Business & Technology
From July 1: €3 Customs Duty on Goods from Third Countries
Starting July 1, 2026, an EU regulation introduces a €3 customs duty per item on shipments from non-EU countries. A €2 handling fee is planned from November 1.
LV portāls · 13 Jun, 13:15
LIAA: ERAB Discussion Highlights Baltic’s Next Challenge – Turning Innovation into Growth
The Baltic states have proven their ability to innovate and attract investors, but the next step is to more quickly transform these advantages into economic growth and world-class companies.
Labs of Latvia · 13 Jun, 13:15
OpenAI opens Madrid office to boost ChatGPT expansion in Spain
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has announced a new office in Madrid to deepen cooperation with Spanish businesses and institutions.
Euronews Business · 13 Jun, 13:15
SEP's Involvement in Military Infrastructure Projects Confirms Competence
SIA "SEP" participates in defense infrastructure projects, emphasizing its multidisciplinary team and ability to work at the highest level. The company predicts this sector will become one of the most important construction directions in the Baltics.
Dienas Bizness · 13 Jun, 13:14
Oslo-based startup Mimir raises €518.3k pre-seed for AI e-commerce operations
Oslo-based startup Mimir, which builds AI to automate e-commerce operations, has raised €518.3k in pre-seed funding.
EU-Startups · 13 Jun, 13:14
Cameras, sensors, and 3D body scans: All the tech helping eliminate blown calls
At the 2026 World Cup, referees will use digital twins, upgraded cameras, and a sensor-equipped ball to make more accurate calls.
Ars Technica · 13 Jun, 13:14
Avataar AI launches Varya, a culturally aware video model built for India's scale
Avataar AI, one of 12 startups selected under India's AI Mission, introduces Varya – a video generation model based on Alibaba's open-source Wan 2.2. Using distillation, Varya runs 10x faster and costs 20x less than competitors, with prices as low as $0.005 per second of video.
TechCrunch · 13 Jun, 13:14
Three-euro customs duty on low-value shipments from third countries takes effect July 1
From July 1, 2026, a fixed three-euro customs duty per item will apply to low-value shipments from outside the EU, with an additional two-euro handling fee from November 1. The changes affect all online purchases from countries like China and the US.
LV portāls · 13 Jun, 13:14
Engadget Podcast: Making sense of SpaceX's messy IPO (and its messier CEO)
The latest Engadget podcast discusses SpaceX's upcoming IPO, the company's lack of profitability, and Elon Musk's controversial actions, including encouraging rioters in Belfast.
Engadget · 13 Jun, 13:14
U.S. government orders Anthropic to shut down two of its most powerful AI models – safety warnings backfire
The U.S. government ordered Anthropic on Friday to immediately disable two of its most advanced AI models, Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5, citing national security concerns. Anthropic complied but argues the decision is unjustified and could set a precedent that halts new AI deployments across the industry.
TechCrunch AI · 13 Jun, 13:14
OpenAI opens Madrid office to boost ChatGPT expansion in Spain
OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, will open an office in Madrid to strengthen cooperation with Spanish businesses, developers, and institutions. Weekly active users in Spain have grown over 40% year-on-year, ranking among Europe's top five markets.
Euronews Business · 13 Jun, 13:14
Cameras, Sensors, and 3D Body Scans: The Tech Helping Referees at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup introduces digital twins of players, improved cameras, and in-ball sensors to reduce refereeing errors. These technologies provide precise positional data and enable faster, more accurate reviews.
Ars Technica · 13 Jun, 13:14
SEP's Participation in Military Infrastructure Projects Demonstrates High Competence
Engineering company SEP showcases its ability to operate at the highest level through involvement in defense infrastructure projects, emphasizing the value of a multidisciplinary team and experience with complex facilities.
Dienas Bizness · 13 Jun, 13:14
Oslo-based AI startup Mimir raises €518.3k pre-Seed to automate e-commerce operations
Norwegian startup Mimir, which develops AI solutions to automate e-commerce operations, has raised €518.3k in pre-Seed funding.
EU-Startups · 13 Jun, 13:13
Driver Dies in Car Collision with Wild Animal in Latgale
Early Saturday morning, a driver was killed instantly in Latgale after their car hit a wild animal.
iAuto.lv · 13 Jun, 13:13
Engadget Podcast: SpaceX's Messy IPO and Its Messier CEO Under Scrutiny
The latest Engadget podcast examines SpaceX's upcoming IPO and the controversial behavior of its CEO Elon Musk, including racist posts and encouragement of Belfast rioters.
Engadget · 13 Jun, 13:13
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Rivian CEO: R2 SUV Is Crucial for the Company's Future
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said in an interview that the success of the new R2 model is vital for the company's survival, given its massive investments in production and technology.
Wired · 13 Jun, 13:13
Rivian CEO: R2 Failure Would Force Company Restructuring
In a candid interview, RJ Scaringe discusses Rivian's future, Tesla's Cybertruck flop, and the critical importance of the upcoming R2 SUV.
