Business & Technology
US Government Tightens Grip on AI Model Releases – OpenAI and Anthropic Face Same Challenges
After pulling Anthropic's models, the US government now restricts OpenAI's GPT-5.6 release to limited preview, raising concerns about unpredictable regulation that could slow the entire industry.
TechCrunch AI · 26 Jun, 19:37
Tesla Settles Fatal Crash Lawsuit Over FSD as Federal Probes Continue
Tesla has settled a wrongful death lawsuit tied to a 2023 crash involving its Full Self-Driving system. Terms are undisclosed, but a federal investigation into FSD remains open.
TechCrunch · 26 Jun, 19:36
Volkswagen considers closing up to four factories in Germany as profits plummet
Volkswagen Group is reportedly considering closing up to four factories in Germany and laying off 15% of its workforce as profits fell sharply and sales declined in key markets.
Ars Technica · 26 Jun, 18:37
Arduino Uno Q Microcomputer Gets a Price Hike Due to Memory Crisis
The Arduino Uno Q, a Raspberry Pi-like microcomputer, is getting a price increase this week. The 2GB version will cost $59 (up from $44), while the 4GB version will be $79 (up from $59). The increases take effect on July 6.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 18:36
Ekspress Grupp acquires outdoor advertising company in Lithuania
Media group AS Ekspress Grupp, through its Lithuanian subsidiary, is acquiring outdoor advertising company UAB LT Advert, expanding its Baltic footprint.
Dienas Bizness · 26 Jun, 17:37
Meta Reportedly Building a Prediction Market App, Cloning Polymarket
Meta is developing a prediction market app similar to Polymarket, continuing its strategy of cloning successful ideas. Meanwhile, Apple hikes prices and Meta faces morale issues.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 17:37
Volkswagen Reportedly Plans 100,000 Job Cuts in Major Restructuring
Volkswagen is reportedly planning to cut 100,000 jobs in Germany, a move that would be the largest overhaul in its history and includes closing four plants. Unions have vowed to fight the cuts, which go beyond a previous agreement.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 16:38
Samsung Unveils Galaxy A27 5G with Larger Display and AI Features
Samsung has launched the Galaxy A27 5G, featuring a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, and several AI-powered functions.
iAuto.lv · 26 Jun, 16:37
Australia's social media ban may not be that effective, study finds
A study shows that over 85% of teens under 16 continue using social media despite the ban, mostly by circumventing weak age checks.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 15:37
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Foreign Ransomware Group Claims Responsibility for Cyberattack on LVM
Cert.lv continues investigating the cyber incident at LVM, attributed to a foreign financially motivated ransomware group that leaked stolen data.
Apollo.lv · 26 Jun, 15:36
Prime Day Offers Rare Discounts on Philips Hue Smart Lights
Philips Hue products rarely see significant discounts, but this Prime Day features notable price drops across the smart lighting lineup, including starter kits, sleep lamps, and smart switches.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 15:36
Economist: Can Latvia's Economy Afford Long Weekends?
Doctor of Economics Edgars Volskis points out that the long weekends for Līgo and Jāņi in 2026 will again demonstrate their impact on Latvia's economy and public safety.
LSM (rus) · 26 Jun, 15:36
Apple’s Most Powerful Macs Might Wait Until 2027 for Major Processor Upgrades
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple plans to release only a base M6 chip without Pro or Max variants, while the M7 series—promising significant on-device AI advancements—could arrive in 2027.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 14:37
Prices Surge on Xbox, MacBooks, iPads, and More; Grok's Top Use is NSFW Content; YouTube Shorts Updates; IBM Creates 0.7nm Chip
Microsoft and Apple have raised prices on several products, including Xbox, Surface laptops, MacBooks, and iPads. Meanwhile, xAI's Grok sees over half its traffic for NSFW content, YouTube introduces changes to Shorts, and IBM announces the world's first sub-nanometer chip.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 14:37
Former Facebook director sues Meta over alleged retaliation for whistleblowing
Sarah Wynn-Williams, author of a critical book about Meta, claims the company is punishing her for reporting misconduct to regulators.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 13:37
EIFO commits €200 million to Scaleup Europe Fund to back European tech scaleups
The European Investment Fund Organisation (EIFO) has committed €200 million to the Scaleup Europe Fund, a key initiative under the European Commission's Startup and Scaleup Strategy aimed at fostering the growth and retention of tech companies in Europe.
EU-Startups · 26 Jun, 13:36
Should You Buy Your Kid a 3D Printer? A Parent's Hands-On Review
A WIRED journalist tested three 3D printers for kids and found modern models surprisingly easy to use, though they require space and produce noise.
Wired · 26 Jun, 13:36
Prime Day Deals on Coolers: Yeti, Igloo, Ninja, and More
Wired's lead cooler tester highlights Prime Day discounts on various coolers, with savings up to $75.
Wired · 26 Jun, 12:37
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Survey: 58% of residents could cover mandatory payments for no more than three months if they lost income
If they lost their income, 58% of Latvian residents could cover their mandatory payments for no more than three months, according to a survey by the Credit Information Bureau.
