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/society/society/16.07.2026-auditors-deliver-damning-report-on-ogre-district-procurement-practices.a655254/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Jul 2026 08:10:00 GMT 655254 Ogre district municipality has not ensured transparent and responsible management of public funds, the State Audit Office (Valsts kontrole/VK) has concluded in an audit. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/15.07.2026-carnikava-may-soon-become-a-city.a655176/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 15 Jul 2026 12:49:42 GMT 655176 The village of Carnikava should be granted city status, the Saeima's State Administration and Local Government Committee decided on Wednesday, July 15th. The draft law has been given urgency, and it is planned that the law will come into force on August 22 to coincide with local festival celebrations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/14.07.2026-projections-suggest-significant-population-shrinkage-for-latvia-over-next-25-years.a654862/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 14 Jul 2026 13:45:00 GMT 654862 Latvia's population is set to shrink substantially over the next few decades, according to Eurostat regional data published on July 14th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/14.07.2026-railway-workers-remains-found-on-riga-island.a655041/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:54:43 GMT 655041 The remains of a 'Latvijas dzelzceļš' (Latvian Railways) employee who fell into the Daugava River and went missing on Friday were found on Zaķusala island in Riga on Tuesday afternoon, police confirmed. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/13.07.2026-search-continues-for-missing-diver-in-baltic-sea.a654874/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 13 Jul 2026 11:21:41 GMT 654874 On Sunday, July 12th, at 2:00 p.m., the Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center of the Coast Guard received information about a missing diver approximately 10 nautical miles northeast of Roja, Latvia in the Baltic Sea. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/12.07.2026-turkish-citizens-killed-in-latvian-car-crash.a654767/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:31:00 GMT 654767 The weekend got off to a tragic start on Latvia's roads with six people killed in several road accidents. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/10.07.2026-riga-introduces-management-fees-for-municipal-apartments.a654603/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:12:00 GMT 654603 From this month, Rīga will start collecting management fees for municipality-owned apartments. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/09.07.2026-key-figures-on-europe-2026-edition-now-available.a654497/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 11:38:57 GMT 654497 On July 9th Eurostat has released the 2026 edition of its Key figures on Europe. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/03.07.2026-latvian-made-sensor-helps-keep-an-eye-on-people-living-alone.a653696/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:10:17 GMT 653696 A device developed in Latvia allows users to check whether, for example, a loved one living alone is safe. With the help of this small device, a mobile phone receives a notification that there is movement in the home, indicating that the person living alone is active, Latvian Television reported on July 2. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/02.07.2026-ombudsman-latvia-must-protect-property-from-unauthorised-businesses.a653584/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Jul 2026 10:39:38 GMT 653584 The state has failed to ensure a reasonable balance between the ability to register a business and the protection of property rights, Ombudsman Karina Palkova has concluded, according to the newswire LETA. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/01.07.2026-woman-shot-this-spring-in-latvia-was-walking-near-military-training.a653487/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:52:22 GMT 653487 In Rīga, Rītabuļi Forest, a woman who was shot while out for a walk on March 4 was injured near a military facility where training exercises were taking place that day, Latvian Radio reported on July 1. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/01.07.2026-lampa-festival-to-talk-about-things-that-should-be-talked-about.a653444/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:52:00 GMT 653444 On July 10 and 11, the 12th edition of the "Lampa" Conversation Festival will take place in Cēsis. Over the course of two days, festivalgoers can look forward to hundreds of conversations, discussions, and other events. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/01.07.2026-communication-about-air-show-could-have-been-better-says-minister.a653407/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:37:59 GMT 653407 The Ministry of Defence and the National Armed Forces (NBS) will learn from their mistakes and, going forward, will also pay greater attention to private events by informing the public about low-altitude overflights by military transport aircraft, according to remarks made by Defence Minister Raivis Melnis on the Latvian Radio program “Good Morning” on July 1. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/30.06.2026-young-woman-drowns-at-popular-jekabpils-bathing-spot.a653357/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:34:00 GMT 653357 Latvia gained yet another entry in its grim drowning toll on Tuesday with the death of a young woman at a popular swimming spot in Jēkabpils. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/30.06.2026-fire-extinguished-at-warehouse-in-riga-suburb.a653320/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:31:00 GMT 653320 Shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, a fire broke out in an industrial building on K. Ulmana gatve in Rīga's Torņakalns suburb, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) said. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/30.06.2026-bauska-kindergarteners-wandered-off-monday-in-latvia.a653270/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:12:31 GMT 653270 On June 29, two three-year-old girls wandered off unsupervised from the “Pasaulīte” preschool in Bauska. A resident spotted the children and immediately notified the appropriate authorities, according to the Bauska Municipality. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/29.06.2026-radicalisation-on-the-rise-says-latvian-security-service.a653137/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:52:25 GMT 653137 In recent years, children and young people have increasingly come to the attention of European law enforcement and security agencies in connection with various types of offences related to radicalisation and violence, the State Security Service (VDD) told the LETA news agency on June 29. