Business & Technology
ispace-EUROPE secures €65 million ESA contract for MAGPIE, Europe’s first lunar polar ice exploration rover
Luxembourg-based ispace-EUROPE has been awarded the Phase 2 contract by the European Space Agency for the MAGPIE mission, which will be Europe's first rover to explore polar ice on the Moon. The €65 million agreement covers the full development, manufacturing, testing, delivery, and operation of the rover.
EU-Startups · 24 Jul, 16:37
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Prosecutor's Office Launches Review of Official Decisions on airBaltic
The Prosecutor General's Office has initiated a review to assess the legality of decisions made by officials regarding airBaltic's financial situation. The probe follows a request from Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
TVNET · 24 Jul, 16:36
EV Batteries Last Much Longer Than Initially Predicted
Real-world data shows that modern EV batteries degrade slowly, retaining up to 95% of range after five years, with only 0.3% needing replacement for newer models.
Engadget · 24 Jul, 16:36
Alienware 15 review: First budget gaming laptop after 30 years delivers solid value
Alienware has launched its first budget gaming laptop, the Alienware 15, starting at $1,000. It offers good performance and a rich port selection, but the display and webcam are weak points.
Engadget · 24 Jul, 15:36
Foreign messaging app audience in Russia grows 26%
According to a study by MTS AdTech, the combined audience of unblocked foreign messaging apps in Russia rose 26% in Q2 2026. Turkish app BiP and South Korea's KakaoTalk saw rapid growth.
Meduza · 24 Jul, 15:36
Rich Archaeological Material Discovered During Torņa Street Reconstruction
During the reconstruction of the Arsenāls Museum of Art at Torņa Street 1 in Riga, a significant amount of archaeological material has been uncovered, providing new insights into the quarter's history and Riga's role as a historical trade and craft center.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 15:36
More than 200 companies sign Trump's 'pledge' to protect consumers from data center price rises
The White House announced that over 200 entities, including utility companies, data center developers, and 23 Republican governors, have signed a non-binding pledge to protect consumers from rising costs caused by data center buildouts.
Engadget · 24 Jul, 14:37
Manchester-based PropTech startup Street Group secures Hg investment at a valuation of over €233.8 million
Street Group (formerly Agent Software), a Manchester-based provider of vertical software for the UK residential property sector, has secured a strategic growth investment from Hg at a valuation exceeding €233.8 million.
EU-Startups · 24 Jul, 13:37
Lamborghini Revuelto Impavido: Exclusive Edition for Japan, Only 25 Units
Lamborghini unveils a special Revuelto version Impavido to mark 25 years in Japan – limited to 25 units, with a design inspired by the samurai bushido code, while retaining the standard powertrain.
iAuto.lv · 24 Jul, 13:37
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EU accuses TikTok of exposing children to online risks
The European Commission has preliminarily found that TikTok's child accounts violate EU safety standards, exposing minors to potential harm. TikTok could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.
Apollo.lv · 24 Jul, 13:36
Boriss Andrejevs, AirScout Founder: Team and Adaptability Key to Success
In an interview, AirScout founder Boriss Andrejevs shares his business philosophy, highlighting the importance of trust, strong teams, and turning ideas into sustainable systems.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 13:36
Microsoft pressures LG into disabling unwanted McAfee ads
Microsoft intervened to stop Windows 11 users with LG monitors from being bombarded with McAfee trial pop-ups, leading LG to agree to immediately disable the notifications.
The Verge · 24 Jul, 12:37
PTAC: Several fuel retailers provide unclear information on loyalty program discounts
The Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has found that several fuel retailers in Latvia do not provide sufficiently clear information about loyalty program discounts, making it difficult for consumers to choose the best offer.
iAuto.lv · 24 Jul, 12:36
Kagi Brings Back Old-School Search, One Human-Made Website at a Time
Search engine Kagi introduces a subscription model and launches a 'Small Web' project to highlight human-created content without ads or AI noise.
Wired · 24 Jul, 12:36
Oil prices top $100 a barrel for first time since May amid Middle East tensions
Brent crude surged above $100 a barrel as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with threats to shipping in the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
France 24 · 24 Jul, 12:36
ECB Invites Public to Vote on New Euro Banknote Design
The European Central Bank has released ten design proposals for the next euro banknote series and is asking EU citizens, including those in Latvia, to participate in a survey to choose the final design.
LSM · 24 Jul, 12:36
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Latvia to build full-cycle artillery rocket plant; investments up to €90 million
Latvian Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis signed a memorandum of understanding with US company Native Trading for a €70-90 million project to establish a full-cycle artillery rocket production plant in Latvia, boosting defense capabilities and export potential.
Apollo.lv · 24 Jul, 11:37
Nearly Half a Million Euros Needed to Repair Roads in Talsi Area
Repairing all state road damages in the Talsi region after July floods will cost almost half a million euros. The hardest-hit Jūrmala–Talsi section is expected to be fully restored by the end of the year.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 11:36
EU should brace for US retaliation after Google fine, senior MEP warns
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's trade committee, warns that the EU must prepare for US action after the European Commission fined Google €890 million. He also criticizes new US tariffs on forced labour as 'crazy'.
