Business & Technology
US regulators expand probe into GM vehicles over brake failure reports
US safety regulators have widened an investigation into more than 1.1 million General Motors vehicles after receiving hundreds of reports of brake failures. The affected lineup includes several GM electric vehicles as well as models built for Honda and Acura.
Ars Technica · 24 Aug, 23:41
Replit CEO Amjad Masad to speak at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Replit CEO and co-founder Amjad Masad will take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco this October to discuss the future of programming in the AI era. The company has seen rapid revenue growth and a sharp rise in valuation over the past year.
TechCrunch AI · 24 Aug, 23:40
Alabama Opens Investigation Into OpenAI's Hugging Face Hack Incident
Alabama's Attorney General has issued a subpoena to OpenAI, investigating whether the company's safety failures during an unreleased cybersecurity model's breach of Hugging Face violated consumer protection laws.
TechCrunch · 24 Aug, 23:40
Threads testing automatic podcast transcription feature
Meta's Threads platform is testing a feature that automatically transcribes audio clips into text, letting users follow podcast content even with sound off. It's part of a broader push to attract podcast creators to the platform.
Engadget · 24 Aug, 23:38
Instinct's powerful AI assistant sparks privacy and security concerns
Instinct, an AI personal assistant still in private access, is drawing praise for its capabilities but also criticism over its terms of service and data handling. Testers reported trouble deleting stored emails, continued data access after disconnecting, and vulnerability to phishing.
TechCrunch AI · 24 Aug, 21:41
AI assistant Instinct draws privacy and security scrutiny
Instinct, a private-access AI personal assistant, is winning praise for its capabilities but drawing criticism over broad terms of service and security gaps. The company has yet to publicly respond to the concerns.
TechCrunch · 24 Aug, 21:40
Zillow and Redfin settle FTC antitrust case over rental listings deal
The US Federal Trade Commission and Zillow have reached a settlement resolving an antitrust case over a 2025 rental-listings partnership between Zillow and Redfin. The deal lets Redfin keep syndicating Zillow's rental listings but requires it to relaunch its own advertising business.
The Verge · 24 Aug, 20:41
France and Saudi Arabia formalize €6 billion deal to redevelop former Mirapolis site
French and Saudi authorities have officially confirmed a memorandum on a six-billion-euro investment to redevelop the site of the former Mirapolis amusement park. No precise timeline for the project has yet been disclosed.
Politico Europe · 24 Aug, 20:40
The Witcher 4 developers aiming for 2028 release
CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski said the studio is targeting a 2028 launch for The Witcher 4. Other Witcher-related projects are set to arrive before then.
The Verge · 24 Aug, 19:42
Expert: Telling real content from AI-generated is becoming nearly impossible
Guna Puce, head of the Latvian Artificial Intelligence Center, warns that AI-generated text, images and video can no longer be reliably distinguished from real content by eye. She urges people to change how they consume information and to verify sources before sharing.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 19:40
Valor, Point72 in talks to back General Intuition at $6B valuation for robotics push
New York-based AI startup General Intuition is negotiating a new funding round at a roughly $6 billion pre-money valuation, joined by new backers including Valor Equity Partners and Point72 Ventures. The company plans to use the funds to focus its foundation model on robotics.
TechCrunch AI · 24 Aug, 18:38
General Intuition nears $6B valuation as new funding round takes shape
New York-based AI startup General Intuition is in talks to raise fresh funding at a $6 billion pre-money valuation from investors including Valor Equity Partners and Point72 Ventures. The round comes just weeks after the company raised $320 million at a $2.3 billion valuation.
TechCrunch · 24 Aug, 18:38
Hot vs cold: What's actually the best temperature for solar panel output?
Solar cells are technically more efficient in cooler conditions, but hot, sunny days often produce more total electricity because there's simply more sunlight. Cloud cover, roof orientation and day length matter just as much as temperature.
Engadget · 24 Aug, 18:36
How SMEs can expand internationally without opening local offices
Digital tools and localisation technology now let small and medium businesses test new markets before committing major resources. Physical presence is becoming the result of proven demand rather than the starting point of expansion.
EU-Startups · 24 Aug, 17:43
US regulator escalates probe into brake failures in GM electric vehicles
NHTSA has upgraded its investigation into brake problems in General Motors EVs to the highest level after hundreds of complaints, more than 20 crashes or fires, and at least six injuries. Over a million vehicles could be affected.
TechCrunch · 24 Aug, 17:42
Volkswagen workers slam management's 'disastrous' communication over job cuts
A Volkswagen works council survey found employees rank poor management communication as their top grievance, ahead of even job security fears. A round of meetings between executives and staff at German plants begins this week.
Euronews Business · 24 Aug, 17:38
US-Canada trade war deepens as Trump threatens further tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed Canada's response to new US tariffs at a news conference in Ottawa on Saturday, August 22, as President Donald Trump threatens to impose additional levies.
France 24 · 24 Aug, 17:35
Digital car keys: convenient, but not without their downsides
Digital car keys let drivers lock, unlock and sometimes start their vehicle from a smartphone, but the technology comes with certain risks, including theft-related access and technical glitches. Manufacturers have built in several safeguards to address these concerns.
