Business & Technology
Jon Prosser responds to Apple lawsuit by blaming co-defendant
YouTuber Jon Prosser has filed a formal response to Apple's lawsuit, denying a conspiracy but admitting he recorded a FaceTime call showing unreleased iOS software and shared YouTube revenue with the co-defendant.
The Verge · 3 Jul, 16:37
New Lexus ES: Electric versions and competitive pricing in Latvia
Lexus has unveiled the eighth-generation ES, marking the model's first fully electric variants. Starting prices in Latvia range from €54,450, with European market arrival in summer 2026.
iAuto.lv · 3 Jul, 16:37
Political scientist: airBaltic and Rail Baltica projects need realistic plans
Political scientist Filips Rajevskis states that airBaltic cannot receive state subsidies without a clear business plan, while the Rail Baltica project must continue but with a realistic timeline and additional EU funding.
BNN · 3 Jul, 16:36
WhatsApp usernames are coming: How to reserve yours and what to know
WhatsApp will soon allow users to replace phone numbers with usernames. Reservations are now open for mobile app users. The feature is not live yet but will roll out globally in coming months.
Engadget · 3 Jul, 16:36
Russian ‘Cybertruck’ prototype premiere postponed indefinitely
Revived Russian brand ‘Russo-Balt’ has canceled the 2026 debut of its Tesla Cybertruck-inspired electric crossover C55, admitting the timeline was too optimistic as the model remains in development.
iAuto.lv · 3 Jul, 15:37
Sony Announces End of Game Discs and Closure of PS3/PS Vita Stores
Sony has confirmed that it will cease production of game discs for PlayStation platforms by 2028 and close the PS3 and PS Vita digital stores, raising concerns about game preservation.
Engadget · 3 Jul, 15:36
Insulation of Soviet-era buildings does not pay off, but there is no alternative – real estate expert
Aigars Šmits, chairman of the Latvian Real Estate Transactions Association (LANĪDA), stated in an interview with LSM that the cost of insulating Soviet-era apartment buildings is close to the price of a new apartment, but residents have no choice as they cannot afford new builds.
LSM (rus) · 3 Jul, 15:36
October deadline for China talks 'not realistic at all', chief trade MEP says
Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament's trade committee, has called the October deadline for tangible results in EU-China trade talks unrealistic if a binding agreement is sought. He stressed the need to address unfair subsidies, which constitute 4.5% of China's GDP, and noted that the EU's dependence on rare earths is manageable.
Euronews Business · 3 Jul, 14:37
Starling Bank cuts 130 jobs, boosts AI investment to reduce costs
Starling Bank is cutting 130 jobs, about 3% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring that increases spending on artificial intelligence to lower costs.
The Guardian World · 3 Jul, 14:37
Sony Invests $34 Million to Repurpose PlayStation Disc Factory in Austria
Sony has invested €30 million ($34 million) to convert its disc manufacturing plant in Thalgau, Austria, into an optical microlens facility, as part of the shift toward digital PlayStation game distribution.
Engadget · 3 Jul, 14:37
Best Bone Conduction Headphones 2026: Wired's Top Picks from Shokz, Suunto, and More
Wired has published its 2026 roundup of the best bone conduction headphones, highlighting models from Shokz, Nank, Mojawa, and Suunto for different needs, from swimming to running.
Wired · 3 Jul, 14:36
7 Best Phones You Can’t Buy in the US: A Roundup
Wired has compiled a list of seven outstanding smartphones that are not officially available in the US market, including foldable models and devices with unique camera systems.
Wired · 3 Jul, 13:36
Polestar to Exit US Market Over Chinese Tech Ban
Polestar will stop selling vehicles in the US from the 2027 model year after the Commerce Department denied authorization under a rule banning Chinese-made connected-vehicle technology. Dealer Matthew Haiken blames Polestar, not the government.
Wired · 3 Jul, 12:37
Foreign investments in Latvian company equity capital increase by €604 million this year
In the first half of 2026, foreign investments in the equity capital of Latvian companies rose by €603.825 million, mainly due to the capital increase of the Dutch company Ingka Investments Latvia.
Dienas Bizness · 3 Jul, 12:36
New Car Market in Latvia Stagnates; Sharp Growth Expected in Second Half of Year
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Latvia is one of nine European countries where the new car market has declined by several percentage points, but a sharp rise is forecast for the second half of the year.
LSM (rus) · 3 Jul, 12:36
Rent prices in major German cities have risen by 51% in a decade
A study based on data from the research institute 'Empirica' shows that rents in Germany's largest cities increased by an average of 51% between 2016 and 2026, with some cities seeing rises of over 80%, sparking calls for stricter policies.
Dienas Bizness · 3 Jul, 11:38
Danish climate VC Climentum Capital launches Fund II with €60 million first close
Copenhagen-based Climentum Capital has reached the first close of its second fund at €60 million, matching the full size of its first fund. The European Investment Fund (EIF) committed €40 million, while Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund (EIFO) invested €15 million and the Danish Society of Engineers (IDA) committed €5 million.
