Business & Technology
AI chip startup Etched doubles valuation to $21B in just one month
AI hardware startup Etched has raised $700 million at a $21 billion valuation in a round led by Jane Street. The valuation has doubled in just one month since its previous funding round.
TechCrunch AI · 18 Aug, 21:06
UniCredit nears Commerzbank deal as German resistance shows signs of easing
Some figures in Berlin's government are reportedly open to discussing the sale of the state's 12.7% Commerzbank stake to UniCredit, provided a strategy agreement is reached, which could push the Italian bank's holding above 60%.
Euronews Business · 18 Aug, 21:05
AI chip startup Etched's valuation doubles to $21B in a single month
Chip startup Etched has raised $700 million in a new funding round led by Jane Street, pushing its valuation to $21 billion just a month after its previous round valued it at $10.3 billion.
TechCrunch · 18 Aug, 21:05
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro get a steep discount at Best Buy
Best Buy is selling Samsung's Galaxy Buds 3 Pro wireless earbuds for $139.99, well below their original $249.99 price. Several other tech deals are also currently available.
The Verge · 18 Aug, 21:00
Genshin Impact's new region Snezhnaya strikes players as a mirror of modern Russia
A new region called Snezhnaya, added to the Chinese-made game Genshin Impact, has sparked discussion after players noticed striking parallels to contemporary Russia, including corruption, high prices and resource shortages.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 20:59
Whoop drops subscription requirement for Advanced Labs health screenings
Wearable maker Whoop will now let all users access its Advanced Labs blood testing feature without an extra subscription. The company also added the Galleri multi-cancer early detection test to the program.
Engadget · 18 Aug, 20:58
Apple's camera-equipped AirPods may not be as invasive as they sound
Evidence found in Apple's macOS 26.7 release candidate points to AirPods with built-in cameras designed to support Siri's AI features rather than capture photos or video. The devices are expected to launch alongside iOS 27 in September.
TechCrunch AI · 18 Aug, 20:06
Passkeys vs. passwords: which one keeps your accounts safer
More online services now let users set up passkeys instead of traditional passwords, since passkeys address several long-standing security weaknesses. Still, the technology isn't supported everywhere and requires new habits from users.
Engadget · 18 Aug, 20:03
Apple overhauls App Store rules in the EU in bid to end dispute with Commission
Apple is introducing new App Store commission rules in the European Union starting October 1st, aiming to resolve its disagreements with the European Commission over business terms and alternative distribution. The changes bring a unified set of terms with commission rates depending on payment method used.
The Verge · 18 Aug, 20:00
Fuel available at only 28% of petrol stations in Russia
Data from the "GdeBenz" app, compiled for Sunday, shows that petrol and diesel are available at just 28% of registered fuel stations across Russia, the Kremlin-friendly newspaper "Izvestia" reports.
LSM · 18 Aug, 19:58
OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT for Teens with tighter safety controls
OpenAI is launching a dedicated version of ChatGPT for users aged 13 to 17, adding content restrictions and parental controls. The move follows growing concern from parents and experts about teenagers' relationships with AI chatbots.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 19:05
Mirrorless vs DSLR: which camera type should you buy
The camera industry has largely shifted toward mirrorless technology, though DSLRs remain a viable choice for those who already own one. For new buyers, the decision has become considerably simpler.
Engadget · 18 Aug, 19:05
Jane Schoenbrun's new film turns childhood slasher obsession into a genre love letter
Director Jane Schoenbrun's new movie "Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma," starring Hannah Einbinder and Gillian Anderson, blends a personal story about slasher fandom with meticulously crafted visuals.
Ars Technica · 18 Aug, 19:03
Meta Ran Ads for App Promising to Turn Female Politicians Into Deepfake Porn
Meta's platforms carried ads for an app called Kromix that encouraged users to create pornographic deepfakes resembling female US politicians, violating the company's own policies. The ads were pulled after journalists inquired, and Apple also removed the app from its App Store.
Wired · 18 Aug, 18:03
Swedish firm Fortnox commits €4.5 million to research on what makes businesses succeed
Swedish business software scale-up Fortnox is funding a ten-year, €4.5 million research partnership with the Stockholm School of Economics to study what truly drives company success. The initiative questions whether commonly used performance metrics actually capture sustainable value.
EU-Startups · 18 Aug, 18:02
Latvia to simplify tree-felling rules outside forests
Latvia plans amendments that would ease rules for cutting down trees outside forests and reduce administrative burden for residents and builders. Small, dead or dangerous trees could soon be felled without municipal permission.
Dienas Bizness · 18 Aug, 17:04
Coyote vs. Acme hits theaters despite Warner Bros. Discovery once trying to shelve it
After Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to write off Coyote vs. Acme for tax purposes, the film is now earning positive reviews and will open in theaters on August 28th thanks to distributor Ketchup Entertainment. Critics note the controversy over its near-cancellation adds to its appeal.
The Verge · 18 Aug, 17:03
Comcast launches Xfinity Shield, a home security platform using Wi-Fi to detect motion
Comcast has introduced Xfinity Shield, a new platform combining home, family and cybersecurity protection in one app. Its free tier detects movement inside homes using Wi-Fi signals, while a paid tier adds cameras and other hardware.
