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).

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

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

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?

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.

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.

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