Business & Technology
Can billionaires' wealth be taxed with a special levy?
The Latvian Radio programme "(ne)Diplomātiskās pusdienas" examines why imposing a special tax on billionaires' wealth is hard to carry out. Economic inequality remains one of the most significant social problems in Europe.
LSM · 25 Oct, 13:10
16-Inch MacBook Pro With M5 Max Chip Hits Its Lowest Price Yet
In the US, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M5 Max chip, 36 GB of RAM and 2 TB of storage now costs $3,499. That is the lowest price this configuration has sold for, and it comes a week before a rumored new generation is expected to be announced.
Wired · 25 Oct, 13:09
Registration for the Climathon 2026 hackathon is open until 28 October
A three-day hackathon, Climathon 2026, will take place at Riga Technical University from 30 October to 1 November, focusing on solutions to environmental and urban challenges. Registration closes on 28 October.
Kursors.lv · 25 Oct, 13:09
Rising prices force Latgale residents to cut back and plan spending carefully
Data from Latvia's Central Statistical Bureau show household consumer spending in Latgale averaged 446 euros per person per month last year. That is less than in any other region of Latvia.
LSM (rus) · 25 Oct, 12:09
Hyve Smart Package Locker Review: Can a Lockbox Stop Porch Pirates?
Wired tested a smart package lockbox from US startup Hyve, designed to protect parcels left at the front door. The hardware works reliably, but couriers often ignore it and some features are limited to two cities.
Wired · 25 Oct, 12:09
WhatsApp Begins Testing Scheduled Messages on iPhone
The messaging app WhatsApp is testing a feature that lets users set a date and time for a message to be sent. Some iPhone users can now try it.
Kursors.lv · 25 Oct, 12:09
Latvians fail to return deposit packaging worth €7.5 million each year
Each year, Latvian residents do not return around 75 million beverage containers covered by the 10-cent deposit scheme. That is 15% of all deposit-bearing packaging, equal to €7.5 million.
LSM · 25 Oct, 12:08
Journalists Chain 149 of Ikea's $10 Speakers Into a Wall of Sound
Tech publication Wired linked 149 of Ikea's cheap Kallsup Bluetooth speakers at its London office as an experiment. The chaining worked with few problems, though sound quality at high volume was poor.
Wired · 25 Oct, 11:10
Greece becomes first EU country to legally ban social media for children under 15
Greece has passed a law banning social media for children under 15, making it the first European Union country to do so. The restrictions take effect on 1 January 2027.
Kursors.lv · 25 Oct, 11:09
How to Save Up to 100 Euros a Month at the Grocery Store Without Giving Up Favourite Products
Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avīze says shoppers can keep more than 100 euros over four weeks without changing favourite brands. Its first tip is to compare the price per kilogram or litre rather than trust promotional tags.
Latvijas Avīze · 25 Oct, 11:09
Mētriena Company "Natur Haus" Makes Hunting Towers for Latvian and Foreign Clients
After more than ten years in Germany, Intars Tumanovs returned to Latvia and founded a company in Mētriena parish that makes wooden hunting towers. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia has supported its growth.
TVNET · 25 Oct, 10:11
Enthusiasts in Estonia restore Soviet-era Moskvich cars
A club of owners of old Moskvich cars operates in Estonia, with members restoring and tuning these Soviet-era vehicles and using them in competitions. The biggest problem is the shortage of spare parts.
ERR (rus) · 25 Oct, 10:11
Palmer Luckey Backs Startup Aiming to Create Genetically Modified Service Dogs
US billionaire Palmer Luckey is backing a startup called Warhound, which aims to create genetically modified, technologically equipped service dogs in the United States. He is working on the project with genetic engineering company Colossal Biosciences.
Kursors.lv · 25 Oct, 10:10
Bio-based Europe Alliance launched in Dublin to build markets for bio-based products
European Commissioner Jessika Roswall launched the Bio-based Europe Alliance at the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Dublin on 21 October. It links buyers, producers and authorities to strengthen demand for bio-based materials and reduce reliance on fossil-based ones.
EK Lauksaimniecība · 25 Oct, 10:09
European Commission opens IMCAP 2027 grant call for common agricultural policy communication
On 22 October 2026 the European Commission opened the IMCAP 2027 call, co-funding projects that explain the common agricultural policy. Applications are due in January 2027.
EK Lauksaimniecība · 25 Oct, 10:09
Foreign drone that fell on 18 October found in forest in Latvia's Aluksne municipality
A foreign-made drone that may have crashed on 18 October has been found in a forest in Liepna parish, Aluksne municipality, Latvia. The National Armed Forces have opened an internal review, and police are investigating in a criminal case.
iAuto.lv · 25 Oct, 09:09
Young Agricultural Leaders from the EU and US Spend a Week Studying European Farming Policy and Practice
Participants in the EU-funded EU-US Fellowship for Young Leaders in Agriculture meet in the Netherlands and Brussels on 24–30 October 2026. During the week they will visit farms and hold talks with EU policymakers.
EK Lauksaimniecība · 25 Oct, 09:09
US Fermentation Plant Liberation Bioindustries Still Lacks $25m, No Acceptable Sale Offers
Liberation Bioindustries received no acceptable offers after a strategic review and is seeking another $25 million to finish its food-protein biomanufacturing plant in Indiana. Construction is on pause.
