The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/cia">CIA</a> said it helped stop a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/terrorism">terrorist attack</a> that was being planned for a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a> “Eras Tour” concert in Vienna earlier this month.
CIA Deputy Director David S. Cohen made the revelation during the Intelligence and National Security Summit in Maryland this week, per <a href="https://time.com/7015913/taylor-swift-foiled-terror-attack-plot-suspects-killing-plans-cia/">Time</a>. He said the CIA passed intel to Austrian authorities, which they used to help shut down the scheme.
&#8220;They were plotting to kill a huge number, tens of thousands of people at this concert, I am sure many Americans,&#8221; Cohen said. &#8220;The Austrians were able to make those arrests because the agency and our partners in the intelligence community provided them information about what this ISIS-connected group was planning to do.&#8221;
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The information led to canceling three sold-out concerts in Austria over the second weekend of August.
The main suspect, a 19-year-old Austrian man with links to the Islamic State group, was arrested shortly after. Bomb-making manuals and homemade explosives, detonators, and hydrogen peroxide were all found in his home.
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made,” Austrian official Omar Haijawi-Pirchner said at the time of his arrest. 
He said the teen’s confession showed he had been “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels.”
Two other suspects, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, were also arrested for their part in planning the attack.
Swift shared a statement with fans at the conclusion of her scheduled shows in London, which had heightened security measures but ultimately went forward as planned.
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“Having our Vienna shows cancelled [sic] was devastating,” she <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-8sKGYymIC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=c9a7024e-a077-4158-8be8-3ab3e2d75cb2&amp;img_index=1">wrote</a> on Instagram. “The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.”
She went on to thank authorities for preventing a potential tragedy.
“Thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” Swift continued, mentioning how she intentionally waited to comment on the situation until her European shows were over. 
“Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows,” she shared on social media.

Taylor Swift

CIA Says Taylor Swift Terror Plot Aimed To Kill ‘Tens Of Thousands Of People’

CIA Says Taylor Swift Terror Attack Aimed To Kill 'Tens Of Thousands Of People'

Austria

Terrorism

World

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a> finally broke her silence on the alleged terror plot in Vienna earlier this month that led to her having to cancel three shows in Austria following the foiled attack at her concert.
In a lengthy post on Wednesday on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-8sKGYymIC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=c9a7024e-a077-4158-8be8-3ab3e2d75cb2">Instagram</a>, the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taylor-swift-shows-in-austria-canceled-following-arrest-of-two-suspects-in-concert-attack-terror-plot">34-year-old singer</a> said she had officially wrapped the European leg of “The Eras Tour” as she praised the “passionate crowds” who came out and thanked her crew and fellow performers for making it possible.
“Walking onstage in London was a rollercoaster of emotions,” Swift wrote. “Having our Vienna shows canceled was devastating. The reason for the cancellations filled me with a new sense of fear, and a tremendous amount of guilt because so many people had planned on coming to those shows.”
“But I was also so grateful to the authorities because thanks to them, we were grieving concerts and not lives,” she added. “I was heartened by the love and unity I saw in the fans who banded together. I decided that all of my energy had to go toward helping to protect the nearly half a million people I had coming to see the shows in London.”
“My team and I worked hand in hand with stadium staff and British authorities every day in pursuit of that goal, and I want to thank them for everything they did for us,” Swift continued. “Let me be very clear: I am not going to speak about something publicly if I think doing so might provoke those who would want to harm the fans who come to my shows.”
The “Shake It Off” hitmaker said by remaining silent until the European part of the tour wrapped up, she was “actually showing restraint” and that it was right to wait to express herself.
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“My priority was finishing our European tour safely, and it is with great relief that I can say we did that,” the superstar singer wrote. “And then London felt like a beautiful dream sequence. All five crowds at Wembley Stadium were bursting with passion, joy, and exuberance. The energy in that stadium was like the most giant bear hug from 92,000 people each night, and it brought me back to a place of carefree calm up there.”
She closed out her post saying she will see the fans in October when the North America leg of “The Eras Tour” resumes &#8212; “but for now we get to take a much needed rest. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime. May it continue…”
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On August 7, Austrian authorities arrested two suspects who were found to have links to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda, per an AP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-17b494f1a164b205128d7faeb607e731">report</a>.
Investigators said that the teens intended to carry out an attack at Swift’s concert, using explosive materials and knives recovered at one of their homes that would &#8220;kill as many people as possible,” as previously <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/suspects-planning-terror-attack-at-taylor-swift-concert-aimed-to-kill-as-many-people-as-possible-officials-say">reported</a>.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taylor-swift-shows-in-austria-canceled-following-arrest-of-two-suspects-in-concert-attack-terror-plot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift Shows In Austria Canceled Following Arrest Of Two Suspects In Concert Attack Terror Plot</a>

