Business & Technology (5)

Automattic launches Spacefast, a platform for deploying vibe-coded apps

Automattic, the owner of WordPress.com, has launched Spacefast, a service providing the infrastructure to run AI-built websites and apps. It competes with Lovable and Emergent.

TechCrunch AI · 9 Nov, 16:11

New Latvian-made farming game “Viensēta” recalls Draugiem.lv’s “Ferma”

A new online farming game, “Viensēta”, developed by the company isDEV, is available at vienseta.lv. It gained 1,000 registered players in its first 24 hours, and many commenters compare it to the once-popular “Ferma”.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 16:10

Jülich-based SRTD Biotech raises €31.5 million to develop precision mRNA therapies

SRTD Biotech, a biotech startup based in Jülich, Germany, has closed a €31.5 million Seed round led by Mérieux Equity Partners. The money will fund mRNA therapies designed to act only inside diseased cells.

EU-Startups · 9 Nov, 15:12

airBaltic signs new aircraft leasing deal with Lufthansa Group

Latvian airline airBaltic has agreed with Lufthansa Group to lease Airbus A220-300 aircraft with crew: up to six in summer and four in winter. The deal supports more balanced capacity planning under the company's new business plan.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 15:12

US family farms increasingly turn to agritourism and fall festivals to make ends meet

As farm incomes fall, more US family farms are adding agritourism. A University of Vermont study found 75% of respondents saw income rise, though almost half still earn little from it.

Guardian Farming · 9 Nov, 15:10

Australian firm EOS to supply counter-drone systems worth USD 16 million to a Middle Eastern country

Electro Optic Systems, an Australian defence technology company, has won a USD 16 million order for counter-drone systems from the armed forces of an undisclosed Middle Eastern country. The country has not been named.

Unmanned Airspace · 9 Nov, 14:12

Creditor: Amber Latvijas balzams delays decisions on its future as finances worsen

Auditor BDO has declined to issue an opinion on the accounts of Amber Latvijas balzams, the maker of Riga Black Balsam, and a decision on the company's future after a failed legal protection process has been postponed. Creditor MBO Beverages is urging management and shareholders to act.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 14:12

Creditor: Amber Latvijas Balzams Keeps Cutting Output as Tax Debt Hits €31.77 Million

Latvian spirits producer AS Amber Latvijas Balzams is continuing to scale back production, and its tax debt has reached €31.77 million, according to creditor SIA MBO Beverages. Shareholders on 3 November postponed a decision on the company's future, including on starting insolvency proceedings.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 14:11

Instagram expands AI-based age detection worldwide

Meta is rolling out its technology for spotting teenagers on Instagram who gave a false age to users around the world. Such accounts will be moved automatically into more restrictive Teen Accounts.

The Verge · 9 Nov, 14:11

Who Should Take Over the Family Farm: Son or Daughter? Women Want a Say Too

Joanna Gierulska, an Agro Woman mentor in Poland's farming sector, says farm succession should start early and that daughters must have real influence over decisions. The topic will be discussed at the National Challenges in Agriculture 2026 conference on 18 November.

farmer.pl cenas (Polija) · 9 Nov, 14:10

European Commission launches fertiliser value chain partnership

The European Commission is launching an EU fertilisers value chain Partnership on 9 November, bringing together farmers, producers and Member States. It aims to improve fertiliser availability and price predictability.

EK Lauksaimniecība · 9 Nov, 14:10

Latvian Futures Event Discusses How AI Can Help Small Countries Compete

At the “Futures Afternoon 2026” event, speakers discussed how artificial intelligence and digital transformation could strengthen Latvia's competitiveness. Malta's digitalisation experience featured prominently.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 13:12

CIS+ system delivered to support U-space rollout in Czech airspace

Czech group CSG has handed over the CIS+ system to the national air navigation provider ANS CR to support the introduction of U-space. Full deployment is expected in the second half of 2027.

Unmanned Airspace · 9 Nov, 13:12

Publisher Dienas Bizness receives Recovery Fund support for digital transformation

On 9 January 2025, the Latvian publisher Dienas Bizness signed a contract with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency for Recovery Fund support to modernise its media processes. The project aims to digitally transform the titles Dienas Bizness and Dienas Žurnāli.

Diena · 9 Nov, 13:11

Private torrent trackers: closed piracy communities with strict rules

A feature by tech site The Verge shows that private BitTorrent trackers, closed communities for sharing files, are still running. Members chase ratings and often store and share content they will never use themselves.

The Verge · 9 Nov, 13:11

European Commission accuses TikTok of failing to protect users' mental health

The European Commission has preliminarily concluded that the short-video platform TikTok does not adequately protect users' mental health. The company rejects the claims, but if the breaches are confirmed it could face a fine of up to 6% of its global annual turnover.

Kursors.lv · 9 Nov, 13:11

Drone procurement in Europe, 9 November: 4 tenders, 1 award

On 9 November the EU procurement journal TED published 4 notices on drones, unmanned systems and services delivered with them. In Latvia: 1 notice. Largest by value: Italy, UNIVERSITA' DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI L'ORIENTALE - Ufficio Procedure e sistemi integrati, 308,099 EUR.

