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☆ Investment has been pouring into technology in the agriculture space. How to play it
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Carmen Reinicke | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

Even before the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, the agriculture industry was dealing with a number of headwinds, from hurricanes and poor planning disrupting crop growth cycles to the impact of retaliatory tariffs slashing exports. These issues have highlighted an immense need for investment in agriculture and specifically technology to improve the efficiency of the industry. Last year, Deere also purchased Bear Flag Robotics, a Silicon Valley agriculture technology startup that develops autonomous farm equipment, for $250 million. AGCO , an agricultural machinery manufacturer, has also made several investments or acquisitions in the last few years in new technology in the space. The agriculture company in September bought Symborg, a Spanish microbiological technologies firm that makes biostimulants and biofertilizers for many kinds of crops and agriculture systems that boost results.

☆ Doctors are linking some medical problems to the cost-of-living crisis as patients struggle to afford food and bills
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Doctors in England are seeing patients whose health issues seem linked to the cost-of-living crisis. Some people are ignoring health issues as putting food on the table takes priority, one doctor said. Health brushed under the carpetIn some cases, the stress triggered by the cost-of-living crisis has diverted people's attention away from their health. Therapists aren't cheapFrances Trussell, a therapist in the UK, told Insider she hadn't had a surge in clients with cost-of-living concerns. She suspects the reason is that the people most strained by financial problems wouldn't be able to afford therapist services.

☆ Researchers who reverse-engineered Starlink to work as a backup for GPS found a security flaw in the system — using a video of tennis star Rafael Nadal — that could be exploited in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

SpaceX's Starlink signals have been long seen as a possible alternative to GPS. Researchers have succeeded in reverse-engineering the signals, MIT Technology Review reported. "The Starlink system signal is a closely guarded secret," Humphreys told MIT Technology Review. "Humphreys has done a big service to the navigation community identifying these sequences," Mark Psiaki, an aerospace professor at Virginia Tech and GPS expert told MIT Technology Review. "As time goes on and their dependence on Starlink deepens, Ukraine and its allies in the West are coming to appreciate that they have little control over Starlink and know little about it," Humphreys told MIT Technology Review.

☆ More questions than answers surround the deaths of four friends found dead in an Oklahoma river
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Tim Stelloh | Tim Stelloh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +11 min

Mark Chastain, 32, and Billy Chastain, 30, were the “definition of brothers and were always together,” their grandmother, Milissia Smith, said in a verified online fundraiser. Billy Chastain — who went by BJ — was a handyman with four children, two girls and two boys ages 2 to 12, Gordon said. Megan GordonGordon said the last time she spoke to Billy Chastain was the day before he vanished. An affidavit filed for the grand theft charge states that Kennedy told the arresting officer that the truck's owner told him he could borrow the vehicle whenever he wanted. Kennedy told the officer he took the truck last week and drove to Florida for a weekend vacation, the document says.

☆ Fact Check-Satellites exist and can survive in the thermosphere without melting or burning
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

This is false, as satellites do exist, and experts told Reuters there are not enough gas molecules to transfer heat to melt or burn in the thermosphere. Satellites, which generally refer to machines that are launched into space and orbit the earth or space (here), do exist and are mostly in the thermosphere. The thermosphere sits between the mesosphere and the exosphere between 50 and 440 miles (80 and 700 km) above the Earth’s surface (here). Images and videos of satellites and spacecrafts launched into space can also be found on NASAs Image and Video Library (here), (here). Other satellites do not need to survive re-entry, and do not require a heat shield to withstand the temperatures of space.

☆ China-owned TikTok denies it could use location information to track U.S. users
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-based tech giant ByteDance, is used by over 1 billion people worldwide every month. TikTok on Friday denied that it used specific location data to track certain U.S. individuals, pushing back against a Forbes report that alleged the Chinese-owned video app was planning on carrying out such monitoring. The Forbes article also said that its unclear whether any data was actually collected. TikTok said Forbes "chose not to include the portion of our statement that disproved the feasibility of its core allegation: TikTok does not collect precise GPS location information from US users, meaning TikTok could not monitor US users in the way the article suggested." Washington has been concerned that data collected on U.S. citizens by TikTok could get into the hands of the Chinese government.

