https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/23.07.2026-latvian-parliament-replaces-outdated-voting-system.a656094/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:43:32 GMT 656094 Starting today, July 23rd, voting at Saeima sessions is using a new electronic voting system, which replaces the outdated – but impressively still functional – voting machines that have been in use since 1997. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/23.07.2026-saeima-tweaks-business-rules-in-food-supply-sector.a656085/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:21:37 GMT 656085 In order to promote fair cooperation between agricultural and food suppliers and retailers, the Saeima on Thursday, July 23rd, supported amendments to the Unfair Trade Practices Prohibition Law in its final reading. The changes were approved by 81 votes to 0. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/media/23.07.2026-film-director-takes-over-at-latvian-youth-radio-station.a656080/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:56:39 GMT 656080 Film director Reinis Ūbelis begins work as the head of youth-oriented public service radio channel Latvian Radio 5 on July 23rd. The new head was selected through an open competition. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/art/23.07.2026-roger-ballen-retrospective-in-daugavpils-comes-highly-recommended.a656074/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:45:10 GMT 656074 A retrospective exhibition titled "The Other Mind" by renowned American photographer Roger Ballen has opened in Daugavpils, and according to LSM's Gundega Evelone it is well worth a visit. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/23.07.2026-great-results-for-riga-in-european-football.a656036/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:35:50 GMT 656036 Latvian football champions Rīga celebrated victory in the first match of the second round of the UEFA Conference League qualifying tournament in North Macedonia on Wednesday. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/23.07.2026-alleged-migrant-attack-in-riga-not-all-it-seemed-to-be.a656027/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:14:00 GMT 656027 There has been a significant development in the story of an alleged sexual assault in central Rīga that was widely spread on social media, with many blaming it on migrants or asylum seekers. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/23.07.2026-how-accessible-will-latvias-upcoming-elections-be.a656023/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:37:46 GMT 656023 The right to vote is a fundamental right of a citizen in a democratic country. However, exercising this right is not always so easy for people with disabilities. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/history/23.07.2026-book-traces-history-of-legendary-latvian-stately-home.a656017/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:08:00 GMT 656017 A new book titled  "Kaucminde's Horseshoe" (Kaucmindes pakavs) by author Andris Grīnbergs has just been published, telling the story of one of Latvia's most striking but currently tragic-looking buildings: Kaucminde Palace. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/23.07.2026-latvians-are-not-necessarily-out-to-lunch.a656013/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:43:07 GMT 656013 More than a third of Latvians eat a take-away meal at work, while 15% of respondents buy it or order it from caterers, according to a survey of 1,009 people  aged 18 to 74 conducted by the LSM.lv portal in cooperation with the research center Norstat. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/23.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-22nd-july-2026.a656012/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:30:36 GMT 656012 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/22.07.2026-latvia-compiles-a-national-risk-catalogue.a655951/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:06:00 GMT 655951 The Crisis Management Centre of the State Chancellery has put together what is called a 'National Risk Catalogue'.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/22.07.2026-latvias-president-and-pm-comment-on-potential-luminor-sale.a655943/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:23:00 GMT 655943 Latvia's President and Prime Minister provided comments about the proposed sale of Baltic bank Luminor to Hungary's OTP following their regular Wednesday meeting on July 22nd. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/22.07.2026-latvias-mushroom-haul-a-bit-disappointing-so-far.a655899/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:18:00 GMT 655899 Mid-July is usually an active mushroom picking season, but this year there are fewer forest fungi: this is acknowledged by both the most active mushroom pickers and buyers, as well as by the markets, where prices are higher than in other years. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/22.07.2026-latvia-remains-one-of-the-eus-less-indebted-members.a655894/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:01:33 GMT 655894 While Latvia may not have one of the largest economies in the European Union, it does at least still have the benefit of relatively low levels of public debt. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/22.07.2026-entrepreneurs-for-peace-opens-new-base-in-riga.a655885/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:31:00 GMT 655885 On July 21, the Entrepreneurs for Peace foundation opened a civil-military cooperation base in Rīga, which it said will be a meeting and cooperation place for entrepreneurs, state institutions, non-governmental organizations and the public to jointly strengthen Latvia's resilience and support Ukraine. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/22.07.2026-latvian-cabinet-approves-its-own-plan-of-action.a655882/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:17:06 GMT 655882 With a little over two months to go until the next parliamentary electionson October 3rd, the Cabinet of Ministers approved its action plan of the government led by Andris Kulbergs on Tuesday, July 21st – in effect rubber stamping its own plan two months after it came to power.