Business & Technology
US returns $100bn in tariffs after court ruling
The US Trump administration has refunded about $100bn of tariffs ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, amounting to 60% of the total collected. A coalition of 25 states is now challenging a new tariff round as an unlawful attempt to restore the struck-down import taxes.
The Guardian World · 5 Aug, 12:54
Samsung Announces Next-Generation 3D Memory Solutions for AI Data Centers
Samsung showcased several new memory and storage technologies primarily aimed at AI data centers, leaving regular computer users still waiting for affordable DDR5.
Engadget · 5 Aug, 12:49
Portugal's Neuraspace secures €15.6 million to protect satellites and boost Europe's space domain awareness
Coimbra-based space technology company Neuraspace has announced €15.6 million in new funding to expand its AI-driven solutions for satellite safety and space traffic management.
EU-Startups · 5 Aug, 11:53
Saudi-led investor group completes $55bn purchase of Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, the maker of The Sims and EA Sports FC, has been taken private in a $55bn deal led by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, ending its 36-year run as a public company.
The Guardian World · 5 Aug, 09:53
Norbert Wiener: the overlooked founder of cybernetics and AI's early warning voice
This article explores Norbert Wiener's legacy, showing how his cybernetics shaped artificial intelligence and how he warned of automation's social risks long before modern AI.
France 24 · 5 Aug, 08:52
Estonian investor group becomes owner of Domina Shopping
An Estonian-based investor group has acquired 100% of SIA “EfTEN Domina” from AS “EfTEN Kinnisvarafond II”, the company behind Riga’s Domina Shopping centre. The deal value has not been disclosed, and management will remain with EfTEN Capital’s Latvian subsidiary.
BNN · 5 Aug, 08:52
Construction overtime pay changes in August: 50% premium and questions about productivity
From August, the overtime supplement in construction will be 50% of the contracted wage, and the article asks whether overtime actually reflects higher productivity.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 08:49
Latvia sees 6.8% rise in new business registrations over seven months
New company registrations in Latvia increased 6.8% in the first seven months of the year, though July registrations slipped 1.7% year-on-year to 908. The combined share capital of July's new firms reached €45.54 million, boosted mainly by one credit company spin-off.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 07:59
Latvia urged to boost women's participation in STEM as AI reshapes job market
Women make up 25.9% of ICT specialists in Latvia, above the EU average, but men still dominate the sector. An opinion piece argues that stronger support for girls and women from school to careers is needed to address the technology skills gap.
Žurnāls Ir · 5 Aug, 07:57
Europe aims to reduce US tech reliance, yet Palantir remains entrenched
Europe is trying to break away from American technology, but Palantir's tools are deeply embedded in critical sectors such as policing, defense, and health, with a new report also showing minimal tax payments. The Brussels Playbook podcast explored alternatives and the difficulty of letting go.
Politico Europe · 5 Aug, 07:54
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State enterprise stock listings: a divisive issue ahead of elections
Although pre-election rhetoric has quietened this summer, the question of listing state-owned companies on the stock exchange may regain momentum. Some see it as squandering Latvia's assets, while others view it as an untapped chance to create extra financial opportunities for the economy and citizens.
TVNET · 5 Aug, 06:55
'I dug my own grave': Workers caught in AI transition in Philippines
Workers in the Philippines' outsourcing industry say they helped train AI systems that later replaced them, as the sector comes under growing pressure to automate.
BBC World · 5 Aug, 06:54
Construction sector agreement: a step toward fairer competition, but compromises remain
The construction industry's general agreement sets a minimum monthly wage of €1,050 and an hourly rate of €6.29. A sector representative says the deal's main value lies in equal competition, but customers must also accept that quality construction cannot rely on the lowest price alone.
Žurnāls Ir · 5 Aug, 06:52
European and US Stocks Rise, Oil Prices Fall
Stock prices advanced on European and US exchanges on Tuesday, while oil prices continued to decline, according to Dienas Bizness.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 06:50
LIAA opens applications for foreign film and major event support
Latvia is using an €8.6 million programme to attract international film productions and large events in hopes of boosting services exports. The support scheme allows foreign producers to recover up to 30% of costs incurred in Latvia.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Aug, 05:58
BMW shows Spider-Man movie ads on car dashboards, upsetting drivers
Drivers of BMW vehicles are seeing promotional ads for 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' on their infotainment screens from July 27 to August 10. The company confirmed the campaign, but many owners are unhappy about advertising in cars they've already bought.
The Verge · 5 Aug, 05:58
X's ad business has shrunk dramatically, new earnings reveal
SpaceX's latest financial report shows X's advertising revenue fell sharply compared with Musk's takeover period, despite a slight quarterly uptick.
Engadget · 5 Aug, 05:54
US stocks hit record high on hopes for Strait of Hormuz reopening
US stock market reached an all-time high while oil prices fell as US officials touted progress in talks to reopen the critical waterway of the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Jazeera · 5 Aug, 05:51
Tesla's Shanghai factory had a record June, but the company is preparing for life with less China
Tesla built a record 93,579 cars in Shanghai in June, but most of the increase went to export as Chinese sales keep falling. The company is also moving to cut its dependence on Chinese-made cars and parts for the US market.
