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Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris has reopened
It’s been a tumultuous year in French politics, but there was good news at the end of 2024: After being heavily damaged by a fire in its roof in 2019, Notre Dame reopened its doors in December after five years of renovations. and rehabilitation services. The cathedral has a new altar and an ivory interior. Renovation work continues on the exterior of the building. Read more at Guardian.
US Homicide Rate Continues to Fall
In 2020, homicides in US cities rose nearly 30 percent — the largest increase in American history. They remained high for several years, before falling, and are now expected to return to pre-2020 levels for the first time. Data suggest that male unemployment and school closures, particularly in low-income areas, due to the epidemic are responsible for the rise in violence. read more Brookings.
One of the World’s Most Endangered Cats is No Longer Endangered
The Iberian cat, one of the rarest cats in the world, is no longer recognized as endangered. There are now thought to be more than 2,000 feral cats spread across Spain and Portugal—up from just 62 mature cats in 2001. Read more about BBC.
EVs Are Longer than Predicted
Instead of having a shorter lifespan than internal combustion engines, as everyone thinks, EV batteries can last longer. Warranties cover EV batteries for eight years, but they seem to last up to 20. But right now it’s hard to be sure—there are very few EVs on the road that are ten years old. read more THE WIRE.
These Boys Hacked Out AirPods to Give Their Grandma Hearing Aids
When Apple released a software update that enabled his AirPods Pro 2 to act as hearing aids, Rithwik Jayasimha rushed to get one for his grandfather – only to discover that geographic restrictions meant the feature didn’t work in India. Most people would just admit defeat, but Jayasimha grabbed two friends, a piece of paper, and a microwave, and started building a home-made device to overcome geolocation restrictions. read more THE WIRE.
A Multi-Colored Baby Hippo Conquers the Internet
In July, an international sensation was born. Since he was revealed to the public on July 25 at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand, Moo Deng (which translates to “Bouncy Pork”) has become one of the most popular faces on the Internet. Sure, he’s cute. But what made him famous was his reckless personality: sitting in his mother’s food bowl, biting their zookeeper, chasing his fence, and screaming. In 2024, more people will be connected. Read more on The New York Times.