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/29.06.2026-mucenieki-asylum-seeker-centre-to-be-headed-by-vita-klubure.a653117/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:26:41 GMT 653117 Vita Klubure, acting head of the Asylum Seeker Accommodation Division at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), has taken over as director of the “Mucenieki” Asylum Seeker Accommodation Centre, the office confirmed on June 29. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/29.06.2026-latvia-attempts-guinness-record-by-blowing-foghorns-simultaneously.a653049/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 29 Jun 2026 06:22:39 GMT 653049 On Sunday, yachts, boats, and other watercraft gathered on the Daugava River not only to cool off in the hot weather but also to celebrate the centennial of sailing in Latvia. The highlight of the celebration was an attempt to set a Guinness World Record in the category "Most People Blowing Fog Horns Simultaneously," Latvian Television reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/26.06.2026-new-head-of-mucenieki-asylum-seeker-centre-appointed.a652846/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:31:28 GMT 652846 Andželika Allika, head of the Asylum Seekers’ Accommodation Division at the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), will no longer head the “Mucenieki” asylum seeker accommodation centre starting next week, though she will continue working at the office, the LETA news agency reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/26.06.2026-another-child-drowned-in-latvia-thursday.a652793/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:43:45 GMT 652793 Two children have drowned in Latvia in recent days – on Thursday, a 16-year-old teenager lost his life in a quarry in Grobiņa Parish, according to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/26.06.2026-man-who-escaped-mental-hospital-found-in-latvia.a652790/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 09:37:00 GMT 652790 The State Police found the man on Friday who had left the National Mental Health Centre without authorisation, the police reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/26.06.2026-rescuers-look-worryingly-to-upcoming-hot-weekend-in-latvia.a652747/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 26 Jun 2026 06:41:00 GMT 652747 Hot weather is drawing more and more vacationers to the water, but accident statistics point to serious safety issues. Experts warn that many tragedies could be prevented through cautious behaviour and timely risk assessment, Latvian Television reports on June 25. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/25.06.2026-dont-swim-in-active-quarries-latvian-state-forests-urge.a652589/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:56:00 GMT 652589 As the weather becomes summery and warm, AS Latvian State Forests (Latvijas valsts meži, LVM) reminds the public that active mineral quarries are not intended for swimming or recreation near the water and are dangerous. Active quarries can be identified by the informational signs posted nearby. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/25.06.2026-check-if-your-childs-summer-camp-is-registered-in-latvia.a652587/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:16:00 GMT 652587 When the summer school break begins, some children head to camps. Both overnight camps and day camps are available throughout Latvia. Before sending their children to camp, parents should check that the camp has all the necessary approvals, Latvian Television reported on June 25. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/25.06.2026-luznava-wooden-school-building-restoration-project-on-hold.a652580/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 06:30:16 GMT 652580 A year ago, the Rēzekne Municipality confirmed its readiness to co-finance a project worth more than 1.3 million euros to reconstruct the Lūznava Wooden School into a cenre that would offer new services and activities to young people, seniors, and people with functional disabilities. However, the project has now been put on hold, LSM's Latgale editorial reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/25.06.2026-water-claimed-eight-lives-during-midsummer-holiday-in-latvia.a652573/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 25 Jun 2026 05:12:00 GMT 652573 This year’s Midsummer holiday brings not only several days off but also summery weather. However, this has had tragic consequences, as several people have drowned in Latvian bodies of water in recent days, Latvian Television reported on June 24. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/24.06.2026-survey-suggests-a-third-of-latvian-drivers-get-behind-the-wheel-drunk.a652525/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 24 Jun 2026 08:24:27 GMT 652525 Nearly one-third, or 32%, of drivers admit that they sometimes get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, according to data from the “Carlsberg 0.0 Responsible Driving Index”. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/22.06.2026-four-drowned-in-four-days-in-latvia.a652417/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:29:00 GMT 652417 The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) had already recovered the bodies of four people from bodies of water over the weekend as of Monday, said the State Fire and Rescue Service. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/19.06.2026-safety-tips-ahead-of-midsummer-holidays-in-latvia.a652161/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 19 Jun 2026 07:37:00 GMT 652161 The upcoming Midsummer holiday is prompting various services to mobilise, including medical personnel, firefighters, and food safety inspectors. Latvian Radio has compiled a reminder on basic safety tips for the holidays. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/18.06.2026-boy-missing-from-skriveri-latvia-found.a652059/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:54:00 GMT 652059 The State Police have successfully located the missing boy born in 2014, the police reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/18.06.2026-negative-demographics-trend-continues-in-latvia.a652005/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:57:34 GMT 652005 In the first four months of this year, 3,642 newborns were registered in Latvia, which is 4.9% or 186 newborns fewer than during the same period in 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Central Statistical Bureau, LETA reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/18.06.2026-sea-of-peonies-blossoms-in-lielvarde-latvia.a651975/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:45:00 GMT 651975 It’s peony season in Latvia. They’re blooming in collectors’ gardens and backyard flower beds. The residents of Lielvārde know that many beautiful flowers can be found right in their own town, in Arta Jefimova’s garden. The 90-year-old woman has been growing peonies for a long time and she even refuses to accept money for the flowers, Latvian Television reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/17.06.2026-be-safe-during-midsummer-holidays-rescue-services-urge-public.a651874/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:21:00 GMT 651874 As Midsummer celebrations approach, emergency services are urging the public to celebrate safely and responsibly, including by not overindulging in alcohol – which is the root cause of many tragedies, Latvian Radio reports on June 17. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/16.06.2026-drink-and-drown-still-an-unfortunate-trend-in-latvia.a651698/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:24:00 GMT 651698 Latvia has consistently topped death by drowning charts in the European Union. Former Latvian champion and current swimming instructor Inga Amerika told LTV's "Sporta Studija" in an interview that the most common drowning victims among men are between the ages of 35 and 50, and that alcoholic beverages are often involved in these tragedies. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/16.06.2026-child-neglect-case-found-in-liepaja-latvia.a651644/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:32:57 GMT 651644 Last week, the State Police in Liepāja identified a case of maternal neglect, police said on June 16. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/15.06.2026-uncertainties-over-property-rights-spark-conflicts-in-daugavpils.a651455/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 15 Jun 2026 07:33:28 GMT 651455 Garage cooperatives in Latvia have been operating in a legal grey area for years: many users consider their garages to be private property, although the legal situation is often much more complicated, LSM's Latgale editorial reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/15.06.2026-riga-pride-gathered-4000-on-saturday.a651440/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 15 Jun 2026 05:29:01 GMT 651440 The traditional "Road to Freedom" Pride parade took place on June 13 in downtown Rīga with songs, dances, and various chants. According to State Police estimates, four thousand people participated in the parade, Latvian Radio and Latvian Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/12.06.2026-where-to-find-crisis-information-in-latvia.a651245/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 14:48:00 GMT 651245 In the event of a major incident, crisis or military conflict in Latvia, there are several sources of information to which you can turn. Here is a brief summary of them with links provided. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/12.06.2026-latvianestonian-twin-city-festival-taking-place.a651229/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:20:00 GMT 651229 The twin cities of Valka (Latvia) and Valga (Estonia) are the place or places to head to this weekend as they celebrate their joint city festival. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/12.06.2026-ukrainian-vehicles-will-be-parked-by-freedom-monument-in-riga.a651223/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:04:29 GMT 651223 Specialized vehicles used in evacuation missions from the Ukrainian front will be temporarily stationed at the Freedom Monument in central Rīga from June 13th to June 18th.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/11.06.2026-31555-ukrainians-currently-have-refuge-in-latvia.a651139/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:15:00 GMT 651139 More than 31,000 Ukrainians are currently finding refuge in Latvia, according to the latest Eurostat figures. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/11.06.2026-latvian-border-guards-issue-wedding-reminder.a651061/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:17:21 GMT 651061 As the summer wedding season begins, the Latvian State Border Guard is calling on newlyweds to pay attention to the preparation of travel documents such as passports and eID cards to avoid what might become a disappointing and extremely short honeymoon. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/11.06.2026-survey-suggests-nearly-everyone-in-latvia-feels-financial-stress.a651047/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:10:10 GMT 651047 A recent survey by Swedbank Latvia shows that 92% of residents experience financial stress in various forms, Swedbank said in a release on June 11. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/09.06.2026-latvian-volunteer-soldier-in-ukraine-dies.a650682/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Jun 2026 05:21:00 GMT 650682 Latvian volunteer soldier Uldis Volmārs has passed away. He was one of the first to go to the front lines in February 2022 to help the Ukrainians, Latvian Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/08.06.2026-deaths-in-prisons-a-cause-for-concern-in-latvia-says-justice-minister.a650513/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:01:37 GMT 650513 Minister of Justice Edvards Smiltēns (United List) has instructed the Prison Administration to submit, by June 10, a detailed report on the death of a juvenile inmate at the Olaine Prison Hospital, as well as on the overall situation regarding deaths and suicides in prisons, LETA reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/08.06.2026-eid-microchip-issue-postponed-but-not-resolved-in-latvia.a650509/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:23:00 GMT 650509 Nearly 350,000 people have ID cards with chips that will no longer be suitable for creating electronic signatures. The French authorities responsible for its certification have granted a six-month extension until December 9. However, it is still too early to say that the problem will be resolved by then, reports Latvian Television's De Facto on June 8. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/08.06.2026-man-run-over-by-train-in-riga-latvia.a650508/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:12:00 GMT 650508 A man was killed in Riga on Sunday, June 7th in the evening after being struck by a train, the State Police told the LETA news agency. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/05.06.2026-summer-boating-season-is-in-full-swing-on-the-river-abava.a650324/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 05 Jun 2026 13:22:00 GMT 650324 The boating season is currently in full swing. There are several dozen rivers suitable for boating in Latvia, but many are especially fond of the picturesque Gauja, the rapid Brasla and the winding Abava, which can be divided into two sections - the 'tame' and the 'wild'. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/04.06.2026-ombudsman-says-latvias-guardianship-court-needs-reform.a650124/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:22:56 GMT 650124 Ombudsman Karina Palkova is calling for an immediate reform of the guardianship court, or so-called Orphans' court, system, according to the Ombudsman’s Office.