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/history/22.07.2026-where-and-what-is-malenia-find-out-this-weekend.a655875/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 08:17:26 GMT 655875 On the weekend of July 24th and 25th, the "World Malenian Festival" will be held in Jaunlaicene in northern Latvia for the fourth time, where everyone will have the opportunity to learn about Malenian traditions, watch concerts, dance performances and theatre performances, taste the traditional Malenian dish of honor - 'Profitroļi'– and dance until dawn accompanied by local musicians. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/22.07.2026-pop-concert-churns-up-liepaja-football-pitch.a655870/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:41:00 GMT 655870 Truck tyre tracks, grass driven down to the black soil, the surface torn to pieces and a deep mud bath where there should be goal posts. This is the view at the "Daugava" football stadium in Liepāja after a concert by the pop group "Brainstorm" took place there over the weekend, reports Latvian Radio. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/22.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-21st-july-2026.a655850/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 22:10:00 GMT 655850 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/21.07.2026-parents-dismayed-by-police-handling-of-sons-death-in-fire.a655855/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:23:00 GMT 655855 More than 50 days after a teenager died in a barn fire in Branti parish, Smiltene region , the family has not been able to bury their child. The parents are convinced that their son's bones are still scattered at the scene of the accident, and accuse the police of not searching the area thoroughly enough. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/music/21.07.2026-listen-ksenija-sidorova-paavo-jarvi-and-the-estonian-festival-orchestra.a655852/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 19:40:00 GMT 655852 Here's a real treat for you from Latvian Radio 3 – a live broadcast from July 20th featuring Latvian accordion superstar Ksenija Sidorova. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/21.07.2026-top-class-trail-running-coming-to-latvia-soon.a655813/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 15:18:44 GMT 655813 At the start of August, a prestigious trail running series named "UTMB World Series Events" will take place in Latvia for the first time in the Gauja National Park. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/21.07.2026-motorsports-coming-to-madona-this-weekend.a655781/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:58:21 GMT 655781 The best sidecar and quad riders in the world will gather at the Madona "Smeceres sila" motorcycle track for a world championship stage this weekend. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/21.07.2026-latvias-eastern-border-drone-defences-ready-by-end-of-september.a655777/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:51:00 GMT 655777 By the end of September this year, it is planned to equip the entire eastern border of Latvia with automated anti-drone systems, Defence Minister Raivis Melnis told the Latvian Television programme "Morning Panorama" on July 21st. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/education/21.07.2026-university-of-latvia-student-applications-hit-record-high.a655756/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:49:12 GMT 655756 As the application process for studies at Latvian higher education institutions for the 2026/2027 academic year has concluded, the University of Latvia (LU) has received a record\-high level of interest from prospective students. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/21.07.2026-latvian-transport-minister-promises-rail-baltica-management-re-jig.a655740/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:17:00 GMT 655740 Latvia's Transport Minister came out with a statement of the blindingly obvious on July 21st concerning the Rail Baltica project, the Latvian portion of which is mired in problems of numerous sorts: a lack of cash, spiralling costs, slipping deadlines, disputes with contractors and board members who come and go with the frequency of a revolving door. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/weather/weather/21.07.2026-two-roads-washed-away-in-talsi-district.a655738/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:31:00 GMT 655738 Intense rains on the evening of Monday, July 20th, caused damage in Talsi region, where the Dursupe mill lake overflowed and the water flooded the surrounding area and washed out local roads. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/21.07.2026-latvias-border-berry-pickers-contend-with-deforestation-and-emigration.a655735/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 08:05:00 GMT 655735 Summer is in full swing, and the berry and mushroom season has begun in Latvia's forests. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/21.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-20th-july-2026.a655734/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:51:20 GMT 655734 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/banks/21.07.2026-hungarys-otp-to-buy-baltic-bank-luminor.a655717/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:02:00 GMT 655717 Hungarian banking giant OTP Group is to enter the Baltic markets by buying Luminor, the third-largest banking group in the Baltic region, it has been announced. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/20.07.2026-colossally-drunk-drivers-caught-over-weekend-in-latvia.a655675/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:08:27 GMT 655675 It was a busy weekend for police officers on Vidzeme's roads over the weekend, with little evidence that the country's drink-driving culture is improving, at least in two particularly notable cases, reports northen Latvian regional newspaper Ziemeļlatvija. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/20.07.2026-love-scammers-cause-heartbreak-and-financial-ruin.a655661/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:53:00 GMT 655661 The human capacity for loneliness is large and a desire to be loved is natural. Unfortunately there is no shortage of people willing to take advantage of those facts for financial gain, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/20.07.2026-prosecutors-office-dismisses-senior-employee.a655652/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 12:27:00 GMT 655652 A senior official at the Latvian Prosecution Office has been dismissed from her post following an investigation, reported the LETA newswire on July 20th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/20.07.2026-boating-season-keeps-latvias-rescuers-busy.a655632/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:46:02 GMT 655632 Over the weekend of July 18th-19th firefighters and rescue crews provided assistance to people on the water several times. