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29. 07. 10. - 14:00

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29. 07. 10. - 14:00

Taliban 'use Austrian weapons'

Allied forces fighting in Afghanistan found Austrian weaponry in raided Taliban hideouts, according to leaked files.

Internet portal Wikileaks got hold of secret United States documents suggesting that troops operating in the crisis-stricken country discovered grenades and bomb throwers produced in Austria.

Austrian officials stressed it would be illegal for companies in the country to sell weapons to nations or groups involved in a war or in a region or country where turmoil was likely.

The Austrian interior ministry announced today (Thurs) that Lower Austrian firm Hirtenberger Defence Systems (HDS) was the only weapons manufacturer having applied for permission to export grenades of the type mentioned in the leaked documents.

The Hirtenberg-based business declined to comment on the claims, claiming none of the executives could give a statement due to a current company holiday.

Experts meanwhile said it was possible that the discovered weapons were fakes.

Austria is a neutral and independent country since 1955 when the World war Two allied forces left the country after a 10-year occupation. Its army has however participated in various peacekeeping missions in Kosovo and the Golan Heights at the Syrian-Israeli border among other locations.

Austrian Times

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The current conflict with the works committee does not negatively affect Austrian Airlines’ (AUA) booking figures, according to a spokesman.

Weak start for RWR Card
People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner has admitted difficulties in introducing the Red White Red Card (RWR Card, Rot-Weiß-Rot Card).

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Austria’s longest-serving governor has been identified as the most capable one in the opinion of citizens.

Foul-mouthed MPs might face fines
Fritz Neugebauer has started another attempt to introduce a system of fees for abusive parliament delegates (MPs).

Car sharers should get cheap U-Bahn tickets say greens
People who support the environment by signing up for car sharing initiatives to cut down inner city congestion should get subsidised public transport.

Film festivals in Vienna
There are two film festivals back to back in Vienna this May and June. The "Let's CEE Film Festival" shows films from Central and Eastern Europe, while the "Vienna Independent Shorts" focuses on short films.

Salzburg builds new prison
Salzburg is to get a new prison.

Postwoman killed by express train
An 32-year-old postwoman was killed instantly when she apparently failed to see a stop sign on a train track - and was hit by a 120 kph express train at the Grimmenstein sortage depot in the Lower Austrian region of Neunkirchen.

Dirty water caused by excrement
Health experts are struggling to find the source of excrement that has contaminated water supplies at the town of Köstendorf in Salzburg province.

Man Utd chase Austrian ace
Manchester United have signalised interest in David Alaba.

Jobs in Austria