Hutt Valley Edition

Vol. 286-3  January 20, 2025

Phone 021 421 346


Everybody's Talking

Razor letter: In China, Beijing University of Chemical Technology surprised new students with an extraordinary admission letter made from a high-tech carbon fibre material. Surprisingly thin at just 0.2 millimetres, these letters are incredibly tough and are strong enough to slice through fruits and meat. Freshmen have eagerly shared videos online, demonstrating the letters' ability to withstand heat and sharpness tests. Despite the online buzz, the university has urged students to treat their innovative admission letters with care, emphasising their value as a symbol of achievement rather than a tool for experiments. It turns out being on the cutting edge of innovation can start with an acceptance letter!

Nature's canvas: In Montral, Qubec (Canada), an artist named Raku Inoue has carved a unique niche for himself by turning the natural world into a vibrant canvas. Using petals, leaves, and other plant materials, Inoue carefully crafts detailed representations of pop culture figures, animals, and even brand logos. His creative journey began one windy day when fallen rose petals in his yard sparked the idea to transform them into art. His first creation, a delicate beetle, blossomed into a series of intricate designs, including lifelike animals and iconic characters like Super Mario. After photographing each piece, Inoue returns the natural materials to the earth through composting, celebrating the fleeting beauty of each piece.

Eco slope: CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen, Denmark, offers a unique twist on traditional skiing. You can ski right on its roof! The facility turns non-recyclable waste into energy while featuring a ski slope made of Neveplast, an eco-friendly material designed to feel like snow. Visitors can also hike along landscaped trails or scale a climbing wall on the building's facade. The rooftop, where the ski slope is located, offers stunning panoramic views of the city, complete with a bar for post-ski relaxation. At the base, a ski school, rental shop, and cafe round out the experience, blending recreation with sustainability in an urban setting. Skiing on a power plant? Just another day of turning trash into treasure!

Posh pooch: Fashion house Dolce & Gabbana has introduced Fef, a premium dog perfume priced at $99 (USD) per bottle. This lavish scent, inspired by the close bond between one of the brand's founders and his dog, is presented in an elegant glass bottle with a gold-plated paw accent. Fef combines the soothing aromas of ylang-ylang, musk, and sandalwood. Though the perfume is certified as safe for pets, some experts are concerned about the potential irritation it might cause dogs. Critics have also pointed out the steep price, which may be hard to justify during challenging economic times. Nonetheless, for those who believe their furry friends deserve the height of luxury, Fef offers a unique way to indulge them.

Quotable Quotes

Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses. ~ Confucius

Hold a true friend with both your hands. ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Trivia

1. Dutch dancer Mata Hari spied for Germany and France in World War I T/F?

2. What is the capital of New Zealand?

3. Shakespeare wrote 154 of this poetic form.

4. A mongoose, parrot, or otter is immune to snake venom?

5. The study of weather and climate is called what?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
Aries likes to win. Look for an opportunity right now that will also allows others to win. While this may not be immediately gratifying, it could be satisfying in the long run. Lucky numbers: 3, 5, 15, 21, 28, 35.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Your natural charm may be on display early in the week. If you have a request or perhaps a message that you need to communicate, now might be a favourable time to do so. Lucky numbers: 11, 16, 20, 35, 37, 40.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
What goal do you really want to achieve? If you communicate your vision to others this week, an opportunity for them to help you may emerge in an unexpected way. Lucky numbers: 9, 11, 16, 27, 29, 37.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
At midweek difficult or painful information may emerge from your unconscious. This might be easy to just ignore, but pro­cessing it may also prove to be in your best interest. Lucky numbers: 17, 20, 21, 31, 34, 40.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
You may feel at a stale­mate at the end of the week. Are you able to balance the differing views within yourself? If not, perhaps wait a few days to make a decision. Lucky numbers: 10, 12, 19, 25, 27, 31.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
You may be feeling restricted in your relationship at the moment. Unless you are in a dangerous situation, try to wait a few days to decide if you feel the need to break free. Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 28.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
At week's end, you may have an insight about how to manifest a heart­felt goal. But be careful in presenting this idea to others, as your fervour may easily alienate them. Lucky numbers: 1, 4, 6, 19, 25, 39.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
Capricorns are tempted to go it alone and claim full credit for achieving goals. For the next few weeks, communicating and joining with others may also prove to be beneficial. Lucky numbers: 7, 11, 15, 19, 28, 35.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
You are about halfway through the year that started at your birthday. If you set goals then, how are they progressing? Where might you need to make a course correction? Lucky numbers: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 27.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
Your birthday month is a good time to set goals. In doing so, perhaps consider what you might want your life to look like 18 years from now. That is when Pluto leaves Aquarius. Lucky numbers: 12, 18, 21, 32, 37, 40.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Your practical commu­nications style may be enhanced at the moment. Now may be a good time for a presen­tation where fine details may make a difference in the outcome. Lucky numbers: 8, 11, 12, 15, 24, 39.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
You may receive impor­tant, intuitive insights at week's end. Rather than dreaming of castles in the air, focus on concrete ways that you could man­ifest these concepts. Lucky numbers: 8, 10, 13, 17, 24, 30.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Libra winners with the luckiest number being 35.

Did you know

Tiny transmitter: The smallest bone in the human body, the stapes, is essential for hearing. Resembling a stirrup, it passes sound vibrations to the inner ear. If this bone is damaged, it can result in significant hearing loss.

Pug royalty: Pugs, an ancient breed from China, were kept as royal companions. Known for their loyal, affectionate nature, these little dogs were so prized by Chinese emperors that they even had their own guards. That's true royal treatment!

Change maker: Jeannette Rankin made history in 1916 as the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Known for her powerful speeches, she fought for women's voting rights, and her efforts in Montana helped promote voting equality nationwide.

Frisbee legacy: Walter Morrison, creator of the iconic Frisbee, left behind more than just a famous toy. After his passing, his family lovingly turned his ashes into a series of Frisbees, keeping his unique invention close forever.

Aqua beasts: Despite their massive size and love for water, hippos can't actually swim. Instead, they walk along the riverbed and push up for air when needed, using their dense, heavy bodies to stay comfortably submerged.

On the lighter side

Frankenstein's monster: I don't have the energy to leave the office.

Doctor: I guess I didn't charge you enough.

What's covered in soot and performs in silence? A coal mime.

R.S.V.P.: Rush in, Shake hands, Vanish Promptly.

Hickory Dickory Dock, the mice ran up the clock. The clock struck one, and the rest escaped with minor injuries.

Answers

1. True 2. Wellington 3. Sonnets 4. Mongoose 5. Meteorology