Business & Technology

France to Acquire Latvian Origin Robotics' Anti-Drone System Blaze
The French armed forces will purchase the anti-drone system Blaze developed by Latvian company Origin Robotics, with plans for local assembly and production in France.
Labs of Latvia · 17 Jun, 10:20

Experiment Reveals Illegal Construction Waste Disposal Practices
An experiment by the Construction Waste Academy using GPS-tracked waste bags found that most waste removers from classified ads operate illegally, evading taxes and often dumping waste in unauthorized locations.
BNN · 17 Jun, 10:20

Two Developers Interested in Building Data Centers in Pärnu County
Renewable energy developer Evecon plans a data center near Lihula with up to 100 MW consumption, while another developer has also expressed interest in the area.
ERR News · 17 Jun, 09:22

UK inflation steady at 2.8% in May despite Middle East conflict boosting fuel prices
UK inflation unexpectedly remained at 2.8% last month, defying forecasts of a rise to 3%, as higher transport and fuel costs were offset by slower food price increases.
The Guardian World · 17 Jun, 09:22
Imports from CIS countries to Latvia decreased tenfold
Latvia's foreign trade balance remains negative, and imports from CIS countries have decreased approximately ten times, becoming almost insignificant.
Dienas Bizness · 17 Jun, 09:20

Insurers start offering war risk insurance in peacetime; greatest interest from farms
Several insurance companies in Latvia have launched a new product – insurance against military risks during peacetime, which was previously not covered. Farmers have shown the strongest interest in the first days.
LSM (rus) · 17 Jun, 07:20

Google Launches Android 17 with Bubble Multitasking and Foldable Gaming Mode
Android 17 rolls out to Pixel devices first, introducing Bubbles for multitasking, a foldable gaming mode, and enhanced safety features.
Engadget · 17 Jun, 06:21

Android 17 starts rolling out to Pixel phones and watches
Google releases Android 17 for Pixel devices, introducing new features like floating app windows, screen recording with video overlay, and improved security. Simultaneously, a Pixel Drop and Wear OS 7 with Gemini Intelligence are launched.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 06:21

Amazon invests over €40 billion in Europe, creates jobs and calls for simpler regulation
In 2025, Amazon made its largest annual investment in the EU, over €40 billion, supporting more than one million jobs. The company advocates for a harmonized regulatory environment to foster growth and innovation.
Politico Europe · 17 Jun, 06:20

Anthropic pauses token-based billing changes for Claude Agent SDK
Following developer backlash, Anthropic has temporarily halted its planned token-based billing changes for the Claude Agent SDK, which would have significantly increased costs for heavy users.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 05:21
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Inflation Apocalypse Horsemen May Be Canceled This Year: US-Iran Peace Deal Could Lower Prices
The US-Iran peace agreement, if sustained, is expected to restore goods flow through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to lower prices for oil, gas, and agricultural chemicals, which could ease inflation pressures.
TVNET · 17 Jun, 05:21

New BMW X5: Five Powertrain Options, Premiere Imminent
The 2026 BMW X5 is in the final stages of development in the US, approaching its premiere. The model will offer the widest powertrain range in BMW history: gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid, full electric, and hydrogen fuel cell.
iAuto.lv · 17 Jun, 05:21

10 underrated Apple Watch features you can set up in minutes
Despite the Apple Watch's popularity, some useful features remain overlooked. This article highlights ten lesser-known capabilities that can be easily activated.
Engadget · 17 Jun, 04:22

HPE offers year of free virtualization software to lure VMware users
HPE's new promotion provides free VM Essentials licenses for one year, aiming to encourage VMware customers to migrate, but partner reactions are mixed.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 04:20

PM Kulbergs: Companies under EPPO Investigation Involved in Latvian ICT Procurement
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs revealed that companies linked to a European Public Prosecutor's Office fraud probe are among those whose ICT contracts have been frozen. He criticized the current system and called for centralized and open-source solutions.
Jauns.lv · 17 Jun, 03:21

Trump administration moves to block Clean Air Act lawsuit against xAI, citing military needs
The US Department of Justice has asked a federal judge to dismiss an NAACP lawsuit against Elon Musk’s xAI, arguing that the case threatens national security and AI innovation.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 03:21

Dell XPS 13 laptop goes on sale
The Dell XPS 13, announced in early June, is now available in stores. It starts at $599 for students and $699 for other buyers.
Engadget · 17 Jun, 03:21

Best Handheld and Wearable Fans of 2026: From Belt Clips to Misting Jets
Wired has updated its guide to the best handheld and wearable fans for 2026, testing nine models for various needs, including pocket-sized fans, neck fans, waist fans, and a cooling jacket.
Wired · 17 Jun, 03:20

Amazon has hundreds of satellites ready, but only Europe has delivered launches so far
Amazon's VP says hundreds of flight-ready satellites are waiting in Florida, but only Arianespace has launched them, while New Glenn and Vulcan lag behind.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 02:21

