Turkish to become final exam subject

Categories
General News

Students in Austria may soon be able to graduate in Turkish.The federal education ministry of Social Democrat (SPÖ) Claudia Schmied announced today (Tues) the language may become the 14th foreign language learners in the country can pick at their final exams. Turkish has been taught as an optional subject in many secondary modern schools which […]

Jobless rate shrinks as EE jobseeker barrier set to expire

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Business

Austria has registered a significant decline in unemployment.Official figures presented today (Fri) show that fewer than 253,000 people were out of work last month, down by 5.2 per cent compared to March 2010. This development means that the federal jobless rate shrank for the 13th month in a row.The federal labour ministry of Social Democrat […]

Foreign ministry issues Syria travel warning

Categories
Politics

The Austrian foreign affairs ministry has warned about travelling to Syria.The ministry said yesterday (Mon) Austrians were recommended not to go to the Western Asian country “if not absolutely necessary.”Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the state’s biggest cities to call for democracy in the past few days.The Austrian foreign ministry […]

Many Austrians not to go on vacation this year

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Business

Almost one in three Austrians have no holiday plans in 2011, a survey shows.The Institute for Leisure and Tourism Research (IFT) and motorist association ÖAMTC announced today (Fri) 29 per cent of Austrians said they would not take a vacation this year. Researchers said that especially people with a low income would not take a […]

Austrians fear Japan crisis will boost energy prices

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Business

Most Austrians fear that the nuclear disaster in Japan will lead to higher energy prices.Linz-based research agency Market found that 62 per cent expect electricity and other energy sources to become more expensive due to the detonations at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.Several countries across the world are currently reconsidering their plans to engage with […]

Austrian suspected of murder in Brazil

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General News

An Austrian businessman may face a lawsuit for homicide in Brazil, it has emerged.Police in the north-eastern city of Recife announced today (Weds) that Alfred Hartner and a German man were accused of killing a Brazilian engineer. The body of Alisson Pereira, 37, was found at the Bamboo Bar – which is owned by Hartner […]

EU ambassador pledges instant aid if Japan asks for it

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Politics

The European Union (EU) would react “immediately” to a request for help by Japan, the EU’s ambassador in the country stressed.Hans Dietmar Schweisgut told the Kurier newspaper today (Tues): “Several EU member states already sent support teams to Japan. The EU crisis aid mechanism can only be activated after an official request by an affected […]

Austrians should depart Tokyo, ministry says

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General News

The Austrian foreign ministry has appealed to Austrians to leave the Greater Tokyo Area.Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, a spokesman for the ministry, said today (Tues) people were well-advised to depart from the region. He said: “It cannot be estimated how the situation will develop after the incidents at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.”Several explosions occurred at the […]

Hunt for Hitler salute train passenger

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General News

Police are looking for a public transport passenger for making the infamous Nazi salute in a Viennese underground train.The unidentified man wearing a black jacket and a grey bonnet raised his right hand to make the gesture – which is also known as Hitler salute – numerous times on an U2 line U-Bahn train in […]

Fasching fascinates fewer Austrians

Categories
Lifestyle

Fewer Austrians are celebrating Fasching this year, according to a poll.Linz-based research group Spectra found that 43 per cent of people living in Austria are celebrating the festival known as, Karneval in Germany and Carnival elsewhere this year. Surveys carried out one year ago revealed that two thirds of Austrians were doing so.Spectra said today, […]