A group of hackers who had previously attacked the websites of political parties reportedly obtained information on thousands of insurance customers. Anonymous Austria, the Austrian department of an internationally operating network of hackers, claimed yesterday (Weds) they got hold of data containing information about thousands of clients of Tyrol’s public health insurance company TGKK. The […]
Tag: Austria
Racial hate crime rate rises
Categories
The number of xenophobic felonies is increasing. The federal interior ministry announced yesterday (Tues) that police and prosecutors registered 580 breaches of law with xenophobic, far-right, racist, islamophobic and anti-Semitic background last year, 28 per cent more than in the previous year. The ministry – which is headed by People’s Party (ÖVP) official Johanna Mikl-Leitner […]
Patten wants immigration rethink
Categories
Chris Patten has called on Europeans to treat immigrants better. The former European Commissioner for External Relations said today (Tues): “Yes, we do have the highest quality of living in Europe. However, we ignore the need for reforms to sustain this standard.” Speaking to Austrian newspaper Die Presse, the ex-governor of Hong Kong criticised that […]
Pumpkin pie festival in Linz
Categories
A pumpkin festival will take place on September 30 in Linz, the capital of the province of Upper Austria as a variation on the traditional harvest festival celebration. Starting early in the morning, on Linz’s main square the “pumpkin mayor” will be chosen and then together with assistants dressed in orange pumpkin suits he leads […]
Horses stomp on Lower Austrian woman
Categories
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 […]
Dead aunt case suspect freed
Categories
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 […]
Lawsuit over ‘43mn jackpot’
Categories
A Swiss man plans to sue Austrian casino bosses for being denied 43 million Euros after allegedly hitting the jackpot. Behar Merlaku said he won the money at a slot machine at a casino in Bregenz, Vorarlberg, last March. However, operator Casinos Austria refused a payout, claiming that technicians discovered a software error. The company […]
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 – […]
Anger as UPC considers sackings
Categories
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. […]
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 […]