NEWS THAT MATTER

Headlights are quietly undergoing a technological revolution, and regulators are trying to catch up.  For much of automotive history, innovation came to headlights gradually. But over the last few decades, the pace has quickened. Now, automakers are using LED technology to create arrays of tiny lights that can cast complex beam patterns. The so-called adaptive driving beams can illuminate an entire road while shutting off any bulbs that would shine in the eyes of oncoming drivers.  Even more sophisticated headlights have such high resolution that they can display graphics or even animations. These could be used to display warnings or other important information in front of the driver. In theory, the technology could enable a car to project an entire movie from its headlamps.

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Among the conspiracy theories circulating about the pandemic, one claim is that Covid-19 vaccines contain microchips that the government or global elites like Bill Gates would use to track citizens. Despite viral TikTok videos and hoaxes claiming the chips make vaccinated arms magnetic, doctors and scientists all agree the conspiracy is false. It’s not possible given the size and technology of microchips, the multiple dose vials used to administer the vaccine, and the depth of the intramuscular injection.

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 The organic food industry is a booming business. U.S. organic sales surged in 2020, jumping by 12.4% to $61.9 billion. With consumers being more health conscious than ever, they’re willing to pay more for what they perceive as better. But, what exactly does “organic” mean?

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The International Space Station will likely be retired within the decade. NASA hopes to save money by having commercial companies build the next space outpost. Some companies including Sierra Space and Axiom Space are already working on a commercial space station. But the question is, will these stations be ready in time?

The U.S. defense industry wasn’t spared from the economic crunch caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Despite this, fighter jets continue to sell, and manufacturers are still seeking new markets to expand into. But the emerging disruption to the industry from unmanned aircraft and artificial intelligence has the potential to reshape the entire industry. Here’s a look at the big business of fighter jets.

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Emirates, the long-haul carrier known for its luxury services, has set new standards for the way we travel. Like airlines everywhere, the carrier has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic. To keep customers safe and on board, Emirates adopted a variety of new protocols. The company also pivoted to cargo shipments to keep itself afloat. So will Emirates bounce back from the economic fallout pummeling the airline industry?

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The global watchmaking industry has changed since the introduction of the smartphone and as demand for fitness trackers and smartwatches grow. Legacy watchmakers, like Fossil, have had to adapt and give customers new reasons to keep timepieces on their wrists. The company has been planning for the future by bringing its own smartwatches to market, initiating a multi-year turnaround plan and focusing on growing markets in China and India. But will that be enough?

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Amazon aggregators are in the midst of a buying frenzy. They’re trying to entice sellers who have successful brands on Amazon with incentives like Tesla giveaways and exclusive parties.  Some of the biggest Amazon aggregators, Thrasio and Perch, have valuations in the billions of dollars. In July, they were among the many companies in the space attending the Prosper Show, a popular conference for Amazon sellers.  The marketing and recruiting dollars were flowing as they sought to lure sellers to join them.  “People giving away a Tesla, just a lot of talk on the commissions if you’re able to bring in a deal, and just to be honest, it’s like the talk of the town,” said Casey Gauss, a vice president at Thrasio, which has raised $1.75 billion and acquired more than 125 Amazon brands since it was founded in 2018.

Twenty years of war for the United States and coalition partners in Afghanistan ended with the collapse of the Afghan government after U.S. troops withdrew from most of the country. The rapid advance of the Taliban forced an evacuation of more than 100,000 people from Afghanistan over the course of the last few weeks, and led to the deaths of 13 U.S. service members. Here’s how the fall of Afghanistan happened so quickly, and what’s next for the war-torn country.

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Amazon aggregators have become a hot new trend in the start-up world. Two of them, Thrasio and Perch, have reached unicorn status, raising billions in capital to buy up mom-and-pop Amazon sellers. Aggregators then use software and marketing prowess to grow the brands, sometimes with great success.  Aggregators threw exclusive after parties and offered free Teslas for successful referrals in an effort to woo new acquisitions at a recent Amazon seller conference in Las Vegas. CNBC was on the show floor to talk to aggregators, sellers, and former Amazon insiders about the trend.