Army pays 2,000 staff for being idle

Categories
Politics

The pressure on Social Democratic (SPÖ) Defence and Sport Minister Norbert Darabos is increasing as a new Audit Office (RH) examination indicates a waste of taxpayers’ money by the army. The RH announced yesterday (Tues) that 2,059 army employees were inactive in 2010. The institution said that these circumstances cost the state 66.1 million Euros […]

Peter Gabriel wants ‘generous’ Israel

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Culture

Pop star Peter Gabriel has disclosed his current priorities and his take on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Asked why he did not release any new material in nearly 10 years, the ex-Genesis front man told Austrian newspaper Kurier yesterday (Sun): “I will start working on some new stuff in January. I’ve got many […]

Schlaff mulls over RHI exit, says report

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Business

Martin Schlaff plans to get rid of his stake in technology and fireproof products manufacturer RHI AG, according to reports.Business magazine Trend claims today (Mon) that the Austrian billionaire wants to sell his interest to Brazilian Magnesita Refractories SA (Magnesita), one of RHI’s main rivals.Schlaff, who started investing in RHI four years ago, currently holds […]

Strache’s Israel trip causes a stir

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Politics

Officials in Austria are at odds over Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache’s decision to travel to Israel.The right-winger visited Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a territory Palestinians are also claiming. Speaking about the ongoing conflict about the area and the throwbacks the peace talks have suffered, Strache said in the West Bank area […]

Faymann calls for end of Gaza embargo

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Politics

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann appealed to Israeli leaders to lift the Gaza Strip embargo as he met with the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday (Weds).Faymann explained: “We (the Austrian government) want Israel to end the embargo of the Gaza Strip.”The chancellor stressed at the same time that he accepted that goods transported […]