Verbund chairman rules out price reduction

Categories
Business

Verbund AG boss Wolfgang Anzengruber has said he does not expect energy prices to decline in the foreseeable future.The businessman said today (Mon): “I don’t see chances for any changes at the moment. Energy trading prices were low recently, but are currently edging up again.”Verbund angered consumer representatives in May by raising the price for […]

Austria ‘ups anti-terror measures’

Categories
Politics

Safety measures to protect Austria’s political elite have been increased following the discovery of several mail bombs addressed to European leaders.Greek left-wing activists are suspected of having posted explosives addressed to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.Terror experts have stressed that the attempted attacks were not in any way related to […]

Pensioner accused of defacing church wall

Categories
General News

A pensioner faces charges for defacing the wall of a church, it has been announced.The 64-year-old man, who has a criminal record, is accused of smearing white paint on the outside wall of a Roman Catholic Chapel in his hometown Steinberg-Dörfl, according to police in Burgenland.The man, who denies the actions, previously accused police of […]

Kovats earmarks own fortune to save A-Tec

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Business

A-Tec Industries AG boss Mirko Kovats will spend his own assets to save his struggling company, according to a report.Business newspaper WirtschaftsBlatt reported today (Weds) that the businessman will contribute a “substantial amount” to get the firm back on track.Kovats sent shock waves through the Austrian economy last week when he informed shareholders that he […]

Marathon painkillers warning issued

Categories
Sports

Marathon runners taking painkillers do not perform better but put themselves under serious health risks, a leading Austrian doctor has warned.Hans-Georg Kress of Vienna’s AKH clinic said today (Mon) German studies have shown runners who take painkillers before participating in a 42.195-kilometre race have a two to six times higher risk of throwing up or […]

Passengers to bear the brunt as government introduces flight ticket tax

Categories
Business

Airlines have vowed to pass extra costs on to customers after the government’s announcement to set up a tax on tickets.The federal coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and People’s Party (ÖVP) announced on the weekend it will charge every ticket for a flight from Austria to another European country with eight Euros from next year. […]

Darabos eyes new peace missions as conscription debate intensifies

Categories
Politics

A statement by Social Democratic (SPÖ) Defence Minister Norbert Darabos has fuelled speculations Austria would contribute in more international peace-keeping missions in the future.Looking back on 50 years of international engagement, the minister said today (Weds) he “cannot rule out” Austria will participate in peace-keeping missions in Africa. Austrian troops were sent to Chad in […]

Oman university gets Austrian know how

Categories
General News

An Austrian is to head a new university in Oman.Johann Günther will become headmaster of the University of Buraimi which opens next month, it was announced today (Mon).The institute will start with a “test year” offering courses to around 300 students in October before around 10,000 people can sign up for lectures from autumn 2011.An […]

Spar Austria reports turnover increase

Categories
Business

Spar Austria’s turnover edged up year on year in the first six months of 2010, it has been announced.The company announced today (Mon) net turnover rose from 2.35 to 2.44 billion Euros, adding that earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) improved from 36 to 39 million Euros.Spar Austria also said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation […]

Mayors may slash culture spending, poll shows

Categories
Politics

A vast majority of the mayors of Austria’s debt-ridden towns could imagine cutting back subsidies for cultural events.A poll among Austria’s mayors has found 95 per cent would reduce financial support for local arts and culture events were they forced to slash their annual budget. Magazine profil further reports today (Mon) the OGM research found […]