In 2024, 95.0% of children between the age of 3 and the compulsory starting age for primary education in EU countries were in pre-primary education, up from 91.2% in 2014, according to Eurostat data published on May 18th.
According to Central Statistical Bureau data on tourist accommodation, published on May 18th, in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 arrivals at Latvian tourist accommodation establishments totalled 447.1 thousand and the number of nights spent comprised 779.1 thousand, which is 3.0 % less than in Q1 2025.
SIA "East-West Transit" has suffered minor losses in connection with the drones that crashed at its oil storage facility in Rēzekne on May 7, the company confirmed to LSM. The company did not specify the extent of the losses but said that the facility would close.
Raivis Kronbergs, Director of the State Chancellery, whom Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) suspended after he was temporarily detained on May 14 in connection with the investigation into the so-called timber industry case, terminated his employment on May 18, according to Cabinet Press Secretary Laura Krastiņa.
On May 18th, outgoing Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa met with potentially the incoming United Nations Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis.
Energy commodities trader and fuel retailer AS VIRŠI-A (Virši) announced on May 18th that the Competition Council has approved the company’s planned transaction, under which Virši will acquire long-term lease rights to 17 service stations owned by SIA Naftimpeks and currently operating under the 'Astarte' brand.
Latvian Radio's 'Global Latvian' show, which covers diaspora issues, had an interesting broadcast this week examining the experiences of three foreign-born persons who have chosen to make Latvia their home.
A foundation named "Raimonda Paula Fonds" (Raimonds Pauls' Foundation) has been officially registered, the founders of which are Raimonds Pauls and his daugther, Anete Paula.
On Thursday, 21 May, Latvian central bank (Bank of Latvia) is issuing a silver collector coin "Bridal Crown". It depicts a sequin crown, adorned with six transparent crystals, the bank said in a release.
Forecasts indicate that the weather in Latvia will be summery and warm in the second half of this week.
The Saeima will host a seminar on Monday, May 18, titled "Artificial Intelligence in the Everyday Life of a Member of Parliament: From Opportunity to Necessity," which will feature technology experts, representatives from the public administration and security sectors, as well as politicians who are already using artificial intelligence in their work.
Prime Ministerial nominee, Andris Kulbergs (United List) gets down to the serious business Monday of trying to assemble a viable government for the next five months until parliamentary elections take place on October 3rd.
In keeping with tradition, the lineup of the Latvian national Eurovision song selection contest "Supernova" jury has been announced following the Eurovision Song Contest.
The commander of the National Armed Forces (NBS) has announced his intention to carry out a broader transformation of the army, including a review of its structure. Some changes could be incorporated into the existing NBS development plan by this fall, according to the LTV programme De Facto. A functional government would be essential for this.
From May 14–15, professionals from the Baltic advertising, design, and wider creative industries gathered in Riga at the Zuzeum Art Centre for Adwards, a festival and award ceremony.
In 2025, 42.3% of internet users in the EU encountered messages online that they considered hostile and degrading towards specific groups of people or individuals, according to data published by Eurostat on May 15th.
To improve traffic safety and reduce the number of potential conflict points, construction work has begun on the Liepāja Highway (A9) from Brīvkalni to Klīves (kilometres 0.00–9.9), said Latvian State Roads (LVC).
On Monday, precipitation will move across Latvia from the east – rain is expected across most of the country, but in some places there will also be heavy downpours and thunderstorms, according to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language').
Latvia's many hockey fans will be walking into work on Monday morning with a spring in their step after their team recorded an important win over Germany on Sunday night.
Following a loss to hosts Switzerland in their first game at the ice hockey world championships on Saturday, Latvia will hope to find some winning form on Sunday with a match against Germany.
Spring is the time when Skrunda, a settlement on the banks of the Venta River, celebrates its town festival. This year, it is especially important, as the revelers have been celebrating 30 years since Skrunda, despite its small size and population of fewer than 2,000 people, was officially added to the list of Latvian cities.
Tens of thousands of runners took to the streets of the Latvian capital on Sunday to compete in various distances of the Rimi Riga Marathon. For some, the most important thing was the fight with themselves rather than a high placing results, but everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the joy of running a short or long course.
Latvian Foriegn Minister Baiba Braže was in Tallinn, Estonia on May 16th, taking part in the annual Lennart Meri Conference, a geopolitical meeting named after the distinguished former Estonian president.
