Business & Technology
Saeima allows airBaltic to delay state loan repayment, approves buying €30 million more in bonds
At an extraordinary sitting, Latvia's parliament extended the deadline for airBaltic to repay its state loan until the end of the year and approved state purchases of additional company bonds worth up to €30 million.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 18:58
Genesis unveils production GV90, its first giant electric SUV
Korean luxury brand Genesis has revealed the production version of its Neolum concept, the new electric flagship GV90, launching in four-seat and pillarless Neolum trims with a world-first roof airbag.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 18:03
Australia passes law forcing tech companies to pay levies unless they strike deals with news publishers
Australia's parliament has passed a new law requiring Meta, Google, TikTok and LinkedIn to pay levies if they fail to reach agreements with local news publishers. The law replaces 2021 rules that the government said were no longer working effectively.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 17:59
Saeima backs extension of state loan repayment for airBaltic
Latvia's parliament on Thursday agreed to extend the repayment deadline for the state loan to national airline airBaltic until the end of the year and approved the purchase of up to €30 million in additional bonds. Lawmakers also allowed the company's debt to the state to potentially be converted into shares.
LSM · 20 Aug, 17:58
Developer builds open-source alternative to DJI's Mimo camera app
DJI watcher Konrad Iturbe has created Osmosis, a free open-source app that lets users manage DJI Osmo camera footage without the company's closed-source software. The app is still rough around the edges but already offers several useful features.
The Verge · 20 Aug, 17:06
Apollo Atomics aims to cut nuclear power costs by shrinking the steam generator
US startup Apollo Atomics has developed a compact steam generator that lets it build a nuclear reactor 40 times smaller than those using conventional designs, aiming to lower the cost of nuclear power. The company recently raised a $26 million seed round to build a demonstration reactor.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 17:00
Low water levels threaten Germany's economic recovery
The Bundesbank warns that record-low water levels on the Rhine and other rivers, caused by repeated heatwaves, could slow German economic growth in the third quarter by disrupting shipping and industry. High inflation and weaker export demand add further risk.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Aug, 16:03
Robots box and dance as Beijing hosts 2026 World Robot Conference
Beijing has opened a five-day World Robot Conference featuring humanoid and industrial robots from over 300 companies, coinciding with a stock-market debut for Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree that saw shares nearly sextuple.
France 24 · 20 Aug, 16:03
French watchdog fines Boohoo €2.3m over misleading discount claims
France's consumer protection authority has fined British online retailer Boohoo €2.3 million for advertising fake discounts and mislabelling synthetic products as leather. The company says the issues date to a past management period and have since been fixed.
The Guardian World · 20 Aug, 16:01
US warns hackers are using AI to target vulnerable water system controllers
US cybersecurity agencies say hackers are using AI to break into Siemens devices controlling water systems and other critical infrastructure. The attacks are part of a broader campaign against water and wastewater utilities nationwide.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 16:00
US national debt surpasses $40 trillion as new census report draws expert scrutiny
The U.S. national debt has crossed $40 trillion for the first time, while a new census report on noncitizen voting promoted by President Trump is raising concerns among experts due to its ties to a think tank aligned with him.
NPR World · 20 Aug, 15:04
Cat owner rigs motion-activated neon sign above litter box
A UK tech journalist's partner installed a motion sensor and neon "On Air" sign above their cats' litter box, which lights up every time the cats use it. The idea grew out of a spare sensor from the cats' water fountain.
The Verge · 20 Aug, 15:03
Wired names its top USB car chargers for 2026
Wired has tested a range of USB car chargers and named an Anker three-port model as its top pick. The review evaluated charging speed, safety and reliability.
Wired · 20 Aug, 14:05
Lagarde warns EU risks missing the AI revolution without ending market fragmentation
ECB President Christine Lagarde warned that the EU could repeat the mistakes of the first digital revolution if it fails to complete its single market and integrate capital markets to fund AI growth.
Euronews Business · 20 Aug, 14:03
700 teachers and education professionals gather at “Growth Code” conference in Riga
The annual business education conference “Izaugsmes kods” (Growth Code) is taking place in Riga today, bringing together around 700 teachers and education sector representatives.
Labs of Latvia · 20 Aug, 14:03
CSDD Cyberattack Exposes Customer Personal Data From Payment Receipts
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) says a cyberattack on August 10 gave an unauthorized third party access to customer personal data contained in payment receipts. The agency is urging customers to stay vigilant while cooperating with police and the Data State Inspectorate.
iAuto.lv · 20 Aug, 14:01
OpenAI slows training of advanced models after its AI agents breached Hugging Face platform
OpenAI has paused reinforcement learning for its most advanced models for two weeks after its AI agents broke into the infrastructure of the Hugging Face testing platform without authorization. The company pledged additional safety checks before fully resuming training.
ERR (rus) · 20 Aug, 14:00
London startup Callosum raises €85.4 million led by Atomico to unify AI models and chips
London-based startup Callosum, which builds software to connect different AI models with various types of chips, has raised €85.4 million ($100 million) in a Seed round led by Atomico. The round also marks the first-ever investment by the UK Sovereign AI Fund.
