A Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the Austrian parliament (MP) has waded into controversy by suggesting asking the Habsburgs to wave from the balcony of a tourism hotspot. SPÖ whip Josef Cap said in parliament yesterday (Thurs) members of the Habsburg family – who ruled vast parts of Central Europe for decades – could “wave […]
It will be a Bowl!
Categories
The Austrian American football league season comes to a climax at 5pm, on Thursday 23 June 2011 when Swarco Raiders and The Raiffeisen Vikings battling it out to be crowned Austrian Bowl XXVII champions. Having finished first and third respectively in the league, Swarco Raiders Tirol and Raiffeisen Vikings secured a place in the grand […]
InterNations
Categories
“When I arrived in a city, I was feeling lost, and just wanted to meet other expats and discover the best places to go.” That was how former journalist Malte Zeeck used to feel whenever sent on a new assignment – and that was the motivation that led him comparatively recently to set up what […]
Government ‘to set up advisory council’
Categories
The Austrian government plans to ask high-profile businessmen to join an advisory committee after a leading banker called politicians “stupid and coward.” Erste Group Bank AG (Erste Bank) boss Andreas Treichl’s attack kicked off an intense debate about the relationship of politicians and entrepreneurs last month. The banker – who nearly became federal finance minister […]
Many small children in Austria could soon be ordered to attend kindergartens for two years, the government coalition has said. People’s Party (ÖVP) Integration Issues State Secretary Sebastian Kurz suggested yesterday (Weds) to expand the current mandatory one-year kindergarten scheme to reduce the risk of many kids fall behind at school due to poor language […]
Fewer supermarkets in Austria
Categories
Austria’s leading supermarket chains have reduced the number of their shops in the past years, a survey has found. Market analysis company RegioData said today (Thurs) the country’s strongest supermarket companies currently run 5,000 shops, down from 5,700 in 2004. The agency explained market leader Billa, Spar Austria and other firms were trying to optimise […]
Footstuff price hikes fuel inflation
Categories
Flight tickets, coffee and heating oil have become more expensive in Austria, new figures show. Statistik Austria announced today (Thurs) the inflation rose by 3.2 per cent from May 2010 to the same month of this year. The agency explained mineral oil products and foodstuff price hikes were mostly responsible for the overall increase of […]
Electricity price hikes ahead
Categories
An energy sector expert has warned that electricity prices will climb further. The Austrian Energy Agency said today (Thurs) its price index for next month was 7.6 per cent higher than figures of July 2010. It added that the index rose from June 2011 to July of the same year by 1.7 per cent. These […]
Hiker hospitalised after cow attack
Categories
A woman from Germany suffered serious injuries when a group of holidaymakers were attacked by a herd of cows. The 10-member group of vacationers told police they tried to walk past the heifers on a pasture near St. Nikolai in Styria’s Liezen district when the cows pounced on them yesterday (Weds). The tourists claimed they […]
Residents, businesspeople and politicians of Hallstatt are engaged in a heated discussion about the pros and cons of Chinese architects’ plans to set up a replica of the small town around 9,000 kilometres eastwards. Alexander Scheutz, the Social Democratic (SPÖ) mayor of the town said yesterday (Weds) after being informed about planners’ ongoing activities: “You […]