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Launch HN: Enhanced Radar (YC W25) – A safety net for air traffic control

Two pilots have developed Yeager, an AI-powered system that monitors air traffic control communications to enhance aviation safety by detecting potential human errors. The system achieves a 1.1% Word Error Rate in transcribing ATC audio and operates independently of existing infrastructure, providing an additional safety layer without requiring integration.

Tesla electric car sales plunge again in Australia – Model 3 down more than 81 per cent

Tesla's EV sales have dramatically declined by 71.9% in February compared to the previous year, with only 1,592 units sold versus 5,665 in 2023. The decline is attributed to multiple factors including inventory issues, customer anticipation of refreshed models, increased competition, and CEO Elon Musk's controversial political stances. Global markets show similar trends, with Tesla facing significant sales drops in Europe and growing community pushback.

Large Bio-Mechanical Space Structures

DARPA is exploring the potential of growing large-scale biological structures (500+ meters) in microgravity, leveraging recent advances in metabolic engineering and biological self-assembly. The initiative aims to revolutionize space infrastructure by enabling the biological manufacturing of structures like space elevator tethers, orbital debris nets, and space station components.

tigerbeetle/docs/internals/ARCHITECTURE.md at main · tigerbeetle/tigerbeetle

An in-depth technical overview of TigerBeetle, a specialized database designed for high-throughput financial transactions with strong consistency guarantees and durability. The system implements a single-threaded, deterministic architecture using static memory allocation and LSM trees, optimized for write-heavy workloads under extreme contention.

Should managers still code?

Engineering managers should prioritize being actively involved in the codebase through code reviews, pair programming, and understanding architecture, rather than being primary feature implementers. The role of engineering managers has evolved post-pandemic, with increased expectations for technical engagement while maintaining core management responsibilities. Different approaches to staying technically engaged are discussed, emphasizing the balance between coding and management duties.

ARC-AGI Without Pretraining

A novel approach demonstrates that lossless information compression during inference time can produce intelligent behavior, achieving 34.75% accuracy on ARC-AGI training set without pretraining or extensive datasets. The method, CompressARC, processes each puzzle in 20 minutes using only compression objectives and efficient inference-time computation, challenging conventional reliance on extensive pretraining and data.

DIY "infinity contrast" TV - with 100% recycled parts

A creative DIY project demonstrates how to transform old LCD TVs and projectors into high-quality displays by using the projector as a dynamic backlight. The modification achieves OLED-like black levels and contrast by removing the projector's color wheel and applying specialized image processing, resulting in performance that rivals modern displays at a fraction of the cost.

Why fastDOOM is fast

A detailed exploration of fastDOOM, a highly optimized version of DOOM achieving up to 48% better performance through 3,042 commits of incremental improvements. Victor Nieto's project demonstrates remarkable optimization across different CPU architectures and video modes, with particular attention to Mode Y versus Mode 13h implementations.

Block Breakers

A hands-on educational resource focused on block cipher cryptanalysis, with a particular emphasis on attacking AES. The course provides guided exercises and practical implementations rather than theoretical knowledge, making complex cryptography concepts more approachable.

ActivityPub server with NNTP interface

Illuminant is an ActivityPub server with NNTP interface, allowing users to interact with the Fediverse through traditional newsreaders. The system supports core Fediverse features like following users, posting content, liking, and boosting, while organizing content into newsgroups for easy navigation.

Avoid the nightmare bicycle

Highlighting a crucial product design principle, the text warns against oversimplifying interfaces with specific-use buttons rather than exposing systematic structures. Using examples of bicycles and microwaves, it demonstrates how good design should trust users' ability to understand and adapt to underlying systems. The concept is based on Andrea diSessa's book 'Changing Minds' about design and computational thinking.

Father tries to block daughter's euthanasia in landmark Spanish case

A 23-year-old paraplegic woman in Spain seeks court approval for voluntary euthanasia, opposed by her father in a landmark legal case. The Catalonian regional government supports her decision, while her father argues she has mental health issues affecting her judgment. The case represents the first time Spain's 2021 euthanasia law faces judicial review.

The End of Weather Forecasting

NOAA's critical weather forecasting centers face potential lease cancellations, threatening national weather prediction capabilities. The NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, which houses essential forecasting operations and telecommunications equipment, is targeted for closure under the Trump administration's efficiency initiatives. Staff members warn of severe disruptions to weather forecasting services if the facility closes without adequate relocation plans.

Mozilla rewrites Firefox's Terms of Use after user backlash | TechCrunch

Mozilla has rewritten its Firefox browser Terms of Use following user backlash over broad language that suggested potential data misuse. The updated policy clarifies that Mozilla only processes user data to operate Firefox and does not claim ownership of user content. The company maintains its commitment to privacy while being transparent about limited data sharing with partners.

Apple introduces iPad Air with powerful M3 chip and new Magic Keyboard

Apple unveils new iPad Air featuring M3 chip, offering up to 3.5x faster performance and advanced AI capabilities through Apple Intelligence. Available in 11-inch and 13-inch models with a redesigned Magic Keyboard, the device starts at $599 and includes enhanced features like ChatGPT integration and improved environmental considerations.

PFAS in fertilisers blamed for killing livestock in Texas and wreaking havoc

PFAS-contaminated fertilizer from biosolids is causing severe health issues for farmers and livestock in Johnson County, Texas, with investigation findings showing dangerous contamination levels. The fertilizer, produced by Synagro from municipal wastewater-treated sewage sludge, contained high levels of PFAS chemicals that affected soil, water sources, and caused animal deaths. Environmental experts warn this is a national crisis threatening the U.S. food supply, with calls for federal regulation of PFAS in biosolids.