Data suggests Anthropic's latest feud with Trump admin may boost sales
According to Ramp data, AI lab Anthropic's business adoption grew after a previous conflict with the administration, and the new dispute may actually help the company.
TechCrunch · 17 Jun, 02:20

Cockroaches carry thousands of bacterial DNA fragments in their genomes
A new study reveals that cockroach genomes contain thousands of bacterial DNA segments acquired through horizontal gene transfer, suggesting that such exchanges are more common in multicellular animals than previously believed.
Ars Technica · 17 Jun, 01:20

Webb telescope captures its first 'bulge fossil fragment'
The James Webb Space Telescope has confirmed that the region Terzan 5 is not a globular cluster but a 'bulge fossil fragment,' offering new insights into the formation of the Milky Way.
Engadget · 17 Jun, 01:20

Apple Plans to Change Its Hide My Email Privacy Feature, Potentially Reducing Effectiveness
Apple is changing its Hide My Email feature by moving from @icloud.com to @private.icloud.com, making it easier for apps and websites to detect and block anonymous sign-ups.
TechCrunch · 17 Jun, 01:20

Around a Fifth of Steam Next Fest Demos Have a Generative AI Disclosure
Nearly 20% of games participating in Steam Next Fest are tagged for generative AI use according to SteamDB, reflecting Valve's updated disclosure requirements.
Engadget · 17 Jun, 00:21

Initial U.S.-Iran Deal Reached; Global Economic Recovery Expected to Be Slow
The U.S. and Iran have reached an initial agreement, but restoring the global economy to full speed after months of slowdown will be a difficult and lengthy process.
The New York Times · 17 Jun, 00:20

US Approves Paramount/Warner Bros. Merger, Surprising DOJ Lawyers, Report Says
The US Department of Justice has approved the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros., a move that surprised even the department's own lawyers. The deal will combine Paramount+ and HBO Max, and the DOJ believes it will boost competition in the streaming market. However, several US states plan to sue to block the merger.
Ars Technica · 16 Jun, 23:21

PM: Legal work must be made more beneficial than envelope wages
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says the rise of the shadow economy to 21.8% of GDP shows the country is on the wrong track, and calls for making legal employment more advantageous, especially for small businesses and part-time workers.
BNN · 16 Jun, 23:21

In a Few Months or Half a Year. When Fuel Prices Could Return to Pre-War Levels?
The US and Iran have agreed to end the war in the Middle East that closed the Strait of Hormuz and disrupted energy supplies. Oil prices have fallen, but economists expect fuel prices to recover slowly.
LSM (rus) · 16 Jun, 22:22

Google Rolls Out Android 17, Wear OS 7, and Android XR Glasses
Google has started rolling out Android 17 to Pixel phones, announced Wear OS 7 with live updates, and opened preorders for Xreal Aura Android XR glasses.
The Verge · 16 Jun, 22:21

Qualcomm wants to be the chip inside whatever replaces your smartphone – announces two new products
Qualcomm CEO revealed over 40 AI wearable projects and two new platforms: Snapdragon Reality Elite for mixed-reality glasses and START for smart glasses development.
TechCrunch · 16 Jun, 22:21

EU won't mandate game preservation law, but will work on voluntary code of conduct
The European Commission has decided against a mandatory law for video game preservation, opting instead to develop a voluntary code of conduct with the industry and deliver a consumer rights report by the end of 2026.
Engadget · 16 Jun, 22:21

Experts Call for Simplified Taxes in Construction to Reduce Shadow Economy
Shadow economy in construction has decreased but remains the highest among sectors. Experts recommend motivational tools such as tax breaks for home construction and renovation.
Delfi · 16 Jun, 22:20

Load testing with specially loaded trucks conducted on Kundziņsala overpass (VIDEO)
The new overpass to Kundziņsala in Riga underwent load testing on Wednesday to verify its safety and compliance with the project before commissioning.
iAuto.lv · 16 Jun, 22:20

Android 17 officially arrives on Pixel phones alongside Pixel Drop features
Google has started rolling out Android 17 to Pixel devices, introducing Bubbles floating windows, Screen Reactions, and other improvements. Some promised features will be available later.
The Verge · 16 Jun, 21:21

Android 17 officially launches with new multitasking tools and enhanced Gemini AI features
Google has released Android 17 and Wear OS 7, starting with Pixel devices. The update introduces significant AI capabilities, including music generation, conversational video editing, and a new multitasking interface.
TechCrunch AI · 16 Jun, 21:21

Pentagon boasts of using AI to write congressionally mandated reports
The US Department of Defense has been using generative AI tools since late 2025 to write mandatory reports for Congress, cutting preparation time from 200 hours to five.
Ars Technica · 16 Jun, 21:20