Wolf says Russian move will not hit Austrian Magna plant

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Business

Outgoing Magna co-chief Siegfried Wolf has rubbished claims that his departure will have a negative effect on the car parts maker’s factory in Austria.Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska said earlier this month Wolf was set to head the automotive division of his company Russian Machines.The announcement came just weeks after Frank Stronach accepted a multi-million payout […]

EU Car-Free Day sparks oil crisis flashback

Categories
Lifestyle

More than 400 Austrian towns participated in the European Union’s (EU) 2010 Car-Free Day today (Weds).Austrian officials said 435 towns and communities across the country organised various initiatives in a bid to raise awareness for eco-friendly commuting and reduce car traffic.The EU-wide Car-Free Day awakens memories of a law passed by the Austrian government in […]

High petrol prices avoid significant inflation drop

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Business

Soaring flat rent rates and car fuel prices have kept the Austrian inflation level from declining more significantly year on year than by just 0.2 per cent, new research has shown.State agency Statistik Austria announced today (Weds) the inflation rate was 1.9 per cent last month, down by 0.2 per cent compared to August 2009 […]

Deripaska snares Wolf

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Business

Austria’s best-paid manager is to work for oligarch Oleg Deripaska, it has emerged.Austrian-Canadian car parts manufacturer Magna announced today (Mon) co-chief Siegfried Wolf had decided not to extend his contract but to join OJSC Russian Machines.The Styrian will head the supervisory board of the company which one of Russia’s largest industrial holdings.Wolf has been working […]

Suicidal speeder stopped

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General News

A Lower Austrian trying to kill himself by crashing his car was stopped by police after going at breakneck speed for dozens of kilometres up a busy motorway on Tuesday.Authorities announced today (Fri) the 44-year-old man was tracked down driving his Audi sports car at dense traffic on the A9 Pyhrn motorway after several horrified […]

Driver dies in lake after parking collision

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General News

An elderly woman has died in a lake after her car was hit by another vehicle when she backed out of a parking space.Hallein police chief Paul Pirchner announced today (Fri) the woman failed to stop her VW Golf from ending up in the Wiestal reservoir after it was rammed by a 52-year-old male driver […]

Retreating Stronach rules out negative impacts on Styria

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Business

Magna founder Frank Stronach has claimed his decision to withdraw from day to day decision-making will not have unpleasant effects on his home province’s “car cluster”.The 77-year-old businessman recently decided to accept a multi-million payout for losing his voting rights at the Austrian-Canadian car parts maker.Stronach reportedly received around 800 million Euros after accepting his […]

Traffic jam driver dies in bridge fall after sitting on handrail

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General News

A driver stuck in a traffic jam died after he plunged over a bridge’s handrail yesterday (Thurs).The German got out of his car to get some fresh air in massive traffic congestion on Styria’s A9 motorway near Pürgschachen.The 30-year-old man decided to sit down on a bridge’s handrail – and died instantly after falling 30 […]

Police in hot water as MP reveals Kampusch interview protocols

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General News

Leaked Natascha Kampusch police interview protocols seem to confirm that authorities attempted to cover up police blunders.Greens MP Peter Pilz, who published police documents regarding the abduction of Kampusch, said the top secret information was evidence of a scandal involving police and high-ranking politicians.The documents seem to confirm previous speculations that investigators failed to follow […]

Austrian oil firms ‘ignore global market rates’

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Business

Austrian petrol firms pointing the finger at international trade developments are red-faced over revelations that they were behind soaring prices.The Federal Austrian Competition Authority (BWB) announced today (Fri) that domestic oil companies did not consider global price levels when it came to establishing the prices of diesel and regular fuel at petrol stations.BWB boss Theodor […]