New Austrian president sworn in

AUSTRIA’S new president was sworn in yesterday in a solemn ceremony dominated by mourning for his predecessor, who died this week just two days before his term in office was to end.

Heinz Fischer, of the opposition Social Democrats, became Austria’s first head of state from a leftist party in 31 years. The 65-year-old won the largely ceremonial job in elections in April. Mr Fischer’s predecessor, Thomas Klestil, died on Tuesday of multiple organ failure.