A majority in Saeima voted to extend the participation of the National Armed Forces (NBS) in the international military anti-terrorism operation against Daesh, according to the Parliamentary Press Service on January 23.
The 2019 world of the year candidates include new Latvian words for “scooter”, “like” and “influencer”, as well as new words for several other modern phenomena , according to Riga Latvian Society's Latvian Language Advancement Group representative Ieva Kolmane.
The “#Neklusē arī Tu!” anti-bullying campaign invites adults to not be silent and share their experience with or solution to dealing with bullying during their time at school on social media using the hashtag #Neklusē (#Dontbesilent), campaign organizers told Latvian Television's “Rīta Panorāma” broadcast on January 23.
On Wednesday January 22 a total of six people died in fires in Ludza, Rīga, Rēzekne and Vecpiebalga, according to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).
A campaign to transform an abandoned former Rīga cycle track into a public park has been thwarted after Latvia's intelliegence service announced it had hitherto secret plans to build a new headquarters on the site.
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) Infectious Disease Risk Analysis Department Director Jurijs Perevoščikovs told Latvian Radio on January 22 that there is a low risk posed to Latvian residents from the respiratory coronavirus outbreak in the Chinese city of Wuhan (population 11 million).
The numer of households in Latvia unable to pay their utility bills on time is nearly double the average rate for the European Union, according to data released by Eurostat January 20.
The number of children born in Latvia has declined for a fourth year in a row according to new provisional data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) January 20.
A 1,300 euro “hobbit house” was constructed by a 15 year old girl in the Lejas Varicēni (Lower Varicēni) area of Smiltene using only wood, straw and clay, according to a Latvian Radio broadcast on January 20.
Two people died in a fire in a small Rīga garden house on Sunday, January 19, according to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) on January 20.
Latvian diaspora playwright and artist Raimonds Staprāns tool Latvian Television's “Literatūre” (“Literature Tour”) show on a tour of his common with fellow diaspora member and writer Anšlavs Eglītis past during the 1950s in Oregon in the first show of the new season on January 17.
Finnish national broadcaster YLE and news daily Iltalehti report that the trial has started in Helsinki of a neo-Nazi from Latvia who is accused of plotting to detonate a bomb at New Year celebrations in 2018.
Latvia's State Forests (LVM) finds increasing amounts of trash people have secretly dumped in forests, according to a Latvian Radio broadcast on January 17.
The work of students at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) on a device that could help prevent strokes has been recognized in an international competition.
Almost a quarter of Latvia's population was at risk of poverty in 2018, according to data released by the Central Statistical Bureau January 16.
A petty theft court case from the early 1990s in which a 14-year-old boy is charged with stealing candy, including a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg, and electronics which are presumably now laughably obsolete, is still underway, according to Latvian Television’s “Panorāma” broadcast on January 14.
A demonstration a couple of dozen people strong gathered outside the Danish embassy in Rīga January 15 to ask the Danish authorities not to extradite Latvian citizen Kristīne Misāne to South Africa as part of a child custody battle.
Interior Minister Sandis Ģirģens (KPV LV) announced that after 40 years of service State Police Chief Ints Ķuzis will leave the force, according to LTV on January 15.
Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For!) told Latvian Radio on January 14 the Latvian government decided to extend the mandate for the National Armed forces to continue participation in the international operation in Iraq battling Daesh, and on January 15 he spoke on LTV’s morning broadcast “Rīta Panorāma” about the significance of the mission and Latvia’s participation.
In a few weeks Latvian wife Inesa and Russian, German dual citizen husband Dimitry will move from Leicester in the United Kingdom to Latvia, according to Latvian Television's “Panorāma” broadcast on January 13.
Part of the Rīga Central Market territory that had become notorious as a place to get hold of contraband cigarettes has been flattened by heavy machinery.
Criminal proceedings have begun against a woman who is accused of stealing cash and valuables while pretending to be a “Latvijas Gāze” (Latvian Gas) employee checking the gas meters, the Prosecution Office announced on January 13.
Rīga has been included in a list of 21 European capital cities that will participate in a private American initiative aimed at accelerating digital innovation to improve critical services and deliver better results for residents.
RIga Regional Court on January 13 rejected Ventspils Mayor Aivars Lembergs' demand that judges reviewing his criminal case be replaced, the LETA newswire reported.
A Latvian mother is facing the propspect of extradition to South Africa from Denmark to face trial after fleeing with her children, prompting questions to be asked by LTV's De Facto investigative show about whether Latvia has done enough to represent its citizen in a complex international legal wrangle.
In Latvia, as in the rest of the world, there are many more mushrooms than plants, however as there aren't many mycologists, new mushroom species are often uncovered by regular residents, as happened with Latvia's State Forests Northern Kurzeme planner in the Mērsrags area, according to LTV's daily news broadcast “Dienas ziņas” on January 12.
From the beginning of this year Rīgans have had access to information about 20 Rīga municipal institutions and their services in sign language through 20 online video clips costing the municipality 3,000 euros, according to a Latvian Radio broadcast on January 13.
After the holiday season there are still plenty of interesting events going on all over Latvia. The New Year can be a time to remember the past, but this weekend is your chance to learn new facts, taste a new drink or adopt a new plant. Here's our tips for what to do this weekend if you don't feel like spending the sunny weekend on the couch!
The animal police animal welfare non-governmental organization “Dzīvnieku policija” estimates that only around 40% of Latvian dogs are microchipped, and even around half of those who are, aren't registered, making the microchips obsolete, according to a Latvian Radio broadcast on January 10.
In 2019 Liepāja Regional Hospital treated 12 children and youths after they suffered ill effects from smoking marihuana, and the number has alarmed medics as it is twice the number treated in 2018, according to Latvian Television's daily news broadcast “Dienas ziņas” on January 8.