Ruling SPÖ and ÖVP Coalition at Record Low Over Hypo Scandal

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Politics

Austria’s coalition government is under fire over its management of a banking crisis in which it agreed to nationalise the Hypo Alpe Adria bank in a move that has saddled the country with an estimated 18 billion euros in debt. The Carinthian Hypo Alpe Adria was a bank that had expanded too quickly with heavy […]

Mud fight continues in Salzburg

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Politics

A bitter row between the conservative People’s party ÖVP and the social Democrats SPÖ in the regional parliament in Salzburg is continuing to interrupts the smooth running of government. The row centres about responsibility for the investment of taxpayers money in risky financial investments and the possible loss of several hundred million euros. In advance […]

Ring backs East Africa drought aid

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General News

A tradition-rich bakery has decided to support an Austrian relief organisation’s operation in East Africa. Millions of residents of Somalia and other countries of the impoverished area need water, food and logistical support as the region experiences one of the worst droughts in history. Now bakery chain Ring announced it will transfer one Euro to […]

Hackers eye up next possible victims

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Politics

An internationally operating group of hackers who attacked the websites of two Austrian parties may soon strike again in the country. The Austrian department of Anonymous has asked via Twitter: “So who’s next? ÖVP? Grüne BZÖ?” The group invaded the internet representations of the Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who form a coalition with the People’s […]

Japanese food safe, says minister

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Politics

Austrian Interior Minister Maria Fekter has stressed all foodstuff imported from Japan is safe.The People’s Party (ÖVP) deputy chief said today (Mon) Austrians could be assured that none of the tuna, noodles and various other food shipped to Austria from the Asian country were found to be contaminated by radiation. Fekter told the Salzburger Nachrichten […]

Austria freezes Gaddafi fortune

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Politics

Austria has blocked all assets of the Libyan Gaddafi clan in the country, it has been confirmed.The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) appealed on the country’s banks to block the deposits of 26 people including Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, his wife, their eight children and high-profile military and secret service chiefs.The OeNB said it estimated the […]

Fischer ‘impressed’ by Singapore

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Politics

Austrian President Heinz Fischer has made his second visit to Asia within four months.Fischer, who met with Malaysia’s political elite last November, was welcomed by leading politicians and businesspeople in Singapore yesterday (Mon) and today. The former vice chairman of the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who is currently serving a second and final term […]

Disputed beverages purchase ID act scrapped

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Business

The federal government has decided to withdraw a new law regarding the purchase of beverages just one month after it went into effect.Shoppers and branch representatives were outraged by the stricter regulation enforcing customers to identify themselves at the till when they bought two or more bottles of schnapps, more than 20 litres of beer, […]

Number of towed cars down slightly in Vienna

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General News

More than 1,000 cars were hauled away in Vienna over the past four weekends, it has been announced.Drivers union ÖAMTC said today (Mon) 1,042 illegally parked vehicles were towed away in the capital on the past four Saturdays and Sundays when hundreds of thousands of Austrians and foreigners came to Vienna to do their Christmas […]

Banks and campaigning parties focus on immigrants

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Politics

Around 6,000 immigrants have opened accounts at Erste Bank in the past three years following a groundbreaking project targeting foreigners.Peter Thier, a spokesman for the institute, said today (Fri): “Our pilot project worked so well that we decided to keep and expand it.”He explained five clerks speaking Serbian, Croatian and Turkish worked in branches in […]