Latvian Television examines quirks of Rīga public transport's system of fines
2025-03-20 09:07
4 min read

When traveling by public transport in Rīga, you must register an e-ticket even if you have been granted free rides, for example, for students.

When traveling by public transport in Rīga, you must register an e-ticket even if you have been granted free rides, for example, for students.

Latvian Television examines quirks of Rīga public transport's system of fines
Latvia joins OECD development committee
2025-03-20 08:12
2 min read

On March 19 in Paris, Latvia officially joined the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as its 33rd member.

On March 19 in Paris, Latvia officially joined the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as its 33rd member.

Latvia joins OECD development committee
The intensity of ultraviolet radiation is increasing: Latvians urged to be sun-safe in Spring season
2025-03-20 06:17
6 min read

The sun is rising higher in the sky, the days are getting longer, so not only is the heat and light received from the sun increasing, but the intensity of ultraviolet radiation is also increasing. But is the sun really more fierce in spring?

The sun is rising higher in the sky, the days are getting longer, so not only is the heat and light received from the sun increasing, but the intensity of ultraviolet radiation is also increasing. But is the sun really more fierce in spring?

The intensity of ultraviolet radiation is increasing: Latvians urged to be sun-safe in Spring season
Latvian government outlines plan for ambitious expansion of defense sector
2025-03-19 08:17
3 min read

On Tuesday, March 18, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Defense Industry and Innovation Support Strategy for 2025-2036, which was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics and sets goals for the development of the sector in the medium and long term.

On Tuesday, March 18, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the Defense Industry and Innovation Support Strategy for 2025-2036, which was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics and sets goals for the development of the sector in the medium and long term.

Latvian government outlines plan for ambitious expansion of defense sector
Former President of Latvia: If one falls from the ranks of NATO, the others have to fight harder
2025-03-18 20:27
2 min read

"If someone falls from the ranks, it is not a reason for the others to disappear, but on the contrary - to get all their courage and fight even harder," said former President of Latvian Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga on Latvian Television's programme "1:1", commenting on NATO's stability after Donald Trump took over the helm of the United States. She also stressed that Latvia has many allies and "they will be on our side".

"If someone falls from the ranks, it is not a reason for the others to disappear, but on the contrary - to get all their courage and fight even harder," said former President of Latvian Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga on Latvian Television's programme "1:1", commenting on NATO's stability after Donald Trump took over the helm of the United States. She also stressed that Latvia has many allies and "they will be on our side".

Former President of Latvia: If one falls from the ranks of NATO, the others have to fight harder
Survey: Latvian public confidence in NATO less than 'ironclad'
2025-03-18 16:37
3 min read

NATO officials and politicians frequently repeat the mantra that the security guarantee underpinned by the alliance's Article 5 is "ironclad", but a significant portion of the Latvian public remains skeptical about the willingness of allies to defend Latvian territory, according to a survey commissioned by LSM and carried out by the Norstat polling agency.

NATO officials and politicians frequently repeat the mantra that the security guarantee underpinned by the alliance's Article 5 is "ironclad", but a significant portion of the Latvian public remains skeptical about the willingness of allies to defend Latvian territory, according to a survey commissioned by LSM and carried out by the Norstat polling agency.

Survey: Latvian public confidence in NATO less than 'ironclad'
Russia fails to transfer money - Russian pension payments in Latvia delayed
2025-03-18 15:45
2 min read

Russian pension payments for January, February and March 2025 are not possible for the time being, as the funding from the Russian Pension and Social Insurance Fund has not been received, the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) informed in a press release.

Russian pension payments for January, February and March 2025 are not possible for the time being, as the funding from the Russian Pension and Social Insurance Fund has not been received, the State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) informed in a press release.

Russia fails to transfer money - Russian pension payments in Latvia delayed
Vehicle crossings only on Latvia's eastern border from Wednesday
2025-03-18 13:22
2 min read

As expected, on Tuesday, March 18, the Cabinet of Ministers, at the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior, decided to restrict the operations of the border checkpoints Pāternieki (Belarus border crossing), Terehova and Grebņeva (both Russia border crossings) from Wednesday, March 19.