☆ TikTok says it has never been used to target specific people after Forbes reported the app would be used to monitor some individuals' locations
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

TikTok says the app has never been used to target specific individuals in the US government. Its parent ByteDance planned to use the app to monitor the locations of some Americans , Forbes reported. monitor the locations of some Americans TikTok has been caught in debates about privacy and security under in the US. The social media platform tweeted the denial after Forbes reported on October 20 that ByteDance, TikTok's China-based parent, planned to use the app to monitor the locations of certain Americans. TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said the app collects approximate location information based on the IP addresses of users, Forbes reported.

☆ Should You Upgrade to the New Apple Watch Series 8, SE or Ultra?
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

Apple also launched two other Watches alongside the Series 8: the Apple Watch Ultra and the second-generation Apple Watch SE. Apple Apple Watch Series 8 $400 at AmazonApple Watch Series 7 (2021 model)Upgrade? Not unless you are particularly interested in the new fertility tracking feature or the Apple Watch UltraThe Apple Watch Series 8 is almost identical, both inside and out, to last year’s Series 7, including the same processor speeds. Apple Watch Series 5 or Apple Watch SE (1st generation) (2019 models)Upgrade? Maybe, if your Watch is feeling sluggish or smallEven though they’re more than three years old, the Apple Watch Series 5 and the original Apple Watch SE are still great devices and there’s a good chance they’re still fulfilling your needs.

☆ A high school artist was chosen to paint a mural. Then came the outrage
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Rachel Abrahamson | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

A mural painted by a high school student came under fire when parents alleged it was promoting LGBTQ imagery and witchcraft. Earlier this year, a Grant, Michigan, high school sophomore won a contest “to brighten up” the middle school health center, according to a statement from Grant Public Schools (GPS). GPS says the student received approval to paint images of “smiling children” and as well as the message “Stay Healthy.”In the painting, there are three children. Courtesy Chandler MorrisTracey Hargreaves, who has two children in the Grant Public School system, came to the defense of the student artist. It’s not contagious.”The student artist left the meeting in tears, according to Hargreaves.

Depending on the phone model and OS, airplane mode may disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, but it won't turn off GPS. Though your phone's location services should work while in airplane mode, your phone can't be tracked by outside devices or services. Your phone's airplane mode is designed to disable wireless signals that might interfere with the sensitive electronic systems on an airplane. With rare exception, though, airplane mode doesn't interfere with your ability to use GPS for location services on your phone. Does airplane mode turn off location services on your phone?

Oct 17 (Reuters) - American rapper Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, has agreed in principle to buy Parler, the social media platform popular among U.S. conservatives, parent company Parlement Technologies said on Monday. Parler, which launched in 2018, has been reinstated on Google and Apple Inc's app stores after being removed following the U.S. Capitol riots in January 2021. Parler is one of several social media platforms, including Gettr, Gab and Truth Social, that position themselves as free-speech alternatives to Twitter Inc (TWTR.N). Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterLast month, Parler created a new parent company, Parlement Technologies Inc, as part of an overhaul. The Parler deal came together quickly, CEO Farmer said, and Parlement was "presented with an opportunity."

☆ Kanye West to buy social media app Parler
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 17 (Reuters) - American rapper Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, has proposed to buy Parler, the social media platform popular among U.S. conservatives, parent Parlement Technologies said on Monday. Nashville-based Parler, which has raised about $56 million till date, said it expects the deal to close during the fourth quarter of 2022. The rapper has also had problems with major social media platforms, being restricted a number of times. Most recently, West was locked out of his Instagram by Facebook parent Meta Platforms (META.O) for posts that online users condemned as anti-Semitic. Last month Parler created a new parent company, Parlement Technologies Inc as part of an overhaul.