Ars Technica · 5 Aug, 04:58
Android app developers may be unknowingly sharing users' location data with advertisers
The Electronic Frontier Foundation warns that many Android apps share users' precise location data with third parties, including advertisers and data brokers, by default, often without developers' knowledge.
TechCrunch · 5 Aug, 04:53
Perplexity overturns Amazon injunction on its AI shopping bot
An appeals court has lifted the preliminary injunction that prevented Perplexity's AI shopping tool in the Comet browser from accessing Amazon, saying Amazon's claim was insufficient. Amazon disagrees and is considering its next steps.
Engadget · 5 Aug, 04:51
Audi reveals more details about A2 e-tron: promises its most efficient EV yet
Audi has released initial specifications of the upcoming A2 e-tron ahead of its autumn debut. The company says the model will be its most efficient electric car, with WLTP consumption of 12.8 kWh/100 km for the 140 kW version.
iAuto.lv · 5 Aug, 04:50
EA is now a private company
Electronic Arts has closed its $55 billion deal to go private, with an investor group led by Saudi Arabia's PIF.
The Verge · 5 Aug, 03:54
How to land the best hotel deals for TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 takes place October 13–15 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Organizers have partnered with nearby hotels for discounted rates, and a limited-time ticket flash sale runs until August 7.
TechCrunch · 5 Aug, 03:53
Telegram CEO says 'takedown extortionist' caused brief App Store removal
Pavel Durov blamed the app's temporary removal from Apple's App Store on a 'takedown extortionist' who manipulated AI-modified content and planned to use fake reports to pressure Apple, highlighting systemic risks for user-generated content platforms.
Engadget · 5 Aug, 03:53
Nvidia's new AI safety alliance shows early progress with first proposals a week after launch
The Open Secure AI Alliance (OSAA), launched by Nvidia and now including over 120 companies, has already formed a working group and released proposals for handling AI security incidents. The group is moving quickly, though some major tech firms have yet to join.
TechCrunch AI · 5 Aug, 02:56
Lucid's turnaround strategy focuses on $1.4B savings, robotaxis, and a midsize EV
Lucid Motors' new CEO Silvio Napoli outlined an 'operational reset' targeting $1.4 billion in cash savings, along with robotaxi services, a Saudi factory, and a midsize EV to restore profitability.
TechCrunch · 5 Aug, 02:55
AI-generated stories rated higher quality than human-written ones, study finds
A study finds readers rate AI-generated short stories as more absorbing and higher quality than human-written ones, although stories labeled as human-written received higher ratings. Additional experiments suggest people struggle to tell the difference between the two.
The Guardian Science · 5 Aug, 02:54
US Restores Digital Equity Grant Program, But Court Strikes Racial Eligibility
A court ruling has forced the US to restore a competitive broadband grant program, though racial and ethnic minorities will no longer be a designated beneficiary group. Applications are expected to open in December.
Ars Technica · 5 Aug, 02:54
Texas governor orders review of new data centers after grid overload concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed utility regulators to scrutinize all proposed data center connections, as the state faces an unprecedented electricity demand. With 521 data centers and over 474 gigawatts of pending grid requests, officials warn of reliability risks.
Engadget · 5 Aug, 02:53
Spider-Man: Brand New Day Shatters Box Office Records and Hints at New MCU Mutants
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned $1 billion worldwide in less than a week and posted the biggest opening weekend in Hollywood history, while also introducing a fresh take on mutants for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The Verge · 5 Aug, 02:51
Wrinkles: An app that reveals the hidden stories of the places around you
Wrinkles is a new AI-powered audio tour app that uses location to surface hidden stories about nearby places, launched by two long-time friends. The app is free for users, with revenue coming from partners such as museums and tourism boards.
TechCrunch AI · 5 Aug, 01:58
SpaceX posts smaller-than-expected losses; revenue surges over 90%
Elon Musk's company SpaceX has released financial results showing smaller losses than forecast, while revenue rose more than 90 percent from the same period a year earlier, beating analyst expectations.
Al Jazeera · 5 Aug, 01:56
US senators demand crackdown on wildfire prediction markets
US senators have called for action against prediction markets that allow betting on wildfires. Polymarket defends its approach, while wildfire experts warn of ethical risks.
Ars Technica · 5 Aug, 01:56
Jetstar to charge up to $52 for putting carry-on luggage in overhead lockers
Australian budget airline Jetstar will remove the 7kg carry-on weight limit from February 2027 and introduce a fee of up to $52 for placing larger bags in overhead lockers.
The Guardian World · 5 Aug, 01:55
Signal now lets you link multiple phones to the same account
Signal has expanded device linking to include Android phones and iPhones, allowing users to manage messages across several devices. The update is rolling out alongside interface improvements for large-screen devices.
The Verge · 5 Aug, 01:53