As expected, on Tuesday, March 18, the Cabinet of Ministers, at the initiative of the Ministry of the Interior, decided to restrict the operations of the border checkpoints Pāternieki (Belarus border crossing), Terehova and Grebņeva (both Russia border crossings) from Wednesday, March 19.

Vehicle crossings only on Latvia's eastern border from Wednesday
15% of high school students do not complete the Latvian State Defense Education program
2025-03-18 12:13
4 min read

The mandatory State Defense Education (VAM) program is being implemented in 273 secondary education institutions this academic year, but 15% of high school students do not complete the program because they are incarcerated, attend international schools, study remotely, or via distance learning, according to the Ministry of Defense (Mod). In some educational institutions, a pilot project for VAM distance learning is underway, and in the future, the mandatory implementation of the program in distance learning could be considered, according to an informational report prepared by the Ministry of Defense.

The mandatory State Defense Education (VAM) program is being implemented in 273 secondary education institutions this academic year, but 15% of high school students do not complete the program because they are incarcerated, attend international schools, study remotely, or via distance learning, according to the Ministry of Defense (Mod). In some educational institutions, a pilot project for VAM distance learning is underway, and in the future, the mandatory implementation of the program in distance learning could be considered, according to an informational report prepared by the Ministry of Defense.

15% of high school students do not complete the Latvian State Defense Education program
Latvia likely to exit Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel land mines
2025-03-18 08:03
4 min read

Latvia's Ministry of Defense is proposing Latvia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention – which governs the use of anti-personnel land mines – in concert with similar moves from Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland.

Latvia's Ministry of Defense is proposing Latvia's withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention – which governs the use of anti-personnel land mines – in concert with similar moves from Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland.

Latvia likely to exit Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel land mines
Soil quality of Latvia's farmland is deteriorating
2025-03-18 06:50
3 min read

The soil condition of agricultural land continues to deteriorate, the State Plant Protection Service is warning, according to a Latvian Radio report.

The soil condition of agricultural land continues to deteriorate, the State Plant Protection Service is warning, according to a Latvian Radio report.

Soil quality of Latvia's farmland is deteriorating
Life with a deaf pet: Latvian owners communicate with their French bulldog using sign language
2025-03-17 15:06
3 min read

Latvian family took in a white French bulldog, Vudu, because they were very fond of the breed, but then discovered that the dog could not hear. Although they have to adapt, the family is happy that the animal is very observant and understands gestures, Latvian Television's programme "Paw On The Heart" reported.

Latvian family took in a white French bulldog, Vudu, because they were very fond of the breed, but then discovered that the dog could not hear. Although they have to adapt, the family is happy that the animal is very observant and understands gestures, Latvian Television's programme "Paw On The Heart" reported.

Life with a deaf pet: Latvian owners communicate with their French bulldog using sign language
Fact-checking: has Ukraine already given its minerals to the UK?
2025-03-17 10:01
3 min read

At the end of February, many were surprised by the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The two spoke in high tones. Zelenskyy left the White House prematurely and the hoped-for agreement on mining was never concluded. Soon, pro-Kremlin channels were spreading the word that Ukraine itself was to blame. That is to say, it had already given its minerals to the UK.

At the end of February, many were surprised by the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. The two spoke in high tones. Zelenskyy left the White House prematurely and the hoped-for agreement on mining was never concluded. Soon, pro-Kremlin channels were spreading the word that Ukraine itself was to blame. That is to say, it had already given its minerals to the UK.

Fact-checking: has Ukraine already given its minerals to the UK?
Latvia-Belarus border crossing point temporarily closed
2025-03-17 06:58
3 min read

The Pāternieki border crossing point between Latvia and Belarus in Krāslava region was closed over the weekend to prevent a possible surge in illegal border crossings, Latvian Television said March 17.

The Pāternieki border crossing point between Latvia and Belarus in Krāslava region was closed over the weekend to prevent a possible surge in illegal border crossings, Latvian Television said March 17.

