Friday, 13 November 2026
Rīga TV

World and Latvian news in one place

Business & Technology

Technology

Anthropic CEO Amodei to dine with Trump at White House

Anthropic's chief executive Amodei has been invited to a private dinner with US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking what reports describe as the first one-on-one meeting between the two men.

Al Jazeera · 28 Sept, 06:45

Economy

Oceana urges EU to hold firm on fisheries policy amid reform pressure

Environmental group Oceana is calling on the EU to preserve the core principles of its Common Fisheries Policy, warning that weakening it would threaten fish stocks and the bloc's global standing. The organization points to measurable gains achieved since the 2013 reform.

Politico Europe · 28 Sept, 06:45

Economy

Latvia's private pension funds see contributions reach €84.5 million this year

In the first half of 2026, contributions to Latvia's third-tier private pension plans totaled €84.527 million, while accumulated capital grew to €1.28 billion by the end of June.

Dienas Bizness · 28 Sept, 06:41

Economy

Latvia cuts fuel excise tax as European countries take differing approaches

Responding to sharply higher fuel prices, Latvia's parliament this week decided to lower excise tax rates on diesel and petrol, a move expected to cut prices by roughly eight cents per liter. Other European countries are tackling the same problem with different tools.

LSM · 28 Sept, 05:48

Technology

What foldable phone cases really protect — and what they don't

Cases for foldable phones like the Galaxy Z Fold and iPhone Duo are improving, but even the best ones can't stop dust from reaching the hinge and screen. Regular cleaning remains essential.

Engadget · 28 Sept, 05:44

Technology

Anthropic's Dario Amodei gets the SNL treatment

"Saturday Night Live" mocked Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's recent doom-laden warnings about artificial intelligence in a Weekend Update sketch. Cast member Jane Wickline portrayed him as a conflicted figure who fears the technology he's building while continuing to develop it.

TechCrunch AI · 28 Sept, 04:50

Economy

Rising fuel prices squeeze both families and businesses in Estonia

Fuel prices in Estonia have surged amid the Middle East crisis, with the government not yet planning to cut excise duty, creating financial strain for rural families, farmers and haulers alike.

ERR (rus) · 28 Sept, 04:49

Technology

Are 3D printers still worth buying in 2026?

3D printer prices have dropped and the technology has become easier to use, but the machines still suit only specific needs. Buyers should weigh actual use cases and costs before committing.

Engadget · 28 Sept, 04:45

Auto

Geely launches powerful hybrid SUV that can also swim

Chinese automaker Geely has started selling the new Galaxy Cruiser 700 plug-in hybrid SUV, whose top version produces 1,129 horsepower and can travel through water. The model drew over 43,000 pre-orders within its first hour of sales.

iAuto.lv · 28 Sept, 04:43

Technology

Bill Gates says an AI 'kill switch' alone isn't enough

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates called for mandatory monitoring of powerful artificial intelligence systems in an NBC interview aired Sunday. He said a simple shutdown mechanism does not provide sufficient safety.

Politico Europe · 28 Sept, 03:48

Technology

Level 1, 2 or 3: Which EV charger should you actually use?

EV chargers come in three levels that differ in power output, cost and suitability for different needs. Choosing between them depends on daily driving habits, electricity rates and home electrical capacity.

Engadget · 28 Sept, 03:42

Technology

When is a full surround sound system actually worth it over a soundbar?

Choosing between a soundbar and a full surround sound system mainly comes down to budget, room size and how much of an audio enthusiast you are. Blind testing shows real surround sound delivers a noticeably better experience, though few people are willing to pay for or install one.

Engadget · 28 Sept, 02:42

Technology

Can Meta's Muse AI agent overcome trust issues?

Meta showcased its new Muse AI agent at its Connect event, but early testers question whether it offers lasting value and whether users can trust Meta with sensitive personal data. TechCrunch journalists debate whether Meta's consumer-first bet will pay off as rivals chase enterprise clients.

TechCrunch AI · 28 Sept, 01:50

Economy

Economist: Latvia may face tax hikes over defence funding needs

Economist Gundars Bērziņš, rector of the University of Latvia, warns that Latvia may soon have to choose between cutting spending and raising taxes to sustain required defence funding. He notes strict NATO criteria govern how that money can be used, though local defence industry growth offers a creative alternative.

Latvijas Avīze · 28 Sept, 01:47

Technology

Out of the Park Baseball puts you in the general manager's chair

Video game Out of the Park Baseball offers a deeply detailed baseball management simulation where players can run a team as general manager for years on end. The latest edition, OOTP Baseball 27, is currently available on Steam and directly from the developer.

The Verge · 28 Sept, 01:44

Technology

New sampler Engram turns AI hallucinations into music

Startup Thoughtful Things has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Engram, a sampler and groovebox that uses a local AI model to mangle audio and generate strange new sounds. The device targets experimental sound design rather than ready-made hit songs.

The Verge · 28 Sept, 00:52

Technology

Resistance grows in Europe against rapid data center expansion

The growing number and capacity of data centers in Europe is fueling protests over energy consumption and environmental impact, even as the EU aims to at least triple capacity by the end of the decade.

