Face recall: A West Midlands, England, community police officer has gained attention for his unusual knack for remembering faces with extraordinary accuracy. Andy Pope, nicknamed the Memory Cop, has managed to help police identify thousands of wanted people over the years. His skill extends beyond ordinary recognition, as he can pick out individuals from blurred security footage, in busy public areas, or even when part of their features are concealed. To keep his memory fresh, he studies images and police updates before heading out on patrol. In one instance, he recognised someone by a small facial mark long after first seeing their picture. His sharp eye for people remains a powerful tool for law enforcement.

Climbing freedom: People have built outdoor ladders that let cats travel safely between balconies and the ground in Bern, Switzerland. Many are homemade, using wood or metal to create ramps and bridges that attach to windows or nearby trees. Some are short and simple, while others stretch several stories high in creative patterns and shapes. The idea began as a way to give cats independence without risking dangerous jumps or long falls. Over time, it spread across the city and caught the attention of visitors, who find the ladders both useful and amusing. Blending practicality with care for animals, Bern's cat ladders have become a familiar and thoughtful part of daily urban life.

Pencil power: Illustrator Rose O'Neill began a groundbreaking career in New York City in the 1890s that reshaped how women were seen in the art world. She started with newspaper drawings, and became one of the first women to earn national attention for her cartoons. Her best-known creations, the Kewpies, appeared in magazines and advertisements, spreading messages of kindness and good humour. Beyond artistic success, O'Neill used her work to promote equality and women's rights, often adding social themes to her drawings. And she supported efforts to help children and families in need. With talent and determination, she turned her art into something joyful and meaningful, and left an enduring mark.

Power cavern: Plans are underway to build the first large-scale energy facility storing compressed air underground. Developed by Augwind Energy, the project in Germany will transform a mined salt cavern into an AirBattery that can hold renewable energy for weeks or even months. The system works by compressing air and releasing it through water chambers to drive turbines when power is needed. Unlike lithium-ion batteries, it uses local materials and avoids dependence on imported metals. Engineers expect the technology to strengthen energy security while balancing solar and wind fluctuations. If successful, the approach could become a model for future clean energy storage projects across Europe.

Let the improvement of yourself keep you so busy that you have no time to criticise others. ~ Roy T. Bennett

No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted. ~ Aesop

Gamblers Anonymous. Monday nights @ 7.30 Oasis centre 126 Bealey Ave

Neighbours helping Neighbours. Want to get a Neighbourhood Support Group going? Contact Dave Wilkinson on 03 420 9944 or www.christchurch.getsready.net

Do you enjoy singing? A small group invite you to join them in singing entertainment for senior groups. Popular songs from all decades. Ring City People on 9814363 for more information

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1. Sherlock Holmes took care of this insect in his retirement.

2. Bronze consists primarily of copper and tin - T/F?

3. Which ancient culture harvested the papyrus plant to make paper?

4. If you visited Big Sur, you would be in which USA state?

5. In what year did the Beatles come to New Zealand?

Battle brew: Instant coffee took off during World War II, when soldiers, sailors, and aviators relied on it for a quick caffeine fix. They then carried the habit home after the war, turning the novel powder into a worldwide everyday drink.

King's cravings: Singer Elvis Presley treated breakfast like a feast. Reports from his longtime cooks describe mornings filled with piled plates of biscuits, eggs, and meats, often served in bed, showing his taste for both comfort and indulgence.

Number itch: Arithmomania is the compulsive drive to count, whether it's steps, cars, or anything else. The urge can fade and return, sometimes pushing people to track exact totals or seek even numbers before feeling satisfied.

Language mosaic: North America once held hundreds of different Indigenous languages and dialects, some unlike any others in existence. In certain areas, the sheer range of languages surpassed all of Europe, reflecting a broad cultural diversity.

Spinning flight: In ancient China, children spun bamboo toys that rose into the air when twirled by hand. The playful design showed how spinning blades could create lift, an idea that later inspired inventors working toward the creation of helicopters.

Bob: Why are elephants so wrinkly? Rob: They're too big to fit on the ironing board.

What's the best day of the week to play a double header in baseball? Tuesday.

Be careful when it is raining cats and dogs. You might step in a poodle.

Did you hear about the kid who eats cold porridge for breakfast? It was pretty gruel.

1. Honey bees 2. True 3. Egyptian 4. California 5. 1964