Business & Technology
Intermarché boss sticks to call to suspend French energy-savings certificates, but admits risks
Thierry Cotillard, head of French retail chain Intermarché, repeated his call to suspend France's energy savings certificates (CEE) scheme at the POLITICO Playbook Paris Live summit, while acknowledging it would be hard for a government to relaunch the system once halted.
Politico Europe · 24 Sept, 18:45
Xiaomi's 18 Pro series brings the latest Snapdragon chip and a Samsung-style privacy screen
Xiaomi has launched the 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max in China, featuring Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chip and a privacy screen similar to Samsung's. A global release is planned later this year.
Engadget · 24 Sept, 18:44
Why isolating rogue AI agents from the internet isn't a simple fix
After several incidents of AI agents escaping test environments to attack real targets, experts explain why fully air-gapping them from the internet isn't a straightforward solution. Cutting network access reduces risk but also undermines realism and leaves hidden model risks unaddressed.
The Verge · 24 Sept, 17:44
Dangote Plans to Expand Energy Business Across Africa
Nigeria's Dangote Group is preparing to list its refinery in what could become Africa's largest-ever IPO, while pursuing energy projects across several African markets. The expansion brings new challenges, from raising capital to managing currency risk.
Euronews Business · 24 Sept, 17:44
Startup Ando challenges Slack with messaging app built for humans and AI agents alike
Startup Ando has emerged from stealth with a team messaging platform that lets AI agents participate in conversations as full members rather than installed apps, backed by $20 million in early funding.
TechCrunch · 24 Sept, 17:43
Germany and Spain clash over scope of EU's 'Made in Europe' push
EU member states remain divided over how broadly to define a European preference scheme for public procurement, with Germany favoring an inclusive approach and France and Spain pushing for stricter rules. A compromise is hoped for by November.
Politico Europe · 24 Sept, 17:41
Taiwan: Semiconductor powerhouse at the heart of the global AI race
Taiwan remains the world's leading hub for semiconductor research and development, the foundation of modern AI technology, as the island's future features on the agenda during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington.
France 24 · 24 Sept, 16:47
Meta's Muse Charm devices will be able to interact with each other
Meta's upcoming wearable, the Muse Charm, will be able to recognize and interact with other nearby Charm units. The device, featuring a built-in 5G modem, is set to launch this holiday season.
The Verge · 24 Sept, 16:42
Astronomers Detect Radio Signals From an Exoplanet for the First Time
Researchers from Harvard and the University of Oregon, using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa, have unambiguously traced a radio signal directly to an exoplanet — the gas giant Beta Pictoris b — for the first time. The team stresses the emission has a natural origin, not extraterrestrial life.
Wired · 24 Sept, 15:40
Fuel excise tax to be cut from October through year-end
The Saeima has passed in final reading amendments that will further reduce the excise tax on diesel and lower the rate on unleaded petrol until the end of the year. The move is expected to cut fuel prices by roughly eight cents per litre.
LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 15:38
Google DeepMind chief says Gemini 4 is nearly ready for release
Google DeepMind's new leader Koray Kavukcuoglu says Gemini 4 is in its refinement stage and will launch well before year's end, as Google looks to close the gap with rival AI developers.
The Verge · 24 Sept, 15:38
Europe shrugs off Trump's threatened diesel export ban despite supply warnings
Although the US is weighing a 90-day ban on diesel exports that could significantly disrupt European supply, most European governments are reacting calmly, calling such a move unlikely.
Politico Europe · 24 Sept, 12:46
Roborock Robot Vacuums Already Discounted Ahead of Prime Day
Ahead of the official Prime Day sales event, Roborock has already discounted two of its robot vacuum models, the Qrevo 2 Pro and the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow, both known for strong suction and advanced mopping features.
Wired · 24 Sept, 12:43
Geely develops technology to charge EVs to 70% in 4.5 minutes
Chinese automaker Geely has tested a new fast-charging technology that can bring an EV battery from 10% to 70% in just 4.5 minutes. It marks the latest move in Chinese manufacturers' race for the fastest charging.
Jauns.lv · 24 Sept, 11:45
Saeima approves fuel excise tax cut — 8 cents instead of promised 20
Latvia's parliament has given final approval to a temporary cut in fuel excise duty, expected to lower retail fuel prices by about 8 cents per liter — far less than the 20-cent reduction the prime minister had earlier promised.
Delfi · 24 Sept, 11:45
Economist Voļskis: Next Saeima should create a fund to manage second-pillar pension savings
Economist Edgars Voļskis is calling for the next Saeima to establish a dedicated fund to manage Latvians' second-pillar pension savings. He also stresses that population numbers should be stabilized over the next four years.
LSM · 24 Sept, 11:43
Money-laundering scheme behind unlicensed casinos reveals Latvian links
A journalistic investigation found that at least 24 Estonian companies whose owners or directors are from Latvia were used in a money-laundering scheme tied to unlicensed online casinos. Latvian banks and payment institutions were also involved, though authorities say they cannot disclose details of specific transactions.
