Dear Readers,

Keeping citizens safe is one of the foremost priorities of governments. Over the last decade, we have witnessed the emergence of an increasing number of threats posed by terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and the growing number of cyber attacks. Austria is taking these challenges very seriously and we are actively engaged in counteracting them at all levels in close cooperation with our European partners and the United States.

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Viennese Opera Ball in New York City

Opera Ball 2011, held at the Waldorf Astoria, New York City. Silvie FrieserThe 56th Viennese Opera Ball in New York was held on February 4th, 2011, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. One of New York’s most famous and romantic charity balls, it welcomed "transplanted Austrians" as well as many of their American and international friends to celebrate the glamorous traditions of the Viennese ball season. The Ambassador of Austria, Christian Prosl, came all the way from Washington, D.C. to attend this special event. Some of the proceeds were donated to the Feed Foundation, an organization committed to solving the problem of world hunger, which was founded by Lauren Bush, the niece of former U.S. President George W. Bush.

Film Premiere of Carl Djerassi - My Life

Carl DjerassiThe Washington Film Premiere of Carl Djerassi - My Life In March 2011, some 250 people attended the Washington, D.C. film premiere of Carl Djerassi - My Life (Carl Djerassi - Mein Leben) at the Carnegie Institution for Science. The event featured a book signing with Carl Djerassi and a Q&A session moderated by Madeleine Jacobs, executive director and CEO of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The Carnegie Institution for Science hosted the evening event in collaboration with the ACS and the Austrian Embassy’s Office of Science & Technology (OST).

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Austrian Ambassador Visits Texas

Rudolf Thaler, Christian Prosl, and Gerald SeidlAustrian Ambassador to the U.S. Christian Prosl had the pleasure of visiting Texas in April 2011, including the cities of Houston and Austin. In Houston, Mr. Prosl met with Mayor Annise Parker and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The Ambassador was also able to enjoy a tour of Houston’s fine medical institutions, the Texas Medical Center and the MD Anderson Cancer Center, as well as visits to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Museum, Rice University, and the Baker Hughes Center for Technology.

In the Texan capital, Ambassador Prosl met with Texas Governor Rick Perry, with whom he discussed climate politics, and also extended an invitation to the Governor to visit Austria.

Decoration in Gold

Charles Krewson III receiving the Decoration in Gold from Ambassador Prosl. Karl SchrammelOn April 15, 2011, Charles F. Krewson III was presented the Decoration in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria. In a lovely ceremony surrounded by family and friends, Charles received the award from Ambassador Christian Prosl. Educated at Penn State, the University of Southern California and Cornell, Charles served as a health care administrator for the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans Administration.

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Austrian Cross of Honor

Professor Charles Everitt. StanfordOn May 4, 2011, Professor Dr. Charles William Francis Everitt received the Austrian Cross of Honor for Achievements in the Field of Science and the Arts (1st class). Professor Everitt was born on March 8, 1934. As a long-standing university professor at Stanford University in California, his scientific work has focused mainly on gravity research.

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EU Open House Day 2011

Visitors at the Austrian Embassy. Karl SchrammelEU Open House Day 2011 In recognition of Europe Week, the EU Embassies in Washington, D.C. opened their doors to the public on May 7, 2011. The Austrian Embassy welcomed some 3,000 visitors that day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. At the Austrian Embassy, visitors were able to enjoy exquisite Austrian wine samples during a series of wine seminars featuring oenologist and "Kellermeister" Edgar Brutler from the Leo Hillinger winery and Klaus Wittauer, an importer of fine wines from Austria.

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Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Human Capital

Established in January 2011 and located in Vienna (Austria), the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital aims at becoming a world leader in demographic analyses of human capital formation and its impact on society, the economy, and the environment. Fundamental to the Centre's research is the belief that education is the key to an equitable and sustainable world.

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Austria and the U.S.: Combating Terrorism and Cybercrime

Keeping citizens safe from the threats posed by international terrorism and cybercrime is of the utmost importance to the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Maria Fekter*. Given the global nature of these threats, close cooperation between members of the international community is essential.

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The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation

by Alexander Kmentt

On 25 February 2011, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) was officially launched by the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs and the renowned James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). The new Center will further strengthen the role of Civil Society in international disarmament efforts, and will provide independent expertise to international organizations based in Vienna.

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Cultural Outlook: Summer 2011

Program of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Washington, D.C.

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Jewelery and Fashion Show

The Ready Launch AUSTRIA

by Andrea Schrammel

The jewelry and fashion show | The Ready Launch AUSTRIA has left a deep impression. The models of Austrian jewelry designer Oliver Weber were the first to walk the runway, wearing high-quality crystal fashion jewelry and other accessories, such as stylish sunglasses and fantastic bags. The internationally renowned Austrian fashion designer Edith A’ Gay then presented her newest collection, entitled re:vision fall winter 2011, catwalk by READY LAUNCH 2011.

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American Football Kicks Off in Austria

The IFAF World Championship of American Football will be hosted by Austria from July 8th to 16th, 2011.

by Elisabeth Kollreider

The IFAF American Football World Championship will be held in Austria from July 8th until July 16th, Australia, Germany, France, Mexico, Canada, Japan, the current champion USA, and Austria will compete for the title of World Champion. The tournament will take place in the Austrian cities of Innsbruck, Graz, and Vienna. Michael Eschlböck, the president of the Austrian American Football Association (AAFA), said: "Never before has there been a bigger World Championship. We will play in the biggest stadiums and for the best fans.”

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Numeric Puzzles at the Shoe Store

by Ambassador Christian Prosl

My Saturdays belong to my wife. Last week we went on a shoe-shopping spree. Going shoe-shopping is a delicate business. For some incomprehensible reason it often makes unsolved problems suddenly become apparent. This can happen as quickly as a snowstorm over Chicago. In order to avoid problems – after all, nobody wants their car demolished or their husband hurled in the air by a thunderstorm – I exercise particular caution when my wife takes me shoe-shopping.

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Austria - the Green Heart of Europe

by Hans Kordik

In May 2010, Vienna was ranked first out of more than 220 cities participating in “Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey.” It was the second year in a row that the Austrian capital topped the international city ranking. The survey rated 39 criteria like safety, education, hygiene, health care, culture, recreation and political-economic stability. But above all, the survey identifies cities with the best eco-ranking based on water availability and drinkability, waste management, quality of sewage systems, air pollution, and public transportation.

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Peter's Escape

MORE THAN ONE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN IN AUSTRIA’S EASTERN ALPS

by Markus Reiterer

Peter was on the run. He had just shot to kill, but then something had gone terribly wrong. Instead of the promising thud of a wounded deer going to the ground – promising that is, to feed his family -- he heard the shouts and barks from the valley coming towards him. Then he heard the first shots -- not aimed at deer, but aimed at him.

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Hitchcock's Lost Film

According to the British Film Institute (BFI), the world’s most wanted film is Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Mountain Eagle,” released in 1927. Today, no known copies of the film exist; it is thus considered a lost film and tops the BFI’s most wanted list. The feature was Alfred Hitchcock’s second work, following “The Pleasure Garden,” and the reason we mention it here is its connection with Austria.

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