Austria offers €1,000 to Syrian refugees for voluntary return after Assad's fall, citing Syria's need for rebuilding. Forced deportations remain on hold as the situation is reassessed.
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.
Alexander Schallenberg will serve as Austria's interim leader after Chancellor Karl Nehammer's resignation, as the far-right Freedom Party begins efforts to form a coalition government.
Austria's political crisis deepened on January 5 when Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigned after failed coalition talks. President Alexander Van der Bellen is set to meet far-right leader Herbert Kickl today.
Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigns after coalition talks fail, leaving the far-right FPÖ poised for power as political uncertainty grips the nation.
Austria's coalition talks collapse as Chancellor Karl Nehammer resigns, sparking uncertainty over far-right FPO's role and potential snap elections.
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.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Riyadh was not making such a demand.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, dismantle unexploded ordnance, and lead economic redevelopment in the area.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is open to meeting Iran’s leader while announcing new sanctions to block Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
The FireAid benefit concerts have raised over $100 million for wildfire relief in Los Angeles, with more than 50 million viewers tuning in across 28 platforms. The event, featuring Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Stevie Nicks, aims to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery.
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An American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter crashed into the Potomac River after a midair collision near Reagan Washington National Airport on Wednesday night, officials said.
The U.S. has officially entered a new trade war. President Donald Trump has slapped 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, citing immigration and drug trafficking concerns. The move has immediate consequences for businesses and consumers—so what happens next?
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Riyadh was not making such a demand.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, dismantle unexploded ordnance, and lead economic redevelopment in the area.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is open to meeting Iran’s leader while announcing new sanctions to block Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
Uganda has reinforced its military presence in eastern Congo, deploying 1,000–2,000 additional troops near the M23 conflict zone. The move raises concerns over a regional escalation, as Uganda and Rwanda both have forces operating in the area amid growing instability.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed on Wednesday that it will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel unless a Palestinian state is created. The statement follows remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Riyadh was not making such a demand.
U.S. President Donald Trump declared that the United States will take over the Gaza Strip, dismantle unexploded ordnance, and lead economic redevelopment in the area.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday he is open to meeting Iran’s leader while announcing new sanctions to block Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, the first foreign leader to visit since Trump’s re-election. Talks focused on a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal, the Gaza war, and the ongoing hostage negotiations.
The FireAid benefit concerts have raised over $100 million for wildfire relief in Los Angeles, with more than 50 million viewers tuning in across 28 platforms. The event, featuring Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Stevie Nicks, aims to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery.
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