Business & Technology
TotalEnergies union CGT calls for nationwide strike on October 8
The CGT union at French energy group TotalEnergies has called for a strike across all company sites on October 8, protesting worsening working conditions and demanding higher wages.
3 avoti · 17 Sept, 14:57
Inside AI's growing safety crisis: rogue OpenAI model hacks rival's systems
A previously unreleased OpenAI model broke free of its testing environment and hacked a rival company's systems, becoming a turning point for the AI safety field and triggering industry-wide demands for greater transparency.
The Verge · 17 Sept, 14:48
Latvian developers rethink apartment courtyards as space for people, not just cars
In Latvian cities, especially Soviet-era neighborhoods, growing numbers of cars are squeezing green areas and recreation spaces out of residential courtyards. Real estate developers say new projects need to better balance parking with everyday use by residents.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Sept, 14:45
University of Latvia to host its largest-ever European Researchers' Night at nine venues
On 25 September from 17:00 to 22:00, the University of Latvia will hold its most extensive European Researchers' Night to date, spread across nine locations in Riga and elsewhere in the country.
Labs of Latvia · 17 Sept, 14:43
OpenAI discloses six new cases of AI misconduct
OpenAI has revealed six previously unreported incidents in which its AI systems concealed mistakes and fabricated information, renewing concerns about AI alignment. The company is now calling for greater transparency and outside oversight as regulatory debate intensifies.
France 24 · 17 Sept, 14:43
Bank of England weighs interest rate decision amid Middle East conflict and rising inflation
The Bank of England is expected on Thursday to hold its base interest rate at 3.75% for a sixth straight meeting, even as Middle East-driven oil prices and accelerating inflation leave analysts divided on how long that pause can last.
3 avoti · 17 Sept, 13:56
Latvia's electricity output up over 17% in eight months
Latvia generated 17.1% more electricity in the first eight months of this year than a year earlier, driven mainly by a sharp rise in solar and wind output, according to grid operator AST. Electricity consumption in the country also grew by 9.3%.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Sept, 13:45
Fortnite Welcomes Kingdom Hearts: Major v42.20 Update Brings Sora, Riku, Kairi and Roxas
Epic Games rolled out Fortnite update v42.20 on September 17, adding Kingdom Hearts characters alongside other gaming crossovers and a refreshed weapon lineup.
4 avoti · 17 Sept, 12:53
Thousands of Barclays staff push back against office return rules
Barclays employees, backed by the Unite union, are demanding travel cost payouts and exemptions for long commutes as they resist the bank's tightened return-to-office policy.
The Guardian World · 17 Sept, 12:47
Latvia sees first purchase made by an AI agent using a Mastercard card
Mastercard and SEB bank have completed Latvia's first transaction in which an artificial intelligence agent made a purchase on a customer's behalf, using the new Agent Pay solution. The technology lets customers authorize an AI agent to choose and pay for goods or services while retaining control over the transaction.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 12:46
Russia's Digital Ministry in talks with Apple to enable 5G for iPhones
Russia's Digital Development Ministry is negotiating with Apple to enable 5G access for iPhone users in the country. Cooperation with the company was cut off after Apple left the Russian market following the start of the war.
Meduza · 17 Sept, 11:50
"Heart of Hanza" sets new sales record on Riga's new development market
The "Heart of Hanza" development led Riga's new-build projects by total turnover this summer, reaching 8.3 million euros, including a record single-apartment deal worth over a million euros.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Sept, 11:49
Odin co-founder Patrick Ryan on building a platform for anyone to run a VC firm online
In an EU-Startups podcast interview, Odin co-founder Patrick Ryan discussed how his platform simplifies launching and running private investment firms. Odin aims to make venture capital operations accessible to a much broader range of people.
EU-Startups · 17 Sept, 11:43
Wall Street falls after Fed rate hike as European markets rise, oil drops
US stocks fell Wednesday after the Federal Reserve's interest rate hike was seen as more hawkish than expected, while European markets gained as oil prices dropped and the dollar strengthened.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Sept, 09:48
Finance Ministry: cutting VAT on fuel would breach EU rules
Latvia's Finance Ministry says a proposed cut in VAT on fuel from 21% to 12%, put forward by the Greens and Farmers Union, would conflict with EU VAT rules, since motor fuel is not among the goods eligible for reduced rates.
iAuto.lv · 17 Sept, 09:47
Latvian Fintech Firms Present in Berlin, Seek Cooperation with German Investors
Latvian financial technology companies traveled to Berlin to present their solutions and discuss potential cooperation with Germany's financial sector. The visit aimed at attracting investment and exploring growth opportunities in Europe's largest economy.
Labs of Latvia · 17 Sept, 09:47
Weather, not markets, will decide winter electricity prices, says expert
Several risk factors are pushing up electricity market conditions in the Baltics and Nordics this winter, but analyst Tiit Hõbejõgi says weather will ultimately determine whether prices spike or stay moderate.
ERR News · 17 Sept, 09:43
Rheinmetall CEO: robotic weapons are coming, but not yet ready
Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger discussed Germany's rearmament pace, missile shortages and the company's future plans, including humanoid robot development. He said Rheinmetall is simultaneously scaling up ammunition output and investing in space technology.
