Tauranga

Vol. 289-2  April 14, 2025

Phone 022 350 8096


Everybody's Talking

Plastic roads: A Singapore-based start-up is transforming how plastic waste is managed by turning it into materials for building roads. Using innovative technology, plastic waste, including contaminated materials like hospital disposables, is processed into NEWBitumen, an alternative to conventional road materials. This innovation has already diverted significant amounts of plastic from incineration, including through a project that used NEWBitumen to pave a green driveway. By offering a sustainable solution to the plastic waste crisis, the initiative highlights how industries can reduce reliance on natural resources. It proves that one person's trash can truly become another's pathway forward.

Waterway wonder: Near Haunaut, Belgium, the Sart Canal Bridge masterfully blends into the landscape, making its engineering brilliance easy to overlook. Spanning 498 metres, this impressive structure serves as both a road and a waterway, supporting a canal that transports massive quantities of water. Built on challenging terrain, the bridge stands strong and durable with innovative construction techniques. Part of the Canal du Centre, it connects major waterways and facilitates both cargo and passenger movement, boosting regional efficiency. Beyond its utility, it has become a popular spot for tourists, offering stunning views, and a testament to human ingenuity. Sometimes even bridges make waves!

Time painter: Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport features a unique art installation a clock where the time appears to be painted by hand. Created by Dutch designer Maarten Baas as part of his Real Time series, the piece uses video to show a man in overalls meticulously painting and wiping the clock's hands minute by minute. The clock hangs prominently in the airport lounge, blending functional design with performance art, and capturing the attention of millions of travellers each year. With its red bucket, yellow cloth, and subtle nods to Dutch art icons, the piece invites travellers to reflect on the passage of time in a new, thought-provoking way. In this airport, watching the clock has never been so fascinating.

Desert blooms: South Africa's Namaqualand turns into a breathtaking sea of flowers after winter rains. The once-barren land comes alive with bright orange, pink, and yellow blooms, creating a stunning and temporary natural wonder admired by many. This region hosts countless unique plants, including tough annuals that quickly grow and scatter seeds, and hardy bulb plants that spring to life after lying dormant underground for months. Known for its exceptional variety of bulb flowers, Nieuwoudtville is a standout spot to witness this vibrant transformation, earning it the title of a true floral paradise for avid nature enthusiasts, botanists, and photographers worldwide.

Quotable Quotes

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved. ~ Victor Hugo

Gentleness is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force. ~ Herman Hesse

Trivia

1. Copenhagen is the capital of _____.

2. Who wrote the books in the Bridgerton Series?

3. What is a group of leopards called?

4. This woman predicted the fall of Troy.

5. A plant transforms light energy into chemical energy by this process.

Your Weekly Horoscope

ariesAries (March 21 - April 19)
Spiritual development may start becoming a focus for you. A new opportunity for progress in this area might be available soon if you keep your eyes open for it. Lucky numbers: 2, 9, 21, 26, 33, 40.
libraLibra (Sept 24 - Oct 23)
Have you been hesitant to approach a conversa­tion about an ongoing issue with a business or romantic partner? At mid­week, you may find the courage to do so. Lucky numbers: 9, 10, 16, 24, 35, 40.
taurusTaurus (April 20- May 20)
Your birthday month is a good time to set new goals for the next 12 months. This year, con­sider looking for oppor­tunities that take you outside of your comfort zone. Lucky numbers: 3, 8, 12, 14, 19, 38.
scorpioScorpio (Oct 24- Nov 21)
Six months have passed since your birthday month. Did you set new goals at that time? How well are things going? Think what adjust­ments, may be needed now and apply them. Lucky numbers: 1, 2, 4, 8, 18, 27.
geminiGemini (May 21- June 21)
Geminis generally tend to rely on their own thought processes in deci­sion making. But during midweek, perhaps consider lean­ing toward what your heart may tell you. Lucky numbers: 7, 15, 16, 28, 31, 40.
sagittariusSagittarius (Nov22-Dec21)
Your enthusiasm level may be very high at mid­week. You could use this energy to recruit others to aid your endeavours. Be careful not to oversell yourself or your efforts. Lucky numbers: 5, 13, 23, 26, 34, 35.
cancerCancer (June 22 - July 22)
At the end of the week, you may be able to tap into a wellspring of ground­ed energy. Might you be able to use this energy to find a solution to an emotion­al issue? Lucky numbers: 6, 10, 12, 18, 31, 37.
capricornCapricorn (Dec 22- Jan 19)
You may be tempted at week's end to keep push­ing through. But you may be better served to instead wind down and relax for the weekend. Things may look differ­ent next week. Lucky numbers: 6, 9, 10, 13, 21, 29.
leoLeo (July 23 - Aug 22)
For the next few weeks, your ambition level may kick into high gear, giving you energy to pursue goals. But try not to be overly aggressive with others now. Lucky numbers: 7, 16, 21, 22, 25, 28.
aquariusAquarius (Jan 20- Feb 18)
At the end of the week, informa­tion may emerge from your unconscious that could reveal a new oppor­tunity. Be careful about what insights you share with others. Lucky numbers: 4, 6, 7, 16, 17, 20.
virgoVirgo (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
Next month, a grounded energy could support your Virgo skill set. If you can be careful not to be obstinate with others, you may be able to achieve so much more. Lucky numbers: 5, 14, 18, 19, 22, 23.
piscesPisces (Feb 19 - March 20)
Do you have a “passion project” that has been on hold? Now may be a good time to bring it to fruition. The opportunities for doing so might not be very obvious. Lucky numbers: 9, 12, 16, 17, 33, 40.
Lucky numbers for the week: Lucky numbers this week: This week's odds favour Leo winners with the luckiest number being 7.

Did you know

Message milestone: Email as we know it today was invented in 1971 when Ray Tomlinson created a way to send messages between computers. He used the now-famous @ symbol, regarding it as nothing more than a fun experiment.

Frozen pain: Brain freeze, scientifically known as sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, happens when cold food chills the mouth's roof. Rapid blood vessel changes trigger pain signals, creating quick, sharp headaches often felt in the forehead or temples.

Iconic improv: The famous I'm king of the world! line in Titanic was not in the original movie script. At director James Cameron's suggestion, Leonardo DiCaprio shouted it during filming. The moment became a memorable highlight.

Combat queens: Female fighters known as Gladiatrix brought unique excitement to Roman games, battling wild beasts or skilled opponents. Trained similarly to male gladiators, they defied societal norms and thrilled audiences with daring combat.

Sack chic: During the Great Depression, families turned flour and feed sacks into clothing. Companies caught on, printing sacks with pretty patterns, making them a surprising blend of necessity and fashion in tough times.

On the lighter side

How do you put an astronaut to sleep? You rocket.

If the lightning scares you, don't worry. It's over in a flash.

Did you hear about the nuclear physicist who had too many ions in the fire?

Mother: Why are you selling mudpies? Daughter: I want to get filthy rich.

It's easy to get scammed online ... I ordered some expensive jewellery for my wife, and they sent me a new set of golf clubs!

Answers

1. Denmark 2. Julia Quinn 3. Leap 4. Cassandra 5. Photosynthesis