No fewer than 500 – that’s the number of births a hospital should handle annually to ensure safety for both mother and baby. A doctor's competence comes from practice, not waiting, and this number is an internationally recognized quality standard. If this were implemented in practice, half of Latvia’s maternity wards would disappear from the map. However, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is not promising a mechanical shutdown, but is instead working on setting requirements for maternity wards.
No fewer than 500 – that’s the number of births a hospital should handle annually to ensure safety for both mother and baby. A doctor's competence comes from practice, not waiting, and this number is an internationally recognized quality standard. If this were implemented in practice, half of Latvia’s maternity wards would disappear from the map. However, the Ministry of Health (MoH) is not promising a mechanical shutdown, but is instead working on setting requirements for maternity wards.
The Latvian telecoms and systems integrator "BELSS" has recently branched out to military drone production. In an event on 15 May, the company presented its drone production subsidiary "Eraser" and its plans for the future.
The Latvian telecoms and systems integrator "BELSS" has recently branched out to military drone production. In an event on 15 May, the company presented its drone production subsidiary "Eraser" and its plans for the future.
The proposal to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections is dangerous and should not be supported: with such remarks, the majority of the Parliament rejected the attempt by the For Stability! faction's attempt to expand the rights of non-citizens on 15 May. Such ideas appear on the parliamentary agenda from time to time.
The proposal to allow non-citizens to vote in local elections is dangerous and should not be supported: with such remarks, the majority of the Parliament rejected the attempt by the For Stability! faction's attempt to expand the rights of non-citizens on 15 May. Such ideas appear on the parliamentary agenda from time to time.
The question of whether war affects the weather became particularly relevant after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The news shows daily images of explosions, burning oil and fuel tanks. Does war affect the weather?
The question of whether war affects the weather became particularly relevant after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The news shows daily images of explosions, burning oil and fuel tanks. Does war affect the weather?
In spring, people often come across lonely deer, rabbits or birds in the countryside and, mistakenly thinking they have been abandoned, try to "rescue" them and bring them home. But in 95% of cases, the animal does not need human help, the Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) reminded.
In spring, people often come across lonely deer, rabbits or birds in the countryside and, mistakenly thinking they have been abandoned, try to "rescue" them and bring them home. But in 95% of cases, the animal does not need human help, the Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) reminded.
The Ministry of Defence plans to establish a vocational secondary school with a military focus in Malta, Rēzekne Municipality, the Ministry said in a release on 15 May.
The Ministry of Defence plans to establish a vocational secondary school with a military focus in Malta, Rēzekne Municipality, the Ministry said in a release on 15 May.
To help large families in Ukraine, a shipment of humanitarian aid was sent to Chernihiv on Wednesday. This time, it includes furniture to furnish the modular houses previously donated by Latvia, Latvian Television reported on 14 May.
To help large families in Ukraine, a shipment of humanitarian aid was sent to Chernihiv on Wednesday. This time, it includes furniture to furnish the modular houses previously donated by Latvia, Latvian Television reported on 14 May.
Several parties involved in the ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are currently bluffing - both Russia, which has boldly called on Ukraine to negotiate directly and does not admit its failures and losses in invading the neighbouring country, and the US, which has announced that it might withdraw from the ceasefire talks if they fail.
Several parties involved in the ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are currently bluffing - both Russia, which has boldly called on Ukraine to negotiate directly and does not admit its failures and losses in invading the neighbouring country, and the US, which has announced that it might withdraw from the ceasefire talks if they fail.
The Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) – one of three Latvian security services in all – has published advice on how to spot potential Russian spies and saboteurs in its annual overview of its activities in 2024.
The Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIDD) – one of three Latvian security services in all – has published advice on how to spot potential Russian spies and saboteurs in its annual overview of its activities in 2024.
Latvian customs officers have seized a consignment of heroin being smuggled into the European Union aboard trucks from Russia, the State Revenue Service (VID) reported May 14.
Latvian customs officers have seized a consignment of heroin being smuggled into the European Union aboard trucks from Russia, the State Revenue Service (VID) reported May 14.
The beverage packaging deposit system has been operational in Latvia since 2022. You pay an extra 10 cents per bottle or can and, when returning the packaging, you get a voucher or you can donate the refund. Soon there will be an opportunity to transfer the refund to your bank account, Latvian Radio reports on 14 May.
The beverage packaging deposit system has been operational in Latvia since 2022. You pay an extra 10 cents per bottle or can and, when returning the packaging, you get a voucher or you can donate the refund. Soon there will be an opportunity to transfer the refund to your bank account, Latvian Radio reports on 14 May.
