Exploding blast furnace creates duck sanctuary
Sat Feb 22, 2025 9:11 am
Two months ago, a poorly maintained boning joint in the Shangentao blast furnace in North Marmurnia resulted in an explosion that registered on seismic detectors on the other side of the planet.
Though, luckily, only a few people were killed in the explosion, the blast furnace was a key component in the Marmurnian economy, and its loss triggered an economic collapse that devastated the lives of the Marmurnian peasants living in the region. Thousands have died from malnutrition, typhoid is now rife and millions are now living in abject poverty.
On the bright side, the crater left by the exploding furnace has become a sanctuary for ducks, who like having a paddle in the little lake that has formed there.
Sport >
2nd Test starts Sunday
Fri Feb 21, 2025 9:21 am
While most eyes in the sporting world will be on the big second semi-final playoff between the Bears and the Snakes taking place in the Salad Bowl on Friday, we mustn't forget that the 2nd Test versus Umbria starts this weekend.
After the wash-out of the 1st Test both teams will be looking forward to a competitive match, with conditions looking perfect at the Costcuttle Ground in Jillhadi. Umbrian captain Majahid Ranmanakoolaban said "We're hoping for a good match. The ground is looking well-prepared, the weather is set fine, we're all strapped in and ready to go".
The five match Test series is vitally important to both teams, who are both currently tied in 3rd and 4th in the world rankings. Victory for either side will give them a spare berth in the World Cup that starts in the summer.
Science & Technology >
Probe to be launched this weekend
Wed Feb 19, 2025 4:11 pm
The Imaginary Space Agency (ISA) has confirmed all is on track and looking good for the 'Explorer IV' probe which is planned to launch this weekend.
If all goes well, the Explorer will be lifted through the atmosphere and enter geostationary orbit on Sunday evening. After a brief systems check, the probe's engines will burn for an additional 45 minutes setting it on its long journey to Marrrrrs. Assuming the burn completes successfully, the probe will then be put into hibernation for 3 weeks as it traverses the 50 million miles between the planets, before waking and firing its engines a final time to enter an elliptical orbit around Marrrrrs at the beginning of December.
We'll be providing regular updates on the mission as they occur.
Unrelated stories:
Arts & Entertainment >
Dead 80's rocker planning a comeback
Fri Feb 21, 2025 7:12 am
Street theatre raised to new levels
Wed Feb 19, 2025 3:59 pm
New shows coming to Nooplux
Mon Feb 17, 2025 1:33 pm
Markets >
ISE 100 - down 0.8 at 4082.9ICU down 0.06% against the Euro
Up 1c against the PD
We occasionally potter about in the garden.
Business wire >
T&N merger options floated
Multi-national T&N today floated merger options, with a hefty 160% floater in the offering.
According to people familiar with the offer a sizeable portion of the floatation will be in tanks, with late day rounding fees being avoided in line with the recently updated FANDAQ ruling ; a move that is likely to be warmly welcomed by the majority of shareholders in both businesses.
Both T&N shares jumped rapidly after the announcement, before rebounding frequently.
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