Kidnapping case unnerves Austria as families ready for new school year

VIENNA, Austria Extra police officers and crossing guards will be on hand to help parents and their children feel safe when schools reopen next week in Austria, which is still reeling over revelations that a schoolgirl spent 8 1/2 years imprisoned in an underground cell.

But to many in this nation stunned by Natascha Kampusch's ordeal and her dramatic escape last week from her kidnapper, the heightened security was just window dressing.

"You almost don't want to let them out of your sight. Not even for a second," said Birgit Meisner, 34, watching her two young boys kick a soccer ball around a Vienna park on Friday.

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The $8.6 Billion Gold Deal

Mining company Goldcorp (GG) on Aug. 31 struck an agreement to acquire gold company Glamis (GLG) in an $8.6 billion deal, part of a wave of consolidation sweeping through the commodities sector as prices for everything from gold to copper to aluminum soar.

Goldcorp's shares tumbled as much as 12% during trading on Thursday and closed down nearly 10%, at $27.66, on fears that the company is paying too steep a price in the deal. The company's bid represents a 33% premium over Glamis' market price on Aug. 30. On top of that, Glamis Chief Executive Kevin McArthur will get to be chief executive of the combined companies.

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