Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Reopens

It has been a turbulent year in French politics, but there is at least some good news at the end of 2024: After being badly damaged by a fire in its roof-space in 2019, Notre Dame reopened its doors in December after five years of rehabilitation. and renovation works. The cathedral boasts a new altar and a dazzling ivory-colored interior. Renovations are ongoing on the exterior of the building. Read more at Guardian.

The US Homicide Rate Continues to Decline

In 2020, homicides in US cities increased by an average of 30 percent — the largest recorded spike in American history. They remained high for several years, before starting to fall, and are now expected to return to pre-2020 levels for the first time. The data suggest that male unemployment and school closures, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, as a result of the pandemic are key factors in the rise in violence. Read more at Brookings.

One of the World’s Most Rare Cats is No Longer Endangered

The Iberian lynx, one of the rarest cat species in the world, is no longer classified as endangered. It is now believed that more than 2,000 of these feral cats are spread across Spain and Portugal—up from just 62 mature cats in 2001. Read more about BBC.

EVs Last Longer Than Predicted

Instead of having a shorter life than internal combustion engines, as everyone thinks, EV batteries can last longer. Warranties typically cover EV batteries for eight years, but it looks like they could last up to 20. But right now it’s hard to be sure—there are some EVs on the road that are even a decade old. Read more at WIRED.

These Guys Hacked AirPods to Give Their Grandmothers Hearing Aids

When Apple released a software update that enabled his AirPods Pro 2 earbuds to function as hearing aids, Rithwik Jayasimha rushed to get some for his grandmother—only to find out the location restrictions meant that part does not work in India. Most people would just admit defeat, but Jayasimha took two friends, some foil, and a microwave, and started working on creating a homemade device to get rid of geolocation restrictions. Read more at WIRED.

A Baby Pygmy Hippo Conquers the Internet

In July, a global sensation was born. Since being unveiled to the public on July 25 at Thailand’s Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Moo Deng (which translates as “Bouncy Pork”) has become one of the most recognizable faces on the internet. Of course, he’s cute. But what propelled him to fame was his sassy personality: sitting on his mom’s food bowl, biting his zookeeper, charging around his enclosure, and screaming. In 2024, many people will be able to relate. Read more at The New York Times.