Worth knowing! On upcoming and current events

About the industry

https://www.finieris.com/lv/jekabs-avotnieks-no-praktikanta-lidz-konstruktoram/
Day to day I build models of equipment and agree them with managers and colleagues. Once everything has been approved, I prepare the drawings and hand them over to production. If any questions come up in the process or adjustments are needed, I liaise with the production team and the assembly specialists to make sure everything works flawlessly.

https://dzirkstele.lv/vietejas-zinas/gulbenes-novada-pasvaldiba-izsola-kokmaterialus/
Until 18 February, interested parties can register for an auction organised by the local authority in order to buy 191 cubic metres of timber from it. Councillors voted to hold the auction at the council sitting on 30 January.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/timber-market-paplasina-darbibu-baltija-un-polija-519947
In the Baltic states the forest sector is still a substantial part of the national economy, and technologies are coming into it that are transforming it by introducing new working methods. The sector is nevertheless fairly conservative, so the company's aim is to break stereotypes and drive the development and digitalisation of the wood industry by offering the sector's businesses a modern, innovative and digital approach that opens up wider opportunities for cooperation with potential market participants, partners and clients.

https://abc.lv/raksts/kapec-buvnieciba-un-majokla-iekartosana-verts-izmantot-masivkoku-skaidro-eksperte
Although solid wood has long been used in construction, it has become popular again of late – with the emphasis that it is kinder not only to nature but also to the human body. Solid wood is a biodegradable and fully renewable resource which, compared with many artificial materials, has no harmful effect on health or the environment.

On the official side I

https://www.kem.gov.lv/lv/baltijas-valstu-sinhronizacija-ar-eiropu
Synchronisation of the Baltic states with Europe

On the official side II

https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrija-zemes-ipasniekiem-vienkarso-zemes-lietosanas-veida-mainu-un-samazina-administrativos-izdevumus
The amendments also cut the time taken to receive a deforestation compensation calculation and the flow of documents between the local authority and the State Forest Service, replacing it with communication in the Construction Information System. This provision will take effect from 1 January 2026.

https://www.vmd.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/valsts-meza-dienests-aicina-meza-ipasniekus-pieteikties-atbalsta-sanemsanai
The State Forest Service reports that from 6 February to 6 March 2025 forest owners may submit project applications for support to the Rural Support Service. Support will be available to forest owners for afforestation, for the restoration of forest stands destroyed by forest fires and natural disasters, and for the thinning of young stands or the replacement of forest stands.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/varam-stajusies-speka-vairaki-maksliga-intelekta-aizliegumi
From 2 February 2025, the requirements of the Artificial Intelligence Act take effect in the European Union, and hence in Latvia too, prohibiting practices considered incompatible with the EU's fundamental values – the rule of law, fundamental rights and democracy.

On environmental matters

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/grinu-dabas-rezervatam-izstradas-dabas-aizsardzibas-planu
A nature conservation plan will be drawn up for the Grīņi Nature Reserve

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/notiks-informativa-sanaksme-par-dabas-parka-ogres-ieleja-dabas-aizsardzibas-plana-izstrades-uzsaksanu
On 20 February at 18.00 at the Ērgļi assembly hall and on 26 February at 12.00 at the Madliena culture house, an information meeting will be held on the drafting of the nature conservation plan for the “Ogres ieleja” nature park.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7155-ar-apsaimniekosanas-darbiem-rupejas-par-lapkoku-praulgrauza-dzivotnem
During the work, the large oaks inhabited by the rare beetle were cleared of encroaching growth and shoots. Mowing of shrub shoots and grass was carried out over 6.8 ha in the nature reserve.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/31.01.2025-latvija-cer-radit-cela-karti-biologiskas-daudzveidibas-saglabasanai.a585990/
Policymakers and experts gathered today at a conference in the Saeima to discuss the situation in Latvia and to draw up a new roadmap for conserving biological diversity, based on the interests of both nature conservation and the economy.

