Murder investigation in Graz: missing woman found dead
Police in Styria say the 31-year-old woman missing since November 23rd has been confirmed as the victim of a violent crime, according to Der Standard. Her ex-partner admitted during questioning that he killed the influencer in her Graz apartment and buried her body in Slovenia. Officers found her remains on Saturday in a suitcase hidden in woodland.
Investigators said neighbours heard a loud argument on Sunday morning and later saw the suspect leaving the building with what looked like a rolled-up carpet over his shoulder. CCTV analysis showed that he drove to Slovenia the same afternoon, where he allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by burning his car.
The 31-year-old man faces a murder charge and remains in custody. Two relatives who were also detained on suspicion of involvement were released after his confession, but investigators still believe they may have had knowledge of the case. The presumption of innocence applies.
Doctors warn of vaccine shortages in adult free-of-charge programme
Austria’s doctors warn that several vaccines in the free adult vaccination scheme are currently unavailable, according to ORF. The Austrian Medical Chamber said flu vaccines cannot be ordered at present and that pneumococcal and shingles vaccines are also missing in outpatient practices.
Vice-president Edgar Wutscher blamed insufficient federal procurement and an unstable online ordering system that repeatedly fails for doctors’ surgeries. The chamber is now discussing fixes with the Health Ministry and the ÖGK.
The ministry has previously said that high demand is behind the shortages and that tens of thousands of additional doses of shingles and pneumococcal vaccines will be delivered, with a larger replenishment expected in January.
Chancellor Stocker plans to run again in next national election
Chancellor Christian Stocker says he intends to remain in office and will run as the ÖVP’s lead candidate in the next National Council election, according to Die Presse. He told the Kronen Zeitung that he will only think about succession “after the next election”.
Stocker said he is now completely pain-free following recent back surgery and wants to use the coming months to push for a leaner state, higher growth and lower inflation. He dismissed reports of internal party manoeuvring during his sick leave as “rumour”.
Recent polling is “no cause for joy”, he acknowledged, but said the government will continue to pursue what he called the right decisions. The FPÖ criticised the comments as a distraction from government failures.
Firefighters rescue swan trapped in lake ice in Upper Austria
A swan trapped in a frozen section of the Almsee in Grünau im Almtal was safely freed on Sunday, according to ORF. The bird had become encircled by ice overnight and was unable to swim away.
Firefighters broke the surrounding ice carefully and reached the animal within minutes. A veterinarian examined the swan and found it unharmed.
After the check-up, the bird was released back into the wild. The emergency services said the rescue was quick and uncomplicated.
What’s happening in Austria today
A new cross-border commuter residence permit for non-EU nationals enters into force today. The scheme applies to people who live in a neighbouring country, hold long-term residence there, and commute to work in Austrian border districts or cities such as Salzburg, Innsbruck or Klagenfurt. The permit is valid for up to two years and uses district-level labour-market checks. Dependants do not qualify automatically.
In Copenhagen, Austrian MPs attend the two-day COSAC conference under the Danish EU Presidency, discussing EU trade, enlargement and rule-of-law issues. In Vienna, a Swedish delegation from the Sweden-Austria Bilateral Parliamentary Group visits Parliament for talks at 10.30am.
Styria’s Department 3 in Graz reminds residents that EEA documentation appointments from December 1st can only be booked by email. The office warns that number issuance stops early once the daily limit is reached and asks applicants to arrive with forms completed.
On Vienna’s U6 line, the platform at Am Schöpfwerk towards Floridsdorf is closed from today until February 1st because of modernisation works. ASFINAG warns of heavier traffic around shopping centres during the Advent period and urges drivers to avoid peak hours.
Austria meet Ukraine in a midday women’s international football friendly broadcast live on ORF Sport Plus from 11.55am. Advent and Christmas markets continue nationwide, including Vienna’s “Christmas Dream” at Rathausplatz.
GeoSphere Austria forecasts a cold start to December with temperatures around or just above freezing and snow showers at low altitudes. Avalanche services in Salzburg, Tyrol and Styria report a thin snowpack with local wind-slab risks and call for careful planning. Snow conditions in the Zillertal Arena show 30–40 cm at altitude with cold, partly snowy weather.
Happy December!
Vocabulary
der Mordverdacht – suspicion of murder
die Ordination – doctor’s practice
die Nachschublieferung – replenishment delivery
die Amtsstunde – office hour
der Adventmarkt – Christmas market
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.
Comments