Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) achieved a historic victory in Styria’s state election on Sunday, marking the first time it has claimed leadership in the region. This significant win follows the party’s strong performance in September’s general election and underscores its growing influence amid ongoing national coalition negotiations.
Styria, home to Graz—Austria’s second-largest city—holds limited immediate national sway. However, this outcome adds pressure on political leaders striving to establish the nation’s first three-way coalition government since 1949.
This is only the second state the FPO has ever won. The first was Carinthia, previously a stronghold of the party under Joerg Haider during his leadership in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“There’s been a landslide in Styria. I didn’t expect such a resounding result,” said Stefan Hermann, the FPO’s deputy leader in Styria, during an interview with national broadcaster ORF.
According to a projection by pollster Foresight for ORF and APA, the FPO is leading with 35.3% of the vote, followed by the conservative People’s Party (OVP) at 26.6%. The estimate, which is based on 70% of votes counted, has a margin of error of 1 percentage point.
For the first time since World War II, neither the OVP nor the Social Democrats (SPO) have emerged victorious in Styria. This marks a dramatic shift in the political landscape of the state, famously known as the birthplace of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Despite its success, the FPO will need to form a coalition to secure a majority in Styria’s state assembly and establish a governing administration. Unlike national elections, where the president decides who is tasked with forming a government, Styria’s rules automatically grant the leading party—now the FPO—the opportunity to set up a state government.
This victory reinforces the FPO’s growing foothold in Austrian politics, signalling a changing tide as the country navigates complex coalition talks at the federal level.
“There’s been a landslide in Styria. I didn’t expect such a resounding result.”
— Stefan Hermann, Deputy Leader of the Freedom Party in Styria
- Manchester City Ignite Title Race with Statement Win Over Arsenal
A thunderous finish at the Etihad Stadium may prove to be the defining moment of this season’s Premier League title race, as Manchester City edged Arsenal 2-1 in a clash that has dramatically shifted momentum.
It was Erling Haaland who delivered the decisive blow, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and breathing new life into City’s pursuit of the title. While Arsenal remain top of the table, their once-comfortable nine-point lead has now been slashed to just three within a matter of days—leaving the race wide open.
City’s resurgence could not have come at a more crucial time. With a game in hand and a crucial fixture against Burnley looming, Pep Guardiola’s side are now in a strong position to overtake the league leaders. True to form, Guardiola’s men appear to be hitting peak performance in the closing stages of the campaign—a trend that has defined their dominance in recent years.
Erling Haaland scores the winner for Manchester City against Arsenal. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian Despite the significance of the victory, Guardiola remained measured in his post-match assessment, insisting that Arsenal still set the standard this season. However, the numbers suggest a growing shift. City have suffered just one defeat in their last 20 league outings, while Arsenal’s recent form has faltered, managing only one win in their last six matches across all competitions.
Statistical projections reflect this tightening race. Arsenal’s title probability has dropped significantly in the past week, while City’s chances have surged, underlining the psychological and competitive impact of recent results.
Historically, this phase of the season favors City. Guardiola boasts an exceptional record in April, while Mikel Arteta has struggled to maintain consistency during the same period. That contrast could prove decisive as pressure mounts.
Arteta, however, remains confident in his squad’s ability to respond, emphasizing that the title is still within Arsenal’s control. Yet, the emotional scenes at full-time told a different story. While Arsenal players left the pitch visibly deflated, City’s squad celebrated passionately with their supporters—an indication of renewed belief within the camp.
The title race now enters a critical phase. City know that winning their remaining fixtures could be enough to secure another crown, while Arsenal must regain composure quickly to fend off the reigning champions.
t was not over. Not by a long way. Arsenal will tell themselves the same thing with regard to the title race. Certainly, there was hope for them in how they performed here. It was as if the inhibitions of recent weeks had been cast aside.
Gabriel Magalhães sent a deflected header against a post in the 73rd minute and, deep into stoppage time, following a driven cross by the Arsenal substitute, Leandro Trossard, there was Kai Havertz, unmarked in front of goal. He headed fractionally too high. City could exhale and then they could celebrate.
It was the kind of game in which the intrigue was everywhere, very much in keeping with the overall spectacle – the lashings of event glamour, the little quirks, too; the meme‑able content. Such as the guy at the makeshift stall outside the ground selling water or, as he would have it, Arsenal tears. Only £2 a bottle, with the emphasis on bottle. Etc and so on.
