Slovenian president backs Turkish EU bid

Categories
Politics

Slovenian President Danilo Türk has appealed to European Union (EU) leaders to speed up accession talks with Turkey.The former United Nations (UN) assistant secretary-general said today (Weds): “I’m totally in favour of Turkey becoming a member of the EU. The negotiations have been going on way too slowly.”Türk told Austrian daily Kurier that prejudices towards […]

Austria blocks monthly Greece aid

Categories
Politics

Austria has not yet given the green light to transfer its December rate to fellow European Union (EU) member Greece, it has emerged.People’s Party (ÖVP) leader and Finance Minister Josef Pröll announced today (Tues): “Statistics give no reason to hand over the money from an Austrian point of view.”Pröll argued that figures have shown that […]

Lady Gaga in Vienna recording studio

Categories
Culture

Lady Gaga is recording new songs in Austria, it has been revealed.Bosses of Viennese recording studio MG Sound confirmed reports from today (Weds) that the pop star has booked into their venues for two days.The award-winning singer, who will perform at the city’s Stadthalle tomorrow night, is understood to be trying to save time and […]

Snow safety masts damaged

Categories
General News

Police in Upper Austria are investigating after dozens of roadside masts were destroyed at the weekend.Officials in Meggenhofen near Grieskirchen said today (Tues) the masts – set up along the road as snow is expected to fall shortly – were ripped out of the ground or cracked into pieces.The amount of damages has not yet […]

Austria up one spot in corruption study

Categories
Business

Austria has improved year on year in a global corruption survey.The country reached 15th place (2009: 16th) in the 2010 edition of the Corruption Perception study conducted by Transparency International (TI). Austria shares the spot with neighbouring Germany (2009: 14th) which also reached 7.9 of a maximum 10 points.Denmark, Singapore and New Zealand shared first […]

Red Bull Racing leaves favourite drink at home

Categories
Sports

Red Bull has decided to switch to other beverages at this weekend’s Formula One (F1) Grand Prix of Yeongam as the company’s trademark energy drink has not yet been introduced in South Korea.Red Bull Racing announced today (Fri) crew members and drivers – Australian Mark Webber and German Sebastian Vettel – will not be served […]

High Austrian activity in ‘business-friendly’ Turkey

Categories
Business

Around 150 Austrian companies are currently doing business in Turkey, according to the Austrian Trade Commissioner in Istanbul.Marco Garcia said today (Fri) major companies like oil and gas firm OMV, Bank Austria (BA) and electricity provider Verbund have been active in the country.He added Austria was currently the eighth biggest investor in Turkey which, according […]

Virus claims more than 100 bunnies

Categories
General News

Dozens of rabbits have died within weeks in a Lower Austrian town, it has emerged.Holger Herbrüggen, a vet responsible for the province’s Wien-Umgebung district, announced today (Tues) that more than 100 could have passed away in Klosterneuburg during the past few weeks as the town is struck by myxomatosis.The expert stressed it was impossible to […]

Social Democrats’ trip to North Korea causes a stir

Categories
Politics

The Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) have been harshly attacked after it emerged that five high-ranking officials met North Korean leaders.Political newspapers revealed yesterday (Tues) that a group of five SPÖ MPs and Members of the European Parliament (MEP) travelled to North Korea earlier this month. The Social Democrats stressed that the trip was a private […]

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 […]