Business & Technology

LG’s glossy OLED gaming monitor drops to new low of $380
LG’s 27-inch glossy WOLED gaming monitor (27GX704A-B) is on sale for $379.99, a new all-time low, offering 1440p resolution, 240Hz refresh, and rich color accuracy.
The Verge · 20 Jul, 19:36
RIX Technologies CEO: Latvia can start AI integration today
In an interview with Dienas Bizness, Sandis Kolomenskis, head of IT company RIX Technologies, said that AI integration across all European IT systems will happen in the coming years, but Latvia has the opportunity to begin now.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 19:36

YouTube clarifies policies on AI slop and upsetting videos
YouTube updated its monetization policies to specify three categories of inauthentic content that cannot be monetized, targeting low-quality AI-generated and distressing videos.
TechCrunch AI · 20 Jul, 18:36

How Long Does a New iPhone Actually Last? Key Factors Explained
Apple offers long-term software support for iPhones, but battery degradation and hardware aging ultimately determine lifespan. Even newer models may struggle with demanding iOS versions.
Engadget · 20 Jul, 18:36

Hackers Exploit Recently Patched WordPress Bugs, Putting Millions of Websites at Risk
Cybersecurity firms report that hackers are actively exploiting recently patched critical vulnerabilities in WordPress, compromising websites that have not yet updated. Estimates suggest up to 90 million sites may be vulnerable.
TechCrunch · 20 Jul, 18:36

Liepāja Accommodation Prices Quadruple During Major Events
Hotel prices in Liepāja surge several times during summer events, with some visitors calling the increase disproportionate, while industry representatives attribute it to supply and demand dynamics.
LSM · 20 Jul, 18:36

Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley to discuss future of surveillance at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026
Flock Safety founder and CEO Garrett Langley will take the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 to talk about AI, surveillance, and public safety, amid ongoing backlash from privacy advocates.
TechCrunch · 20 Jul, 17:36

Another change at the helm of Rail Baltica implementer in Latvia: Ķeņģis out, Blaus in
Mārtiņš Ķeņģis, who was appointed interim chairman of SIA «Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas» in April, has stepped down. He has been replaced on an interim basis by the company's project manager Dāvis Blaus.
LSM · 20 Jul, 17:36

NVIDIA's new cooling system uses water hotter than a hot tub
NVIDIA's Rubin-generation AI servers are cooled with liquid at 45°C, saving energy, water, and space while reducing noise levels.
Engadget · 20 Jul, 16:36

Europe's Most Active Investors in 2026: EIC Fund Leads, German Funds Strong
According to EU-Startups data, the European Innovation Council Fund is the most frequently mentioned investor in Europe in the first seven months of 2026, followed by Antler and High-Tech Gründerfonds. Germany accounted for 52% of funding activity in the last month.
EU-Startups · 20 Jul, 16:36

Spain's Female-Led FoodTech Startup Sensesbit Raises €1 Million to Scale AI Sensory Platform
Sensesbit, a Lugo-based FoodTech startup, has secured €1 million in funding to accelerate international expansion and enhance its AI-driven sensory intelligence platform for the food industry.
EU-Startups · 20 Jul, 15:37

Ryanair Profit Falls 34% as Ticket Prices Likely to Be Slightly Cheaper
Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair posted a 34% drop in pre-tax profit for the April-June quarter, attributing the decline to rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict and cautious traveler behavior. The airline expects summer fares to be slightly lower than last year.
BNN · 20 Jul, 15:36

StrictlyVC Returns to New York City on September 10 to Celebrate the Startup Community’s Big Year
After a two-year hiatus, StrictlyVC is back in NYC, bringing together investors and founders to celebrate the city’s booming startup ecosystem.
TechCrunch · 20 Jul, 15:36

6 tips for long-distance EV trips from FIA ECO Rally Latvia driver
Krišjānis Caune, a driver from the FIA ECO Rally Latvia team, shares six practical recommendations for planning a longer journey with an electric car, from route planning to payment methods for charging.
iAuto.lv · 20 Jul, 15:36

LAU Infra Grupa shares fall on stock exchange after IPO, disappointing investors
In the first two weeks of trading, shares of LAU Infra Grupa dropped below the IPO price of 1.57 euros, contrary to expectations.
LSM (rus) · 20 Jul, 15:36
Russians begin losing access to the App Store
Access to Apple's website and App Store in Russia dropped sharply from July 16, with availability falling to 30-40% and 60% respectively. Google Play availability is at 40-50%, with anomalous connections observed for months.
Meduza · 20 Jul, 14:37

AliExpress fined almost $630 million over illegal product sales
The European Commission fined AliExpress €550 million (about $629 million) for violating the Digital Services Act by failing to prevent the sale of illegal, unsafe, and counterfeit products.
The Verge · 20 Jul, 14:37

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leak hints at thinner design, brighter screen and bigger battery
New renders and specifications for Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 have emerged just days before the official launch, showing improved dust and water resistance, a slimmer body, a brighter display, and a larger battery.
Engadget · 20 Jul, 14:36

airBaltic's Estonian unit added to consumer protection blacklist
Estonia's consumer protection authority has added airBaltic's local unit to its blacklist after a dispute over delayed baggage compensation totaling 214 euros.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 14:36