☆ Russia is making excuses for why it can't stop US-made HIMARS from shredding its military in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Russian forces have struggled to counter Ukraine's use of US-made HIMARS rockets. One Russian defense blog has an explanation: HIMARS has a secret feature that prevents Russian artillery from targeting it. "This greatly distinguishes American systems from conventional MLRS [multiple launch rocket systems], where the projectiles fly along a ballistic trajectory. "Unless the radar happens to be looking in the right place at the right time, it will not detect a HIMARS launch," Cranny-Evans said. While this Avia article appears groundless, Russian defense blogs — which often have links to the Russian government and military — can be quite illuminating.

☆ How TJ Maxx and Ross discount their clothes by so much
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-15 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —It’s a great time to be a closeout store like TJ Maxx. In July, they were sitting on $713 billion in inventory, according to the latest data from the Census Bureau. That’s a prime opportunity for “off-price” retailers such as TJX (TJX) – the parent of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods – as well as Ross (ROST), Burlington (BURL) and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet (OLLI). And if a designer changes the style or color of a dress, for example, off-price stores are happy to take it and sell it on the cheap. “We are seeing extraordinary off-price buying opportunities in the marketplace,” TJX CEO Ernie Herrman said in August.

☆ ‘Multiple’ remains found in Oklahoma river after four friends vanish, authorities say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Tim Stelloh | Tim Stelloh Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

What appear to be "multiple” human remains were found partially submerged in a river in the small Oklahoma city of Okmulgee Friday, nearly a week after the disappearance of four adult friends, authorities said Friday. It wasn’t clear if the remains were of the four men, Okmulgee Police Chief Joe Prentice told reporters. Prentice said he notified the families of the missing men, who were last seen Sunday night leaving a home by bicycle, even though the remains haven’t been identified. The department on Tuesday named the missing men as Mark Chastain, 32; Billy Chastain, 30; Mike Sparks, 32; and Alex Stevens, 29. That data showed them traveling east, then south, Prentice said, adding that authorities hadn't been searching in the area where the remains were discovered.

☆ Fitbit watches might be doomed as Google tries to fight back Apple with yearly Pixel Watch devices and more health software
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Hugh Langley | Blake Dodge | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

It has plans for another Pixel Watch for 2023 and a new Fitbit fitness tracker. "The Pixel Watch is the highest priority right now," said one current employee. Google hits the reset buttonThe Pixel Watch marks something of a reset in wearables for Google. Google dismantled its own health program, Google Health, in 2021, and has struggled to form a cohesive vision in healthcare. "I struggle to see how it will remain a separate service for Pixel Watch to be honest, as from a brand perspective is not very clean."

☆ How a tank the Soviets tried to keep secret became an icon of Ukraine's resistance against Russia
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Sebastian Roblin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

An Afghan soldier fighting for the Soviets sits on a Soviet-made T-64 tank near the Salang Pass on August 17, 1989. However, these systems were mostly exported, and it's unclear whether either is currently operational on Ukrainian tanks. Defending Ukraine, 2014-2015A Ukrainian tank in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk in July 2014. A burned Ukrainian tank in Uglegorsk, on the frontline near Debaltseve, in February 2015. A pro-Russian separatist stands guard near a T-64 tank in Donetsk in July 2014.

☆ These retail chains may not survive a recession
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —America’s retail chains have proven surprisingly strong during the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, stores temporarily closed to halt the spread of Covid-19 and retail sales tumbled. “That wave of defaults effectively flushed out a lot of debt and unprofitable stores from the sector,” Sokolyanska said. Retail sales quickly recovered thanks to federal stimulus checks, growing personal savings accounts and pent-up consumer demand. Retail sales remain above pre-pandemic levels and more stores have announced openings than closings this year.

