© europics.at

02. 02. 10. - 14:00

• more Around the World news
• RSS Feed Around the World

02. 02. 10. - 14:00

Fangs for the light

If there's one thing guaranteed to give Po the pit viper a hissy fit, it's missing his morning cigarette.

Because the three-year-old reptile from Taipei in Taiwan has become hooked on nicotine thanks to his owner Sho Lau's 20-a-day habit.

"He is very tame and one day when I threw a cigarette butt away he went for it and seemed to enjoy having it in his mouth," said 33-year-old Lau.

"One thing led to another and before long he was having one cigarette in the morning and another at night. He gets very agitated if I don't have any to spare," he added.

Austrian Times

Man's leg partially amputated after accident
Doctors had to amputate part of worker's right leg yesterday (Thurs) after he inadvertently stuck it into a cutting machine in Schwanenstadt in Upper Austria’s Vöcklabruck district, police said.

New express passport to cost €220
The new Austrian express passport, ready 24 hours after application, starts on 15 March will cost 220 Euros for adults.

Dutchman dies in avalanche
A Dutch skier was swept to his death last night (Thurs/Fri) after being caught in an avalanche in Tyrol’s Arlberg ski area.

Austria´s first Biathlon Hotel opens its doors
Olympic fever has had people the world over fixed to their TV screens this winter and inspired people to don their skis, dust off the ice skates and head to the mountains.

Austrian Bob Dylan date revealed
Folk rock legend Bob Dylan will perform in Austria this summer, it emerged today (Fri).

Drunk driver crashes onto railway track
A drunk female driver wound up on a railway track in Tyrol’s Schwaz district early this morning (Fri) after losing control of her car, police said.

Migratory birds forced back by harsh winter
Migratory birds that left Lake Constance in western Austria for breeding areas in the north have returned to the lake because of the long winter, according to expert Harald Jacoby.

Hypo Vorarlberg has higher operating earnings
Hypo Vorarlberg bank reported yesterday (Thurs) that its operating earnings had increased by 14.6 per cent year on year to 57.3 million Euros in 2009.

Vienna Boys Choir faces sexual abuse claims
A 33-year-old German claimed he was sexually abused during his time at the Vienna Boys Choir.

'Misery' to capture the big stage
A two-person-play based on Stephen King’s psychological horror novel "Misery" will be on at the Volkstheater’s main stage after becoming an audience favourite when performed earlier on the theatre’s smaller attic stage.