Dead aunt case suspect freed

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General News

A man initially suspected of killing his aunt has been freed from custody. The body of the 89-year-old woman was discovered in a deep freezer at her home in Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Lower Austria, by police officers who were contacted by relatives and friends of the pensioner last Monday. They informed officials of not […]

Lustig to attend congress in Hitler hometown

Categories
Culture

Hundreds of people including Oscar winner Branko Lustig will gather at the birthplace of Adolf Hitler this weekend to discuss the town’s difficult heritage and ways of fighting xenophobic ways of thinking. Historians, artists and politicians like Social Democratic (SPÖ) Parliamentary President Barbara Prammer are set to attend the Days of Contemporary History 2011 in […]

Horses stomp on Lower Austrian woman

Categories
General News

A 60-year-old was hospitalised after being trampled down by three horses. The woman wanted to lead the animals into a barn situated on a paddock near Wiener Neustadt, Lower Austria, yesterday afternoon (Thurs) when they suddenly bolted. She suffered injuries to head and chest. Only on Tuesday, a 72-year-old care home resident was seriously injured […]

Chinese spending spree delights retail trade

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Business

Chinese tourists have spent 41 per cent more in Austrian shops so far this year than in 2010, according to research. Travel and shopping information firm Global Blue Austria said yesterday (Weds) holidaymakers from China invested 28 million Euros in stores of the alpine country. Especially expensive watches and jewellery were in great demand, according […]

Jacko monument planned

Categories
Culture

A small town in Lower Austria could become a pilgrimage site for fans of the late “King of Pop”. Two residents of Mistelbach explained yesterday (Weds) they asked the town hall to give the green light to their ambition of setting up a statue of Michael Jackson. The council will decide on the request next […]

Anger as UPC considers sackings

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Business

Employee representatives are outraged as a cable TV and internet connection provider registered 90 workers with the Labour Market Service (AMS). Vienna-based UPC confirmed yesterday (Weds) that the staff could be dismissed. The firm argued it was in the middle of a “phase of restructuring”. UPC currently employs 1,000 staff, down from 1,100 last year. […]

Russian overnight stay rise results in Viennese record

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Business

More interest by Russians and Swiss have helped the Viennese tourism sector to celebrate a new record. The city’s hotels counted 1.185 million overnight stays last month. Officials pointed out yesterday (Weds) Vienna had never recorded more stays by tourists in that month ever before. Thirty per cent more overnight stays by Russians and a […]

Verheugen says Merkel ‘harms German image’

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Politics

Günter Verheugen has launched a scathing attack on German Chancellor Angela Merkel over her actions in the European debt crisis. The former vice president of the European Commission (EC) told Austrian magazine profil the situation would be different today had Merkel said from the start that Europe would let no member of the European Union […]

OMV efficiency ambition may enforce closures

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Business

OMV AG may shut dozens of petrol stations in Austria and Germany. Company chief Gerhard Roiss explained yesterday (Weds) the firm’s new efficiency programme should help save 700 million Euros by 2014. Roiss also said OMV would invest 2.4 billion Euros into its various fields of operation in the coming 10 years altogether. Roiss – […]

Rents to rise shortly

Categories
Business

Hundreds of thousands of Austrians will be forced to fork out more on rent soon. Radio station Ö1 reported yesterday (Tues) prices would be increased for certain categories of contracts. According to tenants’ representatives, 300,000 households will feel the price hikes set to come into effect later this month or next month. They explained that, […]