Selfie of the 'Ghost of Kyiv'

Plus: BMW is recalling over 1 million vehicles that have one possibly dangerous flaw, Russia's invasion of Ukraine could lead to a global chip shortage. Mar 13, 2022 [View in browser]( It’s day 17 of Ukraine’s invasion by Russia. Things are more critical than ever as the war spreads to the west of the country, to the Polish border. And on Friday, Ukraine's air force shared a selfie of its famous ‘Ghost of Kyiv.’ The tweet contained a cryptic message which can be read as a threat to the Russian army. We are living some very stressful days. So we thought watching a huge ATV being driven on a frozen lake could help you blow off some steam. Good Morning. I’m Mert, an editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let’s get started. [Video]VIDEO OF THE DAY [Watch DIY mechanics drive a huge tank-like ATV onto a frozen lake]( What can go wrong? [Watch DIY mechanics drive a huge tank-like ATV onto a frozen lake]( CULTURE [Ukraine's air force shares selfie of famous ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ with a cryptic message]( [The selfie of the 'Ghost of Kyiv']( Last February, the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ [was already making headlines]( with claims of bringing down five Russian planes and a helicopter. Since then, his supposed tally has allegedly grown to include 49 Russian planes. - On Friday, Ukraine's air force [shared a selfie]( of the famous pilot [with a cryptic message.]( "Hello, occupier, I’m flying for your soul!” says the picture's caption. What to know about the aircraft? The pilot is notably sitting in a MiG-29 (Fulcrum fighter jet), a twin-engine jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. The MiG-29 was developed as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s. For now, the public is not certain whether the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ has been fabricated by the Ukrainian government as war propaganda and whether he actually really exists. One thing is for sure, the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’ is popular. People have taken to social media to call him a "hero" and an "angel.” Who is this mysterious character? [Read More]( TRANSPORTATION [BMW is recalling over 1 million vehicles that have one possibly dangerous flaw]( [A BMW iX3 SUV.]( - BMW is recalling 1.03 million vehicles globally, citing [possible fire risks]( according to a [Thursday earnings report.]( This marks the German automaker's third recall on this issue since 2017 and includes several models assembled between 2006 and 2013 — including the Series 3 and 1, in addition to the X3, the 5 Series, and Z4 and X5 models. Specifically, the heater used for the positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV) can sometimes short-circuit — potentially leading to a full-blown fire, in rare cases. It's important to note that while BMW has had other recent recalls in 2017 and 2019 — involving 184,000 and 740,000 vehicles, respectively — this latest recalled fleet far exceeds them. The process could take until mid-2022. Fixes are still underway for vehicles recalled in previous years, but these will require a greater inventory of parts, and so could take until mid-2022. In the earnings report, BMW also said some of the vehicles included in earlier recalls weren't affected by the new recall, since they were assembled with a new and improved PCV valve heater design. [Read More]( INNOVATION [Russia's invasion of Ukraine could lead to a global chip shortage]( [Computer parts with CPU.]( The [global shortage of chip supply]( just got a lot worse because of the shortage of neon gas that is critical to the process of manufacturing semiconductors. Russia and Ukraine were major exporters of neon but production has stalled due to the war, [according to an article]( Market Place released Tuesday. What is the neon used for? Lasers that etch circuit patterns onto wafers of silicon, a process responsible for manufacturing approximately 90 percent of the chips made today. - This includes those used in cars, an industry already suffering from [chip shortages.]( This could result in millions of vehicles not being produced this year alone. Not all is lost, however. Companies do have about two or three months' supply of neon on hand, a measure that was put in place after the last time Russia invaded Ukraine eight years ago. Experts are worried. “I think companies are downplaying their worry [about a neon shortage],” Nina Turner, a semiconductor analyst with IDC, told Market Place. “But I do think they are putting contingency plans into place as we speak.” [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS The global shortage of chip supply just got a lot worse with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Do you think the ongoing and even worsening chip shortage will end soon? Be sure you check back tomorrow for the results! [Unfortunately no, it’s a long-continued problem that’s impossible to resolve soon.]( [I don’t think so, we better take good care of our cars.]( [If the war ends soon, it may at least ease up.]( [We will get through this with the help of science, just like we always do.]( Yesterday’s Results Following the news that Volkswagen revealed its new electric van, we asked if you think this modern adaptation of the iconic van will be as successful as the original. Almost 70% of the participants responded positively. Meanwhile, 15% think vans are not useful today, and another 15% think it could have been successful if it wasn't an electric vehicle. I think it has potential because it looks great for travel. 35% Definitely! I would like to own one too. 34% No way. These kinds of vans are not useful today. 15% Maybe if it wasn't an electric vehicle. The safety of EVs is still not clear. 15% QUOTE OF THE DAY “ It is a commonplace of modern technology that problems have solutions before there is knowledge of how they are to be solved. ” John Kenneth Galbraith in “The New Industrial State” AND ANOTHER THING... - The pandemic isn’t over. In fact, it is estimated that [global COVID-19]( deaths may be three times higher than records say. - Surprise! [Predatory worms with just 302 neurons]( are able to make complex decisions. (ScienceAlert) - These [robots with realistic pain expressions]( can help doctors to reduce pain during physical examinations. - How [sanctions have changed daily life]( in Russia. (BBC News) - [What is calculus]( and does it serve any purpose in the real world? - [Meta employees left to do]( their own laundry as perks get cut. (The Guardian $) - The White House has signed an [executive order on cryptocurrencies.]( Is it a win for the industry? Prepared by Loukia Papadopoulos and Mert Erdemir Enjoy reading? Don't forget to forward to a friend! Was this email forwarded to you? [Subscribe]( [About Us]( | [Advertise]( | [Contact Us]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Youtube]( [Linkedin]( [Instagram]( You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe [here.]( © Copyright 2021 | The Blueprint is by Interesting Engineering, Inc. 201 Spear Street, Suite 1100 San Francisco, CA 94105 | All Rights Reserved [Interesting Engineering]