More than 700 same sex couples decided to follow the government coalitions offer of having their partnership “registered” last year.Federal statistic agency Statistik Austria said today (Mon) that 705 gay couples took the opportunity to gain legal status for their relationships last year when a new law passed by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the […]
Coalition cuts back travel costs
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The Austrian government has reduced its travel expenses.A parliamentary enquiry by the Freedom Party (FPÖ) showed yesterday (Thurs) that the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Peoples Party (ÖVP) spent 2.2 million Euros on 220 trips abroad last year, less than in 2004 and 2008. Figures for 2009 have not been disclosed since no parliamentary faction […]
More neo-Nazi offences reported
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The frequency of National Socialist activities is on the rise, new figures show.The justice ministry said yesterday (Thurs) that 741 people were reported for spreading neo-Nazi propaganda or engaging in crimes with a far-right political background last year, up by 39.5 per cent to 2009 when 513 such cases were dealt with by the police […]
Viennese media have claimed there is much speculation surrounding the death of an ambassador at the age of just 42.Fuad Ismayilov – the Azerbaijani ambassador to Austria – died of cardiac failure, according to an official statement. His body will be transferred to Baku, the federal capital of the Eurasian country to be buried, according […]
A Freedom Party (FPÖ) official has criticised Wiener Linien for failing to evacuate many of its employees after bomb threats.FPÖ Vienna vice chairman Johann Gudenus said today (Thurs) it was “not acceptable” that the Viennese public transport agency evacuates passengers swiftly but does not inform its own staff in the case of a bomb scare […]
Fischer ‘impressed’ by Singapore
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Austrian President Heinz Fischer has made his second visit to Asia within four months.Fischer, who met with Malaysias political elite last November, was welcomed by leading politicians and businesspeople in Singapore yesterday (Mon) and today. The former vice chairman of the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) who is currently serving a second and final term […]
Cycling helmet law for kids planned
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Austrian decision-makers have revealed plans to introduce a cycling helmet law for children.Social Democratic (SPÖ) Traffic Minister Doris Bures said in a TV interview yesterday (Sun) that she was in favour of a decree forcing everyone under the age of 10 to wear helmets while cycling.Bures explained that the law was part of a traffic […]
Mubarak may be on his way to Vienna
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Toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is seeking treatment at an Austrian hospital, according to the Arabian press.Several newspapers report today (Thurs) that the politician who stepped down as president of Egypt last week is considering making a visit to see doctors at the Rudolfinerhaus Clinic in Vienna-Döbling.Speculations over the 82-year-olds health condition have […]
Political decision-makers have promised to introduce a law to clarify uncertain aspects of the legal framework that Austrias community workers are confronted with.Social Democratic (SPÖ) Labour and Social Issues Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer announced today (Weds) that he will raise the issue in parliament soon. The minister explained that people willing to do unpaid social work […]
Lecturer fined for calling Koran ‘evil’
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An Islam-criticising lecturer has been fined for vilification of religious theories.Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff was in court yesterday (Tues) for calling Islam “hostile” and the Koran “evil” in a seminar held in a Viennese hotel in 2009.An ongoing debate about the Austrian system of subsidising party academies was fuelled when it emerged that the event which […]