Your daily news for
Wednesday, 08. February 2012 - 13:02

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.

06. 09. 10. - 12:00

Begging mafia kept 40 people in flat, police say

Romanian mafia bosses forced up to 40 people to live in a cramped, tiny flat, police in Vienna have said.

Sixteen gang chiefs were arrested in Romania and Austria last month following a crackdown on organised begging in the Austrian capital.

Now Federal Crime Office (BK) official Gerald Tatzgern revealed the criminals forced up to 40 beggars of their organisation to sleep in a dirty, small Viennese apartment.

"Everyone of them had to rake in 80 Euros a day. If they didn't then gang bosses violently abused them," he said today (Mon).

All suspects were extradited to Romania recently where they face a trial.

Begging mafia kept 40 people in flat, police say

Related articles: Vienna focus

Related articles: EU

Related articles: CEE news

Related articles: business scandals