Vita Anstrate / Author

03.03.23

Ministry's request to build chapel using state money raises eyebrows

The Agriculture Ministry has requested money in the state budget for the construction of a chapel at the Likteņdārzs park. Several points are unclear about this: why is it the Agriculture Ministry and why is it proposed at a time when there is not enough money for priorities, Latvian Television reported on March 2.

March 3, 2023, 6:54

28.02.23

Rīga Holocaust memorial vandalized again

Vandals have struck for the second time in a week at a memorial to victims of the Holocaust in Rīga, reported LTV February 27.

February 28, 2023, 12:09

03.02.23

Only 400 Russian citizens have registered for Latvian language test

This year, thousands of citizens of the Russian Federation residing in Latvia will have to pass a language test to extend their residency permits in Latvia. The Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office (PMLP) has intended to send out reminders to all these people, which has caused some controversy in society, Latvian Television reported on February 2.

February 3, 2023, 6:50

17.01.23

Huge interest in free Latvian language courses in Rīga

On the first day when the Rīga City Council announced an application for Latvian language courses provided by the municipality, all 600 spots were filled quickly, Latvian Television reported on January 16.

January 17, 2023, 6:53

05.01.23

Not all might get free flu vaccine in Latvia

During the flu epidemic, doctors are urging the public to vaccinate against the flu. In the autumn, demand for state-paid vaccines has exceeded supply this season, and free vaccines could not be enough for all, Latvian Television reported on January 4.

January 5, 2023, 7:46

13.12.22

Hundreds of Ukrainian children came to Latvia without parents

Since Russia's war in Ukraine, emergency custody has been granted to nearly 1,000 children who have been sheltered in Latvia without parents. The refugee movement is changing, some of the children are leaving, others have come of age here. At present, the number of Ukrainian children living without their parents in Latvia is close to 600. In the “Children of War” series, Latvian Television met with two teenagers who have lived here for nine months without their parents.

December 13, 2022, 8:58

12.12.22

Around 25,000 people will face language test to extend residency rights

Permanent residence permits for 'non-citizens' and citizens of the Russian Federation who have previously held Latvian citizenship will be extended in 2023 only if they have confirmed their basic knowledge of Latvian language, in accordance with amendments to the immigration law adopted in the autumn. Some 25,000 people might have to do the test, Latvian Television reported on December 11.

December 12, 2022, 8:15

15.11.22

Another group of Ukraine soldiers to be treated in Latvia

A group of soldiers injured in the Ukrainian war arrived for treatment in Latvia on Monday. In total, 17 patients will be treated at Riga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS). They will undergo both complex operations and rehabilitation, and all other necessary medical care, Latvian Television reported on November 14.

November 15, 2022, 7:46

14.11.22

Rīga Central Station nearly inaccessible for the blind

On World Sight Day on November 12, in order to highlight what the blind part of society still faces in Latvia, the Latvian Television “Panorama” news broadcast together with the Latvian Blind Society, carried out a small experiment in one of the most visited places in the capital – Central Railway Station.

November 14, 2022, 10:49

10.11.22

Online school exam trial is a flop

On Thursday, November 10, in schools across Latvia, it was planned to take the centralized exam online for the first time as a system trial. However, not all schools and pupils managed to join the State Test Information System, Latvian Radio reported.

November 10, 2022, 19:51

08.11.22

Up to 30% of teachers speak Latvian poorly, says authority

Recent inspections by the State Language Center (VVC) have shown that 10% to 30% of teachers in Latvia do not know the official language at a sufficient level, Latvian Television reported on November 8.

November 8, 2022, 10:36

29.08.22

Over 3,300 Ukrainian children will start school year in Latvia

More than 3,300 Ukrainians will start learning in kindergartens and schools of Latvia on Thursday. Their full integration in the training process is planned this year with education in Latvian only or in minority programs in Ukrainian, Latvian Television reported on August 29.

August 29, 2022, 21:12

27.08.22

Vaccination against Covid will be seasonal in Latvia

A new wave of Covid-19 is likely in the fall of this year. There is no plan for mass vaccination as of now; it will be recommended similar to a seasonal flu vaccine. Employers will retain the right to require the vaccination of employees if there is a high risk of spreading Covid at the workplace, Latvian Television reported on August 26.

August 27, 2022, 9:37

26.08.22

University of Latvia starts building House of Letters

The construction of the University of Latvia's (LU) House of Letters, intended to house the faculties of social sciences and humanities, as well as the library, has symbolically begun on August 25, Latvian Television reported.

August 26, 2022, 7:58

17.08.22

Teachers announce strike 'if ministry does not budge'

The Latvian Education and Science Workers' Union (LIZDA) decided unanimously on Wednesday to send another letter to the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM). If the ministry does not change its position in the near future, then teachers will strike, Latvian Television reported August 17.