‘Devastating’: Taylor Swift Breaks Silence On Concert Terror Plot

Celebrities

Entertainment

Music Industry

More details have been revealed about the foiled plot to carry out a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/terrorism">terror attack</a> at a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/taylor-swift">Taylor Swift</a> concert in Vienna.
Two suspects were found to have links to the Islamic State group and al-Qaeda, per a new AP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-17b494f1a164b205128d7faeb607e731">report</a>. Austrian investigators noted that the teens intended to carry out the attack using explosive materials and knives recovered from one of their homes.
All three of Swift’s sold-out <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/entertainment">shows</a> scheduled for Vienna have been canceled. The attack was planned for Thursday or Friday.
The main suspect is a 19-year-old Austrian citizen who has been planning the attack since July, the outlet noted. The unidentified individual shared an oath of allegiance to the current leader of the Islamic State group weeks ago and recently broke up with his girlfriend.
“He wanted to carry out an attack in the area outside the stadium, killing as many people as possible using the knives or even using the explosive devices he had made,” Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the head of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence, said.
He said the teen’s confession showed he had been “clearly radicalized in the direction of the Islamic State and thinks it is right to kill infidels.”
AP noted that the second suspect, a 17-year-old Austrian, was employed by a company providing services for the concert venue and was detained near the stadium where Swift was slated to perform.
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A 15-year-old who was in contact with both suspects was also questioned by law enforcement. The two main suspects were arrested, but their names are being withheld due to the country’s privacy laws.
Swift has not publicly commented on the situation yet. Austrian Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler <a href="https://x.com/WKogler/status/1821307998842524105">shared</a> a reaction on X: “For many, a dream has been shattered today. On three evenings in Vienna, tens of thousands of #Swifties should have celebrated life together,” the translation said.
“I am very sorry that you were denied this. Swifties stick together, hate and terror can’t destroy that,” Kogler added.
Austrian concert organizer Barracuda Music said all ticket-holders would be refunded. Multiple outlets reported on crowds of disappointed fans taking to the streets and staging impromptu sing-a-longs at local venues.
Swift is still scheduled to perform five shows in London starting August 15. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city would “carry on” with the shows, per Sky News.
“I’m sure Vienna has got its own reasons to cancel the Taylor Swift concerts, we’re going to carry on, working closely with police (and) ensuring that the Taylor Swift concerts can take place in London safely.”
In 2017, suicide bomber Salman Abedi killed 22 people and injured more than 100 at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, with a bomb stashed in his backpack.

Suspects Planning Terror Attack At Taylor Swift Concert Aimed To ‘Kill As Many People As Possible,’ Officials Say

Suspects Planning Terror Attack At Taylor Swift Concert Aimed To 'Kill As Many People As Possible,' Officials Say