https://www.delfi.lv/bizness/54883004/dzilak-meza/120059457/lai-putni-butu-ne-tikai-mums-galva-bet-ari-meza-saruna-ar-erglu-petnieku
It is also worth mentioning that in the protection zones set by LVM, the period restricting economic activity for the protection of black storks, lesser spotted eagles and ospreys is set a month longer – until 31 August – unlike in micro-reserve buffer zones, where the period lasts only until the end of July.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/06.02.2025-izcert-vertigus-valsts-mezus-politiki-pagaidu-aizsardzibu-nenosaka.a586723/
The Ministry of Agriculture has committed to setting aside 52 thousand hectares of state forest for the strict protection of swamp forests and boreal forests. VARAM, meanwhile, has agreed that 30% of Latvia's territory will be under nature protection, with 10 of those under a strict protection regime.

https://nra.lv/neatkariga/intervijas/481931-mencu-zveja-baltija-beigusies-un-ne-jau-eiropas-lieguma-del.htm
The cod catastrophe is not just a thing of today. Looking back on my 40-50 years of experience, I can confirm: everything depends on how the saltier ocean water from the North Sea flows into the Baltic Sea. In the twenties and thirties of the last century there were likewise no cod. Fishermen could not make ends meet and changed profession, some even took up smuggling spirits.

On science

https://www.lza.lv/aktualitates/lza-balva/2118-2024-gada-sasniegumi
An international team of scientists from the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has developed a technology for producing fibres similar to spider silk for the manufacture of super-strong fabrics, for which extremely wide application is expected. They took part in the RTU competition with an international team that has found a solution for ultra-fast data transmission technologies.

https://www.silava.lv/aktualitates/zurnala-nature-publicets-raksts-par-genetiskas-daudzveidibas-monitoringu
Scientists from the Genetic Resources Centre of the Latvian State Forest Research Institute Silava, together with colleagues from other European research institutions, have prepared the article Global meta-analysis shows action is needed to halt genetic diversity loss, published in the journal Nature.

On the economy

https://www.em.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/valainis-eiropai-japarskata-parmerigie-regulejumi-un-jastiprina-inovaciju-attistiba
Excessive over-regulation is not Europe's strength but its weakness, and it is making itself felt more and more. Europe must be able to react quickly, especially when we are talking about technological development and innovation, for instance in the field of artificial intelligence.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/turpina-diskusijas-par-rigas-metropoles-areala-attistibas-konceptu
The territorial scope of the Riga metropolitan area covers the local authorities within the Riga Planning Region – the state cities of Riga and Jūrmala, the municipalities of Ādaži, Mārupe, Ķekava, Olaine, Salaspils, Ropaži and Sigulda, as well as the state city of Jelgava and the municipalities of Tukums, Ogre and Saulkrasti.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/varam-ievies-jauno-lidzdalibas-budzeta-platformu-iedzivotaju-projektu-idejam
Under a Recovery Fund project, VARAM has developed a participatory budgeting platform that gives local authorities the means to run participatory budgeting competitions, and residents the chance to get actively involved in the development of their local community by submitting projects and voting on significant initiatives.

https://lasi.lv/latvija-pasaule/ekonomika/olafs-zvejnieks-plaisu-zalaja-kursa-arvien-vairak.24260
For one reason or another, recent news about efforts to implement the Green Deal points to ever wider cracks in this fundamental European Union policy.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/vdd-rekomendejis-rail-baltica-ieviesejiem-kritiski-vertet-iespejamo-sadarbibu-ar-cetriem-uznemumiem-519964
Having identified risk factors, the State Security Service last year recommended that those implementing the Rail Baltica railway project take a critical view of possible cooperation with four companies.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/piena-logistika-sasniegusi-rekordapgrozijumu-519958
Latvia's largest dairy farmers' cooperative, “Piena Loģistika”, has achieved the highest turnover in its history – in 2024 turnover was 49.3 million euros, 30% more than in 2023.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/nolaidibas-del-metalluznu-nozari-davinam-kaiminiem-519940
Because of the competent competition supervision authorities, one sector may be taken over by Lithuanians, who at the same time pay the lowest taxes.

