Blood alternative: Japan is testing a new kind of blood, created in labs, to meet medical needs without relying on constant donations. Aiming to solve supply issues faced by many hospitals worldwide, researchers are exploring synthetic versions that carry oxygen and don't require matching blood types. The project is especially urgent in places like Japan, where a declining population means fewer donors but rising demand. Unlike real blood, these alternatives can be stored longer and used more flexibly in emergencies and remote areas. If the trials succeed, the technology could ease pressure on blood banks and reshape how hospitals and other health officials prepare for surgeries, accidents, and public health crises.

Island wonder: Socotra, an Arabian Sea island off the coast of Yemen, is so unusual it has been likened to another planet. Rugged mountains and dry plateaus rise above stretches of beach and sand, creating a dramatic landscape surrounded by turquoise water. The island shelters many lifeforms found nowhere else on Earth, making it a showcase of rare biodiversity. Among its most recognisable plants are the umbrella-shaped dragon blood trees, with their striking red resin. The distinctive flora give the land a surreal appearance, adding to its mystique. With its unique species and remarkable scenery, Socotra stands out as one of the world's great natural wonders.

Grass legacy: Near the highlands of Huinchiri, Peru, a handwoven bridge stretches over a river, rebuilt each year by dedicated villagers. The design, passed down through generations, follows ancient methods that use tightly braided grass in place of steel or wood. Victoriano Arizapana, the community's bridge master, oversees the process from start to finish, continuing a tradition rooted in Inca engineering. Before work begins, an offering is made to the land, seeking protection. Once completed, the old bridge is cut loose and left to return to nature below. With care, Arizapana secures the final ropes. The bridge then opens for use, ready for another season of crossings.

Book revival: There is amulti-level bookshop blending history with modern design in Zwolle, Netherlands. The building's tall arches and long central aisle remain untouched, while new structures have been added along the sides without altering the original frame. Visitors can browse the collection, pause under restored paintings, or listen to the organ during events. The space offers a mix of fiction, nonfiction, and children's books, and also features a cafe. Upstairs, a replica skeleton hints at the site's medieval past. The building now operates as a functional retail space with room for events and community use. Everything fits without disrupting the building's original layout.

Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination. ~ Voltaire

Don't feel stupid if you don't like what everyone else pretends to love. ~ Emma Watson

Free notices for not for profits rudy@coffeenews.co.nz

1. What country is known as the Land of a Thousand Lakes?

2. The musical West Side Story is a retelling of this Shakespeare play.

3. This light show happens when solar particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

4. A horse's height is measured in _____.

5. Who wrote the song This Land Is Your Land?

Star sand: On certain beaches in Japan, sand isn't made of tiny rocks but tiny star-shaped shells instead. These are remnants of microscopic sea creatures, leaving behind beaches dotted with natural and unusual patterns.

Desert glass: In the sands of Libya and Egypt, pale yellow glass pieces are thought to have been formed when intense heat from a meteor impact melted the desert surface. The result is a rare natural glass, admired for both its beauty and unusual origin.

Tower watch: Fire lookout towers began as wooden perches, later becoming sturdy steel cabins high above the trees. Once vital for spotting wildfires, they gradually were replaced by satellites and aircrafts. Many still stand as restored landmarks or retreats.

Pregnancy pause: Some mammals, including kangaroos, seals, and certain species of bears, can put their pregnancies on hold until conditions are more favourable for their offspring. This natural delay is one of nature's clever ways of protecting new life.

Silent surprise: Composer John Cage's piece 4'33 asks musicians to play nothing, turning audience sounds into the performance. Listeners soon realise true silence doesn't exist. Every shuffle, breath, or cough becomes part of the music.

Some dogs are pointers. Mine's a nudger. He's too polite to point.

Restaurant hostess to chicken: We don't serve poultry here. Chicken: That's OK, I want a coffee.

What do you call a story told by a giraffe? A tall tale.

Lots of people want to travel to the Netherlands to buy clogs. Wouldn't shoe?

If things get better with age, I'm approaching magnificent!

1. Finland 2. Romeo and Juliet 3. Aurora 4. Hands 5. Woody Guthrie