Franz Vranitzky has expressed doubts whether Austrian businesspeople feel represented by the countrys politicians due to their “inexplicable bashing of Turkey.”The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) chancellor said today (Fri) it was “not plausible” why Austria has made itself the “spearhead” of European countries opposing a Turkish accession of the European Union (EU).”I just dont understand […]
A leading right-winger from Austria has caused a stir by accusing a journalist from his home country of “fouling his own nest” by posing a question about Adolf Hitler in Strasbourg, France.Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache travelled to the city to meet French politician Marie Le Pen, head of the Front National (FN) party, […]
Turkish OSCE veto causes a stir
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A serious diplomatic rift has erupted between Austria and Turkey.The Turkish government decided at the weekend to veto Ursula Plassniks application for the position as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The former Austrian Peoples Party (ÖVP) foreign minister said earlier this year she wanted to take over from Marc […]
More than 40,000 people are using Viennas 24-hour U-Bahn service, it was announced today (Fri).Public transport agency Wiener Linien said it registered around 45,000 underground passengers a night at weekends and nights before public holidays. The company introduced a 15-minute interval service last September after 54 per cent of the 277,000 residents of the city […]
‘Cheat’ Hahn faces fresh pressure
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The thesis of Austrias European Commissioner for Regional Policy is to be examined once more after an expert claimed that substantial parts were plagiarised.Stefan Weber who made a name for himself by exposing plagiarism in dissertations said last week that Johannes Hahn cheated creating “at least 17.2 per cent” 254-page philosophy thesis from […]
Chechen trio jailed over Israilov murder
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Three Chechens have been given long jail terms for their role an assassination which made headlines across the globe.The trio was found guilty of being involved in the murder of Umar Israilov, a former bodyguard of Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov who turned against his employer, in Vienna-Floridsdorf in January 2009.Israilov died after being gunned down […]
Another town has stripped Adolf Hitler of his citizen of honour title, it emerged today (Tues).Wolfgang Mair, the Peoples Party (ÖVP) mayor of Waidhofen an der Ybbs in Lower Austria, announced that the decision was made unanimously by all Town Hall delegates yesterday. Mair added that all of the towns councillors wanted to disassociate themselves […]
A right-wing politician has stepped down after a dispute considering a tattoo.Carinthian Freedom Party (FPK) Councillor Gerry Leitmann announced today (Tues) he informed Franz Felsberger, the Social Democratic (SPÖ) mayor of Ebenthal, Carinthia, about his decision to resign yesterday.Leitmann came under fire by political rivals for a tattoo saying “Blut und Ehre” (Blood and Honour) […]
Amstettens decision to strip Adolf Hitler of his honorary citizenship has triggered a certain sense of nervousness among politicians across the country.The Lower Austrian town which gained unwanted fame for being the location of the Fritzl incest horror house revoked the honour earlier this week, 66 years after the Austrian-born Nazi dictators suicide. […]
Islamophobic shooter game triggers trial
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A right-wing politician could be jailed for two years over a controversial computer game.Styrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) chief Gerhard Kurzmann will be in court later this year for putting “Moschee ba ba” (Bye, bye mosque) online ahead of last years provincial election, it was announced today (Thurs). Prosecutors in Graz accuse the councillor of agitation […]