Al Qaeda

terrorist attack

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/taylor-swift" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift’s</a> three nights of concerts in Austria have been canceled following the arrest of two suspects, who reportedly had ties to ISIS, with plans to carry out a concert attack plot.
On Wednesday, Austrian concert promoter Barracuda Music said that the 34-year-old singer&#8217;s “The Eras Tour” Vienna shows were canceled “due to government officials confirmation of planned terrorist attack,” <a href="https://variety.com/2024/music/news/taylor-swift-terrorist-plot-thwarted-isis-connection-vienna-eras-tour-1236099001/">Variety</a> reported.
“With confirmation from government officials of a planned terrorist attack at Ernst Happel Stadium, we have no choice but to cancel the three scheduled shows for everyone’s safety,” the statement added.
Earlier in the day, police said the three Swift concerts would still take place August 8-10th in Vienna after authorities announced they had arrested a 19-year-old man who they said had pledged allegiance to ISIS, as well as another man, <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taylor-swift-concert-terror-plot-austria-foiled-2-men-arrested-shows-w-rcna165591">NBC News</a> reported. Initial reports were that the concert would still happen and authorities let concert-goers know to expect delays and allow for extra time due to increased security measures.
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Taylor Swift’s upcoming shows in Vienna have been cancelled due to threat posed by suspected ISIS-connected plot to attack the stadium. <a href="https://t.co/K8PVdGIiST">pic.twitter.com/K8PVdGIiST</a>
— Pop Base (@PopBase) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopBase/status/1821275312396841360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
At a news conference, Vienna State Police Director Franz Ruf and Police Chief Gerhard Purstl said the two were reportedly planning attacks in the city, including the venue where Swift was performing. Authorities said both the men had become radicalized through the internet and had a detailed plan about how to carry out the attack, the outlet noted.
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Purstl also told reporters that “the concrete danger had been minimized,” but that an “abstract danger” remained, which pushed organizers to cancel the shows.
The 19-year-old was arrested after authorities raided the home in Ternitz where the teen was living with his parents where a bomb squad allegedly found chemical substances. The other man was arrested in Vienna, <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-austria-shows-men-arrested-planning-attack-1235075717/">Rolling Stone</a> noted. It is unclear at the time of this report if the material could have been used for bomb making.
Ticketholders will receive refunds in the next 10 days, Variety noted.
All three shows were sold out and mark the final leg of &#8220;Eras Tour&#8221; <a href="https://www.taylorswift.com/tour-us/">concerts</a>. Swift is not scheduled to perform again until October when North American shows pick up again, starting in Miami. The “Eras Tour” will conclude on December 8 in Vancouver with the 152nd show. 
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/taylor-swift-confirms-that-eras-tour-is-coming-to-an-end" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Taylor Swift Confirms That ‘Eras Tour’ Is Coming To An End</a>

Taylor Swift Shows In Austria Canceled Following Arrest Of Two Suspects In Concert Attack Terror Plot

concert

Law enforcement officials in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/germany" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Germany</a> and Austria arrested multiple suspected Islamic terrorists this week who were allegedly planning terrorist attacks on Christmas or New Year&#8217;s Eve.
The <a href="https://www.jpost.com/international/article-779351" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from the German publication Bild said that several suspects were arrested in the Ottakring district of Vienna and that another was arrested in Saarland, Germany.
The report said that the suspected terrorists were Tajiks who were connected to the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, also known as ISIS-K.
Police in Vienna said that there was an &#8220;increased terror alert level&#8221; as Islamic terrorists &#8220;across Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events &#8211; especially around December 24th.&#8221;
&#8220;The security authorities have increased the corresponding protective measures in public spaces in Vienna and the federal states,&#8221; the police added, noting that they would be increasing their presence and at religious events to deter any attacks.
In Vienna, St. Stephen&#8217;s Cathedral was at high risk for an attack while German officials were so concerned about an attack at Cologne Cathedral, they swept the building looking for explosives.
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The Cologne Police said that they were taking &#8220;special protective measures&#8221; to prevent Islamic terrorist attacks, but they did not disclose details about what they were going to do so that terrorists could not adjust any plans they may have.
&#8220;We will take everything into account this evening to ensure the safety of cathedral visitors on Christmas Eve,&#8221; said Chief of Cologne Police, Michael Esser. &#8220;In coordination with the security officer of the cathedral chapter, the cathedral is searched with sniffer dogs after the evening mass and then locked. Tomorrow all visitors will be screened before entering the church.&#8221;
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/5-suspected-islamic-terrorists-arrested-in-france-after-planning-attack-on-christmas-market-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 Suspected Islamic Terrorists Arrested In France After Planning Attack On Christmas Market</a>

Police at Cologne Cathedral

Austrian, German Police Arrest Foreign Muslims Planning Terror Attacks On Christmas Targets: Report

