Austria's ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced he is stepping back from politics. His successor, Alexander Schallenberg, has also announced his resignation.

Kurz will work as a "global strategist" at the California-based venture capitalist firm after resigning amid graft allegations. The former chancellor is under investigation for suspected bribery and breach of trust.

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 has brought a "tidal wave" of new cases, according to the WHO. France has seen record numbers of positive cases – as have several other EU states. This week, President Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to "piss off" the unvaccinated, limiting their access to certain social spaces like restaurants and cinemas as a means of convincing more of them to get their jabs. Meanwhile, more and more EU member states seem to be moving towards making vaccination mandatory. Austria is set to become the first EU country to make the jabs obligatory, as of February – with the measure valid until 2024.

Austria raises alarm over pandemic's impact on children

The EU is proposing to put nuclear power on its list of sustainable energy sources. But Austria is threatening to file a case with the Court of Justice of the European Union to get that text annulled. The country has never embraced nuclear energy and is even home to the world's only power station to have been built but never fired up. Austria produces more than 75 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and is a leader of anti-nuclear advocacy in Europe. Our correspondents report.

Manchester United's interim manager Ralf Rangnick confirms he will stay at the club in a consultancy role when Erik ten Hag replaces him on the bench at the end of the season, Austria say he is their new boss

Authorities arrested 205 people tied to Central and Eastern European gangs smuggling tens of thousands of Syrians in the EU. The €150 million ring used Vienna as a hub to move migrants from Hungary to Germany and France.

Fifty prominent Austrians are openly questioning the country's stance on neutrality. Yet, Austria, unlike Sweden and Finland, lacks majority support for joining the NATO defense alliance. Here's why.

Austria is dropping its mask wearing mandate for the time being — but expects the measure to be reintroduced after the summer. Swedish officials are also preparing for a new infection spike in autumn. Follow DW for more.

Germany is looking to lower gas demand to ward off long-term shortages as Russia throttles the gas flow. Gas prices for consumers could rise even more as a consequence.

An Austrian museum has returned home the remains of dozens of Indigenous New Zealanders stolen in the 19th century. The remains were "stolen with no regard" for New Zealand tribes, officials from both countries said.

Austria has launched legal action against Brussels over its classification of nuclear and gas-powered electricity generation as sustainable. Officials described the label as "irresponsible and unreasonable."