Obituary: The Vienna-born heroine who gave equal rights to Japanese women

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General News

A Viennese-born woman who single handedly rewrote the constitution of Japan to give women equal rights has died aged 89, the New York Times reports. Beate Sirota Gordon was born in Vienna on Oct. 25, 1923, as the daughter of Russian Jewish parents, and died of pancreatic cancer, her daughter, Nicole Gordon, said. Beate was […]

Child allowance extension rarely taken up admits minister

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Politics

Experts have criticised the offer of extending the Kinderbetreuungsgeld  – the payment made to new parents – for two months in cases of hardship because the process is too complicated. The reasons for the extension of the child allowance can be violence in a relationship, prison or an extended period of sickness or even the […]

Trying Dutchman wants share of inheritence

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General News

An adopted Dutchman who flew to Austria to track down his real parents has launched a multi-million pound inheritance claim after discovering his real father was an Austrian property magnate. Ronald Nyman, 42, had been born illegitimately in 1970 in Feldkirch, Austria, and was handed over to a local monastery and then given up for […]

Kids exercise just 30 mins a day causing overweight

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General News

Austrian youngsters are only getting about 50% of the daily exercise that they need according to experts. And the lack of physical effort is leading to overweight and other problems including diabetes. That was the result of the study which was presented this week in Salzburg which also urged more sport in school to correct […]

Lauda admits faking

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General News

Ex Austrian Formula 1 champion driver Niki lauda has admitted he faked his exam results to make his parents think he had graduated with top marks and he would then be allowed to go driving. The racing pro admitted he was far more interested in motor racing than completing his Matura – the Austrian end […]

Dutchman chaces inheritance in Austria

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General News

An adopted Dutchman who flew to Austria to track down his real parents has launched a multi-million pound inheritance claim after discovering his real father was a wealthy local businessmen. Under Austrian law, children are guaranteed a share of their parents wealth and it isn’t possible to disinherit them. Ronald Nijman, 42, had been born […]

Higher penalties are possible, says Schmied

Categories
Politics

The education ministry has said it could imagine upping charges for truancy. People’s Party (ÖVP) Integration Secretary Sebastian Kurz announced yesterday (Mon) the families of pupils who were caught skipping lessons should face higher penalties. Kurz told radio Ö1 that the maximum charge of 220 Euros was too low in his opinion. He claimed that […]

Boogie on down at Bogi Park

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Travel

The warm weather ended with a vengeance this week and for parents suddenly casting around for something to do with their youngsters the Bogi Park – a 5,000 square metre play area packed with activities – is a popular choice. Indoor play parks have come a long way since somebody had the bright idea of […]

Start of school costs young families dear

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General News

Parents of first-formers are bracing themselves to spend hundreds of Euros in the coming weeks, a poll has shown. Public opinion agency Integral announced today (Weds) people whose kids started school next month were expecting to fork out 400 Euros on various goods such as writing utensils and schoolbags. The agency pointed out that a […]

Carinthia’s Children’s Treasures – Mickey Mouse and Kinder Hotels

Categories
Travel

One of the most memorable stories I ever had out of Austria when I worked as a correspondent for the Daily Telegraph was the discovery that Mickey Mouse had appeared in a 700-year-old fresco on a church wall in Carinthia. I remember the story well because it was so unbelievable – but sure enough when […]