TVNET · 26 Jun, 12:37
Volkswagen Plans to Cut Up to 100,000 Jobs and Close Four Plants in Germany
According to Manager Magazin, German automotive group Volkswagen is considering cutting up to 100,000 jobs worldwide, including closing four plants in Germany.
iAuto.lv · 26 Jun, 12:36
King Charles III Releases Historic Tax Disclosure
Buckingham Palace announced that King Charles III voluntarily paid £12.9 million in tax for the 2024–25 financial year, the first such figure ever made public. Prince William also disclosed his tax details for the first time.
Euronews Business · 26 Jun, 11:36
UK Biotech Thalia Therapeutics Raises €3.1 Million and Acquires Sanmirna Therapeutics
Thalia Therapeutics has announced the acquisition of Sanmirna Therapeutics alongside a €3.1 million (£2.75 million) funding round supported by investors including Premier Miton. The deal includes miRisten, a clinical-stage microRNA therapeutic candidate for acute myeloid leukemia.
EU-Startups · 26 Jun, 11:36
Rocket Bean Coffee Shop Ranked Among Top 50 in Europe
Latvia's specialty coffee roaster and cafe Rocket Bean placed 51st in a competition evaluating over 5,300 European coffee shops, proving Latvia's ability to compete internationally.
Dienas Bizness · 26 Jun, 09:36
Incukalns Gas Storage Filled According to Plan Despite Hormuz Strait Crisis
Energy company Elenger has secured half of the natural gas needed for next winter, and Incukalns underground gas storage is being filled as scheduled. Gas prices have dropped by about 20%, but future fluctuations will depend on developments in the Hormuz Strait.
Jauns.lv · 26 Jun, 09:36
Apple hikes iPad and MacBook prices by at least 20% in Australia, citing AI costs
Apple has increased iPad and MacBook prices in Australia by at least 20%, blaming an AI-driven cost crunch for computer parts. Microsoft also raised Xbox console prices overnight.
The Guardian World · 26 Jun, 08:38
Morgan Unveils Exclusive Midsummer Coupe – Only Nine Examples to Be Built
British retro car maker Morgan, in collaboration with Pininfarina, has presented the Midsummer Coupe prototype featuring a panoramic roof and a luxury yacht-inspired interior. Only nine units will be produced, each customized for its owner.
iAuto.lv · 26 Jun, 08:37
Microsoft and Apple raise prices as AI-driven chip shortages hit Xbox, Macs and iPads
Microsoft will increase Xbox console prices by $100-$150 from August 1, while Apple has raised prices on Macs and iPads, citing unprecedented memory chip cost surges from AI demand.
Euronews Business · 26 Jun, 07:37
Apple, Microsoft hike prices over surging chip costs
Tech giants Apple and Microsoft have raised prices on several popular products, citing soaring memory chip costs driven by the expansion of AI data centers.
Al Jazeera · 26 Jun, 07:37
Friday's Average Electricity Exchange Price Drops to 5 Cents per kWh
On Friday, June 26, the average electricity exchange price in the Estonian price zone fell by 54% compared to Thursday, reaching 4.9 cents per kWh.
ERR (rus) · 26 Jun, 07:36
Retroid Pocket Nova Announced with Affordable Price and Powerful Chip
Retroid has unveiled the Pocket Nova handheld console featuring a Qualcomm QCS8550 processor capable of running PS2 and GameCube games, priced from $229.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 06:37
Oil Prices Rise, Stock Markets Show Mixed Trends
On Thursday, global stock exchanges experienced mixed trends, while oil prices increased.
Dienas Bizness · 26 Jun, 06:36
Apple raises prices across multiple product lines amid memory crisis
Apple has significantly increased prices on Macs, iPads, HomePods, and Vision Pro, citing the global memory shortage. This rare move comes as the company typically does not adjust prices on current models.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 05:37
Reuters Study: Young People Increasingly Avoid Traditional News
The Reuters Digital News Report 2026 finds that young people are not only leaving traditional news sources but most never start using them; they prefer social media, where trust in news is at its lowest.
Deutsche Welle · 26 Jun, 04:38
Spain will require carriers to keep mobile networks live during power outages
Spain's government will approve a royal decree requiring mobile network operators and infrastructure companies to maintain connectivity for at least four hours during blackouts. The rules apply to operators serving at least 500,000 users or with annual revenue above €50 million.
Engadget · 26 Jun, 04:37
Instagram expands its TV app to capture viewers on the big screen
Instagram introduces new features for its smart TV app, including vertical Reels, disappearing Stories, and horizontal videos, and plans long-form content and live experiences. The platform aims to compete with YouTube and microdrama platforms.
The Verge · 26 Jun, 04:37
Anthropic Believes AI Can Only Be Safe Under Its Own Control
AI company Anthropic argues that to ensure safe AI development, it must remain at the frontier of the technology. Critics point to a lack of internal pluralism and potential blind spots.
Wired · 26 Jun, 04:36