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Update 16:06
A building at Ūnijas Street 49 in Rīgs, adapted for Ukrainian residents, will support the initial accommodation of refugees, municipality officials said Monday, July 22, at the opening ceremony.
Last weekend was a tragic one at Latvian water bodies, from which six people were removed, according to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).
In the first five months of this year, 5,309 newborns were registered in Latvia, which is 10.9% or 648 newborns fewer than in the corresponding period of 2023, according to preliminary data from Central Statistical Bureau published by LETA on July 22.
Hot weather and alcohol are often blamed for Latvia's grim drowning statistics, but the main problem is the lack of knowledge and understanding about swimming, said Aivars Platonovs, President of the Latvian Swimming Federation, in the Latvian Radio program "How to Live Better" on July 21.
Last week, the first of the ten new free drinking water taps planned for Rīga this year was opened in the Riga Central Market, Latvian Radio reported.
Latvian State Police said July 21 that a body had been pulled from the water in Riga which is believed to be that of 18-year- old Indian student Albin Shinto from Kerala.
Friends of an Indian student who went missing while swimming in the Jugla canal in Rīga fear the worst after he disappeared beneath the waves.
While Latvia does have a relatively high rate of people in the general population at risk of poverty or social exclusion, the country does at least do a relatively good job of protecting children from that circumstance, according to Eurostat figures published July 19.
On Friday, July 19, the second round of the competition for municipalities "Latvian Youth Capital 2025", organized by the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), starts, in which the municipalities of Sigulda and Jelgava and the city of Liepāja are competing.
More than 4,600 Russian citizens who live in Latvia have until June 30 next year to submit documents to the Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) to apply for the status of a permanent resident of the European Union, including a passed language exam, Latvian Television reported on July 18.
Four State Police officers traveled to the Paris Olympics at the request of France at the end of last week, and three more are on their way to patrol the transnational trains that will take athletes and fans to France, the State Police said on July 18.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has found a violation concerning a homophobic attack against cultural researcher, professor Deniss Hanovs and awarded him compensation of 10,000 euros, the Latvian Centre for Human Rights said on July 18.
Although a fence extends along the border of Latvia, the Russian and Belarusian sides continue to gather people, praising the Soviet army at what is known as the "friendship monument" where the three state borders meet.
A signature collection is ongoing on the public initiative portal "Manabalss.lv" to block access to the popular social network "TikTok" in Latvia, LSM.lv reports.
On Saturday, the Estonian Joint Sea and Air Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC Tallinn) reported two people missing at sea, who were on their way from Roja, Latvia, to Ruhnu Island on jet skis. The State Police has confirmed that Jevgēņijs Kints has been found alive, while the search for the other man, Sergejs Tvauri, is still ongoing.
To allow a moment's respite from the horrors of war under a peaceful sky, Latvia will welcome 421 children from Ukraine this year. With the support of the Norwegian grant, 22 camps are planned throughout Latvia.
Fresh data published by the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) July 11 offers some fascinating insights into Latvian lifespans over the last 100 years.
Most Latvians – 56% – choose to spend their vacation abroad ot partially abroad, according to a survey conducted by Norstat on behalf of LSM.lv.
One in three Latvian residents has experienced a dangerous situation in water or drowning, according to a survey published by the Latvian Swimming Federation (LPF) and 'Swim Safely' association. Most Latvians don't have sufficient swimming skills, and drowning is one of the most common external causes of death.
On Friday, July 5, the State Police (VP) received information about a girl of about five years of age who was walking alone in the street in Liepāja. As it later turned out, the girl had left her home in Cimdenieki early in the morning and traveled to Liepāja by bus. The mother did not report her daughter's disappearance.
The State Revenue Service (VID) issued a statement July 10 repeatedly urging people to be wary of text messages and e-mails from scammers pretending to be written on behalf of the VID.
In Riga, 21,000 people received food parcels last year, half of them children and seniors, Latvian Radio reported July 7.
The small village of Dekšāre in the east of Latvia has been distinguished as particularly smart and creative. However, it is not all roses – one of the village's three shared bicycles has gone missing, Latgale Television reported July 4.
Due to the hydraulic safety check of heating networks on the right bank of the Daugava River in Riga, on Thursday, July 4, hot water heating will be disrupted, said JSC "Rīgas siltums".
One of the problems facing several cities in Vidzeme for a long time now is an insufficient housing stock. Currently, demand is much higher than supply in many places, and finding a quality and affordable apartment is a major challenge, especially for low-income residents, Latvian Television reported on July 1.
On Monday, July 1, Latvia experiences thunderstorms with heavy rainfall. Rīga was also hit hard, with some streets ānd buildings flooding, including the shopping mall Akropole Alfa.
Currently, Latvia does not have an effective regulation to protect the interests of residents against entertainment noise. The Ombudsman has given the Government until December 1 to find a solution, otherwise, the Ombudsman will consider referring the matter to the Constitutional Court, LETA and Latvian Television reports July 1.
On Monday, July 1, the Partnership Law enters into force in Latvia, introducing a new legal institution - partnership. All couples, including same-sex couples, will now be able to register their relationship under it.
Eurostat figures published June 28 show that in the first four months of 2024, 375 persons were ordered to leave Latvia by the immigration authorities. 350 were actually returned to their country of origin during the same period.
On Tuesday, June 25, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the awarding of Latvian citizenship to 33 persons who have completed th formalities of the naturalization procedure.
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