Members of a small parish in Vienna are outraged by Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn’s decision to hand over the church to the city’s Serbian-Orthodox community for free. Neuleuchenfeld parishioners harshly criticised Schönborn for his decision made public last year. Now the Vatican decided to reject their appeal. It promised to rule on the issue by […]
Tag: cent
Pensioners to get more in 2012
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The government and pensioners’ union officials agreed to increase pensions next year. Karl Blecha, who represents the Social Democratic pensioners, and his conservative association partner Andreas Khol met Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger for talks in Vienna yesterday evening (Mon). ÖVP Finance Minister Maria Fekter and […]
Kubilius backs EU’s disputed duo
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Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has claimed the leadership position of Germany and France “is not a bad development.” Kubilius told Austrian daily Die Presse today (Mon): “I don’t think it is a bad development that France and Germany take leading roles trying to solve this crisis. Solving crises needs new ideas and leadership. (…) […]
ÖBB unionist quits
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Federal Railways (ÖBB) works council boss Wilhelm Haberzettl has decided to retire. The Social Democrat (SPÖ) announced on Saturday it was “time for a change. Younger talents should come forward.” Haberzettl said he would quit as head of the ÖBB staff representation on 22 November. The 56-year-old left-winger added he had no plans to retire […]
Manner busier despite price hikes
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Tradition-rich sweets manufacturer Manner said today (Fri) it managed to increase its turnover by more than 10 per cent. The company, best known for its Manner Schnitten hazelnut cream wafers, announced a 10.3 per cent turnover rise from the first nine months of 2010 to 122.2 million Euros in the same time span of this […]
Cosmetic surgery amendment likely
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The People’s Party (ÖVP) has harshly criticised Health Minister Alois Stöger’s “style” of presenting new ideas – but also explained it would support his cosmetic surgery draft bill. Stöger told magazine News and newspaper Kurier yesterday (Thurs) that he wanted to implement stricter rules on plastic surgeries. Teenagers should be ordered to consult psychologists before […]
VIA cargo operation in decline
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News of a decline of cargo shipping at Vienna International Airport (VIA or VIE) may confirm analysts’ warnings that the economic crisis is not over. A spokesman for the aerodrome – which is located a few kilometres outside Vienna – said today (Thurs) that the volume of cargo transported to and from VIA declined by […]
ÖVAG ‘to lay off 500’
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Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) will sack hundreds of employees in the coming two and a half years, according to a report. The Kurier claims today (Weds) that the struggling bank plans to dismiss 500 of its staff in Austria. This would mean that the bank – which did not comment on the report – would lay […]
Catholic rebels gather pace
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A group of priests opposing the Vatican’s principles finds more and more support, according to its head and a new survey. Former Caritas Austria President Helmut Schüller’s Preachers’ Initiative made headlines in June by “calling for disobedience” towards the Vatican. The group explained it rejected the Church’s refusal to let women work as priests in […]
More Austrian men are seeking help
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By Rebecca Musgrave The Men’s Counselling Service in Graz and Leoben has encouraged men on Men’s World Day not to deal with their problems alone. It is, they claim, socially acceptable to seek help as a man with the number of consultations increasing tenfold in the Graz centre in the last 15 years. Some 600 […]