Latvia-Belarus border crossing point temporarily closed
Fact-checking: Are Latvian drunk drivers' seized cars being sold on Ukrainian websites?
2025-03-17 06:45
4 min read

In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in Ukraine-related misinformation on social media. Local misleaders claim that cars taken from Latvian drunk drivers and donated to the front are being sold on Ukrainian websites. Rumours and fabricated stories are also pouring in from other countries, and many in Latvia are happy to share them.

In recent weeks, there has been a significant increase in Ukraine-related misinformation on social media. Local misleaders claim that cars taken from Latvian drunk drivers and donated to the front are being sold on Ukrainian websites. Rumours and fabricated stories are also pouring in from other countries, and many in Latvia are happy to share them.

Fact-checking: Are Latvian drunk drivers' seized cars being sold on Ukrainian websites?
In Latvia, due to unusually warm weather the strawberry planting has begun two weeks earlier
2025-03-15 07:50
5 min read

At the "Augusta zemenes" strawberry farm in Mālpils, strawberry planting in the covered areas has started two weeks earlier than last year. This means that the new harvest can also be expected sooner. What are the current trends in strawberry cultivation, and should small garden owners also hurry with preparing their strawberry beds for the new season?

At the "Augusta zemenes" strawberry farm in Mālpils, strawberry planting in the covered areas has started two weeks earlier than last year. This means that the new harvest can also be expected sooner. What are the current trends in strawberry cultivation, and should small garden owners also hurry with preparing their strawberry beds for the new season?

In Latvia, due to unusually warm weather the strawberry planting has begun two weeks earlier
The amount of waste in the Riga forests has increased significantly
2025-03-14 16:16
2 min read

The amount of litter dumped in the forests of Riga and the Baltic Sea Region has increased significantly this year. The company "Rīgas meži" pointed out that compared to the beginning of this year and the beginning of last year, waste amount has increased two and a half times. The company receives reports of litter in forests all the time, and on Friday a situation was reported in Rencēnu Street.

The amount of litter dumped in the forests of Riga and the Baltic Sea Region has increased significantly this year. The company "Rīgas meži" pointed out that compared to the beginning of this year and the beginning of last year, waste amount has increased two and a half times. The company receives reports of litter in forests all the time, and on Friday a situation was reported in Rencēnu Street.

The amount of waste in the Riga forests has increased significantly
Latvian national airline "airBaltic" denies rumors of EU sanctions breach
2025-03-14 12:40
3 min read

Latvian national airline airBaltic denies information published by the Russian independent media Verstka that the airline may have violated European Union (EU) sanctions on cooperation with Russian companies in its aviation fuel purchases, airBaltic said in a statement on March 14.

Latvian national airline airBaltic denies information published by the Russian independent media Verstka that the airline may have violated European Union (EU) sanctions on cooperation with Russian companies in its aviation fuel purchases, airBaltic said in a statement on March 14.

Latvian national airline "airBaltic" denies rumors of EU sanctions breach
In Latvia ticks and mosquitoes are warming up for their summer season
2025-03-14 08:30
3 min read

Winter in Latvia also has an impact on the insect world every year - cold and snow can reduce their population, but mild weather, on the contrary, is beneficial for insects. This year's winter was significantly warmer than in previous years, and experts are already predicting how this will affect mosquito and tick activity in the spring and summer.

Winter in Latvia also has an impact on the insect world every year - cold and snow can reduce their population, but mild weather, on the contrary, is beneficial for insects. This year's winter was significantly warmer than in previous years, and experts are already predicting how this will affect mosquito and tick activity in the spring and summer.

In Latvia ticks and mosquitoes are warming up for their summer season
Estonian photographer suspected of spying for Russia in Latvia
2025-03-14 06:00
2 min read

Recently, an Estonian citizen was detained in Latvia on suspicion of spying for Russia. The Estonian concerned is a photographer Matthias Rikka, who regularly posted pictures of trains on social networking sites, Latvian Television reported on March 13.

Recently, an Estonian citizen was detained in Latvia on suspicion of spying for Russia. The Estonian concerned is a photographer Matthias Rikka, who regularly posted pictures of trains on social networking sites, Latvian Television reported on March 13.

Estonian photographer suspected of spying for Russia in Latvia