AI Designs Functional Scramjet Engine in Dubai

In Dubai, AI designed a functional scramjet engine from scratch in 3 weeks. The startup LEAP 71 3D-printed a prototype, which ran for 11 seconds in a fire test, generating a thrust of 5 kN.

Elon Musk on the Future of Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk believes that artificial intelligence could become smarter than humans by the end of 2025. "And the probability that AI will surpass the intelligence of all humans combined by 2030 is 100%," he stated.

Electronic Cigarettes in India with Phone Features

In India, electronic cigarettes with phone features have been released. The Smart Kit 25000 from the startup Organic Era is equipped with a touchscreen that allows users to calculate with a calculator, set alarms, play music, even play games, and make phone calls.

Christopher Nolan to Film Homer’s ‘Odyssey’

Christopher Nolan will direct a film based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, the ‘Odyssey’. The movie will star Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, with filming for the “mythical action film” set to begin in early 2025. Nolan’s previous film — ‘Oppenheimer’ — grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide, and among his other successful works are the ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, ‘Inception’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘Dunkirk’.

Honda and Nissan Begin Merger Process

Honda and Nissan have officially begun the merger process. The new holding will become the third-largest car brand in the world. Only Toyota and Volkswagen are larger. The main reason, according to the companies, is the growth of Chinese automakers, which "will take over the industry" if potential against them is not "increased." The merger will be completed in 2026: Mitsubishi may also join them.

Moon Complex Project with Artificial Gravity

Scientists from Kyoto and the construction company Kajima have proposed a project for a moon complex with artificial gravity. The Lunar Glass complex is a rotating glass structure with a height of 400 meters and a diameter of 200 meters, and it will have a capacity of 10,000 people. The space building will start being constructed from 2025.

"Anora" - Best Film of 2024

"Anora" is the best film of 2024 according to Rotten Tomatoes. The film garnered 43 awards, becoming the most honored film of 2024, surpassing "Brutalist" and "Wicked" in terms of awards. The film tells the story of a stripper from Brooklyn who meets her "prince" - a Russian oligarch. Ultimately, the "Cinderella story" turns into a farce.

Elon Musk Proposes Mandatory Cognitive Testing

Elon Musk proposed mandatory cognitive ability testing for American officials. This statement was prompted by the case of 81-year-old Congresswoman Kay Granger from Texas, who got lost on the street and was taken to a nursing home for dementia patients.

Largest ship with rotor sails

The Chinese, together with the British, have launched the world's largest rotor sail ship. Thanks to fuel savings, they will allow for a reduction of CO₂ emissions by 3,000 tons per year. The ship will be used to transport iron ore. During loading and unloading, the 35-meter-high sails fold onto the deck without causing any obstruction, and on the water, they rotate under the influence of the wind, generating additional thrust.

Unusual Sculptures

Sculptures by the American artist Thomas Deininger, which look like paintings from the front but are actually glued trash. From toys and other debris found in dumps, he creates figures of birds, insects, and fish, as well as portraits of people, many of which are exhibited in prestigious exhibitions.

Robot Ants Invented in South Korea

In South Korea, robot ants have been invented that are only 0.06 cm tall. They are controlled by a magnetic field, and their 'swarm' can lift objects that are hundreds of times heavier than each robot. The invention will assist specialists in the field of medicine.

World Record

In the Chinese city of Jinan, the construction of an underwater tunnel with a diameter of 17 meters has been completed – a world record. For comparison, the Eurotunnel under the English Channel has a diameter of just 7.6 meters. The road was excavated using the monstrous Shanhe tunnel boring machine, which is as tall as a five-story building.

Dyer's Burger in Memphis Fries Patties in 100-Year-Old Oil

Dyer's Burger in Memphis fries the patties in oil that is over 100 years old - it hasn't been changed since 1912, but is periodically filtered and topped with new oil. According to legend, the "secret recipe" originated when the staff simply forgot to drain the old oil in the kitchen, but customers liked the taste so much that it was decided to make it the trademark of the establishment. After each shift, all the fat and oil is saved - there are now more than 10 buckets in reserve.

Volkswagen Reconsiders Closing German Factories

Volkswagen has decided not to close factories in Germany: instead, the capacity of several of them will be reduced and 35,000 jobs will be cut. However, nobody will be laid off: the reduction of jobs will be implemented by refraining from hiring new workers to replace those who leave and reducing the intake of trainees until 2030. In exchange for not closing the factories, Volkswagen's union has agreed to forego salary increases and bonuses.

Construction of the world's largest airport begins in China

In China, the construction of the world's largest airport on an artificial island has begun. The Jinzhou Bay Airport in the coastal city of Dalian will cover an area of 20 km² and will serve 80 million passengers annually. According to the provincial government, Jinzhou Bay Airport will eventually have four runways and a huge terminal covering 900,000 square meters.

Google Maps Photo Helps Catch Killer in Spain

A photo from Google Maps helped catch a killer in Spain - he was caught on camera while hiding a body in the trunk. An astonishing story took place in the small village of Tahueco, which has only 50 residents. The 'Google Car' was sent there to update the maps for the first time in 15 years - and it drove down the street just as the criminal was carrying out his dark deeds. The photo ended up being one of the key pieces of evidence.

LG Releases Its Coolest Transparent TV

LG has released its coolest transparent TV yet - it can change the transparency of the display by extending a black screen behind the glass. The new model features a 77-inch OLED panel with 4K and 120 Hz, as well as an 'AI processor' and a large stand with a couple of glass shelves. The model was first shown back in January, but sales have only just started now - for $60,000.

Mysterious Nazca Lines in Peru

Flying over Peru, one can see the mysterious Nazca Lines - drawings of animals, people, and enigmatic creatures, carved into the earth's surface about 2000 years ago. It is believed these geoglyphs were left by the ancient Nazca civilization, but scientists are not sure exactly for what purpose. Their sizes range from several meters to kilometers, and new images are still being found - as of today, 733 drawings are known, with 303 of them discovered in 2024.

Tillandsia recurvata - A Hardy Plant

Tillandsia recurvata is one of the most resilient plants, capable of growing directly on power lines. This species derives nutrients directly from the atmosphere and does not need soil, so it thrives in the most unexpected places, including on branches of other plants, poles, stones, and rocks. It can be found in Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, the USA, and beyond.

World's Highest Solar Power Plant Completed in Tibet

In Tibet, the construction of the world's highest solar power plant has been completed. The Caipeng Solar-Storage Power Station is located at an altitude of 5,228 meters and has 170,000 solar panels. The power plant was built and put into operation in just 115 days.