Germany

Radical Islam

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/red-bull" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Red Bull</a> co-founder and co-owner Dietrich Mateschitz passed away on Saturday after battling a long-term illness. He was 78.
The Austrian businessman was worth more than $27 billion, a fortune that he amassed with his marketing genius which he refined while at a German consumer products company.
In 1987, he founded the energy drink with Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya, who died in 2012, Forbes <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/dietrich-mateschitz/?sh=4a185a2e6792">reported</a>. The energy drink was successful and has dominated the sector due to their success in tying the brand to extreme performance. The company sold nearly 10 billion cans last year.
Red Bull sent an email to the entire company informing employees of Mateschitz&#8217;s passing.
&#8220;In these moments, the over-riding feeling is one of sadness,&#8221; the company said. &#8220;But soon the sadness will make way for gratitude – gratitude for what he changed, moved, encouraged and made possible for so many individual people. We will remain connected to him respectfully and lovingly.&#8221;
The company said that it was the job of every employee to &#8220;continue his life&#8217;s work in his spirit.&#8221;
The company asked that employees respect his wish that they express their grief in &#8220;silence and restraint.&#8221;
Mateschitz was a <a href="https://news.artnet.com/art-world/why-you-should-care-about-red-bull-ceos-politics-930968" target="_blank" rel="noopener">right-wing</a> populist who slammed the “blindness” of European nations for welcoming the migrant crisis that engulfed the continent in 2015, saying that “it was clear from the start that most of the people weren’t refugees, at least not according to the definition of the term in the Geneva Conventions.”
Mateschitz blasted political correctness from “intellectual elites” and said he fervently opposed being told what to think.
Mateschitz was big into Formula One racing, with the Red Bull team winning multiple championships.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of motor sports governing body Fédération Internationale de l&#8217;Automobile (FIA), responded to Mateschitz&#8217;s death in a statement Saturday afternoon.
&#8220;I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Dietrich Mateschitz has passed away,&#8221; Sulayem said. &#8220;He was a towering figure in motor sport and with Red Bull not only established two hugely successful Formula 1 teams but also supported motor sport of every kind and helped the careers of countless young drivers through Red Bull&#8217;s junior programmes.&#8221;
&#8220;The thoughts of all the FIA family are with his loved ones at this time and he will be greatly missed,&#8221; he added.

Auto-F1-PRIX-AUSTRIA-PRACTICE

Billionaire Red Bull Owner Dietrich Mateschitz Dies At 78

Billionaire

Business

Death

Red Bull

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/music">Pearl Jam</a> was forced to cancel their concert in Vienna, Austria, scheduled for Wednesday night after the band’s frontman <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/celebrities">Eddie Vedder</a> sustained throat damage from their previous show in France.
“Due to the extreme circumstances at the last outdoor site outside of Paris (heat, dust, and smoke from the fires) our singer Ed Vedder’s throat was left damaged,” Pearl Jam shared in a lengthy <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgPfBZIqPih/">statement</a> posted to its social media accounts. “He has seen doctors and had treatment but as of yet, his vocal cords have not recovered.”
“This is brutal news and horrible timing…for everyone involved,” Pearl Jam’s statement continued. “As a band, we are deeply sorry and have tried to find options to still play. And Ed wants to play. There’s just no throat available at this time… So very, very deeply sorry.”
“Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase,” the Instagram caption concluded. “Thank you for understanding.”
Fans in the comments expressed concerns about Vedder&#8217;s health and appeared understanding about the cancellation.
“Take care of those precious pipes please,” one person wrote.
“Okay, I have a solution&#8230; Have the audience sing and Ed Lip sync!!! Hoping Ed a speedy recovery,” one commenter joked.
“Feeling so sorry for the Vienna attendance but if Eddie can&#8217;t be there and give his all (as PJ always do), that must be a tough sore. Take care, Ed!” another wrote.
Per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/wildfires-rage-france-spain-heatwaves-sweep-europe-2022-07-16/">Reuters</a>, wildfires raged in southwestern France and Spain over the weekend, forcing thousands of evacuations across the countries. A heatwave is being blamed for the uncontrollable inferno. The report stated that 25,000 acres were burning at the time.
In May, Pearl Jam was almost forced to cancel their Oakland, California, show when drummer Matt Cameron tested positive for COVID. But the band chose an unlikely stand-in when they allowed an 18-year-old high school student to step in and play the song “Mind Your Manners.” 
Kai Neukermans skipped school to audition for the part and wound up playing for a crowd of 20,000 screaming fans, per <a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/05/17/pearl-jam-gig-saved-by-teen-as-bands-drummer-gets-covid-19/">Page Six</a>. 
“My heart started racing when everyone started screaming and my heart skipped a beat,” the teen said.