AgFunderNews (agrotehn.) · 25 Oct, 09:09
Training being developed to move Australian veterans into farm work
Training is being developed in Australia for former Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, to help them and their families move into agricultural work and rural communities. The effort builds on the success of Operation Grain Harvest Assist.
Grain Central (graudi) · 25 Oct, 09:08
Bušs: Latvian Vegetable Growers Need Equal Competition, Not Buyers' Goodwill
Vegetables grown in Latvia struggle to compete with imports, which are often considerably cheaper. Jānis Bušs says growers need equal competition conditions rather than buyers' favour.
Jauns.lv · 25 Oct, 08:09
Altora Ag lists premium Central Tablelands holding in New South Wales
Altora Ag has put the Newry Downs property on the market in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia. The listing highlights prime cropping land.
Grain Central (graudi) · 25 Oct, 08:09
Lawsuit says US EPA has for decades failed to curb pollution from cancer-linked pesticide atrazine
A new lawsuit in a US federal court asks that the Trump administration be ordered to address river pollution from the pesticide atrazine. Plaintiffs say the Environmental Protection Agency has failed to do so since 1999.
Guardian Farming · 25 Oct, 08:09
Pig prices in Poland keep falling, hitting lowest level since mid-July
Prices offered by Polish slaughterhouses for pigs have dipped slightly to their lowest since mid-July. According to a survey by the agricultural portal Farmer, farmers are getting about 5.85 zlotys per kilogram on average.
farmer.pl cenas (Polija) · 25 Oct, 08:09
Digital Wallets Explained: Four Main Types, From Store Accounts to Crypto
Digital wallets fall into four types: closed, semi-closed, open and crypto wallets. They differ in where the money can be spent and how it is stored.
Engadget · 25 Oct, 07:12
Over £100,000 in machinery and copper stolen in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
Thieves have stolen a JCB telehandler, welding equipment and large amounts of copper from an agricultural manufacturer's property in Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. The owner estimates losses and damage at over £100,000 and urges farmers to stay vigilant.
Agriland UK · 25 Oct, 07:09
US aquaculture needs more than venture capital to grow, report finds
A report by investment firm Hatch Blue finds the US aquaculture sector remains relatively small and attracts limited investment. It says the main obstacle is an unclear regulatory environment rather than a plain shortage of capital.
AgFunderNews (agrotehn.) · 25 Oct, 07:09
Treffler launches TGA Plus shallow cultivator with wider bar spacing
German manufacturer Treffler has introduced an updated shallow-tillage cultivator, the TGA Plus, in three working widths. The new model has larger spacing between the tool bars so crop residue passes through more easily and clogging is less likely.
agrarheute (Vācija) · 25 Oct, 07:09
How EV Battery Cooling Systems Keep Packs at a Safe Temperature
Most modern electric cars manage battery temperature with a thermal management system, usually based on liquid cooling. It helps limit aging and handle the heat produced by fast charging.
Engadget · 25 Oct, 06:10
Northern Ireland tillage farmers urged to join pesticide usage survey
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Northern Ireland is surveying arable growers on pesticide use in 2025/2026. The results will inform sector policy and track progress under the UK Pesticides National Action Plan.
Agriland UK · 25 Oct, 06:09
50-year German wheat trial: old Kanzler variety yields 15% less than modern ones
In trials run by an agricultural cooperative in Lower Saxony, the old winter wheat variety Kanzler yielded about 15% less than modern varieties. It was also far more prone to disease, while extra nitrogen fertiliser did not raise yields.
agrarheute (Vācija) · 25 Oct, 06:09
Listowel Food Fair to present award for best factory heifer
The 31st Listowel Food Fair in Ireland aims to celebrate local food at every stage, from farm to fork. Among its awards is one for the best factory heifer.
AgriLand (Īrija) · 25 Oct, 06:08
Common Home Network Setup Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Tech site Engadget has outlined frequent home network setup errors, including poor router placement, relying too heavily on Wi-Fi and weak security settings. Its advice aims to prevent slowdowns and security risks.
Engadget · 25 Oct, 05:10
Norfolk farming couple win third court case against environmental regulators
England's High Court has ruled that Natural England, the government conservation watchdog, failed in its duty to protect the Catfield Fen wetland from pollution. The case was brought by Norfolk farmers Tim and Geli Harris, who have been challenging agencies for 15 years.
Guardian Farming · 25 Oct, 05:09
Piglet prices in Poland remain low as the market stays stagnant
A survey by the Polish agricultural portal Farmer shows piglet prices have barely changed since late August. The pork market is also stagnating, and prices often fail to cover production costs.
farmer.pl cenas (Polija) · 25 Oct, 05:09
Irish farmers urged to test urgently for bluetongue as cases rise
Only about half of Ireland's mature breeding herds and flocks are vaccinated against the bluetongue virus. A farming organisation is urging farmers to stay vigilant as case numbers climb.
AgriLand (Īrija) · 25 Oct, 05:08
Norway's Largest Bank DNB to Cut About 400 Jobs as AI Takes Over Tasks
DNB, Norway's largest bank, plans to eliminate roughly 400 jobs as artificial intelligence takes over some tasks. The changes may also affect its Riga office, which employs nearly 600 people.
Jauns.lv · 25 Oct, 04:10