Latvia-Ukraine Defence Ties: President Volodymyr Zelensky met Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis to push ahead on the Ukraine–Latvia Drone Deal, including sharing counter-drone experience and discussing joint projects under the EU SAFE financing programme. EU Fiscal Flexibility: The EU Council activated the national escape clause for Spain and approved similar requests for 17 states, including Latvia, allowing temporary room for higher defence spending without breaking debt-sustainability rules. Latvian Finance Regulation: Latvijas Banka issued a licence to SIA Fibonatix (LV) to operate as a payment institution, adding to Latvia’s growing roster of licensed payment and e-money providers. Trade & Logistics: Ocean Network Express launched a new weekly Riga route (Iberia Baltic Express), improving direct cargo links between Latvia and Portuguese ports plus wider European connections. Border & Migration Pressure: Latvia’s Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava called for stricter procedures to identify and deport illegal border crossers who then claim asylum, citing overcrowded asylum centres and security concerns. OECD Outlook for Latvia: The OECD said Latvia is converging toward OECD living standards but urged action on public finance efficiency, stronger administration, better health outcomes and faster green transition. Construction Pace Watch: A LaSER think tank review found Riga’s building process is fragmented across multiple departments, slowing development compared with more integrated models like Helsinki. airBaltic Customer Experience: airBaltic won APEX’s Best Wi‑Fi in Europe for 2026, citing passenger ratings and its free Starlink service. Labour Market Signal: Eurostat data showed Latvia’s employment rate fell the most among EU states in Q1 2026 (down 0.8 pp), while several countries posted gains. Drone Testing in the Region: Finland tested interceptor drones including Destinus’ Hornet Block 1 and Latvian Origin Robotics’ Blaze, highlighting growing regional demand for counter-drone systems. Aviation Labour Reform Push: The European Cockpit Association plans to urge regulators to close a labour loophole used via outsourcing agencies in wet-lease arrangements, pointing to fallout from SmartLynx’s collapse.