news.ycombinator.com
Ask HN: Is YC funding sanctions evasion? The case of Kontigo Inc in Venezuelahttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46459710I am writing this to raise a serious question about due diligence in the current VC landscape (YCombinator, DST Global, Soma Capital) regarding a startup called Kontigo. [1]On the surface, Kontigo presents itself as a neobank for "Global Citizens" registered in Delaware (Kontigo Inc). However, a look at their operations suggests a structure designed to bypass OFAC sanctions while collaborating with the current Venezuelan regime.If you look at Kontigo’s Terms and Conditions[2], they contain standard "Liability Shield" clauses explicitly prohibiting users from sanctioned countries (including Venezuela) from using the service, if you actually look at their footer, there is a list of countries, venezuela is nowhere to be seen there.However, their entire public presence contradicts this. Their Instagram [3] is exclusively targeted at Venezuelans, is full of venezuelans influencers, talking about how to use kontigo in venezuela, all the posts i.e this one [4] are about their "venezuelan launJan 2, 2026 12:08 AM
duck-lang.dev
Show HN: Ducklang: Achieving 100x more requests per second than NextJShttps://duck-lang.devDuck (https://duck-lang.dev) is a statically typed, compiled programming language that combines the best of Rust, TypeScript and Go, aiming to provide an alternative for full-stack-development while being as familiar as possibleImprovements over Rust: - garbage collection simplifies developing network applications - no lifetimes - built-in concurrency runtime and apis for web developmentImprovements over bun/node/typescript: - massive performance gains due to Go's support for parallel execution and native code generation - easier deployment since Duck compiles to a statically linked native executable that doesn't need dependencies - reduced complexity and costs since a single duck deployment massively outscales anything that runs javascript - streamlined toolchain management using duckup (compiler version manager) and dargo (build tool)Improvements over Go: - a more expresive type system supporting Union types, Duck typing and tighter control over mutability - Server Side Rendering witJan 1, 2026 11:46 PM
bing.com
The Best Pull-Up Barshttp://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=6a8a01f014c74556844162f6995ee248&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2Fwirecutter%2Freviews%2Fbest-pull-up-bars%2F&c=7860485027050517368&mkt=en-usWe independently review everything we recommend. We may make money from the links on our site. Learn more› By Seth Berkman Seth Berkman is a fitness writer. He incorporates testing into everyday tasks ...Jan 1, 2026 9:00 PM
news.ycombinator.com
Atoqu – A Zero‑Dependency, GPU‑Accelerated Search Engine Corehttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46455244Atoqu is a new open‑source Search Engine Core written in pure C++17 with zero external dependencies.It implements: - Atomic modular architecture - Multi‑mode ranking (Literal, Vector, Hybrid, BM25, Recency, TagBoost) - GPU‑accelerated vector search (CUDA + OpenCL) - Embedding providers (LLM‑ready) - Forward‑compatibility engine (OLFCE) - Full documentation (Doxygen + Sphinx) - CI/CD, sanitizers, static analysisNo Lucene, no JVM, no Python, no FAISS.We’re preparing the v1.2 release and would like community input on:1. *License choice:* Apache v2.0, MPL 2.0, GPLv3, AGPLv3 2. *Performance expectations:* How fast do you think it is vs Google’s core? 3. *Feature priorities for v2.0:* distributed indexing, crawler, query planner, etc.When v1.2 is released, we welcome code review, benchmarks, issues, and contributions.Link to repo will be posted at release.Jan 1, 2026 4:18 PM
bing.com
Auburn freshman DTs Autry, Crawford to return next seasonhttp://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=6a8d17b86fa342ba86555d6a7ac78989&url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Farticle%2Fauburn-football-malik-autry-tigers-transfer-portal-defensive-line-268814192%2F&c=407787228507234097&mkt=en-usAfter Malik Blocton's painful decision to hit the portal, Auburn is retaining some young talent along the defensive line Make it three defensive retentions for Auburn on New Year's Day. The program is ...Jan 1, 2026 2:13 PM
