Business & Technology
In the Maldives, A.I. Helps Rebuild Beaches Threatened by Rising Seas
An experimental system with origins at M.I.T. is being tested in the Maldives, using artificial intelligence to read coastal erosion patterns and redirect sand so it accumulates on beaches instead of washing away.
The New York Times · 16 Sept, 18:45
Tet customer criticizes paid cybersecurity offer, company explains the difference
A Threads post from a Tet customer questioning why data protection costs extra sparked online debate. Company representatives and other users clarified that basic network protection is already free, while the paid service covers broader risks.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Sept, 18:45
BRICS Summit Takes Aim at U.S. Influence Over the Global Economy
Leaders at the BRICS summit in New Delhi adopted a joint statement demanding reform of Western-led financial institutions and criticizing unilateral tariffs, though the bloc remained divided over Russia, Iran and its stance toward the United States.
2 avoti · 16 Sept, 17:58
Threads to roll out new tools helping podcasters promote shows
Meta says Threads is getting new features that let podcast creators promote their shows and connect with listeners directly on the platform. Threads isn't looking to host podcasts itself, but wants to become a hub for discussing them.
TechCrunch AI · 16 Sept, 17:50
Wednesday Business Digest: EU State of the Union Address, airBaltic's Court Win, and Latvia's Economic Growth
On Wednesday, September 16, the European Commission president delivers her annual State of the EU address, a US court approved airBaltic's initial bankruptcy filings, and Latvia's economy is growing faster than previously forecast.
Delfi · 16 Sept, 17:48
Amazon raises hourly pay for US operations workers
Amazon is increasing minimum starting pay for its US operations employees by $1 an hour to $20, while adding new banking and shopping perks. The total investment exceeds $1.5 billion.
TechCrunch · 16 Sept, 17:45
SK Hynix, Intel reportedly discussing US memory chip production
South Korea's SK Hynix is in talks with Intel about manufacturing RAM chips in the US for the first time, Reuters reports. Options under discussion include leasing space at Intel's planned Ohio plant or forming a joint venture.
TechCrunch AI · 16 Sept, 16:50
SK Hynix in talks with Intel over US memory chip production
South Korean memory chipmaker SK Hynix is reportedly discussing options with Intel to manufacture RAM chips in the United States, though SK Hynix says no final decisions have been made.
TechCrunch · 16 Sept, 16:50
Latvian entrepreneurs meet German companies and investors in Berlin
The main business events of a trade mission organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) have begun in Berlin, where Latvian entrepreneurs are meeting with German companies and investors.
Labs of Latvia · 16 Sept, 16:49
Growing number of electric cars raises questions about fairness of state support scheme
The number of electric vehicles on Latvia's roads keeps rising, driven partly by state purchase incentives, but questions are emerging about whether the support scheme benefits all market participants equally.
TVNET · 16 Sept, 15:49
University of Latvia professor Šteinbuka: economic policy needs fewer words, more deeds
University of Latvia professor Inna Šteinbuka has called on politicians to move from talk to action on economic policy. She described this shift as her personal wish for Latvia's economy.
LSM · 16 Sept, 15:49
Volkswagen unveils its most powerful GTI ever — the electric ID.3 GTI
Volkswagen will launch the electric ID.3 GTI in early 2027, delivering 326 horsepower and making it the most powerful series-production GTI model to date.
iAuto.lv · 16 Sept, 15:43
What to Check Before Buying an Android Phone in 2026
A technology publication has outlined the key specifications buyers should weigh when choosing an Android smartphone in 2026, from display type to software support length. The guidance stresses looking beyond price to factors like processor, memory, and charging speed.
Wired · 16 Sept, 14:45
Competition Council approves new Elvi store in Berģi, in former Sky premises
Latvia's Competition Council has approved plans by Elvi franchisee SIA Vita mārkets to open a new store in Berģi, in the premises formerly occupied by a Sky store.
LSM · 16 Sept, 14:43
Drone Strike on Saudi Pipeline Rattles Oil Market, Pushes Diesel Prices Higher
Global oil and diesel prices are surging after a drone strike damaged Saudi Arabia's main East-West pipeline, threatening global supply and pushing fuel costs higher for consumers while boosting profits at oil majors such as Chevron.
2 avoti · 16 Sept, 13:55
Hackers Breached a Flock Camera, Exposing How the Surveillance System Works
A hacker group removed a Flock automatic license plate reader camera from a roadway and extracted its internal data, revealing the device also detects people, not just vehicles. The files were shared with 404 Media and WIRED for analysis.
Wired · 16 Sept, 13:51
Amazon launches Alexa+ in India with Hindi language support
Amazon has rolled out its Alexa+ conversational assistant in India with Hindi support, letting users hold longer, context-aware conversations. It is initially free in early access, with a paid tier planned for non-Prime users later.
TechCrunch AI · 16 Sept, 13:46
France's Hackuity raises €16 million to tackle growing wave of cyber vulnerabilities
Lyon-based cybersecurity firm Hackuity has raised €16 million to expand its AI-driven platform that helps organisations prioritise and fix security vulnerabilities. The round was led by Forgepoint Capital International.
