Giant cargo ship

Chinese company BYD has constructed a gigantic cargo ship for transporting its electric cars to Europe. The length of the BYD Explorer No. 1's body is nearly 200 meters, which is equivalent to two football fields. It will be able to deliver 7,000 cars in one trip. Even when fully loaded, it will be able to travel up to 29,200 km without stops. For reference, last year China became the world's largest car exporter, and BYD alone sold over 3 million cars in 2023.

China has started to produce solar roofing tiles

Prices for such a roof are currently at their peak - around $207 per square meter. However, according to eco-optimists' calculations, prices will decrease in the future. Based on the current price, Hanergy estimates the potential domestic market to be 1.4 trillion yuan per year and the global market to be at least twice as large. During a presentation in Beijing, a construction team was able to build a 50 square meter roof using 168 pieces of the new solar roofing tiles in approximately 40 minutes. This installation has a capacity of 5 kW.

Woman with Down Syndrome Becomes Member of Parliament in Spain

In Spain, for the first time, a woman with Down syndrome, 46-year-old politician Mar Gálseran, has become a member of parliament. She entered the parliament of the autonomous community of Valencia. Gálseran intends to prove that she is capable of holding such a responsible position and to encourage society to see not disability, but a person.

Successful SpaceX tests

SpaceX has successfully tested the direct connection of its satellite internet, Starlink, to smartphones. It is specified that messages were sent between two smartphones using the Direct to Cell technology. The technology does not require a base station or a special module in the smartphone. The company intends to launch its mobile service for direct communication with Starlink on the market next year.

First nuclear battery

Chinese company Betavolt claims to have created the first nuclear battery for mobile devices, stating that your smartphone will not need to be charged for 50 years with it. The Betavolt development, which is smaller than a coin, uses Nickel-63 and diamond semiconductors. In theory, electronics will work almost indefinitely with it. The company claims that the battery is completely safe - temperature does not affect the processes inside the battery, and nuclear components will simply decay after the end of their lifespan. Testing is not yet complete, but production of the 1-watt power model is planned for 2025.

Italian doctors successfully restore paralyzed hand for the first time in history

Italian doctors have achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone by restoring function to a paralyzed hand for the first time in history. The patient, a 55-year-old healthcare worker who was involved in a car accident five months ago, underwent a 12-hour surgery where surgeons performed a nerve tissue transplantation from the patient's leg to the paralyzed part of the body.

Dublin Tops the List for Traffic Congestion Worldwide

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, has claimed the top spot in the world for the amount of time its residents spend in traffic jams. These findings were revealed by the traffic analysis company TomTom, who analyzed the road situation in 387 cities across 55 countries worldwide. According to their data, Dubliners lost 158 hours in traffic congestion, with their travel time increasing by 66%. Lima, the capital of Peru, came in second place with 157 hours, followed by Mexico City with 152 hours.

First Execution by Nitrogen Gas in the USA

The first execution by nitrogen gas is planned to be carried out in the United States. Kenneth Eugene Smith is the inmate scheduled to be executed. He was convicted for the murder of a woman in 1988, ordered by her priest-husband who wanted to obtain insurance money to pay off his debts. Smith is one of the two surviving individuals in the United States who survived a failed attempt at a death sentence. In November 2022, his planned execution through lethal injection in Alabama was botched when attempts to insert a catheter into his vein were unsuccessful. Apart from Alabama, such executions are only allowed in Oklahoma and Mississippi.

Artificial Intelligence to Replace Voice Actors in the USA

The Screen Actors Guild in the USA has decided to try using AI for game voiceovers. Now, professional actors can create their own digital voice copies, and game studios will have to pay them for using them.

Adidas and Hello Kitty present

Adidas and Hello Kitty have announced plush slippers to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic Japanese cat. Currently, they are only available in Japan, but will be released in other countries in the coming weeks. The price will be around $50.

Philips Creates Palm Vein Lock for Secure Access

Philips has developed a door lock that can be unlocked by scanning the veins in the palm of the hand. The technology works even with dirty hands and is more secure than Face ID, as it is nearly impossible to forge a vein pattern. Additionally, the lock features a built-in doorbell, PIN code unlock, and access through an application. The price of the lock is $360.

Chinese authorities learn how to hack iPhones

Chinese researchers have managed to intercept data transmitted via AirDrop, thereby being able to obtain the sender's phone number and email address.

Kia's Innovative Modular Truck with Interchangeable Bodies

Kia has created a modular truck with interchangeable bodies that can be attached with magnets and latches. While the front remains the same, the rear can be transformed into a van, pickup truck, minibus, motorhome, or business shuttle. This is currently a concept, but there are plans to introduce something similar into production by 2025.

Oldest Traces of Photosynthesis Found in Ancient Organisms on Earth

Paleontologists have found the oldest traces of photosynthesis in organisms on Earth. They discovered deposits of ancient marine sedimentary rocks in Australia that contain traces of photosynthesis in the cells of cyanobacteria. They are about 1.8 billion years old. Further study of these findings will help refine how and when the first organisms capable of using solar energy to obtain nutrients appeared on our planet.

Prohibition on phones at work does not increase productivity

Prohibition on phones at work does not increase productivity. Scientists conducted a long-term observation in the European branch of a global pharmaceutical company. At the beginning, employees were completely banned from using phones for personal purposes. The rule was introduced in the 1990s out of concerns that employees would be distracted while working with hazardous chemicals. However, over the years, they expressed their dissatisfaction with this policy. After allowing some employees to use phones, their work productivity did not decrease. At the same time, their stress decreased due to the opportunity to stay connected with their loved ones.

Artificial Intelligence Replaces Translators

Duolingo, the language-learning company, dismissed about a thousand translators in December as their work is now successfully, and most importantly - freely, performed by artificial intelligence.

Miraculous Escape: iPhone Survives Fall from 5 Kilometers

The iPhone fell out of an airplane from a height of 5 kilometers and did not shatter. The smartphone was sucked into a hole when the window of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 passenger plane blew out during takeoff. Two days later, the smartphone was found and identified through the electronic ticket purchased for the flight. No one was injured during the incident.

ChatGPT to Be Integrated into Cars: Volkswagen as the First Partnership

ChatGPT will be embedded even in cars. The first in line is Volkswagen: you will be able to talk about practically anything with the car company. By the end of the year, the chatbot will appear in Tiguan, Passat, Golf models, as well as in ID electric cars. It will be initially launched in Europe and then in the USA.

A Japanese Man's Unusual Approach to Polygamy

A Japanese man married four women for money, cunningly bypassing Japan's prohibition on polygamy. He simply divorces each woman immediately after the wedding and continues his relationships outside of marriage. In this way, he has already married four women. Surprisingly, the ladies are entirely supportive of this unconventional approach by their beloved and have already borne him several children. He dedicates time to each of them according to a schedule and lives off their single mothers' benefits. His ultimate dream is to have 54 children, thus breaking the record for the most children by a Japanese general.

81st Golden Globe Awards

The 81st Golden Globe Awards have passed. The film Oppenheimer took a record-breaking 5 statues, also becoming the Best Dramatic Film. The Descendants became the Best Dramatic TV Series, while Some of Us were left without awards in the main categories.