☆ Microsoft cloud leader Scott Guthrie says companies aren't holding off on cloud spending as inflation mounts
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Scott Guthrie, executive vice president of cloud and enterprise at Microsoft Corp., speaks during the Microsoft Developers Build Conference in Seattle, Washington, U.S., on Monday, May 7, 2018. But Guthrie said that doesn't seem to be the case with Azure, Microsoft's cloud infrastructure service. "I've not seen the current situation cause people to pause cloud," said Guthrie, executive vice president of Microsoft's cloud and artificial-intelligence group, in an interview with CNBC. Guthrie said he hasn't heard companies saying they would slow their use of cloud computing because of the higher energy costs. That's been a discussion topic among executives at Paris-based health care company Sanofi , which uses cloud services from Amazon , Google and Microsoft.

☆ Tesla's autopilot software is under investigation in Europe following a tweet
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Matt Mcfarland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Green tweeted that Tesla recently added the name of an Australian and Asian vehicle testing ground to its software. There are other vehicle testing grounds also listed in the code, he said, located in Europe, China and Korea. Important tests that benchmark vehicle safety happen at these sites, which have government and industry support. Now Euro NCAP, Europe’s government-backed organization that evaluates vehicle safety, is investigating Tesla following this suggestion. The organization has examined Tesla’s software updates to test vehicles and not found any fault, Williams said.

☆ A tweet launched an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot software
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Matt Mcfarland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Green tweeted that Tesla recently added the name of an Australian and Asian vehicle testing ground to its software. There are other vehicle testing grounds also listed in the code, he said, located in Europe, China and Korea. Important tests that benchmark vehicle safety happen at these sites, which have government and industry support. The organization has examined Tesla’s software updates to test vehicles and not found any fault, Williams said. Though there is no indication that Tesla software is interfering with any testing, It’s not unheard of for an automaker to use software to manipulate a test.

☆ 10+ deals at their lowest price ever during October Prime Day 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Morgan Greenwald | Morgan Greenwald Is A Senior Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

This is the best kind of deja vu: Amazon’s second Prime Day-like sale this year is now on — for the first time in Prime Day history. The Prime Early Access Sale (running through Oct. 12) has sitewide savings for Prime members on categories from skin care and home goods to tech and fitness equipment. To help you make the most of the fleeting shopping holiday, we compiled some of the best Prime Day deals live on Amazon that offer top products at their lowest price ever, plus highlighted other notable deals from counter sales at other retailers. Prime Early Access Sale: The best deals on products at their lowest price everBelow, we’re sharing the best products — based on our previous coverage and reporting — that are at their lowest price ever during the Early Access Prime Sale. It has a 5,000mAh battery that, according to the brand, should last for more than a day on a single charge.

☆ How to be a smart holiday shopper
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN Business —It’s only October, but holiday shopping promotions are here with retailers bringing out the Christmas trees, turning on the holiday music and dangling sales from now until January. Soon will come way-too-early Black Friday promotions weeks before the actual shopping holiday, then the December-long sales events and post-holiday clearance deals. Shopping smart may feel more challenging in this environment, but retail analysts and researchers have tips for deciding when and what to buy. Many major stores have extended their holiday price match policies to cover a longer time period. So make sure to be a smart shopper even after you buy.

☆ Fear driving China's tech manipulation poses threat to all -UK spy chief
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"This means they see opportunities to control the Chinese people rather than looking for ways to support and unleash their citizens' potential. They see nations as either potential adversaries or potential client states, to be threatened, bribed, or coerced." That fear combined with China's strength was driving it "into actions that could represent a huge threat to us all," he will say. China has previously described similar accusations from Western governments as being groundless and politically motivated smears. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Michael Holden in London Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Citroën invents cardboard car for resourceless world
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Gilles Guillaume | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

That's what Citroën has done with a new concept car designed in anticipation of a resourceless world, using cardboard instead of steel for those parts. This and a vertical windscreen designed to reduce the amount of glass needed and save weight make the electric Citroën "Oli" concept car look like a futuristic SUV. "It's more than just a concept car like you're used to seeing," Citroën director of future products Anne Laliron told Reuters. Designers at Dacia, the low-cost brand of Renault (RENA.PA), have also tried their hand at this exercise, coming up with the "Manifesto" concept car. Work on the concept car began in 2019 and has arrived in an era beset by raw material shortages caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

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