Category
Economy
Diesel excise cut: only part of the benefit reached Latvian consumers
An analysis by Latvia’s Competition Council shows that a temporary diesel excise duty reduction from April to June lowered pump prices by an average of 4.95 cents per litre, or about 58% of the planned cut. Fuel price growth in the first half of 2026 was mostly driven by higher procurement costs, not retailer margins.
Jauns.lv · 34 min ago
Two US Fossil Fuel Giants Double Down on Data Center Power
Williams and Chevron are investing heavily in natural gas plants and pipelines to power data centers, a move that could lock in fossil fuel use for decades. Analysts warn the trend may delay the renewable transition while meeting AI's growing electricity demand.
Wired · 1 h ago
Nintendo profit surges 53.5% after US tariff refund
Nintendo's quarterly profit jumped by 53.5% to ¥147.4bn, helped by a refund on US tariffs following a Supreme Court ruling. The company's shares rose on the earnings release.
The Guardian World · 1 h ago
Old Newspapers in Latvia: Recycled, but Not Collected Separately
Old newspapers are being recycled into new products in Latvia and abroad, but currently in Latvia they are not collected separately — they are collected together with cardboard packaging. This could change if requirements for producers and importers placing products on the market are revised.
Dienas Bizness · 1 h ago
Budget Airline Jetstar to Charge Fees for Using the Overhead Bin
Jetstar, an Australian budget carrier, will become the first airline in the country to charge passengers for carry-on luggage that does not fit under the seat, making overhead bin usage a paid service.
The New York Times · 3 h ago
Russia Allows Sale of Lower-Grade Fuel Until 2027
Russia's government has authorized the production and sale of gasoline with lower environmental classes K2–K4 until July 1, 2027, as part of emergency measures to address a fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian strikes on refineries.
ERR (rus) · 6 h ago
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Bakery “Lāči” turnover drops 3.4%, company posts loss
SIA “Lāči” reported a turnover of €10.73 million last year, down 3.4% from 2024, while also recording a loss of €199,823.
TVNET · 6 h ago
airBaltic's Swiss subsidiary still awaits permit; union concerned about social guarantees
The airBaltic's subsidiary in Switzerland has not yet received approval to start operations, while the aviation union warns that pilots' social guarantees may deteriorate after renegotiating contracts.
LSM (rus) · 6 h ago
American foulbrood detected in bee farm in Ranka parish; three-kilometre restricted zone set up
The Food and Veterinary Service has declared a three-kilometre protection zone around a bee farm in Ranka parish, Gulbenes municipality, after American foulbrood was detected. Inspectors will assess colonies and investigate the outbreak.
Dienas Bizness · 6 h ago
Latvia fourth in EU for digital services, but expert warns about productivity
Latvia ranks fourth in the European Union for digitalisation of public services, with more than €129 million from the recovery instrument allocated to public-sector digital transformation. An industry executive argues that success should be measured by outcomes, not by the number of systems introduced.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 h ago
Seven professions set to thrive in the age of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is not so much eliminating jobs as shifting demand toward analytical and human-centric professions. The article outlines seven resilient career fields and the key questions to ask when choosing a path.
BNN · 8 h ago
Fiscal Discipline Council warns hospital reform violates budget rules
Latvia's Fiscal Discipline Council has warned that the government's hospital network reform does not comply with the Fiscal Discipline Law because no compensating measures were adopted alongside the spending increase. The council recommends either finding funding sources or revoking the decision until proper approval.
Dienas Bizness · 8 h ago
Grain harvest varies across Latvia; Dienvidkurzeme expects average yields
Latvian farmers are making the most of sunny August days to bring in the grain harvest. In Dienvidkurzeme, the overall harvest is expected to be average because many crops overwintered poorly, but a large share of the grain is of higher quality.
LSM · 8 h ago
SpaceX Shares Slip, but Musk Remains World’s Richest
SpaceX shares have declined, but Elon Musk remains the world's wealthiest person, raising questions about his next move.
The New York Times · 10 h ago
News Corp Australian digital subscriptions dip as CEO hits out at 'slimy sea of AI slop'
News Corp's digital subscriptions at its Australian outlets fell slightly in the last financial year, reversing recent growth. The company's CEO used the results to criticize AI firms that use media content without permission.
