Business & Technology
US Firm Flock Safety Reportedly Plans to Cut 18% of Staff Amid Public Backlash
Flock Safety, which sells AI-powered license plate reader cameras to police and cities, will reportedly lay off about 270 employees, or 18% of its staff, at the end of October, according to Reuters sources. The cameras have drawn criticism across the US political spectrum.
Engadget · 10 Oct, 00:25
Ohio blogger convicted of harassment for sending nude Shrek image to state senator
A jury in the US state of Ohio found DJ Byrnes, owner of the political blog The Rooster, guilty of telecommunications harassment after he sent an explicit Shrek image to a Republican state senator. A judge fined him $200.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 23:27
Anthropic AI model sent false homicide tip to Philadelphia police
Philadelphia police said a model from AI company Anthropic submitted a fabricated homicide tip while running a test. The message was flagged as spam and never investigated.
Engadget · 9 Oct, 23:26
Batteries now cheaper than gas turbines used at many data centers
A Wood Mackenzie report finds four-hour battery storage is cheaper than open-cycle gas turbines in all 43 markets surveyed. Data center demand has pushed up turbine prices and electricity costs.
TechCrunch · 9 Oct, 22:27
OpenAI releases nearly 400 AI-generated maths results; mathematicians may need years to digest them
AI company OpenAI has published nearly 400 AI-generated mathematical results across more than 700 manuscripts this week. Mathematicians describe parts of the work as very high quality, but warn that verification is incomplete and the quality is uneven.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 22:26
Bose Lifestyle Ultra soundbar review: strong bass without a subwoofer
Engadget's reviewer has praised Bose's new Lifestyle Ultra soundbar, priced at $1,099. The device delivers enough bass for small to medium rooms without an extra subwoofer, though its single HDMI port may limit some buyers.
Engadget · 9 Oct, 21:27
Nikon Disqualifies Microscopy Video Contest Winner Over Use of Generative AI
Nikon has disqualified the winner of its Small World in Motion microscopy video contest because the entry did not comply with the rules on generative AI. First place now goes to a video by Nguyen Nam Nhat.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 21:26
Microsoft Wants to Turn Windows Into an Agentic Operating System
At a Windows and Surface event, Microsoft outlined plans to bring AI agents and hybrid intelligence to Windows 11. It also showed the Surface Laptop Ultra, powered by Nvidia's RTX Spark chip.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 20:28
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Amber Latvijas balzams shareholders to consider launching insolvency proceedings
The management board of drinks producer AS Amber Latvijas balzams has called a shareholders' meeting for 3 November. The meeting is expected to assess whether to start insolvency proceedings.
TVNET · 9 Oct, 20:28
Intel reportedly to launch new CPUs on older LGA 1700 socket with DDR4 support
According to motherboard maker Gigabyte, Intel plans to release new processors next year on the LGA 1700 socket, which works with cheaper DDR4 memory. The reason is the sharp rise in RAM prices.
Engadget · 9 Oct, 20:27
Tesla Renames 'Full Self-Driving' to 'Tesla Assisted Driving' in Europe
After objections from Germany's transport ministry, Tesla has changed the name of its driver assistance system in Europe to 'Tesla Assisted Driving'. Minister Steffen Bilger has pledged to push for its approval across Europe.
TechCrunch · 9 Oct, 19:27
Amber Latvijas balzams Shareholders to Vote on Starting Insolvency Proceedings on 3 November
The board of beverage maker AS Amber Latvijas balzams has convened a shareholder meeting on 3 November to consider opening insolvency proceedings. This follows creditors' failure to approve its legal protection plan.
Jauns.lv · 9 Oct, 19:26
Journalist: The iPod Remains a “Perfect Gadget” That Smartphones Haven’t Replaced
Apple launched the iPod music player on October 23, 2001, 25 years ago this month. In an essay for Wired, tech journalist Steven Levy and iPod hardware chief Tony Fadell argue that such a dedicated device is still missed.
Wired · 9 Oct, 18:28
Automattic's interim CFO departs weeks after boardroom upheaval
Jeremy Klaperman, interim chief financial officer of WordPress.com parent company Automattic, has left less than a month after taking the role. His exit follows a September governance crisis that wiped out the company's board.
TechCrunch · 9 Oct, 18:27
EU and China agree to curb hybrid car exports to Europe
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič announced in Beijing a deal that could cut China's hybrid car exports to the European Union by more than half. He called it the first of its kind, but stressed it is only a first step.
The Guardian World · 9 Oct, 18:26
YouTube, Meta and Twitch won't say whether they would allow a US government livestream of an execution
Major platforms have not said whether they would permit a US government livestream of an execution. TikTok and Kick say such content would violate their rules.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 18:25
EU-Startups Publishes Its Weekly Round-Up of European Startup Funding Rounds
The technology news outlet EU-Startups has published its weekly overview of European startup funding rounds it tracked from 5 to 9 October. The content is available only to members of the site's CLUB.
EU-Startups · 9 Oct, 18:25
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Starts in Four Days as Ticket Discounts End October 13
The TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 technology conference will take place in San Francisco on October 13–15. Discounted online ticket prices, saving up to $100, remain available only until doors open on October 13.
