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29. 10. 09. - 13:00

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29. 10. 09. - 13:00

Jacket potato

Green scientists have created the world's first biodegradable eco-raincoat - made of recycled potatoes.

The hooded poncho is made with a special plastic made from spuds and other natural resources, claim makers Good4Environment, in Ourense, Spain.

When wearers are finished with the coat, they simply bury it in the ground and seeds contained in the fabric will grow into a new plant.

"We wanted to make something that is practical to wear, looks good and then does some good when its working life is over," said spokeswoman for the firm Maite Canton when contacted by Central European News.

She said: "We put seeds in special little pouches - the rotting coat will provide all the raw material for the germinating seeds.

"We have a selection of seeds - some are of aromatic plants, some flowers and some are of mediterranean trees."

Austrian Times

Higher cigarette prices on tap
Austria Tabak reported today (Fri) that the price of its 35 brands of cigarettes would increase by 10 to 20 cents a pack at the end of March.

RI's Croat subsidiary gets €30mn credit
Raiffeisen International’s (RI) Croatian subsidiary Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d. received a 30-million-Euro credit by the German Investment and Development Society (DEG), it was announced.

Austrian Catholics turn on church
Austrian Roman Catholics are up in arms over sex scandals involving local priests and children with increasing numbers threatening to quit the church.

Wolford's earnings up in first three quarters
Vorarlberg textile firm Wolford reported today (Fri) that its earnings before interest and taxes (Ebit) had increased in the first three quarters of its 2009/2010 business year.

More foreign holidays planned this year
More Austrians are planning on holidays abroad this year after 2009 saw a drop in numbers, according to a study by public opinion research agency Karmasin.

Siemens Austria to lay off 500 to 600
Siemens Austria said today (Fri) it would lay off 500 to 600 of 2,000 workers in software division SIS (IT solutions and services) in the near future.

Graz police smash drug ring
An Iranian asylum seeker thought to be the boss of a drug-dealing gang has been arrested along with 11 cohorts, police said today (Fri).

Verbund could lose interest in French Poweo
Austrian energy provider Verbund’s 46 per cent interest in French electricity provider Poweo may become less valuable if the firm makes good on its threat to stop providing service to end customers.

Kasabian roll into Vienna
British indie rock giants Kasabian will return to Austria this summer, it has been revealed.

Paraglider crashes against bus
A 34-year-old paraglider escaped with bruises after smashing into a moving bus in Eben, Tyrol, yesterday (Thurs).