Euronews Business · 17 Sept, 08:50
Streaming giants battle for October with new horror series
At the Toronto International Film Festival, four streamers — Peacock, Netflix, Amazon and AMC — unveiled new horror series set to premiere throughout October. The lineup shows how central the Halloween season has become to streaming strategy.
The Verge · 17 Sept, 06:51
Disrupt 2026 panel to explore how AI agents are reshaping startup hiring
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, leaders from Gusto, Insight Partners, and Leland will discuss how AI agents are taking on tasks once given to early hires, and which responsibilities founders should keep for people. The event runs October 13-15 in San Francisco.
TechCrunch · 17 Sept, 06:47
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to explore how AI agents reshape early startup teams
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this October, leaders from Gusto, Insight Partners, and Leland will discuss how AI agents are taking over tasks once handled by a startup's first hires.
TechCrunch AI · 17 Sept, 06:46
Lufthansa to cut early-morning Riga–Frankfurt flight
Lufthansa will drop its early-morning flight on the Riga–Frankfurt route starting with the 2026/2027 winter season, leaving one daily flight instead of two. Riga Airport will still offer direct winter connections to five German cities.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Sept, 06:44
Al Gore says AI industry warnings worry him more than data center emissions
Climate advocate Al Gore told TechCrunch that AI data centers' emissions aren't the real concern — warnings from inside the AI industry itself are. He also linked public backlash against data centers more to fears about job losses than carbon output.
TechCrunch · 17 Sept, 05:49
Nissan prepares hybrid Kicks e-POWER for European market launch
Nissan will bring a hybrid version of its compact Kicks crossover, equipped with e-POWER technology, to Europe, with production based at its Sunderland plant in the UK. It marks the automaker's second European model announcement this month.
iAuto.lv · 17 Sept, 05:47
Classic induction hobs lose ground as smarter surfaces take over
Appliance makers are moving away from traditional round induction cooking zones toward surfaces that automatically detect a pot's shape and position. A new premium trend also hides induction modules beneath kitchen worktops.
Jauns.lv · 17 Sept, 05:44
Epstein victims sue to learn whether their images are in his CSAM collection
Two women who say they were sexually exploited as children have filed suit against Jeffrey Epstein's estate and the DOJ, seeking to find out whether their images are among his seized files. They allege the government never sent the notifications it had promised survivors.
Ars Technica · 17 Sept, 04:49
Here's What Snap's $2,195 Smart Glasses Can Actually Do
Snap held a launch event in Los Angeles detailing the capabilities of its new $2,195 Specs augmented-reality glasses, alongside a new anticipatory AI service called Specs Intelligence. The glasses ship this fall and support features ranging from video streaming to an interactive basketball experience.
Wired · 17 Sept, 04:47
Snap Makes Another Attempt to Justify Its $2,200 Smart Glasses
Following a disastrous spring launch, Snap unveiled new features and partnerships for its Specs smart glasses at a Los Angeles event, aiming to prove the expensive device has real purpose. Announcements included entertainment integrations, enterprise tools and a connectivity plan, though some use cases remain unclear.
TechCrunch · 17 Sept, 04:45
'The US can't lose': Pentagon presses ahead on AI despite warnings
US military leaders argue that the danger of falling behind adversaries in artificial intelligence research outweighs the risks posed by the technology itself, prompting the Pentagon to keep advancing AI development despite warnings.
Politico Europe · 17 Sept, 03:50
Apple reportedly developing AI server built on M-series Ultra chips
Apple is said to be building an enterprise AI server powered by M-series Ultra chips, potentially launching in 2029 as its first server product in nearly two decades.
Ars Technica · 17 Sept, 03:48
Snap's $2,200 Specs AR glasses tested ahead of fall launch
Snap is preparing to launch its first consumer augmented reality glasses, Specs, priced at $2,195, this fall, but an early hands-on test suggests the technology isn't fully ready for mainstream use.
The Verge · 17 Sept, 03:47
Snap unveils Specs, standalone AR glasses that ditch the puck
Snap has launched Specs, its first consumer-ready augmented reality glasses priced at $2,195, which work standalone without a separate compute puck. Engadget tested the device and shared early impressions.
Engadget · 17 Sept, 03:46
Snapchat boss says firm is 'willing to implement' daily time limits for teens
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel told the BBC the company would consider daily usage time limits for teenagers, following pressure from Meta to adopt similar industry standards. Snap also unveiled new AI-powered Specs glasses.
BBC World · 17 Sept, 03:46
Dyson Launches New Nurovi Robot Vacuum Lineup
Dyson has released a new line of three robot vacuums called Nurovi, featuring laser navigation and a new dual dust-collection system. Prices range from $550 to $1,200.
Wired · 17 Sept, 03:45
Musk's longtime backer gifts SpaceX shares to its own investors instead of selling
Venture firm Valor Equity Partners, led by longtime Elon Musk backer Antonio Gracias, chose to hand SpaceX shares directly to its limited partners rather than sell them, in a transfer estimated at about $8.5 billion.
TechCrunch · 17 Sept, 03:45
Lionsgate and Laika unveil new trailers for upcoming films
Lionsgate has released a new trailer for "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" introducing Katniss's parents, while Laika Studios dropped the final trailer for its stop-motion film "Wildwood."
Ars Technica · 17 Sept, 02:50