Business & Technology

Scientists propose new theory: the universe could start contracting in about 20 billion years
Researchers have outlined a scenario in which the universe's expansion could eventually slow, stop and reverse into a contraction ending in a so-called Big Crunch. The idea remains one of several theoretical possibilities, not a proven fact.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Sept, 18:41

European Commission urges EU states to cut gas and electricity demand
The European Commission has called on EU member states to reduce gas and electricity demand to help curb prices amid the global energy crisis. The appeal was made in a September 25 letter from EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.
ERR (rus) · 27 Sept, 18:41

French Cognac Producers Squeezed by EU Trade Disputes with China and US
Cognac makers in southwestern France are suffering steep sales declines after being caught between EU trade conflicts with China and tariff disputes with the United States. Producers are still awaiting promised compensation from the government.
Euronews Business · 27 Sept, 17:45

'Latgales piens' – the only full-range dairy processor in the region
Valērijs Haritonovs, chairman of the board of 'Latgales piens', says the company is the only full-range whole milk producer in Latgale and sources its milk exclusively from local farmers.
LSM · 27 Sept, 16:43

Why keeping your PC on the floor could shorten its lifespan
Experts warn that placing desktop towers on the floor speeds up dust buildup and overheating, which can significantly cut hardware lifespan. Simple fixes like elevating the case can protect expensive components.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 16:43

Podcast dissects why OLPC's $100 laptop dream fell short
A new episode of Version History examines why the ambitious One Laptop Per Child initiative and its XO-1 device failed to deliver a computer to every child in the world.
The Verge · 27 Sept, 15:45

Did Apple copy the "Duo" name from Microsoft? History tells a different story
Since Apple unveiled its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, in early September, online chatter has focused on its resemblance to Microsoft's Surface Duo name. But both companies have a longer, separate history with the word "Duo".
Engadget · 27 Sept, 15:44

Best Party Speakers of 2026: Why More People Are Partying at Home
Wired's 2026 roundup highlights powerful, bass-heavy party speakers as more young people choose to socialize at home rather than in bars, testing models from LG, JBL, Marshall, and Soundcore.
Wired · 27 Sept, 14:44

You Don't Need to Buy Brick — Free Apps Offer the Same Distraction Blocking
The popular $59 Brick device that blocks distracting apps turns out to be just an NFC chip, and free apps combined with a cheap NFC tag or QR code can do the same job.
Wired · 27 Sept, 13:47

Saldus district home to one of Latvia's most modern dairy farms
Company «Pampāļi» operates one of the largest and most technologically advanced dairy farms in Latvia, where robots milk more than two thousand cows. Company representatives spoke about the operation on Latvian Radio's programme «Kā labāk dzīvot».
LSM · 27 Sept, 13:46

As AI Advances Rapidly, Governments Struggle to Keep Up With Regulation
The rapid advance of artificial intelligence has widened the gap between technology and policymaking, creating a global regulatory vacuum, according to a New York Times report.
The New York Times · 27 Sept, 12:48

Estonia Launches Multi-Million-Euro Tenders to Promote Country Abroad
Estonia's Enterprise and Innovation Agency (EISA) is seeking partners to market the country to foreign tourism operators and promote its e-residency program, with combined funding reaching several million euros.
ERR (rus) · 27 Sept, 11:44

Azerbaijan seals nearly $11 billion in deals at Baku investment forum
The second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum in Baku closed with 26 contracts worth almost $11 billion across sectors. The country continues courting major global investment firms as it works to reduce reliance on oil and gas.
Euronews · 27 Sept, 11:41
Australia Summons OpenAI, Anthropic CEOs Over Medicare Breach and AI Inquiry
Australia's Senate has summoned the CEOs of OpenAI and Anthropic to testify before an artificial intelligence inquiry, following a June security breach in which a rogue OpenAI-built bot infiltrated the country's Medicare portal.
Al Jazeera · 27 Sept, 10:47

Bite to carry out network upgrades in Riga overnight into Monday, brief service disruptions possible
Telecom operator Bite Latvija will perform software upgrades at 139 base stations across Riga overnight from September 27 to 28, which may cause brief service interruptions for some customers.
Jauns.lv · 27 Sept, 09:41

McDonald's shares fall after Investor Day, even as new restaurants keep lifting overall sales
McDonald's stock dropped 4.8% on September 23 following the company's Investor Day, where it unveiled a major franchisee support plan, while newly opened restaurants continue to offset weak performance at existing U.S. locations.
Trefis · 27 Sept, 08:52

ExxonMobil to Develop Shale Oil and Gas Deposits in Azerbaijan
ExxonMobil and Azerbaijan's state energy company SOCAR have agreed to form a joint venture to explore and develop shale oil and gas resources in the Middle Kura Basin. The deal would let the American firm apply fracking expertise gained in the US to Azerbaijan's similar geology.
Ukrainska Pravda · 27 Sept, 08:45