With both sides still in contention and only a handful of games remaining, the Premier League is set for a gripping finale. The question now is not just who has the better run-in—but who can hold their nerve when it matters most.
Arsenal are still slight favourites’ – what the pundits say
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney told BBC Sport: “This title race is not over yet, I still feel like there are some more twists and turns to come. It is obviously going to be tight but City have got one more game to try to win, so I still have Arsenal down as slight favourites.
“I have been in this situation myself, where you need to win all your games. You look at your games and you think well we should win this one, or that one, but it never pans out that way.
“From now until the end of the season it is just going to be down to which team keeps their composure the best – that is who will win it.”
Ex-England goalkeeper Rob Green: “It’s going to take something monumental for Arsenal to turn this around.”
Former Man Utd defender Gary Neville told Sky Sports: “City are on the right track and it’s a very difficult train to stop if you’re Arsenal. Serial winners coming out on top in big matches. City upped it a gear.”
Ex-Tottenham and Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport: “I think it edges it [the title race] towards City. Momentum, confidence and all of those things. I was really pleased with the game, I expected it to be much more cagey. Lots of quality and great moments, edge of your seat stuff.”
Ex-Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I still think that Arsenal will win the Premier League. I think they have the easier fixtures, and Man City will slip up in theirs.”
- Austria Issues Urgent Hipp Baby Food Recall After Tampering Concerns at Spar Stores
Austria has introduced a sweeping precautionary recall of Hipp baby food jars sold through Spar supermarkets following concerns that one or more products may have been tampered with and exposed to a potentially dangerous substance.
The recall affects the entire range of Hipp baby food jars distributed via Spar Austria, even though initial concerns appear to centre on a specific 190g product, Hipp Gemüsegläschen – carrot with potato. Authorities and the manufacturer have taken the unusual step of expanding the recall broadly because they cannot fully rule out that other jars may also be affected.
Parents and caregivers are being strongly advised not to feed any Hipp baby food jars purchased at Spar to infants until further notice. The products can be returned to Spar, Eurospar, Interspar, or Maximarkt branches, with customers eligible for a full refund even without a receipt. This measure has been introduced to ensure maximum safety and remove any potential risk from circulation as quickly as possible.
Some jars may reportedly carry a white sticker with a red circle on the base of the glass, which could indicate the affected batch. However, officials have warned that identification is not fully reliable, and as a result, the recall applies to all Hipp baby food jars sold at Spar rather than only those that are visibly marked.
Health authorities and Hipp representatives have stated that, based on current information, the likelihood of any child having consumed a contaminated jar is very low. Nevertheless, parents are advised to observe their children for any unusual symptoms and consult a medical professional if they have concerns. At the same time, officials have reassured the public that if a child shows no symptoms, there is currently no reason for alarm.
The situation is being investigated by police in the Burgenland region after receiving a tip-off suggesting that potentially affected products may have appeared there. While authorities are actively working on the case, no confirmed contaminated jars have been identified so far, and the exact substance suspected in the tampering has not been publicly disclosed.
Police have encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious products or relevant information that may assist the investigation. A dedicated contact line has been set up for this purpose.
For concerned customers, Hipp Austria has also provided a hotline for direct enquiries, and both the company and authorities have emphasised that precaution remains the top priority while investigations continue.
This recall highlights the heightened sensitivity around food safety in Europe, particularly in products intended for infants and young children. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are prioritising prevention and consumer protection over waiting for full confirmation, aiming to eliminate any theoretical risk as quickly as possible.
- Austria Spar recalls all Hipp baby food jars after tampering warning
A suspected tampering case has triggered a sweeping recall of Hipp baby food jars sold at Spar in Austria. Here’s the practical advice for families
Hipp has recalled its entire baby food jar range sold through Spar Austria after warning that a dangerous substance may have been introduced into one of its products through tampering.
The company said it could not rule out that the 190g product Hipp Gemüsegläschen – Karotte mit Kartoffel had been manipulated. Because of that risk, customers are now being asked not to consume any Hipp baby food jars bought at Spar in Austria.
The warning is unusually broad. Although the concern appears to centre on one carrot-and-potato jar, Hipp said all baby food jars purchased at Spar should be returned “to safely rule out any unnoticed consumption”.
