclear deal as Tehran enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
Israeli PM Bennett in snap UAE visit amid standoff with Iran
June 9, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett made a surprise visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, with the snap trip coming as efforts to salvage a deal over Iran's nuclear program are stalled in a deepening standoff with Tehran.
Iran says 2 UN watchdog devices at nuclear site turned off
June 9, 2022 GMTTEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran turned off two surveillance devices Wednesday used by U.N. inspectors to monitor the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment, further escalating the crisis over its atomic program as Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters.
Titleholder France held by Croatia to 1-1 in Nations League
June 6, 2022 GMTSPLIT, Croatia (AP) — Titleholder France failed to rebound from its opening defeat in the Nations League after it was held by Croatia to 1-1 on Monday.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot broke the deadlock after the break and substitute Andrej Kramarić equalized from the spot late for Croatia not to lose to France for the first time in 11 years.
UN nuclear watchdog urges Iran to comply with monitoring
June 6, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog urged Iran on Monday to cooperate with his inspectors amid a standoff over its atomic program and a threat by Western nations to censure Tehran over its noncooperation.
Report: Austria sees record number of antisemitic incidents
May 13, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — Antisemitic incidents reached a record high in Austria last year, according to a report published Friday.
The statistics, compiled by the Jewish Community of Vienna, recorded 965 incidents in 2021 — the highest number since the organization began documenting them 20 years ago.
8 rounds in expanded Champions League first stage from 2024
May 10, 2022 GMTVIENNA (AP) — A scaled-back first phase to the expanded Champions League in 2024 was approved by UEFA on Tuesday to quell a backlash around Europe.
The reformatted group stage has been reduced from 10 rounds to eight, and backup places for teams based on historical performance have been replaced with a qualification method that rewards the most successful nations more recently in European football.
UEFA to revisit Champions League overhaul amid backlash
April 28, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — Facing pushback against an overhaul of the Champions League, UEFA will review plans as European leagues, more mid-ranking teams and fan groups try to limit changes that favor the wealthiest clubs.
Aaronson scores in return, Salzburg clinches Austrian title
April 24, 2022 GMTAmerican midfielder Brenden Aaronson scored on a penalty kick in his return from a knee injury that sidelined him for six weeks, and Red Bull Salzburg clinched its ninth straight Austrian Bundesliga title with a 5-0 win over visiting Austria Vienna on Sunday.
Watchdog: Iran converts sliver of its high-enriched uranium
March 18, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has converted a fraction of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium into material crucial for detecting cancers and other diseases, the U.N. nuclear watchdog and an Iranian media report said Friday.
As Ukraine war rages, diplomats near Iran nuclear agreement
March 17, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — As the war in Ukraine rages on, diplomats trying to salvage the languishing 2015 Iran nuclear deal have been forging ahead with negotiations despite distractions caused by the conflict.
Slovakia expels 3 Russian diplomats after spy services info
March 14, 2022 GMTBRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia's Foreign Ministry says it has decided to expel three Russian diplomats following its assessment of information from the country’s intelligence services on possible spying and bribery.
Iran nuclear talks on ‘pause’ in Vienna after Russian demand
March 11, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Negotiations aimed at restoring Iran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers went on what its European hosts described as “a pause” on Friday, after Russia demanded relief from sanctions targeting Moscow over its war on Ukraine.
Mexico wins removal of pre-Hispanic artifact at Vienna sale
March 10, 2022 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — The government of Mexico said Thursday it succeeded in getting a pre-Hispanic artifact removed from a planned Vienna auction, part of an effort to win the return of archaeological treasures that has largely been unsuccessful so far.
Iran offers mixed signals as nuclear talks deadline looms
March 10, 2022 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran offered mixed signals Thursday as a deadline loomed in talks over Tehran's tattered nuclear deal with world powers. The Iranian president defended the negotiations while the country's top diplomat and a security official blamed America for the deadlock.