Engadget · 24 Aug, 16:36
Beijing hosts the world's first Humanoid Robot Games
Beijing is hosting the world's first Humanoid Robot Games, featuring more than 2,000 robots from 16 countries. The competition spans 51 disciplines, from running to table tennis.
iAuto.lv · 24 Aug, 15:42
Latvian company “Padtex Insulation” shares expertise at electric vehicle fire safety seminar
Latvian company “Padtex Insulation” took part as an industry expert and manufacturer in a seminar held by the Kuwait Fire Force, focused on fire safety risks of electric vehicles and other micromobility devices.
Labs of Latvia · 24 Aug, 15:41
Estonian developer Hepsor issues new bonds at 9.5% interest rate
Real estate developer Hepsor has issued new bonds carrying a 9.5% annual interest rate to fund its expanding construction portfolio in Riga and Tallinn. It is the second issue under a €20 million bond programme launched in 2025.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Aug, 15:37
Ozon shares plunge over 28% on Moscow Exchange after Ukrainian drone strikes on warehouses
Shares of Russian online retailer Ozon fell sharply on the Moscow Exchange on Tuesday after Ukrainian forces struck the company's warehouses in several Russian regions for a third straight day.
Meduza · 24 Aug, 15:35
Wired rounds up its top Kindle accessory picks for 2026
Wired has published an updated guide to the best Kindle e-reader accessories, covering cases, holders, page turners and decorative add-ons, with a new August section on chargers.
Wired · 24 Aug, 14:43
A Chinese Robot Broke Usain Bolt's 100-Meter Record — But Experts Urge Caution
A humanoid robot developed in China has reportedly run the 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt's long-standing world record. Experts caution that the feat does not necessarily mean robotics technology is ready for widespread real-world use.
The New York Times · 24 Aug, 14:42
Kremlin Vows to Limit Impact of Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Grain Exports
The Kremlin said it is taking steps to reduce the effect of Ukrainian attacks on Russian grain exports as global wheat buyers brace for tighter supply. President Putin previously acknowledged export problems but pledged no shortages on world markets.
The Moscow Times · 24 Aug, 14:41
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Storm will not affect Latvia's timber industry, says wood industry federation
Artūrs Bukonts, board member and executive director of the Latvian Wood Industry Federation, said the recent storm will not have a significant impact on the timber industry.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 14:41
Drone cybersecurity starts with choosing the right device
Estonia's Information System Authority (RIA) and the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS/RKK) have published an analysis of drone-related cyber threats along with mitigation recommendations. Experts say security begins with selecting the right device and following basic cyber hygiene.
ERR (rus) · 24 Aug, 14:38
US to Detail New Economic Pressure on Iran as Canada Vows Retaliatory Tariffs
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to announce new details on economic pressure measures against Iran, while Canada has pledged to respond to U.S. trade policy with its own retaliatory tariffs.
NPR World · 24 Aug, 14:37
Norway to continue oil and gas extraction in the Arctic despite EU concerns
Norway's energy minister said the country will keep developing oil and gas resources in the Barents Sea, even as the EU backs a moratorium on Arctic hydrocarbon extraction.
Ukrainska Pravda · 24 Aug, 14:37
Applications open for MeOut Summit 2026 Pitch Marathon in Budapest
The MeOut Summit 2026, taking place 25-26 November in Budapest, is calling on European startups to apply for its Pitch Marathon, where founders can present to investors without a competitive element. The event expects over 1,000 attendees and 50 speakers.
EU-Startups · 24 Aug, 13:39
Forget Cameras: Xreal's Virtual Display Glasses Take a Different Approach
Xreal and rival makers offer virtual display glasses that project a giant, only-you-can-see screen over USB-C, standing apart from camera-equipped devices like Meta's Ray-Bans. They're popular for gaming and video, though resolution and comfort still lag behind regular screens.
Wired · 24 Aug, 13:36
New Zealand plans to ban social media for children under 16
New Zealand's government has put forward a bill that would bar children under 16 from using major social media platforms, requiring companies to verify users' ages. The bill still needs parliamentary support, and both coalition partners currently oppose it.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Aug, 12:41
Teachers Say Students Are Using AI to Create Sexualized Deepfakes of Them
Several teachers in the US and UK report that students used artificial intelligence to create and spread sexualized images and videos of them, leading to disciplinary cases and lasting damage to trust in the classroom.
Wired · 24 Aug, 12:36
Beijing Robot Games bring together over 2,000 humanoid machines
More than 2,000 humanoid robots are competing in races, football and tai chi at the five-day Beijing Robot Games. Engineers use the event to test the machines' stability and movement capabilities.
Euronews · 24 Aug, 10:40
Tesla recalls nearly three million EVs in China over door-handle safety risk
Tesla is recalling almost three million electric vehicles in China due to a safety risk linked to hidden door handles, marking the country's largest recall this year.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Aug, 10:38
Tele2 invests €800,000 to expand 5G coverage along the Via Baltica highway
Tele2 is investing roughly €800,000 to ensure uninterrupted 5G coverage along the Via Baltica highway in Latvia, with the EU co-financing half the amount under the "5G-BALTICS" project.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Aug, 09:42