The Guardian World · 12 h ago
SpaceX shares slide after first quarterly report
SpaceX shares fell more than 13 percent following the release of the company's first quarterly report, as investors reacted to concerns over heavy investments.
Al Jazeera · 15 h ago
Latvia's power grid strengthened with €64 million investment
AS "Sadales tīkls" has invested €64 million to increase distribution system capacity, strengthen the security and resilience of electricity supply, and create conditions for renewable energy development.
TVNET · 15 h ago
Sobyanin Warns Total War Economy Would Destroy Russia
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin has publicly opposed plans to fully convert Russia's economy to a military footing, saying a functioning civilian economy is essential for incomes and the state budget.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 h ago
Balticovo opens employee apartment building worth over €2 million
AS Balticovo has opened a residential building worth more than €2 million, providing homes for around 120 employees and their families. The building was created by reconstructing an unfinished Soviet-era structure.
Dienas Bizness · 21 h ago
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EU Receives Another €1.4 Billion From Frozen Russian Central Bank Assets
The European Union has received an additional €1.4 billion in income from frozen Russian central bank assets held within EU jurisdiction.
TVNET · 23 h ago
Latvian media: Saeima must urgently amend procurement rules to prevent cheap imports dominating public catering
The Saeima must urgently adopt amendments to the Food Circulation Supervision Law to restore national quality schemes in public food procurement and prevent cheap imports from dominating school and institutional catering.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 13:55
Fuel prices in Latvia fall by 3.5% on average in a month — CSP
In July 2026, the average consumer price level for fuel in Latvia decreased by 3.5% compared with June, according to the Central Statistical Bureau.
LSM (rus) · 5 Aug, 13:51
US returns $100bn in tariffs after court ruling
The US Trump administration has refunded about $100bn of tariffs ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, amounting to 60% of the total collected. A coalition of 25 states is now challenging a new tariff round as an unlawful attempt to restore the struck-down import taxes.
The Guardian World · 5 Aug, 12:54
Saudi-led investor group completes $55bn purchase of Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, the maker of The Sims and EA Sports FC, has been taken private in a $55bn deal led by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, ending its 36-year run as a public company.
The Guardian World · 5 Aug, 09:53
Estonian investor group becomes owner of Domina Shopping
An Estonian-based investor group has acquired 100% of SIA “EfTEN Domina” from AS “EfTEN Kinnisvarafond II”, the company behind Riga’s Domina Shopping centre. The deal value has not been disclosed, and management will remain with EfTEN Capital’s Latvian subsidiary.
BNN · 5 Aug, 08:52
Construction overtime pay changes in August: 50% premium and questions about productivity
From August, the overtime supplement in construction will be 50% of the contracted wage, and the article asks whether overtime actually reflects higher productivity.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 08:49
Latvia sees 6.8% rise in new business registrations over seven months
New company registrations in Latvia increased 6.8% in the first seven months of the year, though July registrations slipped 1.7% year-on-year to 908. The combined share capital of July's new firms reached €45.54 million, boosted mainly by one credit company spin-off.
Dienas Bizness · 5 Aug, 07:59
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State enterprise stock listings: a divisive issue ahead of elections
Although pre-election rhetoric has quietened this summer, the question of listing state-owned companies on the stock exchange may regain momentum. Some see it as squandering Latvia's assets, while others view it as an untapped chance to create extra financial opportunities for the economy and citizens.
TVNET · 5 Aug, 06:55
'I dug my own grave': Workers caught in AI transition in Philippines
Workers in the Philippines' outsourcing industry say they helped train AI systems that later replaced them, as the sector comes under growing pressure to automate.
BBC World · 5 Aug, 06:54
Construction sector agreement: a step toward fairer competition, but compromises remain
The construction industry's general agreement sets a minimum monthly wage of €1,050 and an hourly rate of €6.29. A sector representative says the deal's main value lies in equal competition, but customers must also accept that quality construction cannot rely on the lowest price alone.
Žurnāls Ir · 5 Aug, 06:52