Business & Technology
Oil Prices Jump to Six-Week High as US-Iran Clashes Disrupt Strait of Hormuz
Oil prices have surged to their highest level in six weeks after clashes between US and Iranian forces disrupted shipping traffic in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Markets are reacting to fears of supply disruptions along the key oil transit route.
Al Jazeera · 8 Sept, 01:11

6 ways to get more out of your Apple Wallet
Apple Wallet offers far more than storing payment cards, including bill splitting, digital IDs and order tracking. iOS 27 has added several new features that many users may not know about yet.
Engadget · 8 Sept, 01:07
Cuba rejects talks with US amid record losses from trade embargo
Cuba has announced it will not enter negotiations with the United States, citing record economic losses caused by the long-standing US trade embargo. The country's foreign minister described months of severe power blackouts affecting the population.
Al Jazeera · 8 Sept, 00:12

Volkswagen to Sell Osnabrück Plant, Which Will Switch to Making Defence Equipment
Struggling automaker Volkswagen has reached a preliminary agreement to sell its Osnabrück factory in Lower Saxony to the state government and Israeli investor Aurelius Capital. From mid-2027, the plant is expected to begin producing components for Israeli defence firm Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
France 24 · 8 Sept, 00:08

New entrepreneurs offered cheaper alternative to renting an office
Startups that only meet clients occasionally don't necessarily need to commit to permanent office rental costs — co-working spaces offer a solution. Latvia's investment agency LIAA says such spaces are also available at its regional branches nationwide.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 Sept, 00:07

How to watch Nintendo's Legend of Zelda 40th anniversary Direct
Nintendo will air a special 30-minute Direct on September 8 dedicated to Zelda's 40th anniversary, expected to cover the Ocarina of Time remake and the upcoming film, ahead of a regular Direct on Wednesday covering other Switch 2 titles.
Engadget · 8 Sept, 00:07

Liepāja Free Port Authority warns transit ban could cut cargo volumes by 40%
Liepāja Special Economic Zone officials warn that banning transit of Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods could cut the port's cargo turnover by about 40%, causing a budget shortfall and threatening around 1,000 jobs.
BNN · 7 Sept, 23:12

Audi's new A2 E-tron combines low price with record-breaking efficiency
Audi has unveiled the A2 E-tron, a compact electric crossover that pairs an affordable European price with an ultra-low drag coefficient and a range of up to 401 miles. The model will initially be sold only in Europe.
The Verge · 7 Sept, 23:09

Sony WF-1000XM6 vs WF-1000XM5: What's the difference?
Sony released its WF-1000XM6 earbuds in February, but the older WF-1000XM5 remains a competitive, cheaper alternative. Each model has trade-offs depending on what buyers value most.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 22:13

Record fuel prices spark road protests in Portugal
Diesel hit an all-time high in Portugal on Monday, triggering horn protests and go-slow marches across the country. Fuel prices have been climbing all year, placing Portugal among Europe's most expensive markets.
Euronews Business · 7 Sept, 21:14

iOS 27 lets you set your alarm volume separately from ringtone volume
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 finally separates alarm and timer volume from ringtone volume, letting users avoid oversleeping after turning down their ringer. The change is made through a new toggle in the Sounds & Haptics settings menu.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 21:08

Why using a Bluetooth jammer is against the law
Bluetooth jammers may seem useful for blocking unwanted connections or trackers, but their use is illegal in most countries because of the risk they pose to critical infrastructure and emergency services. They can also be traced, leading to serious penalties.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 20:11

Scorching summer and drought cut French Champagne production by half
An exceptionally hot and dry summer in France has significantly damaged this year's wine grape harvest, with Champagne production expected to fall by roughly half compared to usual levels.
Politico Europe · 7 Sept, 19:12

Apple set to unveil its first foldable iPhone this week
Apple's September 9 event is expected to introduce the company's first foldable iPhone alongside new iPhone 18 models, a refreshed HomePod, and possibly camera-equipped AirPods.
TechCrunch · 7 Sept, 19:09

Sony brings back its legendary WH-1000XM4 headphones as the XM4C
Six years after launching the acclaimed WH-1000XM4 headphones, Sony has revived them as the WH-1000XM4C with minor upgrades. The company also unveiled two cheaper headphone lines and a Hello Kitty collaboration.
The Verge · 7 Sept, 19:07

How to stop CarPlay from automatically connecting to your iPhone
There are several simple ways to prevent Apple CarPlay from automatically pairing with an iPhone, for users who occasionally want a break from it. Options include adjusting phone settings, forgetting a specific car, or fully disabling the feature via Screen Time.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 19:07

OPEC+ nations agree to hold oil output steady in October
OPEC+ countries have agreed not to raise oil production in October, after an August decision to increase output was not fully realized due to supply disruptions. The alliance's next meeting is scheduled for October 4.
ERR (rus) · 7 Sept, 19:06

Vilnius deploys artificial intelligence to fight traffic congestion
Vilnius is testing an AI-based traffic system that has cut driver waiting times by about 19 minutes on one of the city's busiest roads. The city plans to expand such technology to other high-traffic intersections.
Delfi · 7 Sept, 18:10