August 17, 2022, 14:37

17.08.22

Donations on the way from Latvia to Ukraine's hospitals

On Tuesday, August 16, two vans and a truck with Latvian residents' donated aid traveled towards Kyiv in Ukraine, where assistance will be provided directly to Ukrainian hospitals, Latvian Television reported.

August 17, 2022, 7:23

08.07.22

Two casualties and big fuel leak in car crash near Babīte

Two people lost their lives in a crash in Mārupe municipality Babīte parish on Friday. About 20 tons of fuel also leaked at the site of the crash. A major accident with one death also occurred in Jēkabpils municipality on Friday, June 8, Latvian Television reported.

July 8, 2022, 20:46

08.07.22

Two years until new e-health prescription system is ready

Latvia's problem-prone e-health system of issuing prescriptions is set to be replaced in around two years' time, but full digitization of medical records will take longer, Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts said July 7.

July 8, 2022, 7:49

09.06.22

Mandatory exam in sciences could be introduced in Latvia

The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) has decided to ensure that an exam in one of the natural sciences will have to be taken upon graduating from school, Latvian Television reported on June 8.

June 9, 2022, 7:52

27.05.22

Ministry considers long-term aid for Ukrainians

With hotels being too expensive and housing difficult to find due to problems entering the job market, the context of Ukrainian refugees has created a lot of tension for local governments, which require a clear long-term plan. Interior Ministry now offers municipalities to purchase mattresses and consider food parcels instead of catering, Latvian Television reported May 26.

May 27, 2022, 7:34

26.05.22

Over 500 Ukrainians need rehousing in Rīga due to spending cuts

The state-covered costs of housing and catering for Ukrainian refugees as of Wednesday lower, and in many cases, this means that refugees will have to seek other accommodation. In Riga, for example, 570 people have to be relocated in a short time, Latvian Television reported May 25.

May 26, 2022, 8:54

19.05.22

Brasa bridge reconstruction begins

Construction of the new Brasa Bridge has been launched, which builders and council officials promise to complete by next year's Song and Dance Celebration (June 30, 2023), Latvian Television reported May 19.

May 19, 2022, 18:48

26.04.22

Donations to Ukraine dwindle; food needed, say activists

The flow of donations and volunteers is getting smaller, but aid for Ukrainians is needed as much as before, activists told Latvian Television on April 25. Currently, food is needed most.

April 26, 2022, 7:09

31.03.22

Ukrainian school leavers will have opportunity to study in Latvia

Currently, Latvia offers study courses to those students who have started their studies in Ukraine as a visiting student and there are plans to integrate them into the full study process from September.

March 31, 2022, 8:44

14.03.22

Opening of new Ukrainian help center postponed to next week

The opening of the other Ukrainian support center has been postponed to the next week, Latvian Television reported March 14.

March 14, 2022, 19:01

14.03.22

Ukrainian help center crowded again on Monday

On Monday, March 14, the joint Ukrainian support center opened its doors again, and just like last week, is packed according to Latvian Television and Latvian Radio's observations.

March 14, 2022, 13:05

11.03.22

Latvian education system ready for 4,500 Ukrainian children

The Latvian education system is ready to accommodate around 4,500 children of Ukrainian war refugees, Latvian Television reported March 11.

March 11, 2022, 16:34

09.03.22

Second Ukrainian help center to be opened Monday in Rīga

A decision has been taken that on Monday, March 14, another support center for refugees from Ukraine will be opened in Rīga, Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis said at a briefing on March 9.

March 9, 2022, 14:36

09.03.22

Another Ukrainian assistance center could be opened in Rīga

The joint support center struggled to cope with the influx of Ukrainian refugees in the first days. Rīga City Council is considering the creation of another center, Rīga Mayor Mārtiņš Staķis told Latvian Television March 8.

March 9, 2022, 7:28

08.02.22

School restrictions could be loosened soon

Covid-related restrictions could be softened from next week in schools. In the rest of the society, the loosening of restrictions is expected in March, Latvian Television reported February 7.

February 8, 2022, 7:00

21.01.22

Expert puzzled about allowing fabric masks in schools

There is no rational justification why students will be allowed to continue using fabric masks at school, Ivars Vanadziņš, Riga Stradiņš University Institute for Safety and Environmental Health, told Latvian Television January 20.

January 21, 2022, 7:31

13.01.22

Covid spreads across schools of Latvia

It has been more than a week since pupils returned to school after the winter holiday, and this week, the prevalence of Covid-19 at schools has been much higher than last week, Latvian Television reported January 13.

January 13, 2022, 18:23