app.photoweather.app
Show HN: I built a weather alert system for photographershttps://app.photoweather.app/demo/live-demoI kept missing the good stuff (fog, aurora, beautiful sunsets) because I wasn't checking forecasts at the right time, so I built PhotoWeather...You define rules like: `aurora_quality > 60 AND cloud_cover < 20% AND moon_below_horizon` `fog_prob > 70% AND within 30min of sunrise AND wind < 5 mph`When a rule matches, you get an email and/or an iCal event. The iCal feed is the part I am maybe most proud of: subscribe once and upcoming "shoot windows" show up in your calendar.One example that made me sure this wasn't just a toy: last October it alerted "clear skies + no moon + strong aurora" and I drove to a nearby high spot in Helsinki. Ended up catching aurora and Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) in one frame: https://reddit.com/r/Finland/comments/1obc5nz/Not my best photo ever, but probably the most unique and memorable, and I'll continue to remember my real-life "photoweather actually works" moment through it.A few things that differentiates this from your average weather app:Spatial sampling AJan 1, 2026 12:54 PM
spacedaily.com
TanDEM X marks 15 years mapping Earth in 3Dhttps://www.spacedaily.com/reports/TanDEM_X_marks_15_years_mapping_Earth_in_3D_999.htmlBerlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 01, 2026 Exactly 15 years ago, in December 2010, the German TanDEM-X mission began routine radar imaging of Earth to produce a global digital elevation model, launching a long-running Earth observation program. Over six years, data from the twin radar satellites were processed into a consistent, high-precision digital elevation model that covers all land surfaces on the planet. This elevation model has sJan 1, 2026 11:20 AM
news.ycombinator.com
Why many projects fail before execution beginshttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46452128Across different types of projects — infrastructure, digital systems, organisational change — I’ve noticed a recurring pattern: by the time execution starts, the outcome is often already constrained.Not because of incompetence or bad intent, but because early decisions tend to harden faster than understanding does.A few observations that seem to repeat:Early schedules become social facts Initial timelines are usually created with limited information, but once shared upward they quickly stop being provisional. They become anchors for funding, reputation, and confidence. Later evidence is forced to fit the date, rather than the date adjusting to evidence.Risk is recorded instead of managed Risk registers are often thorough and sincere, but the act of documenting risk can substitute for actually changing decisions. Addressing certain risks would require revisiting scope, sequence, or assumptions — which is often seen as destabilising rather than responsible.Governance filters reality RepoJan 1, 2026 7:44 AM
bing.com
Napheesa Collier to Miss the 2026 Unrivaled Season due to Ankle Injuryhttp://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=6a8d1d9972de49228b36be1bbfd59f8c&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yardbarker.com%2Fwnba%2Farticles%2Fnapheesa_collier_to_miss_the_2026_unrivaled_season_due_to_ankle_injury%2Fs1_17104_43273874%3Fshare%3Dlinkedin&c=5249506839180892204&mkt=en-usIt was announced on Thursday, New Year’s Day, that one of the co-founders of Unrivaled, Napheesa Collier, will miss the 2026 Unrivaled season due to injuries in both of her ankles and will undergo ...Jan 1, 2026 3:04 AM
spacedaily.com
China launches twin Shijian-29 satellites to test space-target detection techhttps://www.spacedaily.com/reports/China_launches_twin_Shijian_29_satellites_to_test_space_target_detection_tech_999.htmlTokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 31, 2025 China has launched a pair of Shijian-29 satellites on a Long March 7A rocket, adding new technology-demonstration assets to its growing space-based surveillance and tracking capabilities. The mission lifted off from the coastal Wenchang Space Launch Site on Hainan Island at 6:40 a.m. Beijing Time on Wednesday, placing the two spacecraft into their planned orbit and marking the 623rd flight of the Long March launch vehicle family.Jan 1, 2026 2:02 AM
