Erdogan tells Turks not to assimilate into Austria

Categories
Politics

Turkey’s Prime Minister has been accused of creating unrest by Austrian politicians after he called on Turks in Austria to reject ‘assimilation’. Speaking in front thousands of Turkish people in Vienna on Thursday, Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called on them to say “no to assimilation” and “yes to integration”. “You will learn to speak fluent […]

Kurz defends warning to Turkish PM Erdogan

Categories
Politics

Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz has defended his statement warning Turkish Prime Minister Erdoğan against introducing “splits into Austrian society” during his visit to the country this week. Speaking to Turkish media about his statement, Kurz said many people are worried that Erdoğan might send polarising messages to the Turkish population living in Vienna whilst he […]

Strache’s Facebook profile blocked

Categories
Business

Leader of the right-wing Austria Freedom Party (FPÖ), has had his popular Facebook  page mysteriously blocked – then unblocked. Despite having around 135,000 users ‘likes’ on his page, Heinz-Christian Strache suddenly found that the Zuckerberg-founded social network giant had decided to cancel his page, leaving him unable to read or post updates. Early Monday morning, […]

Nova Rock: first fans arrived

Categories
Culture

The first of 50,000 punters descend on Nickelsdorf (Burgenland) for the Nova Rock music festival today (Thursday). The biggest music festival in Austria, Nova Rock, begins this Friday. Police spokesman Bernhard Griensteidl said: “The parking lots will open at 10 am and the camping lot will open at 12 pm. We are prepared.” But he […]

Salzburg coalition talks begin

Categories
Politics

A significant majority of the Green Party decided to start coalition talks with the ÖVP last evening (Wed). Negotiations about a new state government will start today. Team Stronach will also take part in the talks. The ÖVP, which got most votes in the elections of 5 May, invited the Green Party and Team Stronach […]

Pope condemns Austrian priests

Categories
General News

Pope Benedict XVI has sharply condemned a group of dissident Austrian priests and laymen for questioning key teachings of the Catholic Church. The group, known as the Pfarrer Initiative, has challenged the church on topics such as priestly celibacy and its ban on female priests. Speaking during a Maundy Thursday mass in the Vatican, the […]

Floodings in Austria

Categories
General News

Despite an increase today (Fri) the water level in the Danube around Vienna is stable, officials have said.This morning the level rose to 6.50 metres from 6.45 yesterday and danger of flooding is expected if it reaches seven metres.But the city’s Emergency Flood Service has said Vienna should escape due to its “relief channel” (Entlastungsgerinne), […]

Pig spared from slaughter after falling off trailer

Categories
General News

Farmers decided not to slaughter a pig after it survived falling from a driving lorry yesterday (Mon).Lower Austrian authorities said today bosses of the Ratzersdorf-based farming business will keep the animal which got away with bruises after falling from a trailer and down an embankment. The pig was caught by local firemen and passersby who […]

First Austrian ‘Van Graaf’ branch to open at SCS

Categories
Business

International fashion chain “Van Graaf” will open its first Austrian branch next week.The company announced today (Weds) its new branch at the Shopping City Süd (SCS) – Austria’s biggest shopping centre which is located south of Vienna – would open next Wednesday (17 March) and have a selling space of around 8,000 square metres.The shop […]

Lohan payback sorted, Lugner claims

Categories
Lifestyle

“Mean Girls” star Lindsay Lohan is to be forced to pay back a speculated 200,000 Euro fee she took for attending the Vienna Opera Ball with a veteran playboy and then failed to turn up.The 23-year-old actress was due to be guest of honour at the posh Viennese bash, but was so late for the […]