Water-endorsing Austrians admit nuclear fears

Categories
Lifestyle

A vast majority of Austrians are satisfied with the quality of tap water in the country.The Federal Gas and Water Association (ÖVGW) said today (Tues) its poll showed that 90 per cent are “very satisfied” or “satisfied.” Asked to rate the tap water – which has drinking water quality everywhere in the country – in […]

Russian leaders’ cockfight tarnishes Fischer visit

Categories
Politics

More than 100 entrepreneurs are accompanying Austrian President Heinz Fischer on his state visit to Russia as firms hope to benefit from the prospering economy of the Eurasian country.Fischer, who met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday (Thurs), was welcomed by the country’s Prime Minister and ex-President Vladimir Putin today. The talks were overshadowed by […]

Lack of reforms ‘will impoverish middle class’

Categories
Politics

Austria’s middle class will impoverish if the country’s leaders fail to make any progress in reforming its bureaucratic, healthcare and pensions system, an opposition party chief has claimed.Josef Bucher, who heads the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ), told the Die Presse newspaper today (Fri): “If we keep carrying on this way, it […]

Lower Austrian districts dominate traffic death toll

Categories
General News

A district in Lower Austria has been identified as the area with the highest likeliness of fatal car crashes.The Austrian Traffic Club (VCÖ) announced today (Thurs) that 2.7 fatalities per 10,000 residents occurred in the district of Scheibbs. This rate makes the region the most dangerous individual traffic zone of the country ahead of Reutte […]

Austria less popular as holiday destination among locals

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Business

The number of Austrians spending their vacation within the country may decline, a travel poll suggests.Europ Assistance said today (Weds) 64 per cent of interviewed Austrians said they planned to go on holiday this summer, up by three per cent from last year. The insurance company said that just 20 per cent of them had […]

Firms asked to reduce European focus in favour of BRIC states

Categories
Business

The Austrian economy has to up its focus on emerging markets, a government minister has warned.People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner appealed on exporting firms based in Austria to eye up business in up-and-coming economies in Asia and South America to ensure Austria remains competitive.The minister explained today (Tues) that around 83 per cent […]

Boy in clinic after vodka binge

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General News

A young boy is in intensive care after swigging down a bottle of vodka.The 10-year-old was hospitalised after passersby found him lying in a roadside ditch in Gratwein near Graz, Styria. The kid reportedly emptied a 0.7-litre bottle of vodka on a playground within four hours before passing out yesterday evening (Thurs). Doctors at the […]

OMV starts production at Tunisian well after takeover

Categories
Business

OMV AG has started operating at an oil field in Tunisia after taking over an American rival’s exploration activities in the North African country.The Austrian energy sector top dog said today (Weds) it carried out first drillings at the El Badr 5 field in Tunisia earlier this week. OMV explained it would produce 1,500 barrels […]

Green light for Google Street View

Categories
General News

Data protection watchdogs have given the go-ahead to take pictures of roads and house fronts across Austria for a controversial internet information service.The Austrian Data Protection Commission (DSK) announced yesterday (Thurs) that American IT firm Google was not banned any longer from taking panoramic views of Austrian towns and cities for its Street View portal. […]

Ex-First Lady dies of cancer

Categories
Politics

Former First Lady Edith Klestil has passed away.The ex-wife of late President Thomas Klestil died last week, Viennese newspapers reported today (Mon). The 78-year-old mother-of-three had suffered from cancer of the lymph glands since 2006.Edith Klestil moved out of the presidential villa in Vienna-Döbling in 1994 before filing for divorce four years later. Thomas Klestil […]