By Rebecca Musgrave Temperatures are rising at a rate three times higher than the rest of the world in Southeast Styria. This change in climate may well be responsible for the driest November on record this year. The UN climate change conference began yesterday (Mon) in Durban, South Africa, prior to which current climate figures […]
Tag: Austria
Fekter set to clash with provinces
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People’s Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Maria Fekter is braced for controversial arguments with the financial councillors of Austria’s nine provinces after David Brenner expressed concerns about the government’s debt limit. Brenner – who heads the council of provincial financial councillors – said today (Tues) the federal coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and ÖVP must abstain […]
Beer prices to climb
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One of Austria’s biggest breweries decided to increase its consumer prices. Ottakringer – Vienna’s major beer firm – said today (Tues) it would charge three to five per cent more for its products. The price hikes will be felt by shoppers from March, according to business experts. A spokesman for the company claimed that “all […]
Pilz opposes pay freeze
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A veteran Green Party member has spoken out against the government’s decision not to increase politicians’ wages next year. The coalition of Chancellor Werner Faymann’s Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger’s People’s Party (ÖVP) said on Sunday members of the parliament (MPs) would not get more in 2012. Delegates’ salaries were most […]
Three houses were broken into in Mils, Austria on Wednesday night by a burglar using a silent drilling technique. The specialist managed to break into each house whilst the residents slept stealing cash and iPods. The small village of Mils was victim to a spate of burglaries where the method resembled that of a thief […]
Berlakovich rejects shale gas project
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People’s Party (ÖVP) Environment Minister Nikolaus Berlakovich has spoken out against plans to produce shale gas in Lower Austria. Large reserves of the substance may be located in rocks up to 6,000 metres below the surface in the north-eastern province of Lower Austria. Austrian oil and gas group OMV AG reportedly plans to carry out […]
SBB boss says ÖBB will survive
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The head of one of Europe’s most successful railroad companies has said he is convinced that Austria’s Federal Railways (ÖBB) has a future. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) chief Andreas Meyer told Die Presse today (Fri) that “there might be synergies (in the next 20 years), but SBB and ÖBB will stay independent companies.” SBB is […]
Fine dust health check appeal issued
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A pulmonary specialist has highlighted high fine dust rates’ negative effects on humans’ physical condition. Sylvia Hartl told the Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper today (Thurs) physically robust people would have less difficulties coping with the situation in eastern Austria’s industrial areas like Graz and Vienna these days. However, the expert warned that those who felt burning […]
Railroad price fight in full swing
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Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Westbahn have broken their promise not to engage in a price war. ÖBB chief Christian Kern explained in several interviews his company would focus on better quality and customer service in its attempt to weather the intensified competition on the tracks between Vienna and Salzburg. Westbahn executive manager Stefan Wehinger promised […]
Lift passes cost more than twice as much in Austria’s most popular skiing resorts than in small winter sport destinations, according to an investigation. The Austrian Association for Costumer Information, VKI, said today (Thurs) comparably small regions in Lower Austria and Styria were charging less than 300 Euros for weekly passes for a whole family […]