American Express Presents BST Hyde Park: Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam Cancels Show Because Eddie Vedder Has Throat Damage From Wildfires

Fire

Music

Burger King Austria is celebrating Pride Month by introducing the “Pride Whopper,” a hamburger that comes with either two top or two bottom buns.
The new item uses mealtime to promote &#8220;equal love and equal rights,” a translation of the fast-food chain’s Austrian website said. 
“We are setting an example for individuality and freedom and stand for a respectful interaction with each other,” the <a href="https://www.burgerking.at/menu/21584">website</a> translation says. “Equal rights. Empathy. Understanding. No matter where you come from, no matter who you love, no matter what you look like or what you believe in: Time to be proud.”
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Burger King Austria unveils same-side bun Pride Whopper in honor of Pride Month.
The Pride Whopper is available from now until June 20th. <a href="https://t.co/Q03gJDZq3k">pic.twitter.com/Q03gJDZq3k</a>
&mdash; Pop Crave (@PopCrave) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1532794144262959108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The burger features two top buns halves or two bottom buns instead of one top and one bottom like usual. It appears the special burger version will only be available in Austria but is making headlines in the United States as the fast-food restaurant joins so many companies in virtue-signaling during the month of June. 
Reactions on social media weren’t entirely favorable, even from the LGBT community. On the company’s Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeQQGrigPqN">page</a>, one user wrote, “Some straight people came up with this and thought it was a great idea.”
“One day into pride month and already exhausted,” another said.
“This is a joke, right?” someone else asked.
This isn’t the first time Burger King went public with their support of Pride Month and LGBT issues. Last June, the company donated 40 cents from the purchase of every Ch’King sold that month to the Human Rights Campaign. HRC is the largest LGBT advocacy group and political lobbying organization in the world. 
At the time, Burger King insulted competitor Chik-fil-A with a tweet, posting, “the #ChKing says LGBTQ+ rights! during #pride month (even on Sundays 👀) your chicken sandwich craving can do good! we are making a donation* to @HRC for every Ch’King sold.”
Chik-fil-A has been mocked in the past for its openly Christian values, plus for being closed on Sundays so employees can attend church and spend time with their families. 
Burger King’s latest menu update is just one of many examples of companies going all-in for Pride month. Many put out statements or change their logos to rainbow colors. This year, even the U.S. Treasury Department <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-economy-is-toast-but-at-least-the-treasury-department-is-flying-a-pride-flag">announced</a> it would be flying the Pride flag for the month of June. 
The Pride Whopper is reminiscent of the viral Royal Dutch Airlines ad from 2017. The company put out pictures of multiple seatbelt combinations, including two “female” ends and two “male” ends that said, “It doesn’t matter who you click with.” Critics pointed out how the combinations literally could not click.

