With the auction room filled to capacity, a crowd of telephone bidders drove the price for a work by Lorenzo Lippi up to 870,000 Euros at Vienna’s Dorotheum auction house. His “Triumph of David” was created under the influence of the Roman and French reaction to Caravaggio, and as such is characterised by the masterful […]
OMV boss predicts energy price jumps
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OMV AG chief Gerhard Roiss has claimed that psychological aspects often matter more regarding the price of oil than fundamental grounds. Roiss called the increase of car fuel prices a “delicate topic”. He said the price for mineral oil might rather drop in the future than rise further. But Roiss also stressed that he was […]
Kothgasser to retire
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Alois Kothgasser, the archbishop of the Diocese of Salzburg, has decided to apply for retirement. Kothgasser announced yesterday (Weds) that he informed Pope Benedict XVI. about his wish in a letter. Kothgasser, 75, added he hoped for a private conversation with the Pope to discuss who could succeed him. A decision is expected for autumn. […]
ÖBB awaits 33bn
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The Austrian government coalition has decided to inject more than 30 billion Euros into Federal Railways (ÖBB). Werner Faymann’s Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the team of People’s Party (ÖVP) ministers agreed yesterday (Weds) to support the railway company with 33 billion Euros. The money will be invested in the coming years. The subsidisation is supposed […]
Full transparency regarding the subsidisation of parties has been identified as the most urgent issue in fighting corruption in a poll. Viennese research centre Karmasin spoke with 500 Austrians for magazine profil. The agency made several suggestions to the interviewed voters about how to fight political corruption. The people the agency spoke with were allowed […]
ÖVP programme reform planned
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A new concept by People’s Party (ÖVP) State Secretary Sebastian Kurz will become part of the party’s programme, it has been announced. Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, who took over from ex-Finance Minister Josef Pröll as ÖVP chairman in 2011, said yesterday (Weds) that the integration secretary’s democracy paper would be considered “step by step”. Kurz […]
Ulmer contract extended
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Andreas Ulmer agreed with Red Bull Salzburg (RBS) bosses about an extension of his contract until 2015. The 26-year-old defender joined the team of Ricardo Moniz from Bundesliga rivals SV Ried three years ago. The Bulls face Ried in the 31st round of the season on Saturday. The Austrian Bundesliga table after 30 of 36 […]
An opposition party wants jail sentences for energy sector businesspeople while the government plans to increase the financial support of drivers. Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) head Josef Bucher announced yesterday (Weds) stricter penalties were needed to stop mineral oil firms from not passing on international trading developments to customers. Bucher said Austrian […]
Gourmet crows to be shot
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Crows are gourmets who prefer organic food and are specifically targeting organic products, according to angry Austrian farmers who have won permission to start shooting the birds. Organic farmer Hannes Maier told local media that sometimes it was not possible to see the ground in his fields as the crows descended “in their thousands” to […]
One of the world’s leading credit rating agencies has confirmed the Austrian AAA. US American agency Fitch announced yesterday (Tues) it decided to reaffirm the alpine country’s top credit rating. Fitch also gave a stable outlook on Austria’s economic development. The Austrian economy strongly depends on tourism, its retail trade – which employs more than […]