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/projekti/mediju-sapieri-divi-dzeraji-var-apturet-rail-baltica.24266
You can of course talk about the needs of militarism, but this is now an entirely different kind of war. After all, two drunks could quietly bring a railway to a halt for the price of a bottle of spirits. War will not be what it once was. There are many unanswered questions.

On hunting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ujp7tyw-WFE
“Shoot wide!” # Episode 269 Juris Buškevics: “I am not satisfied with the results of the discussion with LVM!”

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/dzive--stils/valasprieki/06.02.2025-ne-tikai-gribet-nospiest-ieroca-meliti-ka-jauninajam-noklut-mednieku-savienibas-kolektiva.a586385/
...it is sustainable hunting, so that not only we but also our descendants can hunt in Latvia. Secondly, it is the association's active involvement in drafting all legislation that relates to or affects hunting.

On the reforms needed

https://www.la.lv/latvijas-mednieku-asociacijas-valdes-priekssedetajs-barviks-par-varam-aicinu-vienreiz-to-midzeni-izdzenat-ar-sudainu-mietu
VARAM once again shows itself for what it is. And I would really like, for once, to call for that den they have built to be cleared out with a dirty stick. There is simply no other solution. Because all the matters that need resolving, the moment they reach the ministry, vanish as if into a soft blanket. They simply suffocate there and nothing is taken any further.

On buildings

https://www.delfi.lv/193/politics/120059757/krizes-laika-tas-ir-butisks-risks-nbs-uzstaj-par-jauna-tilta-par-daugavu-nepieciesamibu
Although Latvia has several military training grounds used by the army, the National Guard, Ukrainian soldiers in training and NATO partners too, following the decision to station ever more foreign troops here the existing training areas have become too cramped. The Sēlija training ground is therefore being built in Latvia, yet even so one further significant facility would be needed – another way of crossing the Daugava.

Miscellaneous

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/06.02.2025-atteiksanas-no-kudras-kurinama-skars-livanu-un-preilu-novadu-iedzivotajus-neietekmes.a586628/
Svetlana Sergejeva, director of the Investment Policy Department at the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, noted that peat is currently used for heating in only two local authorities, and that support will be available to them so that in the coming years they can give up the use of peat in energy entirely at their facilities.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7154-noskaidroti-laureati-meza-dienu-uzlimju-konkursa
The creative works most often depicted foresters, planners and environmental experts, as well as firefighters. This shows that children and young people too pay attention to the processes going on in the forest and understand that, when working in the forest, it is essential to respect environmental protection interests and economic needs while also taking care of safety there.

https://www.km.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/starptautiska-ilustraciju-izstade-magiskais-mezs
The dense, primeval expanses live on only in memory, but the magic of the forest has endured. Its mystery and enchantment continue; the dream of it has survived to this day.

https://bauskasdzive.lv/vietejas-zinas/vai-mezotnes-pils-sogad-atvers-durvis-apmekletajiem/
For the Rundāle Palace Museum to be able to take on new commitments, a change of legal status had to be carried out. This allows limited financial resources to be used more efficiently and, where necessary, part of the Rundāle Palace Museum's income to be channelled into getting Mežotne Palace up and running.

https://staburags.lv/izdota-jauna-selijas-turisma-karte/
The latest Sēlija tourism map has been prepared by the map publisher “Jāņa sēta” and issued by the association “Āžu miesta rezidence”. The map includes 150 tourist attractions and places to eat, as well as 68 places to stay from across the historical land of Sēlija.

https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/aglonas-maizes-veistuklis-astotais-latvijas-produkts-es-aizsargato-geografisko-norazu-registra
The “Aglonas maizes veistūklis” is an elongated small loaf of rye bread with smoked pork fat and onions wrapped and baked inside it, and the method of making the bread has been preserved unchanged since the end of the 19th century. The whole process of making this special rye bread is done by hand.

Current affairs in cartoons

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/meru-ozols-14330926

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-attalinajies-politikis.24691

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-palidziet-tikt-majas.24611

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/norikojums-pie-manikira-14330868

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-gatis-sluka-ja-tu-neklausisi.24734