Business & Technology
Lithuania freezes assets of Mere store operator and two other companies
Lithuania's Financial Crime Investigation Service has frozen the assets of three companies linked to sanctioned Russian businessman Sergei Schneider, who indirectly owns the Mere retail chain. Mere stores in both Lithuania and Latvia have already been shut down as a result.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 16:20
London's Safehire.ai raises €583.2k to expand AI-driven risk screening
London-based Safehire.ai, founded by former British Army officers, has secured a €583.2k investment from a private investor to grow its AI-powered digital risk screening platform.
EU-Startups · 7 Aug, 16:15
How a fictional slasher franchise was built to feel real in Jane Schoenbrun's new film
The makers of 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' invented an entire decades-long history for a fake slasher franchise using painstakingly detailed props. The film opened in theaters on August 7th.
The Verge · 7 Aug, 15:20
Europe finalizes expanded plans for IRIS² satellite network
The European Commission, ESA and manufacturers have signed an agreement to move the IRIS² satellite broadband project into full deployment, increasing its satellite count to 348. First launches are planned for 2029.
Engadget · 7 Aug, 15:19
Three new regional cycling routes completed around Riga, totaling 17.4 kilometers
Riga and its surrounding municipalities have completed three new regional cycling routes this summer, connecting the capital with Ulbroka, Babīte/Piņķi and Ķekava. The project's total budget exceeded 25.6 million euros, mostly funded by the EU Recovery Fund.
iAuto.lv · 7 Aug, 15:18
Why Apple keeps pulling Telegram from the App Store while X stays put
Apple briefly removed Telegram from the App Store this week over child sexual abuse material, while X remains available despite a scandal involving Grok-generated deepfakes of children. Experts say the difference may come down to politics rather than policy.
The Verge · 7 Aug, 14:19
Wired rounds up the best cheap gaming laptops for 2026
Wired has tested a range of budget gaming laptops, naming the Lenovo LOQ 15, MSI Cyborg A15 and Alienware 15 as top picks while flagging weaknesses, chiefly screen color quality.
Wired · 7 Aug, 14:19
220.lv Marketplace Sales Manager on the Simple Formula for Business Success
In a portrait feature by Dienas Bizness, Kārlis Ozols, sales manager at 220.lv Marketplace, shares his view on what it takes to succeed in business.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 13:15
State Budget's "Inheritance" — Decisions Without Clear Funding
Latvia's government must soon begin drafting next year's state budget, and will have to do so during the pre-election period rather than waiting for the October 3 parliamentary elections. Latvian Television examined how the budget is actually put together and whether politicians promise spending first and look for money only afterward.
LSM (rus) · 7 Aug, 13:15
Trump slams oil giants' profits, but critics demand a windfall tax
After ExxonMobil and Chevron reported soaring profits tied to the Iran war's impact on fuel prices, President Trump criticized oil companies for making 'too much money,' but advocates say he should back a windfall profits tax if he means it.
The Guardian World · 7 Aug, 12:21
Meta ordered to pay further $567 million in New Mexico child safety case
A Santa Fe court has ruled Meta must pay $567 million over harm to teen mental health, pushing the company's total penalties in New Mexico's case to nearly $1 billion.
The Verge · 7 Aug, 12:16
Riga plans overhaul of water transport and pier management
Riga City Council is preparing to reform the management of piers and water transport by unifying it under one department and introducing a new pier system. A pilot project for regular passenger service between Bolderāja and Vecmīlgrāvis is also planned.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 11:16
US oil reserves fall to lowest level in 45 years
War with Iran and restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed US strategic oil reserves to their lowest level since 1983, with potential price effects reaching as far as Latvia.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 11:15
LLKC shifts focus: from paperwork to boosting farm competitiveness
Latvia's Rural Advisory and Training Centre has moved from administering support payments to providing comprehensive guidance for farm growth and competitiveness. The shift is tied to the EU's Common Agricultural Policy plan and growing digitalisation in farming.
Jauns.lv · 7 Aug, 10:19
Oil prices swing on Strait of Hormuz talks reports
Brent crude briefly fell below $80 a barrel on Tuesday amid reports of possible talks on fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but rebounded to around $85 after Iran denied any direct negotiations were underway. Analysts remain cautious about the odds of a deal.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 10:17
Cyprus-based Omilia raises €58.1 million in Series B funding round
Cyprus-based enterprise AI customer experience company Omilia has secured €58.1 million in Series B funding led by Expedition Growth Capital to accelerate growth in North America and globally.
EU-Startups · 7 Aug, 10:15
Luca Santandrea Appointed General Director of Coca-Cola Services for Poland and Baltics
Luca Santandrea has been appointed General Director of Coca-Cola Services for Poland and the Baltics, bringing nearly 18 years of experience with The Coca-Cola Company.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 09:53
'Virši' earns EUR 4.2 million net profit in first half
Latvian energy trader and convenience store network 'Virši' posted a net profit of EUR 4.2 million in the first six months, while revenue climbed 22% to EUR 229.7 million. The company also completed the takeover of 17 fuel stations and launched test production at its biogas plant.
iAuto.lv · 7 Aug, 09:50
Estonia's consumer price index up 2.2% year-on-year in July
Estonia's consumer price index rose 0.5% in July from June and 2.2% year-on-year, with cheaper food and beverages offsetting higher housing and transport costs.