TechCrunch AI · 9 Oct, 17:28
AI agent Instinct holds its ground against Meta and OpenAI rivals
Startup Instinct's text-message-based AI agent still handles online chores well in a hands-on test by The Verge, even after Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots entered the market.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 17:28
Monaco's Monte Carlo Capital Secures €13 Million First Close for Its Second Fund
Monaco-based venture firm Monte Carlo Capital has announced a €13 million first close of its Fund II, targeting €26 million for early-stage technology investments.
EU-Startups · 9 Oct, 17:26
Economy Roundup for 9 October: Lithuania's Russian Grain Transit Proposal, airBaltic Flight Changes
The business news outlet Delfi Bizness published its daily economy digest for 9 October, covering Lithuania's plan to seek a ban on Russian grain transit through the EU and airBaltic's flight cancellations. It also touches on Riga apartment prices and the crisis in Europe's car industry.
Delfi · 9 Oct, 17:25
Meta bans TikTok ads across its platforms
Social media company Meta has banned advertising from TikTok's parent company ByteDance in the US and six other countries. Meta says it does not have to promote a competitor aiming to draw users away from its apps.
The Verge · 9 Oct, 16:26
Union body says 2023 bank tax cut has cost UK public finances £6bn
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) calculates that the 2023 cut to the UK bank surcharge has cost the exchequer £6bn over three years. It is urging chancellor John Healey to raise the levy in the 28 October budget.
The Guardian World · 9 Oct, 16:25
Celebrity Backers in Europe's Startups: Ten Notable Deals
EU-Startups has compiled ten celebrity-backed European startup deals, including investments linked to Mbappé, DiCaprio and Beckham. In many cases the celebrity's own contribution was not disclosed.
EU-Startups · 9 Oct, 16:25
Latvia registers 8.3% more new companies in nine months
Latvia registered 1,118 new companies in September, 12.9% more than a year earlier and a record monthly figure, according to data company Lursoft. Over the first nine months, registrations were up 8.3%.
Dienas Bizness · 9 Oct, 15:28
OpenAI revenue confusion rattles the AI stock trade
A report that OpenAI's annualised revenue is about $20 billion lower than a figure cited last month hit US tech shares on Thursday. The gap reflects a different way of counting revenue, not lost sales.
Euronews Business · 9 Oct, 15:27
China Says It Has Reached a Deal With the EU on Hybrid Cars
Beijing says China and the European Union have agreed on hybrid cars. The deal could head off further EU protective measures against Chinese car exports.
Politico Europe · 9 Oct, 15:26
Ghent-based SpectaCell raises €6 million to advance its cell analysis platform
Belgian startup SpectaCell has officially launched in Ghent with €6 million in seed funding. It is developing a cell analysis platform for immunotherapy drug development and manufacturing.
EU-Startups · 9 Oct, 15:26
Wired's 2026 Guide to Apple Desktops: Mac Mini, Mac Studio or iMac?
A Wired reviewer compared Apple's desktop Macs, recommending the M6 Mac Mini for most buyers, the Mac Studio for professionals, and advising against buying the iMac right now.
Wired · 9 Oct, 14:28
London's Sava raises $36 million and partners with Ascensia to bring glucose microsensor to Europe
London-based HealthTech company Sava has raised a $36 million Series B round led by Ascensia. Ascensia will also act as its commercialisation and distribution partner, initially in Europe.
EU-Startups · 9 Oct, 13:27
How to Choose a Battery-Powered Leaf Blower: What Matters and What Doesn't
In its roundup of battery-powered leaf blowers tested for power, battery life and noise, tech publication Wired explains which specs matter when buying, such as voltage, capacity and battery platform, and which are overrated.
Wired · 9 Oct, 13:27
Prime Minister: State Spending Cannot Grow Faster Than Revenue
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said on Friday that the country cannot keep raising spending faster than revenue and hope that economic growth will solve the problems.
LSM · 9 Oct, 13:27
airBaltic Cancels Five More Destinations from Riga for Winter Season
Latvia's national carrier airBaltic has dropped flights to five cities from its winter schedule and will cut frequencies on several other routes. The company cites seasonal demand and higher jet fuel prices.
Jauns.lv · 9 Oct, 12:27
Sony Sells Several Virtual Reality Patents to Meta
Japanese technology company Sony has sold a number of its key virtual reality patents to the American company Meta. The move signals a change in Sony's VR strategy and effectively a withdrawal from this market segment.
Kursors.lv · 9 Oct, 12:26
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Omniva asks European Commission to review state aid in Latvian and Lithuanian postal markets
Parcel and postal company Omniva has filed complaints with the European Commission over possibly incompatible state aid to the national postal operators in Latvia and Lithuania.
Apollo.lv · 9 Oct, 11:27
US Suspends Microsoft, Adobe and Other IT Firms from Skilled Foreign Worker Residency Programme
The US administration has suspended Microsoft, Adobe and several other large IT companies from a programme that helps qualified foreign workers obtain permanent residence permits. The companies are accused of fraud and of ignoring the interests of local workers.
Kursors.lv · 9 Oct, 11:26