The sector

https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrs-armands-krauze-aicina-progresivie-frakcijas-deputatus-izmantot-iespeju-klatiene-iepazities-ar-meza-apsaimniekosanas-aktualitatem
Minister for Agriculture Armands Krauze is inviting MPs and ministers from the “Progressives” Saeima faction to be open to a professional conversation and to join him in the forest on 19 September to meet representatives of the sector's non-governmental organisations, forestry specialists and scientists, in order to discuss current issues in Latvian forest management.

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/viedokli/latvija/sarausanas-nevis-izaugsmes-ekonomika-14341444
Latvia does not have to accept gifts funded by European Union structural funds if, in the long run, this increases state budget spending on maintaining those gifts.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/no-latvijas-krusteniski-limetam-buvkonstrukcijam-var-buvet-pat-debesskrapjus-no-koka-523119
According to data from the International Trade Center, in 2024 Latvia's share of global exports of cross-laminated timber intended for building construction was 1.55%, while in export earnings per capita Latvia ranked 2nd in the world.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7732-as-latvijas-valsts-mezi-noslegusi-sociala-dialoga-vienosanos-ar-uznemuma-darbinieku-arodbiedribu-lvm-cilvekam-un-mezam
AS “Latvijas valsts meži” (LVM) reports that its employees have set up a company trade union, “LVM Cilvēkam un Mežam”.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/18.09.2025-pusgadu-ilgais-strids-latvijas-valsts-mezos-draud-ar-vertiga-mezu-apsaimniekosanas-sertifikata-zaudesanu.a614943/
Meanwhile, other “Latvijas valsts meži” employees set up a trade union under the name “LVM Cilvēkam un Mežam” just under a month ago, and the company's board has already concluded an agreement with it on social dialogue. The two sides have also agreed to begin work on a draft collective agreement.

https://rigasmezi.lv/jaunumi/dabas-kapitala-vai-cilveka-vajadzibu-parvaldiba-nakotnes-skietamiba-vai-skietama-nakotne
Can forest management change the future of Latvia and Europe? This question is becoming ever more pressing at a time when geopolitical upheavals, climate change and the loss of biodiversity are forcing a serious rethink of forest management practice as it has been until now.

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/projekti/mebelu-nozarei-piesardzigs-skats-uz-rudeni.32448
Delivery times on the Latvian furniture market continue to shorten, and customer orders are also coming in unevenly. Some companies have order books full right through to next spring, while for others, quotes prepared some time ago are progressing very slowly.

https://nra.lv/neatkariga/komentari/maris-krautmanis-3/501832-eksperti-mezu-liktenis-jalemj-specialistiem.htm
In Finland, for example, a forest owner can choose what kind of forest to grow and what products to produce. In Latvia, though, in my view, there is a tendency to regulate far too much of everything.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/rigas-vesturiskas-koka-ekas-monitores-no-kosmosa-523140
The aim of the project is to create a solution that building owners and managers will be able to use in future to monitor the condition of buildings and respond in good time if undesirable changes begin.

On and around the amendments to the Forest Law

https://lr1.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/krustpunkta/krustpunkta-rosinajums-samazinat-koku-cirsanas-vecumu-raisijis-p.a211830/

https://lr1.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/krustpunkta/krustpunkta-liela-intervija-ilma-cepane.a211631/

Official

https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/zemkopibas-ministrs-armands-krauze-ek-priekslikums-ir-pilniba-nepienemams-jo-apdraud-latvijas-lauksaimniecibu-un-zivsaimniecibu
Minister for Agriculture Armands Krauze considers that the proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy for 2028-2034, published by the European Commission on Wednesday, 17 September, are unacceptable, because they threaten not only the development of the agriculture and fisheries sectors but even their resilience.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/divi-gadi-varam-ieguldijums-digitala-attistiba-regionu-stiprinasana-drosakas-un-zalakas-latvijas-veidosana
15 September 2025 marked two years since Evika Siliņa's government, the 42nd Cabinet of Ministers, took office. During that time the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development has implemented a range of significant initiatives that strengthen the country's digital capacity, promote regional development and ensure sustainable progress in nature conservation.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/varam-ministrs-raimonds-cudars-efektivakai-dabas-parvaldibai-latvijas-nacionalo-botanisko-darzu-pievienos-dabas-aizsardzibas-parvaldei
Bringing the National Botanic Garden of Latvia under the Nature Conservation Agency is a step towards more effective management of natural assets. The move will streamline administrative functions and the use of finances, strengthen the state's institutional capacity, and continue to ensure consistent implementation of nature conservation policy.

