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Record Heat Claims Lives, Ruck Resigns Amid Bridge Anniversary

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Austria is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with official data revealing 395 heat-related fatalities in June, marking the highest number for that month. A new July temperature record of 40.3 degrees Celsius was also broken in Wieselburg, exacerbating drought conditions and leading to increased forest fire danger across the country.

In political news, Walter Ruck, the former President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, has officially resigned following weeks of pressure and leaked statements, bringing a resolution to the ongoing scandal. Meanwhile, the nation is looking back 50 years to the dramatic collapse of Vienna's Reichsbrücke, an event that continues to resonate in the city's history.

Other domestic developments include concerns from Daniel Fellner, the Governor of Carinthia, regarding the potential problems of a strict zero-migration policy, and the public prosecutor's office initiating an investigation against Sebastian Schwaighofer, a Member of Parliament for the Freedom Party.

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Extreme Heat and Drought Crisis

Austria is experiencing a severe and escalating heatwave, which resulted in a record 395 heat-related deaths in June. The country also recorded its highest July temperature ever at 40.3 degrees Celsius in Wieselburg, leading to critical drought conditions, water scarcity issues, and heightened forest fire danger.

Reichsbrücke Collapse 50th Anniversary

Vienna is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the dramatic collapse of the Reichsbrücke bridge, an event that significantly impacted the city's history. Several reports are looking back at the technical aspects and the day of the tragedy.

Die Presse What Caused the Collapse of the Reichsbrücke? ↗
ORF 50 Years Ago: The Collapse of Vienna's Reichsbrücke ↗
Die Presse The Day the Reichsbrücke Collapsed ↗

Walter Ruck Resignation and Political Investigations

Walter Ruck, former President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, has resigned following a scandal involving leaked statements and pressure from his party. Separately, the public prosecutor's office is seeking to investigate Sebastian Schwaighofer, a Member of Parliament for the Freedom Party.

profil Ruck-Leaks: Resignation, a Sad End ↗
Die Presse Prosecution Wants to Investigate FPÖ MP Schwaighofer ↗

Migration Policy and Economic Concerns

Daniel Fellner, the Governor of Carinthia, has voiced concerns about the negative implications of a strict zero-migration policy for his region. Meanwhile, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber reports a significant shortage of skilled workers affecting three-quarters of businesses.