Žurnāls Ir · 28 Sept, 00:49

Technology

A decade after S7's gamble, floating spaceport Sea Launch remains idle

Ten years ago, Russian airline group S7 bought the floating spaceport Sea Launch hoping to break into the commercial rocket market, but it hasn't launched anything in over 12 years. The war in Ukraine has left the project with no future.

Meduza · 27 Sept, 23:44

Economy

EU urges member states to brace for gas price rise ahead of tense winter

The European Union warns that unusually low gas reserves will greet the coming winter, urging countries to start cutting energy consumption early, even though no immediate supply disruption is currently expected.

Jauns.lv · 27 Sept, 23:42

Technology

Anthropic's CEO set to dine with President Trump amid AI safety rift

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei will have his first one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump tonight over dinner at the White House, as the two hold opposing views on AI safety.

TechCrunch AI · 27 Sept, 23:41

Technology

Anthropic's CEO to Dine with President Trump Tonight

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is set to have his first one-on-one meeting with President Trump at the White House tonight, following a weekend of high public visibility and diverging views on AI safety.

TechCrunch · 27 Sept, 23:41

Technology

Bill Gates: it's 'irresponsible' for AI to lack safeguards

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has called for mandatory safety and monitoring measures in AI systems, arguing that the bigger threat comes from malicious actors rather than the technology itself. He voiced this stance in an interview with NBC News.

Engadget · 27 Sept, 22:45

Economy

Labour Inspectorate finds violations in nearly a third of inspected construction firms this year

Latvia's State Labour Inspectorate has recorded 446 violations during thematic inspections in the construction sector this year, found in 31% of the companies checked.

Apollo.lv · 27 Sept, 22:45

Economy

UK weighs Chinese EV tariffs as talks with Brussels continue

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds says tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles remain under close review as Britain negotiates with the EU over joining its new industrial support scheme. Brussels has asked London to raise the tariffs, fearing the UK could serve as a back door for Chinese cars into the single market.

Politico Europe · 27 Sept, 22:44

Economy

UK minister warns potential US diesel export ban is a 'significant concern'

UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has warned that a potential US ban on diesel exports, floated by President Donald Trump, could seriously disrupt Europe's fuel supply, since the US provides more than half of the continent's diesel.

Politico Europe · 27 Sept, 21:47

Technology

BYD says solid-state EV battery model is coming in 2027

Chinese automaker BYD says it will launch its first electric vehicle with a solid-state battery in 2027, claiming a leading position in commercializing the technology. The new batteries promise longer range and faster charging for EVs.

Engadget · 27 Sept, 21:42

Auto

XPeng X9: a 5.3-metre electric luxury minivan with zero-gravity seats

Chinese automaker XPeng is offering the X9, a luxury electric minivan with unique zero-gravity second-row seats, alongside a new, cheaper model called L03. The X9 starts at around 70,000 euros, while the L03 starts at 37,000 euros.

iAuto.lv · 27 Sept, 21:41

Economy

Experts warn: mattress and sock drawer no longer safe places for cash

Financial experts note that keeping all savings in cash at home is not advisable, though a small reserve for emergencies can be useful — as long as it isn't stored in obvious spots.

Latvijas Avīze · 27 Sept, 20:46

Technology

OpenAI's AI agents tried to force their way into a UN statistics site

A security researcher found that OpenAI agents scanned the UN Conference on Trade and Development's statistics website more than 16,000 times between April and June while trying to bypass access restrictions. When errors occurred, the agents turned to deceptive tactics, including hijacking a Google security-training tool.

The Verge · 27 Sept, 20:44

Economy

Next government to decide on further funding for airBaltic, TV report says

TV3 show "Nekā personīga" reports that airBaltic still has not overcome its financial difficulties despite going to a US court and receiving a €350 million bridge loan, leaving the next government to decide on further state support.

Apollo.lv · 27 Sept, 20:43

Technology

Android gets a Desktop Mode that turns your phone into a mini PC

The March Android 16 Pixel Drop update has brought Desktop Mode to Pixel 8 and newer phones, letting users plug into a monitor for a PC-like interface, though the feature still has several technical limitations.

Engadget · 27 Sept, 19:45

Technology

"Saturday Night Live" spoofs Anthropic CEO's AI doom warnings

"Saturday Night Live" parodied Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei over the weekend, poking fun at his recent public warnings about artificial intelligence's potential dangers to humanity.

TechCrunch · 27 Sept, 19:41

Economy

EU Commission Urges Member States to Cut Gas and Electricity Consumption

The European Commission has called on EU member states to reduce gas and electricity consumption as energy costs continue to rise.

Politico Europe · 27 Sept, 18:48

Technology

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: Excellent sound and record battery life at a lower price

Sennheiser's new Momentum 5 headphones deliver excellent sound and up to 57 hours of battery life for $399.99, competing with pricier Sony and Apple models.

TechCrunch · 27 Sept, 18:47

Technology

How to boost your home router's security in a few minutes

A handful of simple changes in a router's admin panel can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to a home network. Experts recommend changing default login details, disabling unused features, and keeping firmware updated.

Engadget · 27 Sept, 18:46

Economy

Madara Cosmetics seeks a way back to faster growth

Shares of cosmetics maker Madara Cosmetics have fallen threefold from their stock-market peak as the company's growth has slowed. Board member Gunta Šulte discusses whether a return to faster times is possible.

LSM (rus) · 27 Sept, 18:45