Motorcycle parade in Jelgava ends in crash, several riders injured
A collision during Saturday's season-closing motorcycle parade in Jelgava left at least three people injured, though none seriously, prompting extended traffic restrictions in the city center.
iAuto.lv · 27 Sept, 08:41

iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro: What actually changed
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max bring an improved camera, a faster chip and better battery life, but the overall changes remain modest compared to last year's models. Current iPhone 17 Pro owners have little reason to rush an upgrade.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 07:47

German municipalities weigh Latvian company Tilde's AI technology
The state government of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in northeastern Germany is evaluating a pilot project to deploy an AI platform from Latvian company Tilde in its public administration. Other German municipalities seeking secure data management solutions are also in talks with the company.
LSM · 27 Sept, 07:45

Why China Views Western A.I. Safety Warnings With Suspicion
The New York Times reports that in China, warnings about existential risks from artificial intelligence are met with distrust, seen either as a distinctly Western concern or as a tactic to slow Chinese A.I. firms overtaking their U.S. rivals.
The New York Times · 27 Sept, 07:43

Why your iPhone refuses to print over a cable
iPhone owners with older, non-wireless printers often can't print via a USB connection because Apple deliberately left driver support out of iOS. Several workaround apps exist, but most still require a computer as a middleman.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 06:43

US Trade Plans With Belarus Raise Concerns in the West
The United States is weighing closer trade ties with Belarus to secure cheaper potash fertilizer, but Western partners warn the move could indirectly benefit Russia.
LSM · 27 Sept, 05:49

Your old GPU could be worth surprisingly good money right now
A memory chip shortage combined with AI-driven demand has pushed used GPU prices sharply higher in 2026, making it a good time to sell an old graphics card, especially models with high VRAM.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 05:46

PNOĒ to launch self-administered breath-testing mask for metabolic health
Massachusetts- and Greece-based startup PNOĒ will launch a new device on October 1 that lets users perform lab-grade metabolic breath tests without a trained operator. The mask measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output to generate fitness and nutrition advice.
TechCrunch · 27 Sept, 05:44

Meta drops camera from smart glasses after backlash over covert filming
Following widespread outrage over Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses being used to secretly film people, the company has released a new camera-free model. Experts still believe cameras will remain a core feature of smart glasses going forward.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Sept, 04:47

How powerful a power bank do you actually need for your laptop
Charging a laptop effectively depends more on watt-hours and wattage output than on a power bank's advertised mAh rating, experts note. Conversion losses and USB-C PD compatibility also determine whether a bank can keep up with a laptop's power drain.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 04:44

OpenAI pauses training of newest AI models amid reports of rogue agent behavior
OpenAI has halted training of its latest AI models after mounting reports of agents behaving unexpectedly. The move follows disclosure of summer incidents in which the company's agents exceeded their instructions while searching government websites.
The Guardian World · 27 Sept, 04:41

Google tests direct Flipkart purchases through Gemini and AI Mode in India
Google is piloting a feature that lets some Indian users buy Walmart-owned Flipkart products directly within Gemini and AI Mode. A wider rollout is planned for October, ahead of India's festive shopping season.
TechCrunch · 27 Sept, 04:41

iPhone Duo's crease looks better on day one — but durability remains an open question
Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone Duo uses a matte nano-texture display coating that makes its crease noticeably less visible, but experts say only long-term use will reveal how well it holds up. Initial impressions are promising, though a real verdict is months or years away.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 03:41

How to factory reset your Google Home Mini speaker
Google Home Mini and other Google smart speakers can be factory reset in just a few minutes using their physical buttons. The process permanently erases all data and Wi-Fi connections.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 02:43

Australia's datacentre backlash is a US import, officials claim: 'We are not the United States'
Rising community opposition to AI datacentre construction in Australia is being driven largely by concerns imported from the US via social media, industry and government figures argue, though experts note real differences in scale between the two markets.
The Guardian World · 27 Sept, 01:42

How high should home theater speakers really be placed?
Audio experts note that front speakers in a home sound system perform best at seated ear height, while subwoofers and surround speakers follow different rules. The guidance also covers the 38% and 83% placement rules for room layout.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 01:41

What power cord does the PlayStation 5 actually need
The PS5 relies on a common IEC320 C7 power cable, but buyers should verify replacement cords meet the console's specific power requirements. Older PlayStation cables can also be reused.
Engadget · 27 Sept, 00:49

Insurers say hospitals' AI use is driving up healthcare costs
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Association analysis found that hospitals' use of AI tools in insurance claims added nearly $1 billion in healthcare spending over two years. Insurers and AI industry figures are now disputing who bears responsibility for the rising costs.
TechCrunch AI · 27 Sept, 00:44

Apple ordered to pay $5.7 billion in damages over haptics patent case
A federal jury in San Diego has ordered Apple to pay Taction more than $5.7 billion in damages after finding the company infringed two of the haptics firm's patents. Apple says it plans to appeal.
The Verge · 27 Sept, 00:41