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Wednesday, 08. February 2012 - 02:02

Breaking News:

Greens write off debt brake accord Greens chairwoman Eva Glawischnig has claimed the government stopped being interested in adding a debt brake to the constitution.
Electricity supplier switch barriers to disappear People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner has promised a further reduction of bureaucratic obstacles for people planning to change their electricity providers.
End of austerity package talks in sight, says Khol A People’s Party (ÖVP) board member has claimed that the upcoming savings package would be presented within the coming days.
Erste Bank expert optimistic about Hungary The chief analyst of Austria’s biggest bank has said chances for a political agreement about the difficult economic condition of Hungary are good.
Spindelegger upsets SPÖ People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger has caused a stir by revealing details of the upcoming austerity package.
Tragic schoolgirl Julia to be laid to rest An Austrian schoolgirl whose disappearance was once linked to incest monster Josef Fritzl is to be buried today.
Camera leads to hit and run boarder arrest Austrian police have arrested a hit-and-run snow boarder after issuing the man's picture to local media.
Vranitzky appreciates tuition fees discussion Former Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Franz Vranitzky has said he welcomes the current debate about a reintroduction of tuition fees.
Westbahn welcomes 6,000 a day Westbahn manages to sell one in two of the overall number of tickets it offers, a spokesman said today (Fri).
Wiener Linien records rising demand for annual passes The number of people opting for annual Wiener Linien tickets is soaring.
Vice chancellor refuses to exclude FPÖ The People’s Party (ÖVP) keeps refusing to disassociate itself from the Freedom Party (FPÖ) following FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache’s controversial comparisons with the Nazi era.
Vienna ÖVP endorses proposed district cuts Vienna People’s Party (ÖVP) Josefstadt district head Veronika Mickel suggested continuing to speak about a reduction of positions in the city's administration.

28. 07. 10. - 12:00

Surgeries postponed over blood shortage

Hospitals have begun rescheduling surgeries because of blood donation bottlenecks, it has been uncovered.

Newspapers reveal today (Weds) that several clinics in eastern Austria have been forced to postpone non-urgent operations as the number of donors has dropped 20 per cent year on year.

"The situation is the same every summer. Regular donors continue to give blood, but there are only very few first-time donors in the holiday period. Things are even worse this year after the most recent heatwaves which probably kept many potential donors away," a spokesman for the Austrian Red Cross explained.

He pointed out that demand for stored blood traditionally soared in summer due to an increase in traffic accidents.

Hospital chiefs meanwhile confirmed reports of postponed surgeries, but also stressed emergency operations would still be carried out as usual.

See www.roteskreuz.at for information on where to give blood.

Surgeries postponed over blood shortage

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