Latvian Architecture Award 2025: From Belonging to Courage

The announcement of the finalists of the Latvian Architecture Award 2025 highlights the central theme of this year — belonging. It is not only a professional criterion but also a societal question: How can architecture find its place in time and...

Latvians less likely to be savers than Estonians and Lithuanians

Latvian residents save for unforeseen expenses less often than in neighbouring countries, according to a survey conducted on behalf of Luminor bank. 43% of those surveyed in Latvia admitted that they save irregularly, without a specific routine,...

The Rīga Conference 2025 will bring together world leaders in Riga for the 20th time

From October 9 till 11, 2025, the annual Rīga Conference – the largest security and foreign policy forum in the Nordic-Baltic region – will take place at the House of Science of the University of Latvia in Riga. This year’s theme, “Unity, Security...

Latvia faces hundreds of millions in fines – parliament fails to ensure quorum

Today, for the second week in a row, the coalition has been unable to secure a quorum in votes on controversial issues. As the opposition used the opportunity to “break the quorum,” the Saeima once again on Thursday failed to adopt, in the second...

Storent Expands into the U.S. Market with Acquisition of Connect Rentals

AS Storent Holding (Storent), one of the largest equipment rental companies in the Baltics, has taken a historic step by acquiring a 70% stake in the U.S. equipment rental company Connect Rentals. This marks the first-ever expansion of a Latvian...

Foreign investors' lobby in Latvia calls for less union protection, reduced overtime rates

"In view of foreign investors, Latvia faces growing structural challenges in its labour market, driven by demographic decline, a persistent mismatch between labour skills and market needs, and rigid, outdated regulations that undermine...

Expect extra verification of bank payments from next week

A requirement to verify the name and account number before a bank payment will become applicable from next week, the Latvian central bank (Latvijas banka, LB) is reminding people. On 9th October 2025, a requirement for the payer – the financial...

RTU scientists establish MedTech company

The company provides metabolite analyses to other research organisations and businesses. Their analyses have already received international recognition, having been used in a study published in the world’s most prestigious scientific journal,...

Rental moped rules considered after tragedy in Rīga

Two 13-year-old girls died in a tragic accident in Imanta on 1 October. Following the incident, the Mayor of Rīga has initiated a discussion with the authorities on stricter control of electric mopeds, Latvian Radio reports on 2 October. On...

Latvian resident to be prosecuted for working for Russian companies

On 19 September, the State Security Service (VDD) aske the Prosecutor's Office to initiate criminal prosecution against a Latvian resident for unauthorised work for Russian companies in violation of the sanctions imposed by the European Union...

Latest Trump tariffs will adversely impact Latvian timber businesses

The latest tariffs in a series of economic barriers erected by American President Donald Trump will have a negative impact on Latvia's important timber and timber products sector, reports LSM's Latvian language portal. The new tariffs will affect...

Latvia supports the idea of a “reparations loan” for Ukraine

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa stated the need to support the European Commission’s initiative on the so-called reparations loan for Ukraine, as financial assistance for Ukraine is needed today. She said this ahead of an informal meeting of...

State Audit: Latvia's approach to cloud data is fragmented

The introduction of cloud computing services in the Latvian public administration has not been sufficiently targeted so far, the State Audit Office has concluded in its audit published on 2 October. Although the benefits of cloud computing were...

Latvian man pleads guilty to conspiracy to illegally export U.S. aircraft technology to Russia

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - A Latvian man pled guilty Tuesday for his role in a multi-year conspiracy to circumvent U.S. export laws to send aircraft technology to Russia. Oleg Chistyakov, 56, pled guilty to filing false export forms with the U.S....

Latvian national pleads guilty to shipping US avionics to Russia

A Latvian national has pleaded guilty in US federal court to charges related to an alleged conspiracy involving shipping US-made avionics components to Russian buyers in violation of US export laws and sanctions. The US Department of Justice (DOJ)...

Latvia potato growers struggle with wet harvest losses

Due to this year's unfavorable weather conditions, some potato growers in Latvia may face bankruptcy, according to Aiga Kraukle, Chair of the Board of the Latvian Association of Potato Growers and Processors. She said that recovery from the poor...

Latvian business sentiment was on the up in September

According to the latest Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) business tendency survey, the business environment in all economic sectors improved in September 2025 – in manufacturing, construction, retail trade and services. In retail trade and...

Latvia will need to borrow 3.8 billion euros next year – why?

Next year Latvia will need to borrow 3.8 billion euros on international financial markets, and in 2027 the borrowing requirement will rise to 4.3 billion euros, Deputy State Treasury Manager Jānis Rozenbergs told the Saeima’s Budget and Finance...

Latvian police warn about synthetic drugs after spate of Kurzeme cases

Latvian State Police reported on October 1st about a spate of drugs-related criminal activity that has left a young woman in hospital fighting for her life. "Last week, the State Police received information that an unconscious 21-year-old woman...

Latvian security service wants prosecutions over alleged Russia sanctions breaches

On October 1st the State Security Service (VDD), one of Latvia's three security services, confirmed that it has asked prosecutors ''to initiate criminal prosecution against two Latvian nationals for providing prohibited project management services...