spacedaily.com
Satellites lined up for shared space computing power networkshttps://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Satellites_lined_up_for_shared_space_computing_power_networks_999.htmlTokyo, Japan (SPX) Dec 31, 2025 Researchers are outlining a space computing power network that would link communication and computation across satellite constellations to handle growing data processing demands in orbit. Over recent decades, satellites have expanded global connectivity and remote sensing, but many systems still move raw data to the ground for processing under tight contact windows. Traditional satellite-gJan 1, 2026 2:02 AM
happymail.tech
Show HN: Happymail – We made email simple againhttps://happymail.tech/concept/Eight years ago, I was job hunting and felt embarrassed by my Gmail address. I tried registering firstname.lastname — taken everywhere. So I thought: "I'm in IT, I'll set up my own domain with my own IMAP/SMTP. How hard could it be?"A lot went wrong. Forgotten renewals. rocky DNS mistakes. I ended migrating toward Google Workspace, but in the end it felt overkill, having a subscription there plus the whole registrar subscription, and the whole GAFAM sticker on it. Moreover, the final price was way too high for me at the time.Six months ago, someone approached me and related to that issue, then said: "What if we automated all of that? Want to build it together?" I said yes.So Happymail was born. Anecdotal, My wife did found this name, excellent one!You search for an available email address using simple keywords (like your name), pick one, and you're set up in minutes. That's it.Zero config – works instantly with Outlook, Thunderbird, any mail app. Just email + password.You own your dataDec 31, 2025 6:55 PM
news.ycombinator.com
Ask HN: What 2026 changes are journalists missing when covering new costs laws?https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46445456I’m trying to build a citeable “2026 budget reset” reference that only includes items with published tables/schedules (so you can convert them into dollars with transparent math), and I’m trying to avoid turning it into an endless “every law in every state” list.So far I’ve covered items like:ACA Marketplace premium cap sensitivity if enhanced subsidies aren’t extended for plan year 2026NYC congestion pricing (daily rate + annualized commute math)Hawaiʻi lodging tax rate change (rate delta → $ per $1,000) + cruise timingIllinois grocery tax repeal vs local replacement mechanicsEV registration fee examples + verification sourcesFederal baseline: indexed tax parameters (context, not a “new fee”)Question: What big 2026 household cost changes have official schedules (fee tables, thresholds, indexed parameters, published rates) that you think should be included? Links to primary sources (agency PDF, statute page, official announcement) especially appreciated.Current draft (for reference): hDec 31, 2025 4:16 PM
bing.com
Auszubildende: Besonderheiten in der Entgeltabrechnung / 1 Versicherungspflicht von Auszubildendenhttp://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=6a8d7b901ad84c629805696055cf4a8f&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.haufe.de%2Fid%2Fbeitrag%2Fauszubildende-besonderheiten-in-der-entgeltabrechnung-1-versicherungspflicht-von-auszubildenden-HI1562287.html&c=2799629204340726769&mkt=en-usDas Recht der einzelnen Zweige der Sozialversicherung sieht eine Definition des Begriffs der Berufsausbildung nicht vor. Was unter beruflicher Ausbildung im Anwendungsbereich der Vorschriften zur ...Dec 31, 2025 4:00 PM
europeanspaceflight.com
Commission Approves New Members for Space Surveillance and Tracking Programmehttps://europeanspaceflight.com/commission-approves-new-members-for-space-surveillance-and-tracking-programme/The European Commission has officially greenlit the participation of Belgium, Bulgaria, Lithuania, and Luxembourg in the EU Space Programme’s Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) programme. Currently comprising 15 members, the EU SST programme employs a network of sensors to survey and track space objects, providing collision avoidance, re-entry analysis, and fragmentation assessment services that, according […] The post Commission Approves New Members for Space Surveillance and Tracking Programme appeared first on European Spaceflight.Dec 31, 2025 10:18 AM
