Society

Today, 10:59 10:59

What is being done to tackle Latvia's drinking problem?

Alcohol addiction and misuse have far reaching health and social consequences. Latvia is no exception, and data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows Latvia has the highest per capita absolute alcohol consumption among its member states.

Today, 10:59

Today, 10:21 10:21

Latvia could cultivate soybeans in future

Latvian scientists have concluded after extensive research lasting three years that commercial soy farming can be seriously considered, Latvian Television reported January 28.

Today, 10:21

Today, 9:17 09:17

67% of Latvians manage access to personal data

The share of people who managed access to any personal data over the internet in 2021 varied across the EU Member States, according to figures published by Eurostat January 27. International Data Protection Day is marked on January 28.

Today, 9:17

Today, 8:17 08:17

Don't get lab-tested without need, health authorities ask

Covid testing points are currently overloaded. Throughout Latvia, the waiting time can be four days. Laboratory representatives encourage people to follow the new rules and not get tested without need, Latvian Radio reported January 27.

Today, 8:17

Yesterday, 14:06 27.01.22

46 people turned back on Latvia-Belarus border Wednesday

On Wednesday, January 26, the border guard prevented 46 people from crossing the Latvian-Belarusian border.

Yesterday, 14:06

Yesterday, 13:50 27.01.22

Another 9,000 Covid cases and 18 deaths

Latvia recorded over 9,000 cases for the second day in a row on January 27.

Yesterday, 13:50

Yesterday, 13:40 27.01.22

800 adult education programs open Thursday in Latvia

On Thursday, January 27, the application for the European Union (EU) funded adult education project “Developing the Professional Competencies of Workers” begins, Latvian Television reported.

Yesterday, 13:40

Yesterday, 11:20 27.01.22

Latvian Armed Forces get state-of-the-art gas masks

Latvia's National Armed Forces (NBS), through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, have procured respiratory protection equipment from manufacturer Avon Protection, including FM50 gas mask systems, filters, spare parts and other accessories, the Ministry of Defense said January 26.

Yesterday, 11:20

Yesterday, 10:38 27.01.22

Foreign Minister: Latvia should prepare for prolonged tension(update)

Given the threat posed by Russia, Latvian society must be prepared for a longer period of tension, Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs told Latvian Television January 27.

Yesterday, 10:38

Yesterday, 10:23 27.01.22

Declaring a place of residence in Latvia: Questions and Answers

The Office Of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has produced another of its useful question and answer releases, this time focusing on the need for all people living in Latvia to declare a place of residence.

Yesterday, 10:23

Yesterday, 10:05 27.01.22

Covid certificate to be suspended for seven days after positive test

The Covid-19 certificate will be suspended for seven days following a positive laboratory test instead of ten, the National Health Service said January 27.

Yesterday, 10:05

Yesterday, 8:25 27.01.22

Hospitals feel impact of Omicron wave on staff

The wave of Covid-19 Omicron has affected medical staff far more strongly than the previous types of the virus, head of Latvian Hospital Association Jevgēņijs Kalējs in an interview with Latvian Television January 27.

Yesterday, 8:25

Yesterday, 8:15 27.01.22

Restrictions planned to be eased after this Covid wave in Latvia

The Ministry of Health (VM) has started work on a plan for lifting safety measures, which is intended to be gradually implemented after the end of the outbreak of Covid-19, VM said in a statement January 26.

Yesterday, 8:15

january 26, 18:02 26.01.22

Warning issued about computer virus in circulation

Latvia's national cybersecurity agency, CERT.lv, has issued a warning following numerous reports of a malicious email that is currently in circulation.

january 26, 18:02

january 26, 15:15 26.01.22

More than 9,000 new Covid-19 cases confirmed Wednesday in Latvia

Latvia recorded by far its highest-ever daily total of confirmed new Covid-19 infections on January 26.

january 26, 15:15

january 26, 11:48 26.01.22

More than half of Latvia's electricity comes from renewables

Latvia ranks pretty highly among its European Union member state peers when it comes to the use of energy from renewable sources, according to data published by Eurostat January 26.

january 26, 11:48

january 26, 11:36 26.01.22

Restaurant owner detained on suspicion of human trafficking

The state police have detained the owner of a restaurant in Latgale for allegedly exploiting a Chinese citizen, forcing him to work free of charge, the police said January 26.

january 26, 11:36

january 26, 9:17 26.01.22

School exam passing mark to rise substantially in Latvia

Over the next few years, the minimum passing threshold of centralized State exams will rise from the current 5% to 20%. The education sector generally supports the idea, Latvian Radio reported January 26.

january 26, 9:17

january 26, 8:40 26.01.22

Defense budget should be 2.5% of GDP, says minister

The defense budget should be around 2.5% of the GDP in the following two to three years, Defense Minister Artis Pabriks told Latvian Radio January 26.

january 26, 8:40

january 26, 8:06 26.01.22

New routine testing rules in place at workplaces and schools

In order to reduce the testing load, new rules have been established regarding routine Covid screening at schools and workplaces, government decided January 25.

january 26, 8:06

january 26, 7:52 26.01.22

Lockdown now could mean wave in spring: epidemiologist

If a lockdown were introduced now, it could lead to a new wave of Covid-19 in March, so it is important now to find a balance in restrictions, epidemiologist Ņikita Trojanskis told Latvian Television January 26.

january 26, 7:52

january 25, 16:11 25.01.22

Record 6,000 new Covid cases in Latvia Tuesday

Latvia recorded its highest-ever daily total of confirmed new Covid-19 infections on January 25.

january 25, 16:11

january 25, 14:41 25.01.22

More students started higher education this academic year

Data published January 25 by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that, in the academic year 2021/2022, 77.4 thousand students are enrolled in higher education, which is 1.5 % less than a year ago.

january 25, 14:41

january 25, 14:02 25.01.22

38 more attempts to cross Latvia-Belarus border prevented

On Monday, January 24, the border guard prevented 38 people from crossing the Latvian-Belarusian border.

january 25, 14:02

january 25, 12:23 25.01.22

Certain masks only permitted in public places from January 25

As of January 25, changes to the regulations requiring the use of medical-grade masks or FFP2 respirators in public places come into force. Public places include workplaces, public transport and commercial and retail locations.

january 25, 12:23

january 25, 11:14 25.01.22

17 schools studied remotely last week in Latvia

Last week, a fully remote education process took place in 17 educational institutions, the State Service of Education Quality senior expert, Jana Veinberga, told LETA January 25.

january 25, 11:14

january 25, 9:46 25.01.22

Russia cancels visit of Latvian arms inspectors

From January 24 to 29, Latvian representatives were scheduled to visit Russia under the auspices of the long-standing Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Arms Control Inspection agreements, but on January 21 the visit was cancelled, the Latvian Ministry of Defense confirmed January 25.

january 25, 9:46

january 25, 8:17 25.01.22

Latvia improves in corruption perception ranking

Latvia is still in the worst position among the Baltic states in the latest Transparency International Global Corruption Perceptions Index, released January 25, but has improved its overall ranking.

january 25, 8:17

january 24, 17:49 24.01.22

Weekly Covid case count doubled

Between January 17 and January 23, the number of newly identified cases of Covid-19 doubled, with an increase of 99.1%, Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) reported January 24.

january 24, 17:49

january 24, 15:08 24.01.22

185 people tried to cross Latvian-Belarusian border over weekend

From Friday to Sunday, the Latvian State Border Guard prevented 185 people from trying to cross the Latvian-Belarusian state border illegally, the border guard said January 24.

january 24, 15:08