Apple has replaced its iPhone Upgrade Program with a new U.S. leasing option operated in partnership with Klarna, according to reporting from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The transition introduces lower base monthly prices for hardware purchases, though customers must navigate separate AppleCare costs and carrier limitations compared to past financing models. How Apple Upgrade Works with … Read more
Artworks created by Persons Deprived of Liberty are featured at the Art for Everyone exhibit at SM Lanang in Davao City, reflecting stories of hope, healing, and transformation behind bars. The exhibit, which runs from July 25 to Aug. 3, was mounted by SM Lanang and Lawig-Diwa Inc. to showcase around 600 artworks created by … Read more
As Latvia moves closer to the next parliamentary election, political analyst Filips Rajevskis warns that Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs faces an intense race for voter support and heightened expectations regarding public spending reforms. Rajevskis addressed these political dynamics in an interview, discussing the feasibility of retaining office, historical precedents in Latvian politics, and mounting public … Read more
Apple has released the fourth developer betas of iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, arriving two weeks after the third iteration. Registered developers can access the update through the Software Update section in the Settings app on their devices. This release continues the refinement of core system features, including the integration of Siri AI and updated … Read more
Latvia’s government is facing mounting pressure to overhaul its funding model for non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as concerns grow over the distribution of an estimated 200 million euros in annual public spending. Political scientist Filips Rajevskis, co-owner of the media company Mediju tilts, argues that the state must shift toward zero-based budgeting to distinguish between essential … Read more
Latvia’s National Alliance (NA) has formally proposed a government restructuring that would consolidate the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Economics into a single Ministry of the Economy. The party argues that merging these institutions would streamline decision-making, reduce overlapping bureaucratic functions, and better … Read more
Estonia’s agricultural sector is facing a tightening labor market as the number of short-term foreign work permits issued in 2024 trends downward. This decline impacts the seasonal harvest, which relies heavily on workers from Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, India, and Georgia. Rising Bureaucratic Hurdles for Seasonal Labor The recruitment of seasonal agricultural workers has become increasingly … Read more
Latvian Railways (LDz) freight subsidiary LDz Cargo is implementing large-scale layoffs this autumn as regional cargo volumes decline, while Russia’s state railway continues to profit from the transit of Belarusian fertiliser. Last year, Russian Railways earned approximately EUR 287.4 million (USD 324.8 million) from these shipments, a figure that dwarfs the annual operating expenses of … Read more
Aleksejs Rosļikovs, a former member of the Riga City Council who is currently in Belarus, plans to return to Latvia on 4 October to resume political activities with the party Stabilitātei! (For Stability!). Svetlana Čulkova, the party’s board chairwoman, confirmed the return date to the LETA news agency, noting that Rosļikovs is positioned second on … Read more
Apple is integrating generative AI and intent-based search into the Mail app via iOS 27 to automate email drafting, summarization, and cross-app data retrieval. According to Apple, these updates include “Write with Siri” for style-matched drafting and a revamped search system that prioritizes relevance over recency to find specific items like order confirmations. Intent-Based Search … Read more