Art multi-tasker: In Rotterdam, Netherlands, Rajacenna van Dam is turning heads by creating hyper-realistic portraits using all four of her limbs at once. Mastering a skill she developed to stay productive, she simultaneously draws intricate works with her hands and feet, completing up to six pieces at a time. Her inspirations often come from well-known public figures, from pop stars to royalty. Creating each work of art is a meticulous process, sometimes requiring over 40 hours to perfect. She attributes her ability to an unusually connected brain, enabling her to seamlessly switch focus between pieces. This technical artistry transforms multitasking into a captivating spectacle. Who says masterpieces need just one pair of hands?

Oil survivor: In the La Brea Tar Pits near Los Angeles, California USA, the petroleum fly has adapted to thrive in a place that traps and kills countless other creatures. These tiny flies are the only species to develop in toxic petroleum, calling this natural asphalt home. The larvae feed on trapped insects and arthropods, all while consuming petroleum without harm. Their translucent bodies reveal ingested oil passing harmlessly through. Even extreme conditions, like high temperatures or chemical exposure, fail to faze them. The asphalt doubles as a moisturiser, protecting their bodies from drying out in the sun. These resilient insects prove that life can thrive in the most unexpected places.

Quake resilience: In earthquake-prone Japan, skyscrapers are engineered to move with the earth, making them exceptionally safe. Built along the Pacific Ring of Fire, these high-rises withstand frequent quakes without sustaining damage or collapsing. During rare, extreme events like the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake, their design prioritizes protecting lives over structural perfection. Flexible engineering allows the buildings to sway rather than resist, minimizing the risk of catastrophe. The striking skyscrapers of Tokyo and Osaka may seem immovable, but their hidden adaptability is their ability not just to stand firm, but to be flexible when necessary.

Storm bringer: Tlaloc, an influential deity in Mesoamerican mythology, embodies the dual power of water. As the Aztec god of rain, lakes, fertility, and agriculture, he controlled life-sustaining rains while wielding deadly thunder and hail when angered. Farmers revered him for nourishing crops, and his domain extended to overseeing the Third Sun, a water-dominated world in Aztec cosmology. Tlaloc's origins predate the Aztecs; earlier cultures like the Maya and Zapotec worshipped Chaac and Cocijo, their versions of him. His image, often depicted with goggle eyes, fanged teeth, and vivid symbolism, reflected water's vital yet unpredictable role in survival.

You cannot imitate somebody else's journey and still be true to yourself. ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn

Nobody deserves your tears. But whoever deserves them will not make you cry. ~ Gabriel Garca Mrquez

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

1. Does a turtle have teeth?

2. Roman Emperor Hadrian built this 128 km structure in Britain.

3. In what year was the iPod introduced?

4. Mt. Fansipan is the highest point in Vietnam - T/F?

5. Georges Braque and _____ pioneered the Cubism artistic movement

Taste feet: Butterflies rely on their feet to taste, using special leg sensors to detect sugars and nutrients in food. Female butterflies even taste leaves to find the perfect spots for laying their delicate eggs.

Volcanic giant: Mars is home to Olympus Mons, the largest volcano in the solar system. This colossal mountain, larger than the entire Hawaiian island chain, rises far above the Martian plains, dwarfing Earth's mightiest volcanic peaks.

Grave warning: William Shakespeare's tomb bears a fierce curse likely penned by the Bard himself, warning misfortune upon anyone who dares move his bones. This ominous message reveals his fear of eternal disturbance.

Cartoon roots: Snoop Dogg, the famous rapper, got his stage name from Peanuts, the classic comic strip and TV show. His mother affectionately called him Snoopy after the cartoon dog, and the name stuck, shaping the persona he is famous for today.

Fresh fix: Believe it or not, cucumbers can combat bad breath. This green veggie boosts saliva, helping to wash away bacteria that cause odours. It's a natural, refreshing way to keep breath clean, straight from the produce aisle.

Madge: Will you continue to read palms? Flora: No, there's no future in that line of work.

How do pigs say good-bye? With hogs and kisses.

Summer always seems like a long season; it starts in one year and ends in the next.

An optometrist fell into his lens grinder. He made a spectacle of himself.

Why did the elephant hate to play cards in the jungle? Because there were too many cheetahs.

1. No 2. Wall 3. 2001 4. True 5. Pablo Picasso