Euronews Business · 24 Jul, 10:37
NIB Loans €15 Million for Electrification of Riga Trolleybus Network
The Nordic Investment Bank has provided €15 million to SIA "Rīgas satiksme" to expand the trolleybus contact network and modernize infrastructure, reducing reliance on diesel engines.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 10:36
Majority of AI-Related Jobs in Europe Now Outside Tech Sector
According to Indeed, more than half of AI-labelled job postings in major European economies are now outside technology occupations, indicating the spread of AI skills across industries.
Euronews Business · 24 Jul, 09:37
Oxford-based Moa Technology raises €25.9 million to tackle herbicide-resistant weeds
Moa Technology, an Oxford-based agricultural biotech company, has raised €25.9 million (£22.2 million) in a Series C financing round. The company is developing new herbicides using AI and proprietary platforms to overcome weed resistance.
EU-Startups · 24 Jul, 09:36
ECB Holds Interest Rates Steady, Hiking Cycle Not Necessarily Over
The European Central Bank decided on July 23 to keep interest rates unchanged, but the September decision will depend on energy prices, inflation, and the Middle East conflict.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 09:36
PLG Group Signs Agreement to Acquire Romanian Ticketing Company iaBilet
Estonia-based PLG Group has signed an agreement to acquire iaBilet, one of Romania's leading ticketing platforms, from private equity fund Resource Partners.
TVNET · 24 Jul, 08:38
War Fog Obscures Fuel Price Forecasts in Latvia
Due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Russia's diesel export ban, Latvian fuel prices are unlikely to decrease soon, as local markets have not yet fully absorbed the global price hikes.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 08:38
US Imposes New Tariffs on EU and Dozens of Other Nations, Ranging from 10% to 12.5%
The Trump administration announced new tariffs on the EU and about 60 countries starting Friday, citing forced labor concerns in supply chains.
Jauns.lv · 24 Jul, 07:37
National Library of Latvia to Introduce Entrance Fee for Visitors
The National Library of Latvia plans to introduce a €3 entrance fee for building tours, along with increases in several other service charges and new offerings such as AI computing resource rentals.
Dienas Bizness · 24 Jul, 07:36
Meta drops out of major clean energy pact as its natural gas buildout accelerates
Meta has left the RE100 corporate renewable energy initiative after a decade, while funding the construction of at least a dozen natural gas power plants to power its AI data centers.
TechCrunch · 24 Jul, 06:38
VID Director: Retreat from Shadow Economy Plan is a Bad Signal
The Director General of the State Revenue Service, Baiba Šmite-Roķe, states that several measures from the Shadow Economy Restriction Plan have been canceled, potentially increasing the shadow economy. Currently, 28 out of 56 tasks have been completed.
LV portāls · 24 Jul, 06:37
US imposes new tariffs on dozens of countries over forced labour claims
US President Donald Trump has announced new double-digit tariffs on 60 countries, accusing them of failing to prevent forced labour. The duties replace expiring global tariffs and take effect Friday.
Euronews Business · 24 Jul, 06:36
Tesla's Robotaxi Promises Are Clashing with Reality
Tesla's robotaxi program faces challenges as mileage remains flat, vehicle numbers are low, and safety questions persist, despite CEO Elon Musk's optimistic statements.
The Verge · 24 Jul, 05:38
US safety regulator may create new rules for car door handles after Tesla incidents
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started a rulemaking process to consider new safety requirements for car door handles, following incidents where people became trapped in vehicles with flush, electronically operated handles like those on Teslas.
TechCrunch · 24 Jul, 05:37
Claude's voice mode just got smarter
Anthropic has upgraded Claude's voice mode to use more powerful models and integrate with apps like Gmail and Slack, though some limitations remain.
Engadget · 24 Jul, 05:37
Fields Medal awarded to four mathematicians as AI reshapes the profession
The Fields Medal, mathematics' equivalent of the Nobel Prize, was awarded to Chinese mathematicians Hong Wang and Yu Deng, American John Pardon, and Canadian Jacob Tsimerman. The ceremony highlighted the growing role and risks of artificial intelligence in mathematics.
France 24 · 24 Jul, 05:37
Sberbank to Close Foreign-Currency and Multicurrency Visa and Mastercard Cards from September 1
Russia's largest bank Sberbank announced it will stop servicing foreign-currency and multicurrency Visa and Mastercard cards from September 1, 2026, as they can no longer be used abroad.
Meduza · 24 Jul, 05:36
Renault Clio Hybrid Covers Over 1,100 km on One Tank; Consumption Just 3.59 L/100 km
Two German automotive enthusiasts drove the Renault Clio Full Hybrid E-Tech 160 more than 1,100 km on a single tank, achieving an average consumption of 3.59 L/100 km – lower than the official figure.
iAuto.lv · 24 Jul, 05:36