EU-Startups · 16 Sept, 13:44
Poll: 63% of Americans see AI as a serious threat to humanity
A new POLITICO poll finds that a plurality of Americans favor pausing development of more advanced AI models, with 63 percent saying the technology poses at least a moderate risk of destroying humanity.
Politico Europe · 16 Sept, 13:44
Boox Unveils Third-Generation Palma 3 E-Reader
Boox has announced three new E Ink devices, including the long-awaited Palma 3, a smartphone-shaped e-reader with an aluminum build. The device is expected to launch soon, though no exact release date has been set.
Wired · 16 Sept, 12:45
airBaltic to immediately receive first €140 million tranche of Chapter 11 financing
A US court has approved airBaltic's initial Chapter 11 filings, allowing the airline to immediately draw the first €140 million tranche of its total €350 million debtor-in-possession financing. The airline says operations continue as normal for passengers, staff and partners.
Dienas Bizness · 16 Sept, 12:43
Apple iPhone 18 Pro: preorders already open, price starts at €1,479
Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, and the phone is already available for preorder on Amazon for €1,479 (256GB), with official retail launch set for September 18.
3 avoti · 16 Sept, 11:58
Boox unveils three new E Ink devices, including upgraded Palma 3
Boox has announced three new Android 16-powered E Ink devices, led by the Palma 3 pocket reader with an aluminum build and stylus support. The devices are listed on the company's website but not all are yet available for purchase.
Engadget · 16 Sept, 11:43
Bucharest startup Veridion raises €17.5 million to grow its real-time business data platform
Romanian company Veridion has secured €17.5 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-driven system that continuously tracks 642 million businesses worldwide.
EU-Startups · 16 Sept, 10:49
Latvian-made app BirdyChat renamed to Balsio, now available in Latvian
The Latvian-built workplace communication tool BirdyChat has been renamed to Balsio and is now available in a Latvian-language version. The product is also sharpening its focus on small teams.
Labs of Latvia · 16 Sept, 09:47
From EdTech to "HumanOS": Brighteye Ventures secures €62.4 million in first close of third fund
Luxembourg-based VC firm Brighteye Ventures has closed the first round of its third fund at €62.4 million, broadening its focus from EdTech to technologies that expand human capability in the AI era.
EU-Startups · 16 Sept, 09:46
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Sadales Tīkls Board Chairman Jansons to Step Down Soon
Sandis Jansons, chairman of the board of Latvian electricity distribution operator AS "Sadales tīkls," will leave his post on September 30 to continue his career at another major Latvian company. The announcement was made by shareholder AS "Latvenergo" to the Nasdaq Riga stock exchange.
Apollo.lv · 16 Sept, 09:46
US Congressional Budget Office: Iran conflict has cost military $38 billion
The US Congressional Budget Office announced that the conflict with Iran has cost the American armed forces approximately $38 billion so far. The figure was released on Tuesday by the agency responsible for federal financial estimates for Congress.
Dienas Bizness · 16 Sept, 09:43
Some Latvian pensioners to receive extra payment in October — amount will drop again in November
Thousands of pensioners whose pensions were automatically recalculated by the State Social Insurance Agency (VSAA) on April 1 will receive a back-payment for April–September along with annual indexation in October. The November payment will be smaller than October's but higher than before.
Jauns.lv · 16 Sept, 08:45
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European Central Bank's higher interest rates take effect today
The European Central Bank's newly raised interest rates officially took effect today, a change expected to affect borrowing and savings conditions across the eurozone, including Latvia.
TVNET · 16 Sept, 08:44
AI use surges among Estonian residents and companies in 2026
New Statistics Estonia data shows 65% of Estonia's residents and 34% of businesses now use artificial intelligence, both marking sharp increases from last year. Use of internet-connected smart devices has also grown significantly.
ERR (rus) · 16 Sept, 08:43
Science diagnostic test results were the weakest among major school exams
Last year's science diagnostic test for ninth-graders in Latvia produced an average score of just 44.8%, the lowest among major assessments. This year the subject moves to a centralized exam.
Dienas Bizness · 16 Sept, 07:47
More new companies registered in August, with Estonian investors putting in half a billion euros
Almost a thousand new companies were registered in Latvia in August, the highest monthly figure this year, while Estonian investors injected half a billion euros into the share capital of one firm. Over the first eight months, the number of newly founded companies rose by nearly 8%.
LSM · 16 Sept, 06:47
ECB's higher interest rates take effect
The European Central Bank's latest 0.25 percentage point rate hike, decided on September 10 amid inflation pressures from the Middle East conflict, has now taken effect. Eurozone annual inflation rose to 3.3% in August.
Dienas Bizness · 16 Sept, 06:46
Bergs: Digital security risks are the “new normal”, not a cause for panic
Businessman Normunds Bergs, speaking on the TV24 show “Naudas cena”, said society should stop treating digital security risks as emergencies and instead focus on basic precautions, especially protecting bank accounts. He argued that rapid technological progress naturally makes older systems less secure over time.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Sept, 06:46
How to manually update Android Auto — and what it means if you can't
Android Auto usually updates automatically through the Google Play Store, but users can manually check for and trigger updates when problems arise. If no update is available or bugs persist, clearing app storage or rolling back to an older version can help.
Engadget · 16 Sept, 05:48