Austrian government collapses over corruption scandal

VIENNA — Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called time Monday on his coalition government with the far-right Freedom Party after its leader was shown on video appearing to offer favors to a purported Russian investor.

Kurz said he was seeking the removal of the country’s interior minister, Freedom Party politician Herbert Kickl, to ensure an unbiased probe into the video.

Two German newspapers have published a video showing Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache pandering to a woman claiming to be a Russian tycoon’s niece at a gathering in Ibiza two years ago. Strache and party colleague Johann Gudenus are heard telling the woman that she can expect lucrative construction contracts if she buys an Austrian newspaper and supports the Freedom Party.

FRANCOIS GUILLOT/GETTY-AFP An unidentified man climbs the Eiffel Tower in Paris without safety gear Monday. After emerging at the 370-foot-high second story, he made it about 880 feet off the ground, where he perched before firefighters persuaded him to let them bring him to safety.