Engadget · 18 Aug, 17:03
Ultra-rich buyers are snapping up fossils — and scientists warn of a research cost
One of the UK's finest fossil collections has been sold abroad and is now displayed at a museum in Abu Dhabi, a move experts call a loss for the nation. Scientists warn that rising prices are pricing domestic museums out of the fossil market.
The Guardian Science · 18 Aug, 17:01
OpenAI launches safer ChatGPT version for teens
Following multiple lawsuits linking AI chatbots to teen suicides and mental health issues, OpenAI on Monday announced ChatGPT for Teens, a new version with added safety measures and educational tools.
TechCrunch · 18 Aug, 16:59
OpenAI Launches Teen-Focused ChatGPT Version With Added Safety Features
OpenAI has rolled out ChatGPT for Teens, a version with extra safety and educational tools, following multiple lawsuits linking the chatbot to teen mental health issues.
TechCrunch AI · 18 Aug, 16:59
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Bolt launches new shared two-wheeler transport service
Ride-sharing platform Bolt has this week started offering a mechanical two-wheeler sharing service through its app, the company told the LETA news agency.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 16:05
OpenAI Launches Teen-Focused ChatGPT Version Amid Suicide-Link Concerns
OpenAI has unveiled a new version of ChatGPT designed for teenagers, featuring stronger safety measures, following criticism and lawsuits over alleged links between the chatbot and youth suicides.
LSM · 18 Aug, 15:58
Germany's Computomics raises €6.3 million to help crop breeders cope with heat and drought
Tübingen-based biotech company Computomics has closed a €6.3 million Series B round to expand its AI-driven platform that helps breeders predict how crop varieties will perform under heat and drought. The funding arrives as European harvests suffer from worsening climate conditions.
EU-Startups · 18 Aug, 15:02
UK fuel retailers too slow to pass on wholesale price falls, watchdog finds
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority says many fuel retailers are slow to lower pump prices when wholesale costs fall, while profit margins remain historically high amid pressures linked to the Iran war.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 14:59
Wandoo Finance Grows Revenue 41% in First Half, Currency Swings Weigh on Profit
Non-bank lender Wandoo Finance reported a 41% rise in turnover for the first six months of the year, alongside growth in EBITDA and its loan portfolio, though currency fluctuations cut net profit. The company is eyeing new markets and preparing for a possible future capital markets listing.
Dienas Bizness · 18 Aug, 14:06
Einride to add 500 Tesla Semis to its electric trucking fleet
Swedish electric trucking company Einride has agreed to buy 500 Tesla Semis, which will be phased into its fleet over the next two years and offered to customers including Amazon.
TechCrunch · 18 Aug, 14:05
Proton's Andy Yen: Privacy and AI Will Have to Coexist
Proton founder and CEO Andy Yen explains why user distrust of Big Tech's AI push is fueling growth for his encryption-focused company, and how Proton is building its own privacy-oriented chatbot, Lumo.
Wired · 18 Aug, 14:03
New EU packaging rules confuse small businesses, some halt foreign orders
A new EU packaging and packaging-waste regulation in force since last Wednesday has left small entrepreneurs uncertain, prompting some to pause foreign orders in their online stores. Estonia's Climate Ministry says there is no reason to stop selling, citing a transition period.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 13:06
Powersports vehicles aren't just for summer anymore
Scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs are increasingly used as year-round daily transport and work equipment rather than seasonal summer hobbies. Choosing the right vehicle depends on intended use, accessories and financing.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 13:02
Competition Council approves opening of top! store in former Sky premises in Riga
Latvia's Competition Council has approved a merger allowing a top! branded store to open in Riga's former Sky store premises at Kārļa Ulmaņa gatve 122. The council found the deal would not significantly harm market competition.
Dienas Bizness · 18 Aug, 13:02
Russia's economy grew faster than expected in Q2 — but the rebound looks temporary
Russia's GDP rose 1.3% year-on-year in the second quarter, beating official forecasts, but analysts say the growth was driven by temporary factors while the budget deficit keeps widening.
Meduza · 18 Aug, 13:00
Mike Ashley tightens grip on Hugo Boss with stake near 48%
British retail billionaire Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has raised its stake in German fashion house Hugo Boss to nearly 48%, continuing a summer buying spree that also included the acquisition of Harvey Nichols.
The Guardian World · 18 Aug, 12:00
Test drive from Kolka to Ainaži with four sleek electric cars
Journalists tested four premium electric vehicles - Volvo EX90, Audi A6 e-tron, XPENG G9 and Lexus RZ - on a route from Kolka to Ainaži, comparing their power, range and features.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 11:59
Apple appears to have accidentally leaked camera-equipped AirPods
A video buried in the macOS Tahoe 26.7 release candidate reveals AirPods with a built-in camera that would let Siri describe what the wearer is looking at. The earbuds are expected to be unveiled at Apple's iPhone 18 event next month.
Engadget · 18 Aug, 11:01
Vilnius-based LITILIT raises €8 million to scale up femtosecond laser production
Lithuanian company LITILIT has secured an €8 million loan from national development bank ILTE to build a modular femtosecond laser system. Commercialisation is planned for the second half of 2029.
EU-Startups · 18 Aug, 10:59