College Football Playoff and Notre Dame's Independent Status

Penn State head coach James Franklin expresses his belief that every college football team should be in a conference and play the same number of games, criticizing Notre Dame's independent status. Franklin highlights the challenges and inconsistencies in the current College Football Playoff selection process due to varying conference schedules.

French Political Crisis Amid Notre Dame Restoration

French President Macron faces political turmoil as his Prime Minister resigns, deepening the country's crisis while he focuses on Notre Dame Cathedral's restoration.

Political Crisis in France Before Notre Dame's Reopening

France is facing a deepening political crisis as Notre Dame's grand reopening approaches. A no-confidence vote has destabilized the government, but the president vows to serve out his term and appoint a new prime minister.

Political Turmoil in France after Prime Minister Resigns

The reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is overshadowed by calls for French President Macron to step down after Prime Minister Barnier resigns following a no-confidence vote. Macron faces political uncertainty as he seeks to appoint a new prime minister amidst growing pressure to resign.

Pope Francis's Visit to Corsica

Pope Francis will visit Corsica on December 15 for a conference on the Catholic faith, skipping the Notre Dame reopening ceremony in Paris to avoid being a distraction. The visit to Corsica will be the first ever by a pope.

Former Notre Dame and NFL player sentenced to life in prison

Former Notre Dame and NFL player Cierre Wood sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the death of a 5-year-old girl. His girlfriend also pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and child abuse.

Fire at Copenhagen's Historic Stock Exchange Building

The historic 17th-century Børsbygningen (Old Stock Exchange) in Copenhagen caught fire, evoking memories of the Notre Dame fire. Staff rescued large historic paintings before evacuating; no known casualties. Renovation work was underway at the time. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Danish Chamber of Commerce director called it 'incredibly tragic.' Conservative politician Marcus Knuth suggested rebuilding it as it was.

Rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris

After a devastating fire in 2019, skilled craftsmen from around the world, including carpenter Hank Silver, came together to help rebuild Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The restoration work has made significant progress, utilizing both modern and traditional building methods. The project has received overwhelming support from donors worldwide, surpassing the estimated cost of $760 million.

Notre Dame Football Criticism

High-profile sports commentators criticize Notre Dame football for receiving excessive TV time and press attention despite not winning a national title in almost 40 years. They question the team's relevance and media coverage.