latviski
Welcome to our curated weekly news summary, ar latviešu pielikumu — and usually featuring a photo from our Latvian travels or reference library.
Digest index
January
Week ending Sunday, January 44 Jan '26Latvia steps onto the global stage as a new two-year-term non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, while at home, police detain over 200 money mules in a major fraud bust. The nation’s symbolic focus shifts to the tiny Pygmy Owl, named Bird of the Year, as it mourns the passing of literary icon Nora Ikstena, author of "Soviet Milk."
Week ending Sunday, January 1111 Jan '26Key developments include a €500 million port redevelopment plan, the closure of a Michelin-listed restaurant over tax debt, the recovery of a Nazi-looted painting, the passing of a national sports legend, and a political ban on a Russian sports team.
Week ending Sunday, January 1818 Jan '26Latvia sharpened its security posture this week, declaring Russia is a long-term threat, deepening military cooperation with Sweden, and unveiling new capabilities ranging from Archer artillery plans to a domestically developed drone jamming device. At the same time, the courts handed down a major espionage sentence against a former interior minister, while authorities accused Belarus of orchestrating hybrid threats at the EU border. Beyond security, the snapshot of Latvia shows striking contrasts: strong leadership in renewable energy, a globally connected diaspora fueling the economy, and quieter warning signs such as the steady decline of traditional crafts.
Week ending Sunday, January 2525 Jan '26
February
Week ending Sunday, February 11 Feb '26A proposed Baltic Military Mobility Zone, the death of a Canadian soldier at Camp Ādaži, growing warnings about Russia’s regional strategy, and Latvia’s position on EU migration policy headline this week’s most important developments shaping Latvian and Baltic security.
Week ending Sunday, February 88 Feb '26International developments include a substantial military aid package from the United States and diplomatic meetings with officials from Ghana and Norway. Domestically, Siliņa survives a no-confidence vote, the Epstein sex trafficking scandal extends to Latvia, advances are made in AI for national defense, cyberscurity threats are growing, and concerns grow over Rail Baltica delays.
Week ending Sunday, February 1515 Feb '26President Rinkēvičs endorsement of Marco Rubio's Munich speech, Latvia's medaling at the Olympics in luge and short-track, a startup's nuclear-powered space-ready electricity generator, and a tragic loss in the music world feature in this week's digest. Plus Gatis Šlūka's scathing political cartoon on "neutral" Russians participating in the Olympics, and a Rīga photo.
Winter Olympics wrap-up22 Feb '26Latvia takes a silver and two 4th place finishes just off the podium.
Week ending Sunday, February 2222 Feb '26Foreign Minister Braže had a packed week, attending the Munich Security Conference and meeting the new U.S. Ambassador Melissa Argyros, who presented credentials to President Rinkēvičs. Latvia allocated another €10 million in military aid to Ukraine and joined allies marking the second anniversary of Navalny's murder. Domestically, the "For Stability!" faction continued its collapse, now down to the five-member minimum. Latvia's 2025 trade figures showed solid growth, with exports up 3.7% and strong gains in agriculture and dairy, though Rail Baltica remains chronically underfunded. Rīga faces a cemetery space crisis within a decade, distance learning will be phased out from 2027, and acclaimed artist Romāns Korovins passed away shortly after winning the Purvītis Prize.
March
Week ending Sunday, March 11 Mar '26Latvia is moving to increase defence spending to at least 5% of GDP from 2027, reflecting heightened security concerns and ongoing support for Ukraine, including over one billion euros in aid. Diplomatically, Latvia remains active through Nordic-Baltic cooperation and UN engagement. Domestically, housing benefits were expanded, education faces teacher shortages, and AI language technology advances with Tilde. Economically, agriculture grows above EU average, Riga Airport received recognition, and Rail Baltica funding challenges continue. We commemorate independence activist and scientist Uldis Bluķis.
Latvija plāno aizsardzības izdevumus palielināt līdz vismaz 5% no IKP no 2027. gada un turpina aktīvi atbalstīt Ukrainu ar vairāk nekā miljardu eiro palīdzības. Iekšpolitikā paplašināti mājokļu pabalsti, izglītībā trūkst pedagogu, bet mākslīgā intelekta valodu tehnoloģijas attīstās ar Tilde. Lauksaimniecība aug virs ES vidējā, Rīgas lidosta saņēmusi atzinību, bet Rail Baltica finansējums joprojām izaicinošs. Pieminam neatkarības kustības dalībnieku Uldi Bluķi.
Latvija plāno aizsardzības izdevumus palielināt līdz vismaz 5% no IKP no 2027. gada un turpina aktīvi atbalstīt Ukrainu ar vairāk nekā miljardu eiro palīdzības. Iekšpolitikā paplašināti mājokļu pabalsti, izglītībā trūkst pedagogu, bet mākslīgā intelekta valodu tehnoloģijas attīstās ar Tilde. Lauksaimniecība aug virs ES vidējā, Rīgas lidosta saņēmusi atzinību, bet Rail Baltica finansējums joprojām izaicinošs. Pieminam neatkarības kustības dalībnieku Uldi Bluķi.
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