Infamous veteran playboy Richard Lugner has defended his plans to invite the teenager at the heart of a scandal involving Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to the Vienna Opera Ball.Lugner, 78, announced today (Mon) that his in negotiations with the representatives of erotic dancer Karima El Mahrough better known by her stage name Ruby […]
Political decision-makers in Lower Austria have presented plans to change a controversial ruling which allows small breeds like Chihuahuas and dachshunds to be declared as guard dogs.Peoples Party (ÖVP) official Karl Bader announced today (Mon): “Some people registered their lapdogs as watchdogs as the law is unclear. That is why we plan to change the […]
Peter Michaelis will not apply for another term as head of Federal Industry-Holding Stock Corporation (ÖIAG), it has emerged.A spokeswoman for ÖIAG announced today (Fri) that the businessman, whose contract ends next June, did not have any plans to suggest an extension of his contract. She refused to reveal any names for potential successors, but […]
Outgoing Lufthansa boss Wolfgang Mayrhuber may become the head of the airlines supervisory board, according to growing rumours.Current supervisory board head Jürgen Weber said at a business event in Hamburg yesterday evening (Mon) that he hopes the Austrian will succeed him when he retires in 2013.Mayrhuber, who has been head of the German aviation giant […]
Telekom Austria (TA) boss Hannes Ametsreiter has called for more investments in the education sector.The businessman said today (Thurs) Austria must “urgently” think about how to improve the education system.”We must spend more on education if Austrian firms want to be able to compete internationally. Austria has always had a high creative potential. We must […]
People’s Party (ÖVP) Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said he has been “forced” into closing some Austrian embassies due to cutbacks ordered by his ministry for the coming years.The minister said today (Mon): “I have not got any other option than closing some embassies.”Spindelegger refused to reveal how many Austrian representations abroad will be shut and […]
Austria has the second-best competitive edge in the Eurozone, a leading think tank has claimed.The Brussels-based Lisbon Council announced today (Mon) that Germany (8.5 points) had the greatest competitiveness among the 16 European union (EU) member states which have adopted the Euro as their sole currency.Austria garnered 8.3 points in the study to come second […]
Airlines have vowed to pass extra costs on to customers after the governments announcement to set up a tax on tickets.The federal coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and Peoples Party (ÖVP) announced on the weekend it will charge every ticket for a flight from Austria to another European country with eight Euros from next year. […]
Organisers of a cruise are in hot water after berthing in Greece instead of Croatia.Holidaymakers told Austrian press today (Weds) that the MS Delphin arrived in Athens despite initial plans to set for Croatias Adriatic coast.The tourists claimed the crew hesitated to explain why the ship moored in the Greek capital.A German-Austrian production company […]
Austria has seen a second case of a once male teacher set to return after the summer holidays to school as a woman.Viennese polytechnic college professor Walter S. infuriated some parents and colleagues by revealing last week he has undergone a sex change surgery recently. The federal education ministry however gave the green lights for […]