We start your news day with you and give you a quick overview of the morning's most important topics.
Free jobs. Europe loses more than a million workers every year due to demographic change: this is an alarmingly high number, not least in light of the already dramatic staff shortages in many industries. The Brussels authority estimates that the active population will decrease from 334 million (2014) to 238 million people in 2060. Highly qualified people, whose possession is equivalent to equality with nationals in terms of working conditions, can apply for the Blue Card. training, social security and access to services and gives them the right to family reunification. >> Read more
Attack on Houthi positions. The US and Britain, with the support of allies, “successfully” attacked the positions of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Friday night. The military strike was a “direct response to the Houthi’s unprecedented attacks” on international shipping in the Red Sea, US President Joe Biden said in a written statement. >> Read more
Genocide trial against Israel. South Africa accused Israel of “genocide” against Palestinians at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip were aimed at “destroying Palestinian life” and have brought residents “to the brink of starvation”, Adila Hassim, South Africa's legal representative, told a hearing in The Hague on Thursday. Today Israel has the opportunity to respond. The process is politically motivated, writes Christian Ultsch in his editorial.
Gondola drop in Tyrol. The cable car authority's investigation into the cause of the gondola accident in the Tyrolean ski area of Hochoetz (Imst district) on Tuesday, in which a family of Danish tourists was seriously injured, was completed on Thursday evening. Experts observed a “chain of several unfavorable natural conditions,” the mountain railways said. Operations will resume today. >> Read more
The German railway strike ends. The train drivers' union strike in Germany continues until today, at 6 pm. Until then and in the hours following, train cancellations and delays are expected. Only a fifth of normally running trains were on the tracks in Germany on Thursday. Traffic via the Deutsches Eck from Salzburg to Tyrol has so far been running without restrictions.
Alpine skiing. A Super-G is scheduled for today in Wengen, before the classic Lauberhorn descent from the original start on Saturday. The slalom will take place on Sunday. Marco Odermatt ended his World Cup relegation dry spell on Thursday. >> Read more
Beckenbauer. In memory of the late Franz Beckenbauer, FC Bayern Munich faces an exciting night of football today. Minute of silence, mourning ribbon, moving words – the first game after the winter break will be about the late club legend. >> Read more
Murakami. To mark the 75th birthday of popular Japanese author Haruki Murakami, his new novel “The City and Its Uncertain Wall”, the story of eternal love, is published today.
Bezos. Another birthday: At the age of 30, Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in a garage and is now fully enjoying the fruits – around 176 billion euros – of his company's rise from a small Internet bookstore to an online giant. Today he turns 60.
Cold and snow. The weather in Austria continues to be windy and cold at the start of the weekend, especially in the morning. Geosphere Austria predicts isolated snowfall in Vienna and Lower Austria today. It should become milder over the next few days.