Oil Prices Return to Month-Ago Levels
Oil prices at the start of the week climbed to around $90 per barrel, returning to levels last seen in the first half of June, before declining to $88 after signs of resumed US-Iran diplomatic contacts eased supply fears.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jul, 14:36

Talent drain threatens Europe's tech sovereignty ambitions
Europe invests only a fraction of US and China in tech, while losing its best AI talent abroad. Without a coherent strategy to attract and retain skilled professionals, the continent's goal of becoming an AI leader remains at risk.
EU-Startups · 20 Jul, 13:38

China delivers a one-two punch to America’s AI dominance
China's leading AI companies Moonshot and Alibaba have unveiled models they claim rival top US systems at a fraction of the cost, intensifying the technological race between the two superpowers.
The Verge · 20 Jul, 13:37

Chinese Electric Car Loses Motor While Driving
In Shenyang, China, bystanders filmed a BYD Tang electric car dragging its motor behind it by a high-voltage cable. The motor likely detached after hitting a submerged obstacle due to high water.
iAuto.lv · 20 Jul, 13:37

Five Mushroom Growing Methods for Beginners: A Home Guide
A WIRED author shares her experience trying five different mushroom growing methods at home and in the yard, with only two proving successful.
Wired · 20 Jul, 13:36

Competition Council allows Healthcare Center Association to gain decisive influence over Latvian Maritime Medical Center
The Competition Council has allowed AS "Veselības centru apvienība" (Healthcare Center Association) to gain decisive influence over AS "Latvijas Jūras medicīnas centrs" (Latvian Maritime Medical Center) through a merger.
LSM · 20 Jul, 13:36

European Commission calls for review of banking regulation burden – implications for Latvia
The European Commission's report concludes that EU banks are safer, but regulatory complexity hinders competitiveness. For Latvia, assessing the cumulative impact of national requirements on capital availability and lending is especially important.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 11:37

Italy's Contents acquires Spanish financial wellbeing platform Balio in sixth buy-and-build deal
Milan-based Contents, an enterprise AI orchestration platform, has acquired Barcelona-based Balio, a corporate financial wellbeing specialist. This marks Contents' sixth acquisition under its buy-and-build strategy.
EU-Startups · 20 Jul, 10:37

Xpeng X9 Air Suspension Fails in Heat – Car Leans or Drops to Ground
The Chinese luxury MPV Xpeng X9 faces suspension issues in high temperatures, with the compressor shutting down and causing the car to tilt or sink; the manufacturer advises parking in shade, but one owner reported defects even in normal conditions due to a short circuit.
iAuto.lv · 20 Jul, 10:37
Electric Car Market Shows Growth After Pause; Chinese Cars Gain Share
In the first half of this year, the share of electric cars among leased vehicles rose to 7.4%, while used car leasing transactions increased by 14%. Interest in Chinese-made cars is growing rapidly, especially in the EV segment.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 10:36

The Maritime Profession: A Pillar of Latvia's Economy and a Future Career Choice
The maritime sector is a key pillar of Latvia's economy, with seafarers contributing an estimated €450–500 million annually. The RTU Latvian Maritime Academy trains specialists who are in demand both at sea and on shore.
Delfi · 20 Jul, 09:36

Starwatch: How to Identify the Scorpion, Mythical Adversary of Orion
This week offers a chance to identify the Scorpius constellation, which according to myth was sent to kill Orion. In the UK, it appears low on the horizon, with the red-orange star Antares being particularly notable.
The Guardian Science · 20 Jul, 08:38
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Three Investors in Talks to Invest in airBaltic; IPO Shelved
Latvia's national airline airBaltic is in discussions with three potential investors, while its IPO is on hold and the company requires additional funding of €100–150 million for the winter of 2026/2027.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 08:37

Prime Minister: Talks Underway with Three Potential airBaltic Investors
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has stated that negotiations are ongoing with three potential investors for the national airline airBaltic. He hopes to reach an agreement, while reiterating that the state's stake should be minimized.
Jauns.lv · 20 Jul, 08:37

Estonian industrial producer prices up 3.8% year-on-year in June
Estonia's industrial producer price index fell 0.3% in June from May but rose 3.8% year-on-year, according to Statistics Estonia.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jul, 08:37

Roadworks Start on Daugavpils Highway in Ikšķile; Traffic Slowed
From today, traffic on the Daugavpils highway in Ikšķile will be restricted to one lane per direction due to road reconstruction, and pedestrian tunnels under the highway will be closed. Nationwide, construction is ongoing on 71 state road sections, causing major delays on several key routes.
Dienas Bizness · 20 Jul, 07:37
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Kozlovskis: Repayment deadline for €30 million airBaltic loan not changeable
Latvian Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis stated that the repayment deadline of August 31 for the €30 million state loan to airBaltic cannot be extended. The airline will need additional financing of €100–150 million for the 2026/2027 winter season.
TVNET · 20 Jul, 07:36