Business & Technology

OpenAI shuts down its ChatGPT Atlas browser
OpenAI has announced it will sunset ChatGPT Atlas, its browser capable of performing tasks on behalf of users, less than a year after launch. The deprecation is targeted for August 9th.
The Verge · 9 Jul, 23:36

New York Times and Daily News accuse OpenAI of hiding evidence in copyright trial
The newspapers allege that OpenAI lied about its ability to search chat logs and training data, and are asking the court to sanction the company for withholding evidence.
TechCrunch AI · 9 Jul, 22:38

Judge reluctantly approves Elon Musk settlement with SEC over Twitter stock violation, says court cannot block it
A federal judge has approved a $1.5 million settlement between Elon Musk and the SEC over his failure to timely disclose a 9% stake in Twitter, despite expressing significant misgivings about the deal's fairness.
Ars Technica · 9 Jul, 22:37

Sony Introduces IER-M500 In-Ear Monitors for Professional Use
Sony has launched the IER-M500 in-ear monitors, priced at $120, designed for stage use by musicians and sound technicians.
Engadget · 9 Jul, 22:37

Investor Charles Hudson: Avoid These Mistakes to Secure Funding
Charles Hudson, founder of Precursor Ventures who has invested in over 500 startups, shares the most common mistakes founders make when seeking venture capital.
TechCrunch · 9 Jul, 22:36

ECB President: Digital euro will not replace cash, parliament advances talks
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde told Euronews that the digital euro will complement, not replace, cash, and that the aim is not to monitor payments, as the European Parliament approved its negotiating mandate.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 21:37

Anthropic Introduces Usage-Based Fees for Claude Fable 5 – A New Pricing Model for Consumer AI
Starting July 12, Anthropic will charge additional usage-based fees for its Claude Fable 5 model, marking the first time a frontier AI lab has applied per-token pricing to a consumer AI offering.
Wired · 9 Jul, 21:37

iPhone Ultra: Rumors about Apple's foldable iPhone, pricing, and release date
Rumors about Apple's first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Ultra, are gaining credibility, with expected launch in September 2026, a price tag between $2,000 and $2,400, a 7.8-inch foldable display, and an ultra-thin design.
Engadget · 9 Jul, 21:36

Paris-based AI voice startup Gradium raises $100M seed, backed by Nvidia
Gradium, a French startup specializing in real-time voice AI, has secured $100 million in seed funding including from Nvidia, and plans to open a Bay Area office.
TechCrunch AI · 9 Jul, 21:36

Meta's New AI Chips to Enter Production in September
Meta plans to start manufacturing its latest AI-specific chips in September to reduce reliance on GPU suppliers like Nvidia, according to an internal memo.
TechCrunch · 9 Jul, 20:37

Meta's new AI chips will begin production in September
Meta is set to start manufacturing its latest AI-specific chips in September to reduce reliance on expensive GPUs. Partnering with Broadcom and TSMC, the company aims to cut costs on graphics processors from Nvidia and AMD.
TechCrunch AI · 9 Jul, 20:37

Google's Nest Thermostat hits best price of the year at $79
The smart thermostat is on sale for $79 on Amazon, offering energy-saving features and smart controls, making it a solid deal for those looking to reduce cooling costs.
The Verge · 9 Jul, 20:36

Spain proposes new EU joint borrowing mechanism
Spanish Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo has presented a proposal for a new EU common borrowing mechanism, with annual issuance of up to €850 billion if all members participate.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 19:38

1X Neo Robot Shows Off Freakishly Fast Fingers and Human-Like Dexterity
Norwegian-American robotics firm 1X has revealed the five-fingered hands of its soft home robot Neo, which can move faster than human digits, hyperextend, and even wash themselves.
Wired · 9 Jul, 19:38
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Vilāns becomes new managing partner of KPMG in Latvia
Vilāns takes over as managing partner from Armine Movsisjana, who led the firm for ten years; KPMG Baltics reported increased turnover but lower profit.
TVNET · 9 Jul, 19:36
Bristol startup Uplift360 to boost Europe’s defence resilience with sovereign advanced materials supply
Following NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte's launch of a multinational project on defence critical raw materials at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, Bristol-based startup Uplift360 has secured a multi-year framework agreement with the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence to strengthen Europe's sovereign supply of advanced materials.
EU-Startups · 9 Jul, 18:37

EU launches probe into Chinese Peking duck imports
The European Commission has opened an investigation into Chinese Peking duck imports following complaints from five EU producers about unfairly low prices linked to Chinese agricultural subsidies.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 18:37

Block reaches $45M settlement with 46 states over Cash App fraud probe
Block has agreed to pay $45 million to settle claims by 46 U.S. states that its Cash App failed to protect users from fraud. The states alleged Block misled users by advertising bank-like protections.
TechCrunch · 9 Jul, 18:37