A teacher in Sigulda has performed a terrifying bungee jump to encourage his students before they sit important examinations, reports Latvian Television.
The National Armed Forces issued a warning covering Rēzekne, Ludza, Krāslava, Balvi and Alūksne municipalities regarding a potential threat to airspace on Sunday morning. A cell broadcasting alert was sent to residents of these municipalities at around 06:00.
The Latvian national hockey team played its first game of the World Championship on Saturday in Zurich against the powerful host team Switzerland, losing 2–4.
Saturday, May 16, sees the grand final of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria. As usual, Latvian public broadcaster LSM provides you with a live stream of the event.
The big day is finally here for Latvia's many ice hockey fans, with the national team launching its World Championship campaign on Saturday night against host nation Switzerland in Zurich.
Following consultations with political parties on Saturday afternoon, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs announced that he was tasking Andris Kulbergs of the opposition United List political force with attempting to form a new government.
Latvia looks like a wild camping paradise and in many ways it is. But where are you actually allowed to camp and where not, and what other rules determine your choice of campsite?
President Edgars Rinkēvičs has a working weekend ahead of him with talks set to continue at Rīga Castle over the necessity of installing a new government, following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and the collapse of the three-party coalition on Thursday.
Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language').
The Rimi Riga Marathon will bring together more than 45,000 runners from nearly 120 countries on the streets of the capital for the first time this weekend, organisers announced Friday during the event's opening ceremony.
A methanol leak from a railway tank car occurred in Ventspils on Friday but it has been contained, and there is no danger to residents, according to the local government.
A man in Rīga, having fallen for a scammer posing as a police officer, purchased gold coins worth 21,654 euros and handed them over to fraudsters, the State Police reported.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data, published on May 14, show that, in 2025 compared with 2024, there was an increase in freight transport at Riga International Airport (of 7.2 %) and in freight transport by road (2.0 %).
From May 25 to 31, the second Rīga Art Week (RAW) event will take place in the capital city, the organisers said in a release.
Law enforcement officials are investigating possible corruption at the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, one of Latvia's biggest hospitals, the LETA news agency reports on 15th May.
The Latgale District Court has received a criminal case in which two individuals are charged with murder committed by a group of persons with particular cruelty, having killed a man with more than a hundred stab and slash wounds, the prosecutor’s office reported on 15th May.
Despite the cell broadcast alerts sent out to residents, no foreign drones were detected entering Latvian airspace last night, the LETA news agency learned from the National Armed Forces (NBS) on Friday morning.
Perhaps driven by harsh conditions, Latvians have long since learned to prepare even those mushrooms that are considered poisonous elsewhere, but doing so is not safe. Eating boiled poisonous mushrooms is a pure game of chance that can result not only in digestive problems but also in serious, lasting consequences.
Mid-May typically marks the beginning of summer culture season in Latvia. Here are just a few events to choose from.
In 2025, 491 950 third-country nationals were issued with an order to leave a European Union country, a 5.8% increase compared with 2024 (464 985).
At the climax of the hockey season, the World Championship kicks off in Switzerland on Friday, May 15, where the Latvian national team, led by head coach Harijs Vītoliņš and featuring a revamped roster, will aim to finish higher than its current world ranking.
A potential threat was detected in Latvian airspace over the municipalities of Rēzekne, Balvi, Ludza, and Krāslava on Thursday night. Shortly after 6:30 a.m., the threat to airspace had ended, according to the National Armed Forces (NBS).
The electronic queue reservation system on Latvia’s eastern border has been in operation for more than six months. Although the system is only a temporary solution and technical issues and bot attacks were observed when it was first launched, both drivers and border guards have now adapted to it, Latgale Regional Television reported on May 14.
A comprehensive and long-awaited reform will be implemented in the public procurement system, which is expected to save at least 2–4% of public procurement expenditures. This is provided for in the amendments to the Public Procurement Law, which were adopted by the Saeima in their final reading on Thursday, May 14, LSM.lv reported.
Every evening at 21:00, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts a five-minute summary of the day's news stories in a simplified language format called Ziņas vieglajā valodā ('News in simple language').
Eurovision 2026 takes place this week in Vienna, Austria. The second semi-final is set for Thursday evening, with Latvia's singer Atvara performing her song "Ēnā" (In the Shadow).