Burger King logo seen at one of their restaurants

Burger King Debuts ‘Pride Whopper’ With Two Top Or Two Bottom Buns

Burger King Debuts 'Pride Whopper' With Two Top Or Two Bottom Buns

Burger King

Pride Month

Austria is headed into another national lockdown starting Monday that will last for at least 10 days as it announces plans to mandate COVID-19 vaccination starting in February.
As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/19/austria-plans-compulsory-covid-vaccination-for-all">reported</a> by The Guardian:
<blockquote>
The age from which people will be required to be vaccinated has not yet been determined, the government said.
Those refusing to be vaccinated are likely to face administrative fines, which can be converted into a prison sentence if the fine cannot be recovered.
</blockquote>
“For a long time the consensus in this country was that we don’t want a vaccine mandate,” Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said. “In spite of months of persuasion, we have not managed to convince enough people to be vaccinated.”
CNN <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/19/europe/austria-national-lockdown-intl/index.html">reported</a>:
<blockquote>
Asked by CNN from what age the mandatory vaccination order would apply, the Austrian Chancellory said: &#8220;Details are still to come, from what age and when you are considered fully vaccinated.”
Austrian Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein said Friday that schools and kindergartens would remain open during the upcoming national lockdown.
</blockquote>
According to data from <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/austria/">Worldometers</a>, as of November 18th, Austria’s seven-day moving average of deaths from COVID-19 are 43. The country has seen 11,903 deaths as of November 18 over the course of the pandemic, and it has had over 1 million cases.
Earlier this week, the country stated that it was going to be placing a lockdown on those who had not received the vaccine.
&#8220;We are not taking this step lightly, but unfortunately it is necessary,&#8221; Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said at the time.
The BBC <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59283128">reported</a> at the time, “Unvaccinated people will only be allowed to leave home for limited reasons, like working or buying food. About 65% of Austria&#8217;s population is fully vaccinated &#8211; one of the lowest rates in Western Europe.”
As The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/19/world/europe/austria-covid-vaccine-mandate-lockdown.html">reported</a>:
<blockquote>
Many European countries have already instituted mandates in all but name only — requiring strict health passes as proof of vaccination, recovery from infection or a negative test to partake in most social functions, travel or to go to work. Many already require children to be vaccinated against measles and other illnesses to attend school.
The notion of requiring vaccination in adults against Covid was a line that Europe had seemed unwilling to cross, however, with leaders often contrasting their respect for civil liberties with authoritarian-styled countries.
</blockquote>
Vaccine mandates have been an intense topic of discussion in America over the past several months as well.
This week, the Biden administration announced it would be suspending its mandate forcing private companies to make sure their employees are either vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested for COVID-19.
The mandate has received significant pushback and faced multiple lawsuits since it was announced by the administration.
As <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/osha-suspends-vax-mandate-following-court-order-lawsuits">reported</a> by The Daily Wire:
<blockquote>
The Daily Wire was the first organization to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-the-daily-wire-challenges-biden-administration-vaccine-mandate">challenge</a> the rule in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court was later chosen via lottery to consolidate and oversee the numerous legal challenges over the rule.
</blockquote>
“On November 12, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a motion to stay OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard, published on November 5, 2021 (86 Fed. Reg. 61402) (‘ETS’),” the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) <a href="https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/ets2">announced</a> on Wednesday morning. “The court ordered that OSHA ‘take no steps to implement or enforce’ the ETS ‘until further court order.’ While OSHA remains confident in its authority to protect workers in emergencies, OSHA has suspended activities related to the implementation and enforcement of the ETS pending future developments in the litigation.”
The Daily Wire has launched a <a href="https://lp.dailywire.com/osha-petition/">petition</a> for Americans to sign and show support for The Daily Wire in its legal battle against the Biden administration.

39D065D0-4D02-4026-A814-3D6C2528EA98_1_201_a

Austria Announces Country-Wide Vaccine Mandate, And Another Lockdown

COVID

Vaccine Mandate

A brothel in Vienna, Austria, is offering its customers COVID-19 vaccinations and also is providing people who get vaccinated vouchers for a free session with a “lady of their choice.”
“Funpalast brothel in Vienna offers clients a 30-minute session in the sexual &#8216;sauna club&#8217; with the &#8216;lady of their choice&#8217; if they get the vaccine at the on-site clinic,” reported <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10181289/BROTHEL-Austria-provides-Covid-19-vaccinations-customers.html">The Daily Mail</a>. “The brothel said the project, which started on November 1, is part of a drive to increase revenue after a fall in the number of clients because of low vaccination rates.”
“Vaccines will be on offer every Monday from 4pm to 10pm through the month of November in an effort to encourage men to get the jab in exchange for a sauna club voucher worth 40 euros,” The Daily Mail continued. “Boys as young as 14 are reportedly allowed to use the clinic, provided they are accompanied by an adult.”
&#8220;Due to the pandemic, we have registered a 50 per cent decrease [in clients], with this initiative we hope that the number of customers will rise again,&#8221; the brothel announced. 
This move follows the implementation of social distancing requirements imposed in Austria on Monday, barring unvaccinated people from various public areas, such as large events, cafes, and restaurants.
Last month, Austria’s chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said that unvaccinated people in Austria could face lockdown restrictions if COVID-19 case numbers continue to increase.
“Austria has taken a series of measures in recent weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and encourage more people to get vaccinated. On Monday, new rules took effect barring unvaccinated people who haven’t recovered from an infection from restaurants, hotels, hairdressing salons and large public events,” reported <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-europe-austria-health-1188b65ea3d8d80c40e40d3e13aea0a2">The Associated Press</a>. 
And on Thursday, with cases of COVID-19 rising in the country, the chancellor threatened the use of lockdown measures for unvaccinated people. He said that a lockdown for unvaccinated people was “probably unavoidable.” He also added that the unvaccinated are facing an “uncomfortable” winter and Christmas.
“I don’t see why two-thirds should lose their freedom because one-third is dithering,” Schallenberg said. “For me, it is clear that there should be no lockdown for the vaccinated out of solidarity for the unvaccinated.”
Austrian authorities are also considering a vaccine mandate for some groups, with the chancellor describing the country’s vaccination rate of 65% as “shamefully low.” 
“According to the incremental plan we actually have just days until we have to introduce the lockdown for unvaccinated people,” Schallenberg told a news conference, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/austrian-lockdown-unvaccinated-is-days-away-chancellor-says-2021-11-11/">Reuters</a>. “A lockdown for the unvaccinated means one cannot leave one’s home unless one is going to work, shopping (for essentials), stretching one’s legs — namely exactly what we all had to suffer through in 2020.”
According to the latest available data, Austria is experiencing its highest 7-day average case rate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 11, the 7-day average was up to 9,593 cases.