READ ALSO: How you can check for food contamination warnings in Austria
Customers told not to consume any Hipp jars bought at Spar
Hipp said the recall was being carried out as a precaution. The company said it could not rule out the possibility that a dangerous substance had been added to the product through tampering.
The affected jars can reportedly be identified, based on current information, by a white sticker with a red circle attached to the bottom of the glass. But the company is not limiting the return advice to those marked jars. Instead, it is asking customers not to consume any Hipp baby food jars bought at Spar Austria.
Those products can be returned to any Spar, Eurospar, Interspar or Maximarkt branch. The purchase price will be refunded even without a receipt.
READ ALSO: What parents in Austria need to know about Nestlé’s baby formula recall
Authorities are investigating, but key details remain unclear
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Many of the most important details are still missing.
Der Standard reported that Hipp is not publicly saying what the suspected substance is. The company also did not clarify how many jars are affected. A request to the Hipp parent service about what substance may be involved was met with the response that staff would speak only with affected parents.
That also leaves open a question many families will immediately have: what to do if a child has already eaten from one of the jars. According to Der Standard, a staff member on the hotline said it was “very unlikely” that a genuinely contaminated jar had already been fed to a child. Parents who are worried are being told to call the hotline for guidance.
Later on Saturday morning, Hipp also issued a written statement saying the recall had been made as a precaution “to exclude even a theoretical risk”. The company added that if a child shows no symptoms, there is no reason for concern. Parents who are unsure or notice symptoms should contact a paediatrician or a medical emergency service.
READ ALSO: More recalls: How to check if your Danone baby formula is recalled in Austria
Police in Burgenland ask for information
The investigation is being led by the Burgenland provincial police directorate.
Police spokesman Helmut Marban said the reason the Burgenland force was involved was a tip-off suggesting that relevant jars may have turned up in Burgenland. At the same time, he said police had not yet found anything.
The police are asking the public to come forward with any observations. People with information about possibly manipulated Hipp baby food jars or suspicious contents are being asked to contact investigators on +43-5913310-3333.
Hipp’s Austrian parent service is also reachable on +43-7612-76577-104, and the company said the line would remain open over the weekend rather than only on weekdays as usual.
Key vocabulary
Rückruf – product recall
Babykostgläschen – baby food jar
gefährlicher Stoff – dangerous substance
Manipulation – tampering
vorsorglich – precautionary
Ermittlungen – investigation - Manchester City Fans Set Their Sights on Premier League Glory Above All Else
There’s a growing sentiment among sections of the Manchester City fanbase that this season demands a singular focus — reclaiming dominance in the Premier League.
In a football era where clubs often stretch themselves across multiple competitions, some City supporters are calling for a more ruthless, targeted approach. The message is clear: keep dreaming, stay locked in, and don’t let the main prize slip away. For them, the league title is not just another trophy — it’s the ultimate measure of consistency, resilience, and superiority over a full season.While the allure of the UEFA Champions League remains strong, this perspective suggests that chasing too many ambitions at once could dilute performance. Instead, the argument leans toward prioritizing the domestic crown, even if it means easing off in secondary competitions like the FA Cup — hypothetically even allowing teams such as Southampton FC to capitalize there.
It’s a bold and somewhat humorous take, but beneath it lies a serious point about strategy and focus. The Premier League is unforgiving; every dropped point can prove costly. For a team of City’s caliber, maintaining peak performance week in, week out requires intensity, depth, and mental sharpness.
Ultimately, whether or not the club adopts such a single-minded approach, the passion from the fanbase reflects the high standards that now define Manchester City. Winning is expected — but choosing what matters most is where the debate truly begins.
- Israel hits Hezbollah launchers ahead of ceasefire
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Thursday that it is targeting launchers, including those belonging to Hezbollah, claiming that the Lebanese militant group launched attacks toward northern Israel shortly before.
The Israeli attacks come ahead of the 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon taking effect at 5:00 am ET (midnight local time), with Hezbollah previously warning that if the ceasefire allows Israel the freedom of movement in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese people have “the right to resist by all means to force it to withdraw.”
Earlier today, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported several people killed in Israeli attacks across different towns and villages in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, the United States Department of State revealed that while the terms of the ceasefire agreement prevent the Israeli forces from taking “offensive” military actions against Lebanon, Israel retains the right to “take all necessary measures in self-defense.”
