latviski
Celebrating 35 years of freedom since the end of Soviet occupation! |
Monday, February 2 – Sunday, February 8, 2026
Politics and diplomacy
In domestic politics, Latvia's opposition party "For a Humane Latvia" (Par cilvēcīgu Latviju) submitted a motion for a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Evika Siliņa but did not back it, a move described by the coalition as a political PR stunt.1 The Latvian Saeima passed a statement highlighting the nation's deep appreciation for the United States and Canada, recognizing their role in restoring Latvia's independence and ongoing security cooperation.2
On the diplomatic front, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey visited Latvia, meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and international issues.34 Foreign Minister B. Braže also met with Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, reaffirming excellent bilateral cooperation, a shared commitment to strengthening regional security, supporting Ukraine, and containing Russia.5
The US Congress approved the Baltic Security Initiative, providing USD 200 million in military assistance for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania for the upcoming fiscal year.6 In Canada, a repatriation ceremony will honor Gunner Sebastian Halmagean, who died while serving with the NATO battlegroup in Latvia.7 Latvia's new ambassador to New Zealand, Samija Šerifa, presented her letter of credence to Governor-General Cindy Kiro.8 According to a Russian state-affiliated news source, due to a harsh winter and energy concerns, Latvia and Estonia expressed a desire to establish ties with Russia.9
Society and crime
Latvian authorities launched an investigation into the Epstein scheme. The State Police have opened a criminal case and are asking possible victims in Latvia to come forward.1011 Court documents related to Jeffrey Epstein indicate a widespread recruitment of young women from Latvia and other post-Soviet states, specifically mentioning Latvia several times.1213
The Latvian Ministry of Defence allocated 230,000 euros to fund an Artificial Intelligence Centre at Riga Technical University to advance AI research for security and economic development.14 The City of Rīga is considering allowing walking on the Daugava river when it is frozen this winter, although experts from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre warn of significant risks due to unpredictable ice conditions.15 Distinguished professor Andreas Beyer will deliver a series of lectures in Latvia in March on artificial intelligence and shifting educational paradigms.16
Economy and infrastructure
New data shows home ownership in Latvia is at 80.2%, higher than the EU average of 69.2%.17 Latvian industrial production output increased by 4% in 2025 compared to the previous year.18 The Slovenian company NGEN Group is entering the Latvian market and plans to invest EUR 50m in an energy storage project using Tesla technologies.1920
On regional infrastructure, Estonia's Minister of Climate Kristen Michal expressed concern that Latvia is years behind on its section of the Rail Baltica railway, which could delay the entire project and affect its economic viability.21
Culture
In the arts, the Latvian National Museum of Art announced a public competition to find a new director following the departure of the previous head.22Sports
One of Latvia's four-man bobsled crews withdrew from the Winter Olympics shortly before the Games began after several team members fell ill.23
Digest sources
Citās ziņās
Sabiedrība un vide
Dikļu pilskalnos konstatēti nozīmīgi atradumi, kas pievērsuši pētnieku uzmanību.1 Rīgā, neraugoties uz noteiktajiem ierobežojumiem, arī aizliegums neattur cilvēkus kāpt uz Daugavas ledus.2 Ādažu novadā plūdu dēļ plāno būvēt aizsargdambi, lai mazinātu plūdu riskus.3
Drošība un aizsardzība
Valsts aizsardzības mācības stundās šogad mācīs pilotēt dronus, paplašinot mācību saturu skolās.4 Militārajā bāzē «Lielvārde» būvēs «Black Hawk» helikopteru tehnisko angāru.5 Latvija, Igaunija un Beļģija saņem pirmos pārtvērējdronus «Blaze».6 Vairāk nekā 100 karavīri atgriežas Latvijā no miera uzturēšanas misijas Kosovā.7
Kiberdrošība un digitālā vide
Latvijā strauji audzis kiberincidentu skaits, un iedzīvotājus aicina veidot datu rezerves kopijas.8 Konstatēta neatļauta piekļuve «Maxima» lojalitātes programmas «Paldies» kontiem.9
Sociālie procesi un izglītība
Vairāk nekā 200 cilvēku apmeklējuši vietni «ReDirection» tieksmes mazināšanai pēc bērnu pornogrāfijas.10 Digitālās prasmes bezmaksas mācībās pašvaldībās apguvuši ap 10 000 iedzīvotāju.11
Ieslodzījuma sistēma un valsts pārvalde
Jaunajā Liepājas cietumā pie pārmaiņām jāpierod gan darbiniekiem, gan ieslodzītajiem.12 Iestādēm uz iedzīvotāju iesniegumiem būs jāatbild 10 darbdienu laikā.13
Reģioni un identitāte
Daudzeses pagasta zīmi izvēlēta gailene.14
Ziņu apskata avoti
Foto/photo
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