Wind Turbine Blade Breaks Off During Testing in Liepāja; Nordex to Investigate
On Wednesday evening, a blade from a Nordex wind turbine broke and fell at the Rapsoil wind park construction site in Liepāja during testing. No injuries were reported, and all 12 turbines have been halted pending investigation.
iAuto.lv · 9 Jul, 17:38

Volkswagen warned of 'major conflict' with staff as job cut protests erupt
Volkswagen faces union backlash over plans to cut up to 100,000 jobs and close four factories, with workers protesting across Germany.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 17:38
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Fitch places airBaltic on negative rating watch, citing weak financial flexibility
Fitch Ratings has placed airBaltic's long-term issuer default rating and its secured bonds on negative watch, warning that without additional external support the airline could face a liquidity crisis or debt restructuring.
Apollo.lv · 9 Jul, 17:37

Sonos Ace wireless headphones get a steep discount
The Sonos Ace headphones in black are now available for $279 (usually $399) at multiple retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Sonos.
The Verge · 9 Jul, 17:36
Business Barometer: New Company Registrations Rise, Liquidations Remain Low
Despite increasing security risks, the number of newly registered companies in Latvia is growing, while the number of liquidated companies remains relatively low.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Jul, 17:36

Fitch Assigns airBaltic Watch with Negative Outlook
International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has placed Latvian national airline airBaltic and its secured bonds on Rating Watch Negative.
LSM (rus) · 9 Jul, 17:36

European Parliament votes to start talks on digital euro
MEPs approved the launch of negotiations with the EU Council on a digital euro, aiming to reduce reliance on third-country payment providers and enhance financial inclusion.
Apollo.lv · 9 Jul, 16:38

Fitch Assigns Negative Watch to airBaltic, Warns of Potential Default
Fitch Ratings has placed Latvian national airline airBaltic's credit rating and secured bonds on negative watch, citing acute liquidity pressure and a possible default or debt restructuring without external support.
BNN · 9 Jul, 16:37

Anthropic Launches 'Reflect' Feature for Claude — A Year-in-Review for AI Usage
Anthropic has introduced a new 'reflect' feature for its Claude chatbot, offering users a usage analysis similar to Spotify Wrapped. The beta feature is now available for free and paid users.
The Verge · 9 Jul, 16:37

New York is the first US state to ban smart glasses in all its courthouses
Starting July 20, all courts in New York state will prohibit smart glasses to prevent covert recording. Individuals will have to surrender their devices before entering.
Engadget · 9 Jul, 16:36

Spanish National Court Orders Trial for BBVA and Former Chairman in Villarejo Case
Spain's National Court has ordered BBVA, its former chairman Francisco González, and 14 others to stand trial over alleged illegal contracts with former police commissioner José Manuel Villarejo. The charges include bribery and disclosure of secrets, with prosecutors seeking lengthy prison sentences.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 16:36

Fitch Ratings Places airBaltic on Negative Watch
International credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has placed Latvian national airline airBaltic's rating and its secured bonds on negative watch.
LSM · 9 Jul, 16:36

Slate's $25,000 Electric Truck Gets Crayola Wraps Starting at $1,550
Slate Auto, the Bezos-backed maker of America's cheapest electric truck, has teamed up with Crayola for five brightly colored wraps. The $1,550 starter packs cost three times a standard wrap and include decals, a key-fob cap, and a dashboard accessory.
Wired · 9 Jul, 16:36
Atis Ščeglovs: Team is the foundation of success
Atis Ščeglovs, owner and manager of BDF Agency, believes that the team is the primary factor in any company's success.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Jul, 16:36

airBaltic to present new business plan to government within weeks
Latvian national airline airBaltic has developed a new strategy and business plan, which will be presented to the government in the coming weeks. The document aims to base the company's operations on sustainable commercial principles and reduce dependence on state funding.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Jul, 15:37

Elevator maintenance company 'Pilsētas Lifti' acquires 'Recept-Holding Lifts'
SIA 'Pilsētas Lifti' has announced the acquisition of 'Recept-Holding Lifts', which services about 1,200 elevators across Latvia. After the deal, the group, together with Lithuanian company 'Liftai EU', will service approximately 3,000 elevators.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Jul, 14:39
Dell 14S Review: Higher Price, Better Quality
Dell's new mid-range laptop 14S offers premium design and excellent battery life, but its price and some compromises raise questions about its value.
Wired · 9 Jul, 14:37

European Commission to tighten EU market access amid foreign interference fears
The European Commission has drafted a regulation allowing public buyers to exclude foreign companies posing interference risks from public procurement, aiming to protect sensitive data and reduce dependencies on third countries.
Euronews Business · 9 Jul, 14:36