Economy

https://ir.lv/rubrika/viedoklis/kapec-partika-latvija-ir-divreiz-dargaka-neka-portugale.219994
Why do butter and coffee cost more in Riga than in Lisbon? Leandro Silva points out that Latvian food prices are artificially inflated — often twice as high as in Portugal, even though costs do not justify it. The blame lies not only with high VAT and government inaction, but also with supermarkets' strategy of keeping prices high and mimicking discounts.

https://www.kem.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/valsts-uznemumu-un-nevalstiska-sektora-sadarbiba-veicina-pareju-uz-aprites-ekonomiku
Step by step, Latvia is moving towards more sustainable use of resources and reduced waste as it shifts to a circular economy.

https://www.db.lv/zinas/rigas-jaunbuvju-tirgus-apsteidzis-tallinu-523147
For the first time in the past ten years, more new homes were sold in Riga than in Tallinn in the first half of this year, concludes Kristjan-Tuur Vahi, head of the company Invego, citing Colliers Latvia data.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/17.09.2025-swedbank-samazina-skaidras-naudas-iznemsanas-limitu-to-pamato-ar-cinu-pret-krapniekiem.a614664/
From 20 November the daily cash withdrawal limit on debit cards will be reduced to 750 euros.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/ekonomika/17.09.2025-apjomigu-zaudejumu-del-pec-nepilna-gada-darbibas-ligumu-lauz-ungurmuizas-nomnieks.a614555/
Anyone who has tried to sell something — home-made pancakes, or strawberries picked in the forest, or anything else, big or small — understands that an entrepreneur, or a person trying to earn money through their own work, will never shut down a business that is making a profit. Never.

Security

https://www.apollo.lv/8325976/lietuva-atklata-personu-grupa-kas-organizejusi-teroraktus-eiropa-taja-ir-ari-latvijas-pilsoni
The Prosecutor General's Office of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau have uncovered a group of people who organised four terrorist attacks in European countries, and the group also includes Latvian citizens.

Science

https://biophot.lv/latvijas-zinatnieku-idejam-zala-gaisma-40-projekti-sanem-8-miljonus/
The largest project implementers are the University of Latvia with ten funded projects and Riga Technical University with nine. The Institute of Solid State Physics of the University of Latvia will carry out seven projects, and six research groups have been supported at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis. Three projects will be implemented by Rīga Stradiņš University and two by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, while Daugavpils University, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry and the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies will each carry out one.

https://www.lbtu.lv/lv/notikumi/2025-09-09/jana-iejava-promocijas-darba-aizstavesana-priedes-pinus-sylvestris-l-koksnes
Jānis Iejavs's doctoral thesis defence, “Properties of cellular material made from pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood and ways of improving them”

Knowledge

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7731-dabaszinatnu-skolotajus-aicina-pieteikties-talakizglitibas-kursiem-par-koksnes-eksperimentiem
AS “Latvijas valsts meži”, in cooperation with the association “Latvijas koks”, invites teachers to apply by 5 October for continuing education courses on wood experiments in chemistry and physics. During the training, participants will be able to get to know the new teaching resource “Wood Chemistry and Physics Experiments for Years 5-12” and will also receive a “useful timber suitcase” containing wood materials that will be handy for carrying out experiments in schools.

https://lr1.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/monopols/arvids-verza.-vins-skolo-jaunos-kokamatniecibas-meistarus.a210455/
It may be possible to count how many churches in Latvia have interiors created and restored by his students. But can anyone count how many new master craftsmen he has trained?

Construction

https://www.buvniekupadome.lv/konkurss/vertigakas-ekas-baltijas-valstis-2025-gada-grand-prix-aizcelo-uz-lietuvu/
In all, 37 varied entries were submitted to the competition, all worth sharing as experience, which is a respectable level of competition in the delivery and implementation of sustainable ideas.

Hunting

https://www.medibam.lv/ar-alni-auzas-jo-alnis-pie-visa-vainigs-skaits-turpinas-samazinaties-sauj-garam-301-epizode
...we meet hunter and experienced practitioner Mārcis Saklaurs to talk about elk — about the latest research, the scope for improving trophy quality and the elk population as a whole. We will also discuss the biggest myths and misconceptions that still prevail among hunters.

Animals and...

https://lasi.lv/latvija-pasaule/ekonomika/vai-zilajai-govij-vel-ilgi-atlicis-skirni-uztur-entuziasti.32498
The Latvian Blue cow is one of eight endangered, culturally and historically significant Latvian farm animal breeds whose keeping under market economy conditions would, because of lower productivity and other indicators, most likely mean the breed's disappearance without additional support.

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/policists-izglabj-upe-iemestu-kaki-14341434
Looking out over the river, a few metres from the bank he spotted a bag from which the sound was coming. The police officer plunged into the water. When he opened the bag, a soaking wet ginger cat crawled out.

Honey

https://www.zm.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/medus-maisijumiem-ievaktiem-vairakas-valstis-bus-janorada-katras-izcelsmes-valsts-medus-daudzums
...requirements have been set for compulsory indication of the country of origin for honey and honey blends where the honey has been collected in more than one country. In future, the label will have to state all the countries and the percentage of honey from each country.