COVID Vaccine

Austrian Brothel Offering Customers Free Session With ‘Lady Of Their Choice’ If They Get Vaccinated

COVID-19 Vaccine

On Thursday, with cases of COVID-19 rising in the country, Austria’s chancellor Alexander Schallenberg threatened the use of lockdown measures for unvaccinated people. This move follows the implementation of social distancing requirements imposed on Monday, which barred unvaccinated people from various public areas, such as large events, cafes, and restaurants.
Last month, the chancellor said that unvaccinated people in Austria could face lockdown restrictions if COVID-19 case numbers continue to increase.
“Austria has taken a series of measures in recent weeks in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 and encourage more people to get vaccinated. On Monday, new rules took effect barring unvaccinated people who haven’t recovered from an infection from restaurants, hotels, hairdressing salons and large public events,” reported <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-europe-austria-health-1188b65ea3d8d80c40e40d3e13aea0a2">The Associated Press</a>. 
This rule, known as the 2-G-rule, applies to vaccinated and “recovered” people, meaning that proof of past infection is accepted in place of vaccination. However, a negative COVID-19 test is no longer sufficient.
While visiting Bregenz in western Austria, the chancellor said that a lockdown for unvaccinated people was “probably unavoidable.” He also added that the unvaccinated are facing an “uncomfortable” winter and Christmas.
“I don’t see why two-thirds should lose their freedom because one-third is dithering,” Schallenberg said. “For me, it is clear that there should be no lockdown for the vaccinated out of solidarity for the unvaccinated.”
Austrian authorities are also considering a vaccine mandate for some groups, with the chancellor describing the country’s vaccination rate of 65% as “shamefully low.” 
&#8220;According to the incremental plan we actually have just days until we have to introduce the lockdown for unvaccinated people,&#8221; Schallenberg told a news conference, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/austrian-lockdown-unvaccinated-is-days-away-chancellor-says-2021-11-11/">Reuters</a>. “A lockdown for the unvaccinated means one cannot leave one&#8217;s home unless one is going to work, shopping (for essentials), stretching one&#8217;s legs — namely exactly what we all had to suffer through in 2020.&#8221;
According to the <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-austria">CDC</a>, Austria is ranked as a “Level 4” country, with “Very High” levels of COVID-19. The CDC advises U.S. travelers to “avoid travel to Austria.”
“Under an incremental government plan agreed in September, once 30% of intensive-care beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients, people not vaccinated against the coronavirus will be placed under lockdown, with restrictions on their daily movements,” Reuters explained. “The current level is 20% and rising fast.”
According to the latest available data, Austria is experiencing its highest 7-day average case rate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 10, the 7-day average was up to 9,110 cases.
“The surge in Austria comes at a time when Eastern European states, with the continent&#8217;s lowest vaccination rates, are experiencing some of the world&#8217;s highest daily death tolls per capita,” Reuters added. “Dutch experts on Thursday recommended a two-week partial lockdown, which would be Western Europe&#8217;s first since vaccines were widely deployed, and other countries are requiring vaccination certificates to enter public spaces.”