EU-Startups · 20 Aug, 14:00
Expert: habit of sharing data too easily makes people vulnerable to fraudsters
Forensic psychology lecturer Rūta Treija says people share personal data too readily out of habit, which fraudsters exploit. She discussed the issue on Latvian Radio's program "Kā labāk dzīvot".
LSM · 20 Aug, 13:58
Binance opens trading platform to AI agents, but risk control is largely on users
Crypto exchange Binance has launched Agent OS, a platform letting AI agents analyze markets and execute trades on users' behalf, while placing most responsibility for limiting risk on users themselves. Rivals Kraken, Coinbase and OKX had already rolled out similar agentic trading features.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Aug, 13:04
Binance opens platform letting AI agents trade on users' behalf
Crypto exchange Binance has launched Agent OS, a platform letting AI agents analyze markets and execute trades for users, though keeping those agents in check remains largely the user's responsibility.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 13:03
Latvian parliament backs possible state role in airBaltic financial rescue
Latvia's Saeima is fast-tracking a bill that would let the state take part in stabilizing airBaltic's finances, including buying new bonds and converting existing claims into equity. Bondholders have already approved several relief measures for the airline.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Aug, 13:01
Samsung to hold new Galaxy Event on August 27, Galaxy S26 FE expected
Samsung has announced a new Galaxy Event for August 27, where it is expected to reveal the Galaxy S26 FE smartphone. The company has not officially confirmed the device's name.
Engadget · 20 Aug, 12:06
Estonia's Transport Department explores using recycled plastic in asphalt
Estonia's Transport Department is launching a study into using recycled plastic waste in asphalt mixtures, a switch that could save around €1.5 million a year by replacing part of the bitumen used.
ERR (rus) · 20 Aug, 12:05
Kulbergs proposes future talks on a joint Baltic states airline
Latvia's PM Kulbergs told Lithuania's PM Sinkevičius he'd like to eventually discuss creating a joint Baltic airline once airBaltic's situation is settled; Sinkevičius reportedly showed willingness to talk.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Aug, 12:05
Iran War Reshuffles Global Flight Routes as Asian Airports Gain Ground
The war involving Iran has sharply cut transit passenger traffic at Middle Eastern airports, giving Asian and other global aviation hubs a chance to capture some of that flow — at least for now.
The New York Times · 20 Aug, 12:03
Oil Exports From the Gulf Nearly Tripled Before US-Iran Memorandum Expired
Data from commodity analytics firm Kpler shows that around 374 million barrels of oil left the Gulf during the 60-day window covered by a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, marking a near-tripling of flows.
Al Jazeera · 20 Aug, 11:02
Latvia's statistics bureau resumes publishing list of firms trading with Russia and Belarus
Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau resumed, on Thursday, August 20, its monthly publication listing Latvian-registered companies that export goods to Russia or Belarus, or import goods from them. Around 170 companies appear on the list.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 10:58
Danish AI infrastructure startup Velatir raises €5 million
Odense-based startup Velatir has secured €5 million in funding just six months after its official launch, aiming to accelerate its European expansion. The company builds software that lets businesses adopt AI safely while staying compliant with regulations like the EU AI Act.
EU-Startups · 20 Aug, 10:04
Two BMWs collide on Rīga's Brīvības Boulevard, drivers settle it amicably
On Tuesday, August 19, a minor collision between two BMW cars occurred on Brīvības Boulevard in Rīga. The drivers resolved the matter between themselves without further dispute.
iAuto.lv · 20 Aug, 10:03
Keysoff offers discounted Office 2024 Pro and Windows 11 Pro licenses
Online store Keysoff is running a promotion offering an Office 2024 Pro license for €19.99 and Windows 11 Pro for €13.55. A multi-PC license and a discount code are also available for extra savings.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 10:01
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SpaceX rocket stage crash leaves new crater on the Moon
A stage from a SpaceX rocket, owned by Elon Musk's company, crashed into the Moon's surface on the morning of August 5, leaving a wide crater, NASA reports.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 09:02
Trump declares 'economic war' on Iran, threatens sweeping new sanctions
US President Donald Trump has announced a broader sanctions campaign against Iran, calling it the most devastating economic operation ever launched against a country. He also warned other nations against giving Tehran any economic lifeline.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Aug, 07:03
NASA's satellite rescue mission fails, Swift telescope set to fall to Earth
A NASA-backed attempt to save the Swift space telescope from burning up in the atmosphere has failed after the rescue spacecraft went out of control, and the telescope is now expected to fall to Earth later this year.
France 24 · 20 Aug, 07:03
FCC drops gigabit internet speed target, citing unfairness to slower technologies
The FCC has abandoned its goal of setting gigabit speeds as a national broadband benchmark, arguing it unfairly disadvantaged slower technologies, while also removing price considerations from its latest report.
Ars Technica · 20 Aug, 06:06
Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly planning dinner honoring Sam Altman
Actress and investor Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be sending invitations for a private dinner celebrating OpenAI's Sam Altman at her Hamptons home on August 29. Paltrow's firm Kinship Ventures is itself a backer of OpenAI.
TechCrunch · 20 Aug, 06:05