EU, U.K. signal little Brexit progress

Britain marks five years since its decision to leave the European Union, with economic impacts just beginning and worries of a divided UK enduring.

Austria's former vice chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, allegedly accepted donations in exchange for directing public funds. An investigation into Strache was opened after the 'Ibizagate' video scandal broke in 2019.

The UK says the EU figure of €47.5 billion was for its "own internal accounting" and does not reflect money owed back to Britain.

The British government has urged the EU to rethink the part of the Brexit deal that governs trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But the European Commission has refused such requests in the past.

Austria said it will allow an Afghan man, who was denied asylum, to stay in the country until the end of the month. NGOs have asked European countries to stop deporting people to Afghanistan.

A village in the Austrian Alps known for its family-friendly ski resort has been forced to adapt to waning snow due to climate change, turning to a new downhill sport -- mountain biking. Bikers as young as three ride over landscaped jumps and curved forest trails, breathing new life into Sankt Corona am Wechsel, around an hour's drive from Vienna, and offering a model for other struggling resorts.

A lack of qualified drivers combined with tough visa regulations are slowing down the country's supply chains. Food retailers like McDonald's have been hit. The Christmas season could stretch things to the limit.

Austria announced the introduction of a new "eco-social" reform of the tax system. Everyone in the governing coalition gets something: but does the environment?

The UK has given Brussels ten days to respond to its demands over customs checkpoints in the Irish Sea. The UK's Brexit minister has told the EU to rethink the terms of its trade accord.

Alexander Schallenberg, 52, has been sworn in as chancellor of Austria. He replaces Sebastian Kurz, 35, who resigned over the weekend, bowing to critics following raids on his office and party.

The measures could halve customs paperwork and checks on meat, dairy and other food products coming to Northern Ireland.

Britain's Brexit Minister David Frost has reacted to proposed EU concessions to ease bottlenecks affecting the trade in goods to Northern Ireland from the UK mainland.