EU-Startups · 3 Jul, 11:38
Sony Deletes Purchased Digital Content from PlayStation Libraries, Highlighting That You Don't Own Digital Buys
Sony has informed UK PlayStation users that from September 1, they will lose access to 551 previously purchased movies and shows, including hits like 'Paddington' and 'Terminator 2,' due to licensing agreement changes with distributor StudioCanal.
Wired · 3 Jul, 11:36
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Kesenfelds' Family Investment Firm Posts €25.98 Million Profit in 2025, Down Sharply
Alppes Capital, the family investment firm of Aigars Kesenfelds, reported a net profit of €25.98 million in 2025, down 2.9 times from 2024, while expanding its portfolio.
Apollo.lv · 3 Jul, 10:38
Latvian defense companies can apply for EU funding up to €30 million
In the second call of the European Defence Industry Programme, Latvian companies can receive up to €30 million per project to boost production capacity and strengthen supply chains.
Jauns.lv · 3 Jul, 10:36
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June Sees Record Global Markets but Tech Giants Falter; Latvia Hosts First State-Owned IPO
Global stock markets hit new highs in June, but the 'Magnificent Seven' tech stocks declined. Highlights included SpaceX's IPO and Latvia's first state-owned company IPO for LAU Infra Grupa, alongside US-Iran talks and falling oil prices.
Dienas Bizness · 3 Jul, 10:36
Study: Too Many Satellites Could Pose Problems for Astronomers
A study by the European Southern Observatory warns that the rapidly increasing number of satellites could cause serious issues for astronomers and other specialists.
LSM · 3 Jul, 10:36
Ford Admits Mistake: AI Cannot Replace Experienced Engineers
Ford laid off 350 engineers expecting AI to take over, but a record number of vehicle recalls in 2025 forced the company to rehire experienced specialists to improve quality and train the AI systems.
iAuto.lv · 3 Jul, 09:37
Protecting Bees and Pollinators – Essential for Food Security
Honeybees and other pollinators are responsible for one-third of our food, but their numbers are declining. The head of the Latvian Beekeeping Association explains how to help safeguard these insects.
Jauns.lv · 3 Jul, 07:37
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Oil prices rise; US jobs data reduce hopes for rate hikes
US unemployment unexpectedly fell to 4.2% in June, but job creation was much lower than expected, dampening expectations of an imminent interest rate hike. This led to rises in oil and stock prices.
Apollo.lv · 3 Jul, 07:36
How war turned arms companies into stock market stars: Is there a chance to earn now?
An investment of 1000 euros in arms manufacturers five years ago would have grown to 11,000 euros (Rheinmetall) or 9,000 euros (SAAB) by June 30. LSM explores whether it's still a good bet in 2026.
LSM (rus) · 3 Jul, 07:36
Travel app Hopper to pay $35M in FTC settlement over hidden fees
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a $35 million settlement with travel app Hopper over deceptive practices involving hidden fees and misrepresentation of service costs.
TechCrunch · 3 Jul, 06:38
AI Era May Lead to a More Homogeneous Internet, Not Just a Garbage One
Journalist Kristaps Taranda argues that artificial intelligence might not create a wasteland of bad content but rather a sea of homogeneous, professionally looking but ultimately meaningless communication.
Žurnāls Ir · 3 Jul, 06:36
Global stock markets mostly rise, dollar weakens after US employment data
On Thursday, global stock prices mostly increased while the US dollar declined following the release of US employment data that dashed expectations of rapid interest rate hikes.
Dienas Bizness · 3 Jul, 06:36
Tesla Q2 vehicle deliveries up 25% year-over-year
Tesla delivered approximately 480,000 vehicles globally in the second quarter of 2026, a 25% increase from a year ago, marking the first year-over-year delivery growth in two years.
Engadget · 3 Jul, 05:37
Device Created in Latvia for Remote Monitoring of Lonely Relatives
A Latvian inventor has developed a compact device that allows remote monitoring of lonely relatives by detecting movement and sending notifications to a mobile phone.
LSM · 3 Jul, 05:37
Sony's PlayStation disc factory is already being repurposed
Sony plans to cut disc production by 90% by 2028 and retrain 300 employees to produce optical microlenses, investing €30 million in the transition.
The Verge · 3 Jul, 04:36
Mercedes Faces Production Delays for Electric GLC Due to Component Shortages
Mercedes-Benz is struggling to ramp up production of its new electric GLC in Bremen, citing shortages of batteries from CATL and wiring harnesses from Kromberg & Schubert, leading to six-month wait times and weaker sales compared to the BMW iX3.
iAuto.lv · 3 Jul, 04:36
Why bulky laptop chargers are a relic of the past
Thanks to Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors, laptop chargers have become significantly smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient.
Engadget · 3 Jul, 03:37
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WhatsApp Drops Phone Number Requirement – Historic Privacy Move
WhatsApp has announced that it will no longer require users to provide a phone number, calling it a significant step for privacy protection.
TVNET · 3 Jul, 03:37
Meta CEO admits AI agents haven't progressed as fast as hoped
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told employees in an internal town hall that the development of AI agents has not accelerated as expected, and the benefits of the AI-focused restructuring have not yet materialized.
TechCrunch AI · 3 Jul, 03:37