Alexander Schallenberg

Unvaccinated Facing An ‘Uncomfortable’ Christmas: Austrian Chancellor Threatens Lockdown For ‘Dithering’ Unvaccinated

Europe

Unvaccinated

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz deployed the military late on Monday evening in response to multiple shootings that authorities said were part of a major terrorist attack in Vienna.
At least one person was killed and 15 others injured from the shootings that took place &#8220;in the heart of the Austrian capital, hours before the midnight start of a nationwide lockdown, one of several being imposed in Europe to stop the spread of the coronavirus,&#8221; The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/02/world/europe/vienna-austria-attack-shooter.html">reported</a>. &#8220;As the night wore on, more gunfire was reported elsewhere across Vienna’s First District.&#8221;
Kurz said that authorities were taking &#8220;decisive action against the perpetrators of this hideous terrorist attack&#8221; and that police had managed to already &#8220;eliminate a perpetrator.&#8221;
&#8220;We will never allow ourselves to be intimidated by terrorism and will fight these attacks resolutely by all means,&#8221; Kurz said. &#8220;So that the police can concentrate fully on the fight against terrorism, the federal government has decided that the armed forces will take over the property protection previously carried out by the police in Vienna with immediate effect.&#8221;
&#8220;The shooting comes after deadly terrorist attacks in France that have rekindled memories of 2015 and 2016, when Europe was shaken by a string of terror operations, many of them claimed by the Mideast-based group Islamic State,&#8221; The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/three-injured-in-armed-attack-on-vienna-synagogue-11604348986">reported</a>. &#8220;In the past two months, a Pakistani man stabbed two people in Paris, a Russian refugee of Chechen origin decapitated a teacher near Paris, and a Tunisian migrant killed three people with a knife in a Church in Nice.&#8221;
Austrian Ministry of the Interior Karl Nehammer said that the attackers were &#8220;heavily armed&#8221; and urged people to stay indoors.
&#8220;We have brought several special forces units together that are now searching for the presumed terrorists,&#8221; Nehammer <a href="https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/shooting-incident-reported-in-austrian-synagogue-one-casualty-reported-647801">said</a>. &#8220;I am therefore not limiting it to an area of Vienna because these are mobile perpetrators.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Still active: Stay at home! If you&#39;re on the Streets, take shelter! Keep away from public places, don&#39;t use public Transportation! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/0211w?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#0211w</a>
&mdash; POLIZEI WIEN (@LPDWien) <a href="https://twitter.com/LPDWien/status/1323389425250930690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Zionist Organization of America, America&#8217;s largest and oldest pro-Israel group, released a statement on the shooting after news broke that at least one of the six locations where the attacks happened was near a synagogue.
&#8220;ZOA sends our heartfelt prayers and stands in solidarity with the victims and their families of the intolerable radical Islamic terror attacks and beheadings and murders near Vienna’s main synagogue today and at Nice’s Notre Dame Church 4 days ago,&#8221; ZOA said.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
ZOA sends our heartfelt prayers and stands in solidarity with the victims and their families of the intolerable radical Islamic terror attacks and beheadings and murders near Vienna’s main synagogue today and at Nice’s Notre Dame Church 4 days ago. (1/3)
&mdash; Zionist Organization of America (@ZOA_National) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZOA_National/status/1323397483221929989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Once again, Islamists screaming “Allahu Akbar” are attacking and murdering innocent civilians in the nations that gave these Muslims refuge,&#8221; the statement concluded. &#8220;ZOA calls on everyone including Imams and Rabbis and Christian Clergy and political leaders to support efforts by the French &amp; Austrian governments to root out Islamic terrorists and those who aid and abet them. We also call on them to condemn those who support these massacres.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
ZOA calls on everyone including Imams and Rabbis and Christian Clergy and political leaders to support efforts by the French &amp; Austrian governments to root out Islamic terrorists and those who aid and abet them. We also call on them to condemn those who support these massacres.
&mdash; Zionist Organization of America (@ZOA_National) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZOA_National/status/1323398131774558210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This report has been updated to include additional information.

AUSTRIA-SHOOTING-RELIGION-JUDAISM

Army Deployed In Austria In Response To Major Terrorist Attack: Report

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