Papatoetoe / Mangere Edition

Vol. 285-4  December 23, 2024

Ph Marlene 021 0239 6998


Everybody's Talking

Fiery clash: In Morelia, Mexico, a conflict over prime busking territory led to an extraordinary street brawl between a fire-breathing street performer and a mariachi band. Captured by surveillance cameras, the incident begins with a mariachi player chasing and headlocking the performer. The tables turn dramatically as the fire-breather starts exhaling flames, igniting the musicians' clothing. This intense clash occurred outside El Inferno, a local taco spot, with the fire-breather requiring hospital care. Such fierce competition among street performers in Mexico occasionally leads to violent encounters, though this might be the first involving fire breathing.

Towering failure: Goldin Finance 117, a 596-metre skyscraper in Tianjin, China, holds the title of the world's tallest abandoned building. Originally intended as a luxury real estate centrepiece, the project was plagued by financial issues that halted construction multiple times. Despite efforts to resume work, the skyscraper remains unfinished. Its planned 128 floors were designed for hotels, commercial spaces, and operational services. Self-financing and market fluctuations led to the Goldin Group developer eventually abandoning the project. This towering structure now serves as a cautionary tale of over-ambition. Its failure prompted stricter regulations on skyscraper projects in China.

Cashew colossus: In Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, the Cajueiro de Pirangi (Cashew Tree of Pirangi) holds the title of the world's largest cashew tree. Its crown sprawls more than 8,000 square metres with a circumference of about 500 metres. It yields about 60,000 cashew fruits each year. Tourists flock to see this natural wonder, which grows sideways due to a genetic mutation, so its branches root upon contact with the ground. This remarkable growth makes it difficult to identify the original trunk. Believed to be over a thousand years old, the tree offers a unique spectacle that is best appreciated from a high vantage point. The tree is a major local attraction.

Unique vintage: In London, England, content creator Emilie Rae collaborated with Renegade Urban Winery to create a special wine. She personally stomped the grapes from Spain and Lebanon with her bare feet, producing a full-bodied cabernet sauvignon. Rae, who shares content online, is marketing the product to her dedicated followers. Despite nearly slipping and injuring herself during the process, she believes her fans will appreciate that she took part in producing the wine herself. Rae sees this project as a heartfelt tribute to her supporters, offering them a chance to savour a unique, lovingly made wine, though for a price. Each bottle is 100 (GBP).

Quotable Quotes

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest. ~ Larry Lorenzoni

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come. ~ William Shakespeare

Trivia

1. The Mississippi River begins in the USA state of Minnesota, Montana, or Mississippi ? 2. Hamlet sees the ghost of his mother or father? 3. Fish travel in schools. What about whales? 4. Calculus is a type of math that addresses rates of change T/F? 5. The berries on the hawthorn tree are called what?

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
You may have experi­enced the last 18 months as a condensed period of karmic resolution. As this phase starts coming to an end, what have you learned about yourself? Lucky numbers: 6, 17, 19, 26, 30, 39.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Over the last 18 months, a number of insights about your shadow may have emerged from your unconscious. Are you ready to move on from its guilt and fear triggers? Lucky numbers: 5, 16, 17, 19, 23, 28.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
Expect the unexpected toward week's end, par­ticularly related to your relationships with others. Can you find an outside-the-box solution to rectify any conflicts that may emerge? Lucky numbers: 8, 13, 19, 21, 23, 34.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
Your intuitive abilities may be heightened this week, and could impact your emotional reactions. Please try to keep this in mind while interacting with others these holidays. Lucky numbers: 3, 7, 8, 21, 32, 39.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
You may be finding yourself surrounded by chaotic energy in this holiday week. Be sure to get enough rest and carefully think through any deci­sions you need to consider. Lucky numbers: 1, 12, 13, 15, 16, 37.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Your natural optimism may be heightened at week's end. Enjoy the holidays, but remember the adage, “All things in moderation.” Later you might be glad that you did so. Lucky numbers: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 14.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
Over the next few weeks, others may wonder what has happened to your nur­turing nature. You perhaps might be focused for a change building your own suc­cesses. Lucky numbers: 9, 10, 16, 27, 30, 33.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
Have you taken the time yet to evaluate what you may have achieved this year and developed a new set of plans for the new year? If not, why not? What are you waiting for? Lucky numbers: 4, 18, 23, 28, 32, 37.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
Have you taken the time yet to evaluate what you may have achieved this year and developed a new set of plans for the new year? If not, why not? What are you waiting for? Lucky numbers: 4, 18, 23, 28, 32, 37.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
During the next few weeks, an opportunity may arise that you pre­viously might not have considered. Could it help you accomplish your objective in a new way? Lucky numbers: 10, 15, 18, 21, 22, 30.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
The energy for the next few weeks may support your practical and ground­ed nature. If you have postponed a project that requires a lot of work, now may be a good time. Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 10, 22, 30, 40.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
You may find yourself of two minds about how to proceed. Focus on self awareness about the sit­uation. If you're frustrat­ed, avoid any temptation to argue with others. Lucky numbers: 7, 8, 11, 14, 23, 37.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Sagittarius winners with the luckiest number being 3.

Did you know

Sky-high marvel: The Willis Tower, a Chicago, Illinois (U.S.), icon, formerly known as the Sears Tower, offers breathtaking views from its Skydeck, where visitors can see four different states on a clear day. This architectural giant was designed to sway gracefully with the wind.

Super cattle: Beefalo, a hybrid of cattle and bison, blend the traits of both species the hardiness of bison with the milking ease of cattle. This innovative hybrid aims to improve meat quality and efficiency in production.

Tasty ID: Just like fingerprints, your tongue has its own unique print. Scientists discovered that each tongue's shape and texture are one of a kind. This could even be used for future identity verification through advanced imaging technology.

Presidential pets: U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was known for having an eclectic collection of pets, including a hyena named Bill, a gift from Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. Roosevelt taught Bill tricks while the animal was living at the White House.

Banana glow: While bananas look yellow to the naked eye, they reveal a secret under black lights a blue glow! This happens because the chlorophyll in bananas breaks down as they ripen, causing the fruit to fluoresce and emit a blue hue under UV light.

On the lighter side

Why does a mother kangaroo hope it doesn't rain? Because the kids have to play inside.

Humpty Dumpty is just a shell of his former self.

Did you hear about the paranoid bloodhound? He thought everyone was following him.

Mr. Crow: I don't feel like going to work today. Mrs. Crow: Well, caw in sick.

What you call a snowman in December? A puddle.

Answers

1. Minnesota 2. Father 3. Pods 4. True 5. Haws