Austria's conservative government announced it would offer Syrian refugees a "return bonus" of €1,000 ($1,050) to encourage voluntary repatriation following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer, responding to Assad's overthrow, stated that Syria's security situation must be reassessed to potentially allow deportations, though forced removals remain on hold until the country's future becomes clearer.
For now, Austria has halted asylum applications for Syrians, focusing on voluntary returns, a move mirrored by over a dozen European nations. Syrians are the largest asylum-seeker group in Austria, where Nehammer faces pressure from far-right rivals advocating stricter immigration policies.
In a post on X, Nehammer emphasized Austria's support for Syrians willing to return, saying, "The country needs its citizens to rebuild."
However, with Austrian Airlines suspending Middle East flights, the €1,000 bonus may not fully cover travel costs, such as a one-way ticket to Beirut, which currently exceeds €1,060 on Turkish Airlines.
Austria’s far-right Freedom Party recently won 29% of the vote in parliamentary elections, but a lack of coalition partners left Nehammer negotiating with Social Democrats and liberal Neos to form a government.
Austria is reviewing the status of Syrian refugees who arrived in the past five years, following reports that some may lose their protection status due to changes in Syria’s security situation.
Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) will lead the state government in Styria for the first time, after securing a coalition deal that appoints its leader Mario Kunasek as governor.
Austria has lifted its veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership, paving the way for EU ministers to finalize their entry this week. This decision follows a significant reduction in illegal border crossings, a result of Austria's immigration demands.
OMV ends 50+ years of Russian gas imports after seizing supplies to enforce a €230M arbitration award against Gazprom. The stoppage marks a shift in Austria's energy ties as OMV explores ways to fully exit Russian gas despite contracts running until 2040.
Russia’s state-owned natural gas company Gazprom is turning off its supply to Austria after Austria said it wouldn’t pay anymore until it had received 230 million euros worth of gas, following an arbitration ruling with Austria's energy company OMV who is owed this sum from a dispute.
China discovers a new lunar crystal, Changesite-(Y), containing helium-3, a potential game-changer for clean nuclear fusion energy, intensifying the race to mine the moon.
The U.S. Surgeon General calls for cancer risk warnings on alcohol labels, highlighting links to seven cancers and urging updated consumption guidelines.
Germany faces calls for stricter fireworks regulations after New Year’s Eve chaos left 5 dead, dozens injured, and over 400 arrests in Berlin.
BYD surpassed Tesla in fourth-quarter EV deliveries, with a 13.1% sales increase, while Tesla saw a 5% rise.
AZAL has released the crew list for flight J2-8243, which crashed in Aktau today.
Farid Huseynov, Head of the AZAL Press Department, has confirmed that a total of 67 people were on board the plane involved in the recent incident, including 62 passengers and 5 crew members.
Germany faces calls for stricter fireworks regulations after New Year’s Eve chaos left 5 dead, dozens injured, and over 400 arrests in Berlin.
Belgium strengthens ties with Türkiye, marking 60 years of cooperation. Support for EU accession, trade growth, Syria’s reconstruction, and a call for peace in Israel-Palestine.
Fire engulfs an 8-story building in Seongnam, South Korea; 12 hospitalized for smoke inhalation, 30 rescued as firefighters deploy 82 vehicles to control the blaze.
Ghana's parliament approves a $4.65 billion provisional budget, averting a shutdown as John Mahama prepares to take office amid economic and energy sector challenges.
China discovers a new lunar crystal, Changesite-(Y), containing helium-3, a potential game-changer for clean nuclear fusion energy, intensifying the race to mine the moon.
The U.S. Surgeon General calls for cancer risk warnings on alcohol labels, highlighting links to seven cancers and urging updated consumption guidelines.
Germany faces calls for stricter fireworks regulations after New Year’s Eve chaos left 5 dead, dozens injured, and over 400 arrests in Berlin.
BYD surpassed Tesla in fourth-quarter EV deliveries, with a 13.1% sales increase, while Tesla saw a 5% rise.
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