On Tuesday, 13 May, the government adopted a conceptual decision to move towards spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on national defence and security as of 2026.
On Tuesday, 13 May, the government adopted a conceptual decision to move towards spending 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on national defence and security as of 2026.
Scientists at the Institute of Horticulture have revealed in an extensive study that St. John's wort can serve as a promising source of vitamin E. This opens up opportunities for the local pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, as currently, vitamin E is primarily sourced from raw materials that would be difficult to cultivate in Latvia's climate. After growing St. John's wort over an area of about one hectare for three years, the researchers also explored the most effective and 'greener' methods for cultivating these plants and extracting vitamin E compounds from them.
Scientists at the Institute of Horticulture have revealed in an extensive study that St. John's wort can serve as a promising source of vitamin E. This opens up opportunities for the local pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, as currently, vitamin E is primarily sourced from raw materials that would be difficult to cultivate in Latvia's climate. After growing St. John's wort over an area of about one hectare for three years, the researchers also explored the most effective and 'greener' methods for cultivating these plants and extracting vitamin E compounds from them.
Around 300 windows on Škoda electric trains are defective, the passenger train company Vivi told Latvian Radio on 13 May.
Around 300 windows on Škoda electric trains are defective, the passenger train company Vivi told Latvian Radio on 13 May.
Companies today are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible, but often only at the level of words, not actions, so consumers should really carefully evaluate the products on the shelves, paying attention to the composition and packaging of products, not promises, Sanita Gertmane, representative of the Consumer Rights Protection Centre, and Ulla Milbreta, researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, said on Latvian Radio programme "How to Live Better".
Companies today are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible, but often only at the level of words, not actions, so consumers should really carefully evaluate the products on the shelves, paying attention to the composition and packaging of products, not promises, Sanita Gertmane, representative of the Consumer Rights Protection Centre, and Ulla Milbreta, researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, said on Latvian Radio programme "How to Live Better".
On Saturday, 17 May, the restored altarpiece "Christ in the Crown of Thorns" by Latvian artist and professor Oto Skulme will be officially unveiled in Mālpils Church. The painting was stolen from the church in the 1980s and has now been returned to the church, church representatives say.
On Saturday, 17 May, the restored altarpiece "Christ in the Crown of Thorns" by Latvian artist and professor Oto Skulme will be officially unveiled in Mālpils Church. The painting was stolen from the church in the 1980s and has now been returned to the church, church representatives say.
Taking into account the "public opinions" about the auctions implemented by the state-owned JSC "Latvian State Forests" (LVM) for the establishment of wind parks on state-owned forest land, the Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze (Greens and Farmers Union) has instructed LVM to stop granting new land development rights to wind park developers and concluding new contracts, said the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
Taking into account the "public opinions" about the auctions implemented by the state-owned JSC "Latvian State Forests" (LVM) for the establishment of wind parks on state-owned forest land, the Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze (Greens and Farmers Union) has instructed LVM to stop granting new land development rights to wind park developers and concluding new contracts, said the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA).
Guntis Pikurs is a Latvian scientist who is designing a complex, nearly 400-millimeter-long accelerator component - a radio-frequency quadrupole - at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN. In the future, this device could be used in the treatment of oncological diseases, he told the Latvian Television's morning newscast.
Guntis Pikurs is a Latvian scientist who is designing a complex, nearly 400-millimeter-long accelerator component - a radio-frequency quadrupole - at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN. In the future, this device could be used in the treatment of oncological diseases, he told the Latvian Television's morning newscast.
In a nine-day campaign, volunteers have rescued 3,500 amphibians, mostly toads, on 51 roads in Latvia, the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) said.
In a nine-day campaign, volunteers have rescued 3,500 amphibians, mostly toads, on 51 roads in Latvia, the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) said.
There are 1201 GP practices in Latvia providing state-funded healthcare services. On average, one practice receives just under €124 000 per year from the state, receives co-payments from patients and also offers paid services. Funding is, of course, linked to the number of patients. Currently, the smallest practice has 107 patients, while the largest practices have several thousand.
There are 1201 GP practices in Latvia providing state-funded healthcare services. On average, one practice receives just under €124 000 per year from the state, receives co-payments from patients and also offers paid services. Funding is, of course, linked to the number of patients. Currently, the smallest practice has 107 patients, while the largest practices have several thousand.