TED un IUB (iepirkumu atvērtie dati) · 9 Nov, 13:09

BMW to launch semi-automated city driving in 2027

German carmaker BMW will begin offering a Level 2 driver-assistance system that also works in urban traffic from 2027. It will debut in Germany and reach other markets later.

Kursors.lv · 9 Nov, 12:11

Shield to buy radar maker Echodyne in $5.3 billion deal

US autonomous defense company Shield has agreed to acquire radar manufacturer Echodyne in a deal valued at $5.3 billion. It plans to raise $2.5 billion to finance the transaction.

DroneDJ · 9 Nov, 12:11

Park Rae logistics park near Tallinn marks topping-out of first building

East Capital Real Estate held a groundbreaking and topping-out event on 6 November at its Park Rae logistics park near Tallinn, Estonia. Once fully built, it is set to become the largest logistics and light industrial park in the country.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 12:11

Australian aviation regulator seeks feedback on broad area BVLOS drone guidance

Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is asking for input on draft guidance covering drone flights beyond visual line of sight across large areas. Comments are open until 7 December 2026.

Unmanned Airspace · 9 Nov, 11:13

French startup Calogena wins €40 million EU grant to build first commercial nuclear reactor

French startup Calogena, which is developing a small modular reactor for district heating networks, has received a €40 million grant from the European Commission's Innovation Fund. It is the first time EU funding has been awarded to an SMR for building a specific commercial facility.

EU-Startups · 9 Nov, 11:12

Audi ends production of flagship A8 sedan with no direct successor planned for now

German luxury carmaker Audi is ending production of its A8 sedan after 32 years and has no direct successor planned for the moment. The decision reflects falling demand for large sedans and a shift of resources toward electrification.

Kursors.lv · 9 Nov, 11:11

Latvian Competition Council clears INVL fund's purchase of Lithuanian fish processing firms

Latvia's Competition Council (KP) has approved a merger in which the investment fund INVL Private Equity Fund II will acquire fish processing companies in Lithuania. The regulator concluded that market structure would not change significantly and competition would not be reduced.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 10:13

Estonia's domestic pig numbers still below pre-African swine fever levels

Eight of the 11 Estonian pig farms hit by African swine fever last summer have restocked, but the country's overall domestic pig herd has not yet recovered. No domestic pigs tested positive this year.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 10:13

Bikers and Bug Advocates Team Up Against Google Data Center Near London

A small protest took place outside Google's UK headquarters in London against a planned data center in Thurrock, 15 miles east of the capital. Wildlife groups and a motorcycle club have joined forces to oppose the project.

Wired · 9 Nov, 10:12

German startup Marble Imaging raises €6 million for first commercial very-high-resolution satellite constellation

Bremen-based Earth observation company Marble Imaging has raised an extra €6 million in a Seed extension led by Cherry Ventures. The funds will go toward Germany's first commercial very-high-resolution satellite constellation.

EU-Startups · 9 Nov, 10:11

Chinese Brand Deepal Patents a Built-In Foot Bath for Car Cabins

Deepal, a Chinese electric car brand owned by automaker Changan, has patented a slide-out foot bath under the front seats, with heated water and massage rollers. It is unclear whether it will reach series production.

Kursors.lv · 9 Nov, 09:12

Winter milking herds: why proper colostrum management matters for newborn calves

Farmers with winter-calving dairy herds need to make sure November-born calves receive enough good-quality colostrum. It determines the calves' health and survival.

Agriland UK · 9 Nov, 09:10

Latvia's 2026 startup industry awards presented

Awards for Latvia's startup sector were presented in seven categories, honouring Amorphous Health, Origin Robotics, Deep Space Energy, SUBmerge Baltic, Convershake, Outvoicer and founder Kristofs Blaus.

Dienas Bizness · 9 Nov, 08:13

Nvidia Investigates CEO Jensen Huang's Affair With Woman Possibly Linked to Chinese Intelligence

The board of US chipmaker Nvidia has launched an independent review after reports that CEO Jensen Huang had a relationship with a woman US agencies consider a possible Chinese intelligence informant. The board says it currently sees insufficient grounds to suspect a leak of classified information.

ERR (rus) · 9 Nov, 08:13

US Teenager Rescued from Captivity After Contacting Another Player in “Among Us”

Police in the US state of Oregon have freed a 17-year-old girl who had been held captive for about a year and a half. She called for help by contacting another player in the online game “Among Us”.

Kursors.lv · 9 Nov, 08:12

Guardian 1951 diary: townsfolk hold mistaken ideas about farm finances

A Guardian Country diary entry from 15 November 1951 describes how a Herefordshire farmer views townspeople's assumptions about rural life. The writer explains that labour costs force farms to sell their produce rather than keep it for themselves.

Guardian Farming · 9 Nov, 08:10

Estonia's wholesale electricity price rose 57% in a week

The average electricity price in Estonia's zone of the Nord Pool exchange reached 18.7 cents per kilowatt-hour between 2 and 8 November, up 57% from the previous week. Prices in Latvia and Lithuania were higher, while Finland's were far lower.

ERR (rus) · 9 Nov, 07:11