Happy Monday! 🌞 

Did you know that the word “factoid” actually means something that is repeated as a fact, but is actually incorrect? Which is ironic, as for quite a while I thought that it meant “a little fact”.

So, now that we have that cleared up, here are some factoids.

1. "Lightning never strikes the same place twice." In reality, lightning often strikes the same place multiple times, especially tall and isolated structures like the Empire State Building, which is struck by lightning around 100 times per year.

2. "The Great Wall of China is visible from space." Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China is not visible from space with the naked eye. It's actually quite difficult to see even from low Earth orbit, as it blends in with the surrounding landscape.

3. "Humans only use 10% of their brains." This myth has been debunked by modern neuroscience. In reality, humans use almost all of their brains, even during seemingly simple tasks. Brain scans have shown that various parts of the brain are active during different activities, and there is no part of the brain that is completely inactive.

I hope you found those interesting! Now, on the the news.

World News

Notre Dame Restoration

The restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris continues with the recent installation of a golden copper rooster weathervane atop its new spire. This weathervane, symbolizing France's national emblem, replaces the original one lost in the devastating 2019 fire. While the fire caused significant damage, including the destruction of the roof and spire, it spared much of the historic structure, parts of which date back to 1163.

The original weathervane was found in the rubble but was irreparably damaged. The new weathervane was consecrated by the Archbishop of Paris before being mounted on the cathedral. Inside the rooster, relics, including pieces believed by many to be part of Christ's Crown of Thorns, were placed.

Architect Philippe Villeneuve, who designed the rooster, described its "wings of fire" as a symbol of the cathedral's rebirth from ashes. Philippe Jost, leading the restoration, called the project "an unparalleled human adventure" and noted that the spire, standing 96 meters tall, signals the nearing end of the restoration. Once the roof is completed, the scaffolding will be removed, revealing the rooster in its full glory.

Innovative fire protection measures, including a misting system in the attics, have been implemented to prevent future fire risks. The restoration also involves recreating and restoring the cathedral's gargoyles, religious icons, and ornaments.

Following the fire, French President Emmanuel Macron set an ambitious five-year timeline for the restoration. The cathedral is now on track to reopen in December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the revival of one of Paris's most iconic landmarks.

If you want to see the rooster, you can find some images here. If you want to see some more images of the reconstruction progress, you can find them here.

Innovation

A Smartphone Repairability Revolution

Nokia has made a bold and innovative move by making the first smartphone specifically designed for easy repair at home. With the release of this groundbreaking device, Nokia has set a new standard in the smartphone industry, focusing on sustainability and user convenience.

The Nokia G22's unique design allows users to replace essential components such as the battery and screen with ease. This feature not only saves time and money but also significantly reduces electronic waste. Nokia has partnered with iFixit, a leading online repair community, to provide customers with comprehensive repair guides and Fix Kits containing all the necessary tools and parts.

Other notable features of the Nokia G22 is its commitment to reducing waste. Its easily reparable design helps reduce wast, the device also boasts a 100% recycled plastic cover. Furthermore, the G22's battery is designed to maintain over 80% capacity after 800 cycles, which is well above the industry standard.

This is a super cool innovation to see. Hopefully some other phone companies will follow suit.

Culture

Luke Combs Pays Fan 500k

Country star Luke Combs publicly apologized to Nicol Harness, a Florida woman, after she was ordered to pay $250,000 for selling fan merchandise with his likeness. Combs, known for his song "Fast Car," promised to repay her double the amount.

Harness suffers from congestive heart failure and earns a living selling tumblers and t-shirts on Amazon. She told WFLA of Tampa that she made just $380 from selling 18 tumblers featuring Combs, unaware that she was infringing copyright.

She was unaware of the lawsuit filed against her and others in October in Illinois federal court, learning of it only when the case concluded on November 15, with a judge ruling her liable for federal trademark infringement and counterfeiting. The judgment barred her from using Combs' trademarks and ordered her to pay $250,000, a sum she claimed she couldn't afford.

“I didn’t mean any harm to Luke Combs... I quit selling the tumbler. I just don’t understand,” Harness expressed her distress to WFLA.

After Harness' story was published, Combs responded via social media, expressing his remorse: “I woke up...sick to my stomach. I was completely and utterly unaware of this," he said on Instagram. He explained that his company targets large counterfeit operations, not individuals like Harness.

Combs revealed his conversation with Harness, saying, "I'm so apologetic... it makes me sick honestly that this would happen, especially at the holidays." He learned that Harness had $5,500 locked in her Amazon account due to the court's ruling and decided to send her $11,000 immediately to alleviate her worries.

Additionally, Combs plans to create a tumbler for his official merchandise, with proceeds aiding Harness's medical expenses. He also invited her and her family to a concert to apologize personally, adding, "I just wanted to clear this up because it makes me sick for anybody to think I'm this kind of person."

Environment

Extinct to Endangered for the First Time Ever

A remarkable first has unfolded—the scimitar-horned oryx, once declared extinct in the wild, is now classified only as endangered. This is the first time the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has ever moved a species on its Red List from 'Extinct in the Wild' to 'Endangered.

The recovery was a result of the conservation efforts of zoos worldwide, as well as game breeders in the Texas hill country. Meanwhile, the governments of Abu Dhabi and Chad worked together on a reintroduction program.

Chad, despite being one of the most corrupt countries on Earth and ranking second-lowest on the UN Development Index, is home to the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Faunal Reserve, a protected desert and savannah the size of Scotland—around 30,000 square miles or 10 times the size of Yellowstone.

In 2012, Environment Abu Dhabi, the government of Chad, the Sahara Conservation Fund, and the Zoological Society of London secured the support of local landowners and nomadic herders for the reintroduction of the scimitar-horned oryx to the reserve.

Environment Abu Dhabi initiated the project, gathering captive animals from zoos and private collections worldwide to ensure genetic diversity. In March 2016, the first 21 animals from this "world herd" were released over time into a fenced-off part of the reserve where they could acclimatize. One female gave birth—the first oryx born into its native habitat in over three decades.

In late January 2017, 14 more animals were flown to the reserve in Chad from Abu Dhabi.

In 2022, the IUCN's Red List officially assessed the rewilded species, determining them to be 'Endangered,' not 'Critically Endangered,' with a population of between 140 and 160 individuals that was increasing, not decreasing.

This remarkable achievement is a testament to international scientific and governmental collaboration, demonstrating that zoological efforts to breed endangered and even extinct animals in captivity can be successful if suitable habitat remains for their return.

Mind Stretchers

When is a door no longer a door?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
A book 📖 

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