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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

Austria far-right leader targeted in embezzlement investigation, free public transport for Vienna's teachers, ChatGPT faces Austria complaint for 'uncorrectable errors' and more news from Austria on Tuesday.

Published: 30 April 2024 06:15 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Chairman of the Austrian Freedom Party (FPOe) Herbert Kickl speaks during a party campaign rally of the FPOe Carinthia in Klagenfurt, Carinthia on February 24, 2023, ahead of local elections. (Photo by Alex HALADA / AFP)

AFP: Austria far-right leader targeted in embezzlement investigation

Prosecutors said Monday they had launched an investigation into Austria’s far-right leader and several former government members on suspicion of embezzling public money to pay for adverts in return for alleged favourable coverage.

Prosecutors said the investigation into several former government members for alleged bribery, corruption, and breach of trust was opened in mid-April.

Herbert Kickl, the hardline leader of Austria’s right-wing Freedom Party (FPOe)—currently leading polls ahead of elections expected in September—is suspected of commissioning adverts and paying for them with public money.

The alleged embezzlement occurred between January 2018 and May 2019, when Kickl was Austria’s acting interior minister.

Prosecutors suspect that in exchange for allegedly promising favourable media coverage of the FPOe, a major tabloid received lucrative adverts.

The former government members, including Kickl, are alleged to “have commissioned… adverts and had them paid from public funds,” the state economic crime and corruption prosecutor (WKStA) said in a statement.

Austria’s former vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and his former deputy Norbert Hofer are also being probed.

According to APA news agency, the FPOe dismissed the investigation, saying it was “relaxed” about the probe and “one hundred percent convinced” that it would be closed.

READ ALSO: Can the Austrian president refuse to appoint a far-right chancellor?

Everything that changes in Austria in May 2024

From strikes and protests to the (many) public holidays, this is what changes in May 2024 in Austria.

Free public transport for Vienna’s teachers

Vienna’s compulsory school teachers will receive free annual public transport tickets, following a similar initiative for municipal employees. Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) announced the benefit alongside social democrat staff representative Karin Medits-Steiner.

The free tickets aim to improve teacher recruitment and retention while simplifying commutes and facilitating school outings. “This is a sign of appreciation for the daily work of Vienna’s teachers,” stressed Mayor Ludwig, highlighting the need to fill many teaching positions in the coming years.

Parents and students will also benefit. School trips will now enjoy free public transport, promoting climate-friendly travel and a smoother transition to a more sustainable city. Medits-Steiner believes the free tickets make preparing for lessons and organising outings “enormously easier.”

READ ALSO: The downsides of Vienna you should be aware of before moving there

AFP: ChatGPT faces Austria complaint for ‘uncorrectable errors’

A Vienna-based privacy campaign group said Monday it would file a complaint against ChatGPT in Austria. The group claims the “hallucinating” flagship AI tool invents wrong answers, which its creator, OpenAI, cannot correct.

NOYB (“None of Your Business”) said there was no way to guarantee the programme provided accurate information. “ChatGPT keeps hallucinating — and not even OpenAI can stop it,” the group said in a statement.

The group said the company has openly acknowledged it cannot correct inaccurate information produced by its generative AI tool and has failed to explain where the data comes from and what ChatGPT stores about individuals.

NOYB argued that such errors are unacceptable for information about individuals because EU law stipulates that personal data must be accurate.

“If a system cannot produce accurate and transparent results, it cannot be used to generate data about individuals,” said Maartje de Graaf, data-protection lawyer at NOYB. “The technology has to follow the legal requirements, not the other way around.”

ChatGPT “repeatedly provided incorrect information” about the birth date of NOYB founder Max Schrems “instead of telling users that it doesn’t have the necessary data”, said the group.

OpenAI refused Schrems’s request to rectify or erase the data despite it being incorrect, saying it was impossible, NOYB added.

NOYB also said it “failed to adequately respond” to his request to access his personal data, again in violation of EU law, and the firm “seems not even to pretend that it can comply.”

READ ALSO: Five reasons not to trust ChatGPT about Austrian politics

Four injured in an altercation at Stephansplatz underground station

A 22-year-old man was injured with a Stanley knife in Stephansplatz underground station after intervening to protect a 63-year-old woman from an attacker.