Environment

https://zz.lv/vietejas-zinas/latvija-plano-neatbalstit-grozijumus-eiropas-klimata-likuma-par-2040-gada-klimata-merki/
At the European Union Environment Council on 18 September, Latvia plans not to support the amendments to the European Climate Law on the 2040 climate target put forward by the European Commission and the Danish presidency, representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Energy told the LETA news agency.

https://www.lvm.lv/jaunumi/7730-lvm-daugavpili-atjaunos-vienu-no-latvija-retak-sastopamajiem-biotopiem
In October this year “Latvijas valsts meži” will begin work in the forests on the outskirts of Daugavpils to restore an extremely rare protected habitat of European Union importance — open inland dunes. Across the whole country this habitat has been recorded on just 48 hectares.

https://www.aprinkis.lv/index.php/sabiedriba/pasvaldibas/64290-gaujas-nacionalaja-parka-siguldas-apkartne-konstate-nelikumigu-kalnu-nobraucienu-trasi
State environmental inspectors of the Nature Conservation Agency have discovered an illegally created downhill trail in the territory of the Gauja National Park near Sigulda.

https://rigasmezi.lv/jaunumi/rigas-mezu-vides-izglitibas-centra-ekvido-atklas-latvija-pirmo-meza-terapijas-taku
The forest therapy trail is our wish to turn sustainability goals into reality — to create a setting where nature becomes a space of renewal for everyone.

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/norit-sagatavosanas-darbi-kemeru-nacionala-parka-dabas-centra-buvniecibai
The Nature Conservation Agency is carrying out preparatory work at the boardwalk of the Great Ķemeri Bog so that, once a building permit is received, construction of the new Ķemeri National Park nature centre building — the Bog Embassy — can begin here as early as October.

https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/dabas-muzeja-specialisti-180-jubilejas-gada-atklaj-jaunas-augu-un-kukainu-sugas
In the Natural History Museum's 180th anniversary year, specialists from the Botany and Mycology Department and the Zoology Department have succeeded in discovering new plant and insect species in Latvia's natural environment.

https://www.daba.gov.lv/lv/jaunums/sak-eglu-astonzobu-mizgrauza-skarto-koku-zagesanu-ligatnes-dabas-takas
To ensure the safety of visitors, staff and animals, and to keep the infrastructure of the Gauja National Park's Līgatne nature trails intact, in September the Nature Conservation Agency began felling dangerous and damaged trees — mostly spruces affected by the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle. To protect natural assets, the dead trees will be left in the forest, some of them as high stumps.

Construction

https://www.buvniekupadome.lv/konkurss/vertigakas-ekas-baltijas-valstis-2025-gada-grand-prix-aizcelo-uz-lietuvu/
In all, 37 varied entries were submitted to the competition, all worth sharing as experience, which is a respectable level of competition in the delivery and implementation of sustainable ideas.

A very mixed bag this time

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/aktuali/latvijas-pasts-pardod-vesturiskos-ipasumus-iedzivotaji-un-eksperti-pauz-bazas-par-to-nakotni.32429
“Latvijas Pasts” has put 17 properties up for sale, citing rising maintenance costs and digitalisation. However, the decision to sell the historic post office building in Madona has caused particular public attention and concern.

https://www.aprinkis.lv/index.php/viedokli/64255-voldemars-laucins-vai-kamins-ir-progresejis-pavards
Many are convinced that the life of a person and of society as a whole is one of constant progress — that is, that the previous generation was more primitive (more stupid?) than ours, and so on with each older generation, right back to that poor thing in hoary antiquity which was evidently entirely deprived, without a spark of reason.

https://zz.lv/bez-kategorijas/latvija-un-lietuva-uzsak-kopigu-projektu-amatniecibas-un-tirdzniecibas-mantojuma-popularizesanai/
Jelgava Municipality reports that Latvian and Lithuanian municipalities and institutions have begun implementing a new cross-border project to strengthen the preservation and promotion of craft and trade heritage.

https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/sports/vieglatletika/17.09.2025-neparspetais-sporta-karalienes-kvartets-latvijas-rekordam-stafete-pusgadsimta-jubileja.a614699/
The Latvian record in the 4x400 metres relay, still unbeaten, was set by Anna Dundare, Sarmīte Štūla, Ingrīda Barkāne and Inta Klimoviča.

https://www.jelgavniekiem.lv/dzivesstils/legendaras-madaras-vieta-top-picas/
Residents of Jelgava who have lived in the city for at least 40 years will certainly remember a place that was grand enough for those times — the restaurant “Madara”, with waiters and delicacies. But as the years went by the place gradually began to fade, until in recent years it fell silent altogether. Now “Madara” has been reborn, and a new sign has appeared alongside the old one — “Napo Pizza”.

Current affairs in cartoons

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/budzeta-veidosana-14341514

https://www.diena.lv/raksts/diena-citi/karikaturista-skats/_rigas-siltuma_-tarifi-14341442

https://www.lasi.lv/par-svarigo/karikatura/zime-romans-vitkovskis-politiki-vienojas-plasaka-mezu-cirsana-netiks-ieklauta-saja-budzeta.32548