undefined 18, 2025
Source: interestingengineering
Delta flight crashes and flips upside down at Toronto Pearson Airport, 15 injured
A Delta Air Lines flight crash-landed at Toronto Pearson Airport after arriving from Minneapolis. The CRJ-900 flipped on touchdown, prompting emergency response. All 76 passengers and 4 crew were evacuated. Fifteen people, including a child, were hospitalized, with three in critical condition. The crash occurred amid strong winds and snow. Toronto Pearson halted flights, and an investigation is underway. Officials, including Delta’s CEO and government leaders, expressed concern and gratitude for first responders.
Argentine judge investigates fraud case against President Milei over crypto promotion
An Argentine judge will investigate President Javier Milei over fraud allegations after he briefly promoted the $LIBRA cryptocurrency, which crashed within hours. Milei denied involvement, claiming he acted in good faith and withdrew support upon learning more. The coin spiked in value before collapsing, causing investor losses. Lawyers accuse Milei of aiding fraud, while his office insists he merely shared an entrepreneurial project. The Anti-Corruption Office will also investigate.
A team from SpaceX is being brought in to overhaul FAA’s air traffic control system
A SpaceX team is assisting the FAA in overhauling air traffic control after a deadly DC air disaster. Meanwhile, the FAA fired hundreds of probationary workers maintaining critical infrastructure. Separately, CISA has paused election security efforts for review, concluding March 6. The Trump administration also removed nearly 400 videos from the CFPB’s YouTube channel as part of efforts to scale back the agency.
Meta is building a big-ass undersea internet cable
Meta is investing billions in Project Waterworth, a 50,000 km subsea internet cable connecting five continents. Unlike previous projects, Meta is developing this cable independently, using advanced routing and burial techniques to minimize damage risks. Subsea cables remain critical for global internet traffic but are also prime targets for sabotage, as seen in recent Baltic incidents. Meta's infrastructure push aligns with its AI ambitions, ensuring enough bandwidth for future data demands.
2024 YR4: What we know about the asteroid that could hit Earth
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 2.6% chance of hitting Earth on Dec 22, 2032. Estimated at 40–90m in diameter, it could release 7.7 megatons of energy. The impact zone spans the Pacific, South America, the Atlantic, Africa, and South Asia. NASA and ESA are monitoring it, with the James Webb Telescope set to refine its trajectory in 2025. Potential deflection strategies, like DART, may be considered if needed.
Your brain is full of microplastics: are they harming you?
A small vial containing a sliver of human brain begins to melt with the addition of lye. Over days, this chemical breaks down neurons, leaving behind a gruesome mixture of plastic particles. Toxicologist Matthew Campen uses this method to study microplastics in organs, especially the brain. Microplastics have been found in nearly every corner of the planet — and now, researchers like Campen are tracking their harmful effects on human health.
NASA rover discovers liquid water 'ripples' carved into Mars rock
NASA's Curiosity rover has discovered ripple marks in Gale Crater, providing evidence that Mars had open, liquid water for a longer period than previously believed. These ripples, formed by small waves in ancient lakebeds, suggest a warmer atmosphere capable of supporting liquid water about 3.7 billion years ago. This discovery extends the potential window for microbial life on Mars, raising exciting possibilities for past life on the Red Planet.
Lorries dumped waste on beach, gangs can 'make millions' from illegal tipping
Criminal gangs are profiting from illegal waste dumping, charging businesses to dispose of waste properly but instead dumping it in illegal sites. Despite fines, the low penalties make this a low-risk, high-reward crime. It’s estimated that one-fifth of waste in England is managed illegally, costing the economy around £1 billion annually. Authorities struggle with enforcement, as only a small percentage of illegal sites face consequences. The Environment Agency is working to tackle this growing issue.
The power of cross-cultural friendships
David Robson and Alessia Franco explore the joys and challenges of cross-cultural friendships, reflecting on their own British-Italian bond. Despite differing backgrounds, their shared interests in literature, research, and creativity have strengthened their connection. They highlight how such friendships can expand one’s worldview and boost creativity. In an era of instant communication, long-distance friendships can thrive, showing that distance is no barrier to meaningful relationships.
A ‘teleportation’ breakthrough for quantum computing is here
Quantum computing faces scalability issues due to the need for multiple processors in one location. Scientists are working on solving this by using "quantum teleportation" to connect remote cores. Recently, researchers at the University of Oxford succeeded in wirelessly sending a quantum algorithm between processors using quantum entanglement. This breakthrough could pave the way for large-scale quantum machines, possibly solving scalability issues. While quantum machines can already solve complex tasks, progress continues toward achieving even more powerful systems.