The young man reportedly stopped the unknown assailant from harming the woman. While fleeing, he collided with a 35-year-old father pushing a pram, causing them both to fall and lightly injuring the father and baby.

Emergency services treated everyone at the scene, and the baby and the woman were taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

The attacker fled before police arrived. A search is underway to apprehend the suspect. Police are investigating the motive and any connection between those involved.

If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.

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TODAY IN AUSTRIA

Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Austria's Intelligence Service highlights growing extremism threats, long waits plaguing the public healthcare system, changing weather and more news from Austria on Friday.

Published: 17 May 2024 07:34 CEST
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday

Austria’s Intelligence Service highlights growing extremism threats

Austria’s domestic intelligence agency, the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN), has released a report on extremism in the country, ORF reported. Right-wing extremism remains a significant threat, with a 30 percent increase in related offences in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner condemned the rise of anti-Semitism and warned of the “mental arson” caused by hateful rhetoric that divides society.

The DSN report also highlights the growing influence of the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East on Austria’s security landscape. According to Karner, the Russian invasion has brought “a new dynamic” to espionage and disinformation efforts. Additionally, the DSN Director, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, noted that the conflict in the Middle East has increased the threat of Islamist extremism in Austria.

The report underscores the evolving nature of extremism. While “old” and “new” forms of right-wing extremism remain a major concern, the DSN also emphasises the threat posed by “denial of the state” ideologies.

Five of the best city hikes in Vienna

If you live in Vienna and want to go hiking, you do not have to travel far. The city is surrounded by hills where you can enjoy well-marked hiking trails. Here, we list some of the most beautiful and interesting ones.

Long waits plague the public healthcare system

A new study by the Vienna Medical Association paints a concerning picture of the city’s public healthcare system. Waiting times for appointments with specialists have increased significantly in recent years, with some specialities experiencing dramatic delays, Austrian media reported.

The study, which involved contacting over 850 doctors’ practices via so-called “mystery calls”, revealed the longest wait times for child and adolescent psychiatry, where patients can expect to wait an average of 90 days for an appointment. This issue wasn’t even tracked in 2012, highlighting a potential surge in demand.

Other specialities facing substantial delays include neurology (45 days), ophthalmology (44 days), and pulmonology (36 days). Wait times for gynaecology have quadrupled compared to 2012, with patients now waiting an average of 32 days.

While some specialities, such as orthopaedics and psychiatry, haven’t seen significant changes, the overall trend is clear – accessing essential healthcare within a reasonable timeframe is becoming increasingly difficult for Viennese residents.

The Medical Association calls for immediate action, urging the health insurance sector to become more attractive and receive better funding. This could involve measures to incentivise doctors to work within the public system, potentially reducing wait times and improving patient access to care.

Austria faces changing Whitsun weather

Austria braces for a changeable Whitsun weekend with showers and thunderstorms likely throughout. Expect sunshine breaks, but pack your rain gear!

Friday and Saturday will be cloudy, with heavy rain showers and occasional thunderstorms—chilly mornings (9-14C) warming to mild afternoons (15-23C).

Sunday will have Sunny skies with scattered rain showers (low chance of storms) and comfortable temperatures (6-11C lows, 20-25C highs).

Whit Monday will start with morning sunshine giving way to afternoon showers and thunderstorms, potentially heavy, especially in the east. The weather will be warm (7-14C lows, 25C high).

Tuesday will be cloudy with widespread showers and thunderstorms, some intense. A sliver of sunshine is possible in the north and east. Cool mornings (8-16C) will be followed by mild highs (17-26C).

The oldest German-language gravestone is Styrian

A team of restorers working in the Styrian parish church of Frauenburg, Austria, has stumbled upon a remarkable discovery—the oldest known German-language gravestone, as ORF reported. The stone, believed to be the final resting place of the minstrel Ulrich von Liechtenstein, who died in 1275, dates back to the 13th century.

Located near the town of Unzmarkt-Frauenburg, the Frauenburg church sits at the foot of a ruined castle of the same name, which was once the favoured residence of von Liechtenstein. The hefty 500-kilogram stone was previously thought to be a Roman inscription plaque, remnants of which are still faintly visible.

According to reports from the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, the team discovered the stone while conducting restoration work. 

If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.

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