Newsletter: Does Vienna Need the OSCE to Burn €140M Annually?

The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe Now More at Risk Than 10 Years Ago

Events

In the Austrian National Defence Academy, the security issue "The OSCE in 2030: Undivided Security in Europe restored?" was discussed in the form of a public panel discussion. At the invitation of the International Institute for Peace (IIP), the Karl-Renner-Institut, the Scientific Cluster for Polemology and Legal Ethics, the FES Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe (ROCPE), the Austrian National Defence Academy and the ISP Institute for Security Policy, Hannes Swoboda as moderator and the panelists Thomas Greminger, Fyodor Lukyanov, Stephanie Liechtenstein, Alena Kupchyna discussed the hoped-for security policy development of Europe and the OSCE.

Extremism-Gate: Special Session of Austrian National Council Convened

The somewhat opaque events surrounding the house search of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counter-Terrorism (BVT) are now making political waves. It is deeply disturbing that a unit, which in itself is not responsible for this, is supposed to have carried out the house search at the BVT and allegedly took highly sensitive intelligence information with it. The matter stinks to high heaven. The Austrian opposition has convened the National Council. The parties SPÖ, NEOS and Liste Pilz (LP) demand that Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) provides a complete explanation.

Austrian Delegation Seeks to Improve Economic and Political Relations with Jordan

An official visit of President Van der Bellen to Jordan will take place from 17 April to 19 April 2018. The delegation to Amman will be accompanied by an economic mission headed by WKO Vice President Richard Schenz. The economic mission of the WKO is the response of an invitation issued some time ago by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom.

Mainland Chinese Billionaire Guo Guangchang to Take Over Austrian Asset Wolford AG

Shanghai based Fosun Group through its Hong Kong (Central) vehicle Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited (Fosun) has taken over control of one of Austria's last remaining lingerie assets. According to Wolford, its new strategic core shareholder has agreed to pay at least €36M for a 50.87% majority stake in Wolford AG. Wolford has been struggling with management problems for some time. It also has been loss making for several years. Fosun Industrial Holdings Limited, a subsidiary of Fosun International Limited (British Virgin Islands) is an investment holding company with interests in asset management and entertainment services. Fosun wants full control of the lingerie maker. Upon the closing of the share purchase agreement Fosun intends to launch a takeover offer to the remaining shareholders. Fosun was co-founded in 1992 by Fudan graduate Guo Guangchang who meanwhile became the 34th richest person in China with a net worth of €7 billion.

ATX: AT&S and FACC to Join, Agrana and Zumtobel to be Removed

The ATX index composition of the Vienna Stock Exchange has been reviewed on its quarterly basis. FACC AG will be joining ATX for the first time since it became exchange-listed. AT&S AG will rejoin. Agrana and Zumtobel will be removed. Decisions on additions and removals to the index are based on average daily trading volumes and the free float capitalization of companies.

IAEA Staff Association Ball 2018 Review: Colours of Africa

Recently, the IAEA Staff Association Ball 2018 took place in the halls of the Vienna Hofburg. Many international guests came together under the motto "Colors of Africa". A great multicultural ball with fantastic dancefloors from ballroom to latin to disco. A glittering and happy end to the 2018 ball season.

Hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom to Shine in a New Design

Different cultures meet in Vienna. The result, which is a fascinating blend of art and architecture is supposed to be reflected in the hotel Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom. The hotel with its 182 rooms and the hotel lobby is currently experiencing a facelift which will be completed soon. Since the beginning of the year the new general manager of Sofitel, Peter Katusak-Huzsvar, has been designing the impressive house in Vienna's Praterstrasse 1 as a lifestyle hotspot for both tourists and Viennese.

Man Ray at the Kunstforum Wien: "To Create is Divine, to Reproduce is Human"

Until 24 June 2018, the Kunstforum Wien is showing the exhibition "Man Ray", which portrays the significant painter and photographer Man Ray (born Emmanuel Radnitzky) in a selection of 150 key works from all over the world.

The New BMW X4 - The Dream of Every Diplomat

At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, which is currently taking place in Geneva, BMW presents the new BMW G02 X4, among others.