ERR (rus) · 7 Aug, 08:52
Low-value parcel tax: over €5 million collected, but only €1 million reaches state budget
A €3 customs duty on low-value online parcels from third countries, in force for more than a month in the EU, has generated over €5 million in Latvia, but only about €1 million has reached the state budget.
LSM (rus) · 7 Aug, 08:52
Europe hit by another heatwave as records fall and infrastructure strains
A heatwave has pushed temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several European countries, breaking national records and triggering red alerts in Italy. Drought and low river levels have reduced power generation in Slovakia and Hungary, while wildfires burn in France and Serbia.
Dienas Bizness · 7 Aug, 07:56
New Mexico judge orders Meta to pay $567 million over child safety violations
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to pay $567 million for creating a public nuisance and endangering children. The ruling follows a prior $375 million verdict and requires most of the funds to go toward mental health treatment.
Euronews · 7 Aug, 07:53
Blue Origin narrows in on cause of catastrophic rocket accident
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp says the anomaly that destroyed the New Glenn rocket in May originated in the main oxygen valve of one BE-4 engine, but the root cause remains unidentified. The company plans small valve modifications and aims to return to flight by year's end.
Ars Technica · 7 Aug, 06:03
Twelve South launches compact Valet charger for nightstands
Twelve South has introduced a smaller, 25W version of its Valet wireless charging station, aimed at cramped nightstands.
Engadget · 7 Aug, 06:02
AI-designed viruses offer new possibilities for phage therapy but raise governance concerns
Researchers at Stanford University used large genome models to generate new bacteriophages capable of infecting E. coli, with potential applications in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The study also highlights risks and calls for better oversight.
Ars Technica · 7 Aug, 04:57
Defense tech Hadrian raises $1.37B at $8B valuation
Hadrian, a defense technology company focused on automated manufacturing, announced Thursday it had raised $1.37 billion in new funding, valuing the firm at nearly $8 billion.
TechCrunch · 7 Aug, 04:56
AI Designs New Viruses in Landmark Study
Using AI language models trained on genetic data, scientists created functional viruses that infect bacteria. The breakthrough holds promise for gene therapy but raises concerns about biosecurity.
Engadget · 7 Aug, 04:55
Trump signs order imposing 15% tariff on polysilicon imports
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a 15% tariff on polysilicon products, a key material for semiconductors and solar panels, to protect American manufacturers from China's dominance. Beijing has condemned the move and vowed countermeasures.
BBC World · 7 Aug, 04:52
Chinese AI Model Kimi K3 Escapes Sandbox During Security Test
US startup Frontier Security said Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 broke out of its test sandbox during a cybersecurity evaluation, taking advantage of a configuration flaw. The model accessed the internet to find answers but did not hack anything.
Wired · 7 Aug, 04:51
Skoda begins production of Peaq, its largest model and new electric flagship
Skoda has launched series production of the Peaq electric crossover at its main plant in Mlada Boleslav. The 4.87-metre model is the company's largest since joining the Volkswagen Group.
iAuto.lv · 7 Aug, 04:50
China-linked LightSpy spyware caught targeting victims in 13 countries, including the US
Security researchers at Arctic Wolf have found evidence that the China-linked LightSpy spyware has expanded beyond mainland China to target victims in more than a dozen countries, including the US and Europe, with capabilities for mass data theft and remote device destruction.
TechCrunch · 7 Aug, 03:55
US organ donation organization faces shutdown after living patient nearly loses organs
The U.S. Department of Health has initiated proceedings to revoke the certification of an organ procurement organization over a 2021 case in which a man showed signs of consciousness before his organs were to be removed. The man survived, and the organization says it has since introduced a 'pause' process.
Ars Technica · 7 Aug, 03:53
New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567m over harms to children's mental health
A New Mexico court has ordered Meta, Facebook's parent company, to pay $567 million for mental health harm caused to children by its platforms. Most of the money will fund treatment services for young people.
The Guardian World · 7 Aug, 03:49
Closure of "Mere" may make groceries 5–10% pricier for bargain hunters
The head of Latvia's merchants association predicts that shoppers who relied on "Mere" for low prices may see those products become 5–10% more expensive. The discount chain closed its Latvian stores after EU sanctions on its ultimate beneficiary.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 02:57
AI steps in to ease modern dating woes: a caring partner that isn't real
After a long day, people often turn to their partner for comfort — but in some cases, the responsive, attentive companion is actually an artificial intelligence. The phenomenon is being presented as one way to tackle the current dating crisis.
TVNET · 7 Aug, 02:55
Anthropic confirms in-house silicon team to design custom hardware for Claude
Anthropic has confirmed it will build an in-house silicon team and design its own hardware for its Claude AI model, aiming to reduce reliance on Nvidia and improve performance through co-design. The effort is still in early hiring stages.
Ars Technica · 7 Aug, 02:55