EcoFlow to launch smaller, lighter River Gen4 portable power stations
EcoFlow is preparing the River 260 Gen4 and River 520 Gen4 portable power stations, which are lighter and more compact than similarly specced rivals. Both are set to launch in Europe in late 2026 and early 2027.
The Verge · 7 Sept, 18:10

How to recover a missing app — or hide one — on Android Auto
Apps that suddenly disappear from the Android Auto launcher are usually deactivated by the phone's battery-saving settings rather than removed by Android Auto itself. Fixing it takes only a few simple steps.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 18:08

Record-strength El Niño could push up Australian grocery bills
Experts warn the strongest El Niño on record could drive food prices higher in Australia over the next year, adding pressure to households and complicating the central bank's inflation fight.
The Guardian World · 7 Sept, 18:08
/nginx/o/2026/09/07/17904668t1h6e93.jpg)
Historic vehicles to gather at Biķernieki track anniversary event
On September 13, the Speedway stadium area of the Biķernieki racetrack will host the "Youngtimer Coffeetime 2026" gathering of historic cars and motorcycles, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Apollo.lv · 7 Sept, 17:09

Latvia plans to fully halt passenger bus travel to Russia and Belarus from 2027
Latvia's Transport Ministry has drafted amendments banning all regular and irregular international passenger bus services to Russia and Belarus, as well as transit through Latvia to these countries. The only currently permitted regular route, Riga–Moscow, has its permit expiring on 9 January 2027 and will not be renewed.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Sept, 17:09

Google Store trade-in program pays more for old phones than rivals
With the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup, Google is offering notably higher trade-in values for old phones than Best Buy, Apple or Amazon. Even older devices can bring in hundreds of dollars in credit.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 17:08

Australia drafts law to let users opt out of social media algorithms
Australia's government is preparing legislation that would let people opt out of algorithm-driven content on social media, though opposition lawmakers have criticized the plan as potential censorship.
BNN · 7 Sept, 16:14

UK Chancellor Healey vows to prioritise growth while warning spending must be curbed
UK Chancellor John Healey said boosting economic growth will be his defining mission ahead of the 28 October budget, while acknowledging Labour must be honest about the need to control public spending.
The Guardian World · 7 Sept, 16:10

How to customize Siri's voice and behavior on iOS
Apple is preparing a major Siri voice overhaul for iOS 27, but users can already adjust Siri's voice and response style in current settings. A fully customizable expressive voice, however, will be limited to newer hardware.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 16:07
Stockholm's Fluencify raises €3.7 million to expand creator marketing platform
Swedish startup Fluencify, an end-to-end creator marketing platform, has closed an oversubscribed €3.7 million pre-Seed funding round. The company has already surpassed €1.7 million in annual recurring revenue just six months after launch.
EU-Startups · 7 Sept, 15:09

iOS 27 beta glitch briefly wipes travelers' Digital ID from Wallet
Some iPhone users running the iOS 27 beta have reported their Digital ID passport suddenly vanishing from the Wallet app, though the issue is easy to fix.
Engadget · 7 Sept, 15:09

Why the iPhone Is About to Get More Expensive as Memory Chip Prices Soar
A surge in memory chip prices, driven largely by AI's massive infrastructure demands, is pushing manufacturers including Apple toward higher device prices, with no relief expected for years.
The Verge · 7 Sept, 15:08

Riga Conference's business forum to discuss security's role in economic growth
On September 9, the University of Latvia's Small Hall will host the Riga Conference Business Forum, focused on the role of security as a driver of growth. The event brings together entrepreneurs and other participants to discuss this connection.
Labs of Latvia · 7 Sept, 15:08

Latvian entrepreneurs to strengthen ties with German tech and industry leaders in Berlin
From September 14 to 17, a delegation of Latvian entrepreneurs will travel to Berlin as part of a trade mission organized by LIAA, meeting with German companies, investors and innovation centers. The goal is to deepen cooperation with Germany's technology and industrial sectors.
Labs of Latvia · 7 Sept, 14:12

Every Samsung Galaxy Phone Hides This Overlooked Shortcut Feature
Samsung Galaxy phones come with a built-in, customizable shortcut bar called the Edge Panel that many users never notice or forget about. It offers quick access to favorite apps, contacts and other tools.
Wired · 7 Sept, 14:08

Bentley's upcoming Torcal EV pairs craftsmanship with a synthetic V8 soundtrack
Bentley is preparing to unveil the Torcal, its first electric SUV built on a shared platform with the electrified Porsche Cayenne, blending high-end engineering with the brand's traditional focus on craftsmanship. The official reveal is expected later this month.
The Verge · 7 Sept, 14:08
Refurbed co-founder Kilian Kaminski to speak at EU-Startups Summit 2027
Refurbed co-founder Kilian Kaminski will take the main stage at the EU-Startups Summit 2027 in Malta, delivering a keynote on combining sustainable entrepreneurship with profitability.
EU-Startups · 7 Sept, 14:07

France's EDF in talks to acquire UK supplier So Energy
French-owned EDF Energy is negotiating to acquire British electricity supplier So Energy as the UK energy market keeps consolidating. No deal has been finalized yet, and EDF faces at least one rival bidder.
Euronews Business · 7 Sept, 13:12