bing.com
Tous les sites du groupehttp://www.bing.com/news/apiclick.aspx?ref=FexRss&aid=&tid=6a8d5bf38d8b43b8b7cc33909912ee0e&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bfmtv.com%2Fpolice-justice%2Fje-dois-aller-en-prison-gilles-rossary-lenglet-l-un-des-instigateurs-du-chantage-a-la-sextape-a-saint-etienne-incarcere-le-7-janvier_AN-202512310361.html&c=14870990165661010303&mkt=en-usCondamné à de la prison ferme pour avoir participé à l'élaboration d'un chantage à la sextape à la mairie de Saint-Etienne, Gilles Rossary-Lenglet sera incarcéré le 7 janvier prochain à la maison ...Dec 31, 2025 3:29 AM
veredictlabs.com
Show HN: Client-side encrypted AI detector using model ensemblinghttps://veredictlabs.comHi HN, I’m Oscar, a Year 8 student from Australia who enjoys messing around with computers and AI.I recently built an AI detector to build on my skills in computer science. I entered the prototype into the Oliphant Science Awards which is a local science competition (writing a 4000-word report on the methodology) and ended up winning, so I decided to polish it into a real web service that the world can make use of.I noticed that schools and businesses are rushing to use AI detectors, but most commercial tools require you to send full, plaintext documents to cloud servers. For researchers or IP-sensitive work, sending data unencrypted to a third party (who might use it for training) is a major privacy risk. Additionally, current commercial AI detectors aren't very transparent and are unable to tell you why they come to a conclusion. I wanted to build something that helps people make informed decisions based on as much information as possible, not tell them a simple percentage with nothiDec 31, 2025 2:18 AM
science.nasa.gov
2025 AAS Town Hall Schedulehttps://science.nasa.gov/uncategorized/2025-aas-town-hall-schedule/247th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting SATURDAY, JANUARY 3 8:30AM – 6:0PM NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) 301DJosh Pepper, Dawn Gelino, Karl Stapelfeldt, Nick Siegler, Jessie Christiansen SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 8:30AM – 12:15PM NASA’s Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) 301D9:00AM – 2:00PMNASA’s Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group (COPAG)Peter Kurczynski7:30PM – 9:30PM NASA’s […]Dec 31, 2025 2:00 AM
science.nasa.gov
2025 AAS Hyperwall Schedulehttps://science.nasa.gov/uncategorized/2025-aas-hyperwall-schedule/247th American Astronomical Society (AAS) Meeting Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #401 for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 6:45 – 7:00 PMNancy Grace Roman Space TelescopeDominic Benford7:00 – 7:15 PMStorytelling with NASA: Eyes on ExoplanetsAnjali Tripathi7:15 – 7:30 PMRoman Space Telescope UpdateJulie McEnery7:30 – 7:45 PMThe […]Dec 31, 2025 1:35 AM
news.ycombinator.com
The Gemini AI Studio "Context Tax": How a 10-word prompt cost me £121https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46440008I’ve been utilizing Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro via the AI Studio front-end to develop a new platform. The 1M+ context window is, technically speaking, a game-changer for "stitching" together a 55,000-line codebase. However, I recently discovered a predatory billing architecture that I’m calling the "Context Tax."If you use the AI Studio UI, you might be walking into a massive bill without a single warning.Here is how it happened, and the UK/EU privacy "pro-tip" I found in the fine print.In AI Studio, you start on the Free Tier. You upload your codebase (say, 700k tokens) and work for free until you hit the daily quota. At that point, the UI suggests adding an API key to "continue the conversation."The Trap: Most users (myself included) assume that after adding the key, they will be billed for incremental usage (the 10-100 tokens they just typed).The Reality: The AI Studio UI does not use Context Caching by default. Instead, it re-submits the entire 700k token history for every single "turDec 31, 2025 12:38 AM