Wired · 13 Jun, 13:12
QJ MOTOR FORT 4.0 – New GT Class Scooter with 350cc Engine and Rich Equipment
QJ Motor has launched the Fort 4.0, a Grand Touring class scooter with a 350cc engine producing 34 hp and extensive electronic features. Price starts from 4,890 EUR.
iAuto.lv · 13 Jun, 13:12
Anthropic halts access to Fable 5 and Mythos 5 AI models after US government order
Anthropic has been forced to suspend access to its powerful AI models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 following a Trump administration directive citing national security concerns, though the company disagrees with the reasoning.
Euronews · 13 Jun, 12:58
Anthropic cuts top-tier AI access after US foreigner ban
US-based AI firm Anthropic has blocked access to its newest models, Claude Fable 5 and Claude Mythos 5, for all foreign nationals following a government order citing national security. The move escalates tensions with the Trump administration and raises concerns over the company's IPO plans.
Deutsche Welle · 13 Jun, 12:58
German Court Rules Google Liable for False Statements from AI Overviews
A Munich regional court issued a preliminary ruling holding Google liable for false claims generated by its AI Overviews feature, ordering the company to remove defamatory content and pay 80% of legal costs.
Wired · 13 Jun, 12:05
Google redesigns search box for first time in 25 years — now AI-powered and multimodal
At the annual I/O developer conference, Google announced the first major redesign of its search box in 25 years, transforming it from a simple keyword input into a dynamic, AI-driven conversational interface that accepts text, images, PDFs, videos, and open Chrome tabs.
VentureBeat AI · 13 Jun, 12:02
Avitela opens a concept store in the renovated Europa shopping centre in Vilnius
Avitela will open a new concept store in the Europa shopping centre in Vilnius, which is currently undergoing an upgrade. The store will offer a wide range of products from beauty to business-class computers and robots.
15min · 13 Jun, 12:02
Investors: Baltics and Nordics Forming a Single Economic Space
According to investors, the Baltic and Nordic countries are increasingly seen as a unified economic space, with competitiveness driven by human capital, innovation, and digitalization.
Labs of Latvia · 13 Jun, 12:02
For the first time in 25 years: Google redesigns the search box
At its I/O developer conference, Google announced a major redesign of the search box, turning it into a dynamic, AI-driven conversation starter that accepts text, images, PDFs, videos, and open Chrome tabs.
VentureBeat AI · 13 Jun, 12:02
What Is the Real Average Second Pillar Pension Savings in Latvia? Data Reveals Major Differences
Bank of Latvia economists, analyzing VSAA data, show that the average second pillar pension savings vary significantly depending on the group examined—from €7,568 for all participants to €14,383 for long-term contributors.
Žurnāls Ir · 13 Jun, 12:02
Investors: Baltics and Nordics Becoming a Single High Value-Added Economic Space
At a LIAA discussion, investors acknowledged that the Baltic states are transitioning to a high value-added economy, where competitiveness is driven by human capital, innovation, and digitalization.
Labs of Latvia · 13 Jun, 12:02
UK economy shrinks in April as Iran war energy shock takes toll
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in April, ending a run of monthly growth since last summer, according to the Office for National Statistics. The services sector, particularly sports and recreation, suffered due to cancelled events in the Middle East.
Euronews Business · 13 Jun, 12:01
What is the average second pillar pension savings in Latvia? It depends on the group
The average second pillar pension savings in Latvia varies widely by participant group, from €7,568 overall to €14,383 for long-term contributors.
Žurnāls Ir · 13 Jun, 12:01
UK economy contracts in April as Iran war energy shock takes toll
The UK economy shrank by 0.1% in April, ending a streak of monthly growth, according to the Office for National Statistics. The decline, driven by a drop in services and consumer spending, signals that the Iran conflict is beginning to weigh on British output.
Euronews Business · 13 Jun, 12:01
US surveillance law to expire for first time after lawmakers reject Trump’s controversial pick to lead spy agencies
The House of Representatives has failed to renew the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) before its Friday deadline, marking the first time the law will lapse. The failure follows lawmakers' rejection of Trump ally Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
TechCrunch · 13 Jun, 12:01
Rīgas nami: Meat Pavilion closure not due to sudden problem, but aging building
The closure of the Riga Central Market Meat Pavilion is the result of a long-term process, not a sudden issue, says SIA "Rīgas nami".
Dienas Bizness · 13 Jun, 12:01
US surveillance law to expire for first time after lawmakers reject Trump's controversial pick to lead spy agencies
The US House of Representatives failed to reauthorize the warrantless surveillance law (FISA), which will expire for the first time. The process was complicated by Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting intelligence director, which was later withdrawn.
TechCrunch · 13 Jun, 12:01
Rīgas nami: Closure of Meat Pavilion Is Result of Long-Term Deterioration, Not Sudden Issue
SIA “Rīgas nami” explains that the closure of the Riga Central Market Meat Pavilion is due to the wear and tear of the nearly 100-year-old building and long-accumulated technical challenges, accelerated by an updated technical inspection and the Building Authority's decision.
Dienas Bizness · 13 Jun, 12:01
Artist Sells CIA Sculpture's Secret to Crypto Venture Firm
Artist Jim Sanborn has sold the solution to the unsolved panel of his famous Kryptos sculpture to a crypto VC firm, Paradigm, for nearly one million dollars.
Wired · 13 Jun, 12:01