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/20.07.2026-many-more-consumer-complaints-in-latvia-this-year.a655631/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:32:37 GMT 655631 The Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC) has received a total of 4,116 applications in the first six months of 2026, which is 50.7% more than in the corresponding period last year, when 2,732 applications were received, it said in a release on July 20th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/20.07.2026-pm-kulbergs-airbaltic-discussions-ongoing-with-three-potential-investors.a655624/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:21:00 GMT 655624 Discussions about investing in Latvia's national airline, airBaltic, are currently underway with three different investors, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List) said in an interview with Latvian Radio on Monday, July 20th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/20.07.2026-new-builds-in-latvia-still-come-without-bomb-shelter-basements.a655611/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:03:00 GMT 655611 As the war in Ukraine continues, the question of where people can take shelter in a sudden crisis such as a military attack has become a key one. In Latvia, many newly built apartment buildings often have no basements at all, even if the building has only been put into operation very recently. Why are builders ignoring safe basements, and how expensive would it be to install shelters in new buildings? https://eng.lsm.lv/article/weather/weather/20.07.2026-storm-warning-on-monday-across-latvia.a655604/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:30:00 GMT 655604 An orange (danger) warning has been issued across a large part of Latvia for violent storms which are expected to hit the country on Monday, July, 20th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/20.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-19th-july-2026.a655603/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:09:56 GMT 655603 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/literature/19.07.2026-work-starts-on-translating-new-testament-into-modern-latgalian.a655538/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:28:11 GMT 655538 The Latvian Bible Society has begun work on a new translation of the New Testament into the Latgalian language. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/19.07.2026-no-one-in-armed-forces-will-be-disciplined-over-rezekne-drone-incident.a655536/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:20:00 GMT 655536 An internal armed forces investigation of the May 7 drone incidents in Rēzekne has identified shortcomings, but no disciplinary sanctions have been imposed on anyone, reports the LETA newswire. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/19.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-18th-july-2026.a655534/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:07:00 GMT 655534 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/18.07.2026-expert-dont-eat-second-class-mushrooms.a655498/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 18 Jul 2026 09:03:00 GMT 655498 In drier periods, when mushrooms are scarce, people are sometimes tempted to pick slightly old or damaged mushrooms, but this is not advisable, as such mushrooms can also cause digestive disorders, according to Diāna Meiere, a mycologist at the Latvian National Museum of Nature, on the Latvian Radio programme "How to Live Better". https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/diplomacy/18.07.2026-latvias-baiba-braze-returns-from-busy-us-trip.a655493/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 18 Jul 2026 08:41:00 GMT 655493 Latvia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braže, has returned from a large-scale meeting in Washington, D.C., called by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio the title of which was 'The Resurgence of Political Terrorism'.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/18.07.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-17th-july-2026.a655494/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 18 Jul 2026 07:51:25 GMT 655494 Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/17.07.2026-four-city-festivals-for-the-weekend-in-latvia.a655397/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:38:00 GMT 655397 There's no excuse for being bored this weekend in Latvia. Not only is the weather set (reasonably) fair, but 'fairs' of other sorts abound. Here are a few to get you started. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/17.07.2026-latvia-has-lots-of-mainly-female-judges.a655430/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jul 2026 11:09:00 GMT 655430 July 17th is the Day of International Criminal Justice, the anniversary of the adoption in 1998 of the Rome Statute, and the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which the United States recently announced it wants to 'dismantle'. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/politics/17.07.2026-rezekne-still-trying-to-rent-out-its-unwanted-spa-complex.a655426/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jul 2026 10:52:00 GMT 655426 Rēzekne City Council has approved changes to the auction rules for the lease rights of a spa complex [routinely rendered in Latvian as 'SPA' for reasons which remain opaque] at its July 17th meeting in a bid to get the enormous white elephant off its hands. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/17.07.2026-latvian-central-bank-publishes-latest-macroeconomic-projections-report.a655410/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:22:36 GMT 655410 The Latvian central bank, Latvijas banka (LB) published its latest Macroeconomic Projections Report online in English on July 16th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/17.07.2026-journalists-expose-online-terrorism-efforts-in-poland-and-baltics.a655398/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:06:00 GMT 655398 Thousands of ads on the Telegram social media platform are looking for people to carry out sabotage and espionage tasks in Europe. This is the picture revealed by an investigation by the Polish-based media outlet Vot Tak. Among the recruiters' offers is to carry out malicious activities in Latvia.