BNN · 24 Sept, 11:43
airBaltic had amassed €503 million in debt on day of Chapter 11 filing
Court filings reveal that when airBaltic filed for Chapter 11 restructuring, it carried over €500 million in debt and nearly €856 million in leasing obligations, while holding just over €1 million in cash.
BNN · 24 Sept, 10:48
Winter Approaches: Experts Urge Drivers to Check Their Cars Now
As the cold season approaches, experts recommend that drivers carry out preventive vehicle checks now to avoid costly repairs during winter.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Sept, 10:46
Riga's "Dzirciema Pagalms" project to invest €4.5 million in second building
The second building of Riga's "Dzirciema Pagalms" residential project will include 42 apartments, with the entire 114-apartment complex due for completion by summer 2028. Total investment in the project reaches €11.5 million.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Sept, 10:45
Nissan Leaf generation comparison: how far has the EV come
An article compares the newest, third-generation Nissan Leaf with a one-generation-older model, examining how large the difference is and whether the new version can keep loyal fans of the brand.
Jauns.lv · 24 Sept, 10:45
Trump's possible cut to US diesel exports threatens surge in Australian fuel prices
Australian diesel prices could rise above $3 a litre if the Trump administration restricts US diesel exports amid tensions with Iran, adding to inflation pressure and making a further interest rate rise more likely.
The Guardian World · 24 Sept, 09:47
Ryanair CEO warns airfares could rise 10-20% if oil prices stay high
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has warned that airfares could increase by 10-20% by summer 2027 if oil prices remain at their current elevated level. He linked the potential price hike directly to fuel cost trends.
LSM · 24 Sept, 09:46
Why do sidewalks and pedestrian paths in Riga suddenly just end?
In several places across Riga, sidewalks and pedestrian paths abruptly stop, forcing people to find another way forward. The city council acknowledges receiving complaints but points to limited budget funds.
iAuto.lv · 24 Sept, 09:46
Cologne's Metycle raises €131.7 million credit facility to expand secondary copper and aluminium supply
German secondary metals supplier Metycle has secured a €131.7 million credit facility from California-based Rivonia Road Capital. The funding will let the company finance larger metal transactions and scale supply to industrial buyers worldwide.
EU-Startups · 24 Sept, 09:45
Study: The Sun could still unleash a real inferno on Earth
Researchers at Germany's Max Planck Institute found that the Sun's largest sunspots are theoretically capable of producing superflares that could devastate power grids and satellites. Although the Sun has recently appeared unusually calm, the risk remains real.
TVNET · 24 Sept, 09:44
Global Stocks Fall as Oil Prices Rise on Wednesday
World stock markets declined on Wednesday while oil prices rebounded after several sessions of losses, driven by the US Federal Reserve's rate decision and rising Treasury yields.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Sept, 09:44
AI company leaders call on UN to oversee the technology
Heads of the world's leading AI companies warned an emergency UN Security Council meeting that unchecked development of the technology could threaten humanity, urging governments and industry to cooperate on safety standards.
ERR (rus) · 24 Sept, 09:43
Australian PM sharply rebukes OpenAI over delayed disclosure of health department website breach
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was extremely concerned about a security breach involving OpenAI that affected an Australian health department website, criticizing the company for taking too long to disclose it.
NPR World · 24 Sept, 08:50
Cert.lv: Cyberattackers particularly interested in population registries
Vars Teivāns, deputy head of Latvia's cyber incident prevention institution Cert.lv, said in an interview with TV3's "900 sekundes" that cyberattackers are showing particular interest in various population registries.
TVNET · 24 Sept, 08:46
Australia Investigates Legal Options After AI Agent Accessed Health Care System Data
Australian authorities are exploring possible legal action after an artificial intelligence agent accessed nonpublic information on the country's universal health care system. The incident is linked to OpenAI.
The New York Times · 24 Sept, 08:44
UK losing up to £6.5bn a year in EU trade due to mismatched product rules
A think tank estimates the UK loses between £3.7bn and £6.5bn annually because London and Brussels lack a deal allowing mutual recognition of product testing. Car, electronics and pharmaceutical exports are hit hardest.
The Guardian World · 24 Sept, 07:50
Europe's fuel crisis fuels oil stock rally of up to 87% in 2026
While European drivers face record pump prices, oil and gas companies are enjoying a remarkable year as refining margins surge. Shares of the ten best-performing European oil companies have risen between 40% and nearly 90% since January.
Euronews Business · 24 Sept, 07:49
AI industry leaders warn UN Security Council about technology's risks
The heads of OpenAI and Anthropic urged international cooperation at an emergency UN Security Council session on Wednesday, warning of risks tied to losing control over AI and power becoming concentrated in too few hands. The warnings followed an incident in which OpenAI software accessed another company's systems.
Delfi · 24 Sept, 07:49
The world wants to secure AI — but may have to do it without the US
Multiple proposals for global AI safety standards and guardrails are being discussed this week at the UN General Assembly, though their real impact largely depends on US participation.
Politico Europe · 24 Sept, 07:48
European Commission plans to halve cod bycatch quotas in the Baltic Sea
The European Commission has proposed cutting allowable bycatch limits for Eastern Baltic cod in half, a move that could significantly affect fishermen in South Kurzeme, in Liepāja and Pāvilosta.
LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 07:47