LSM/English (unofficial)

I am not by nature an angry, let alone a violent, man, but I fear municipal efforts to make me calm and relaxed are turning me into a sociopath. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/09.03.2026-i-want-to-kick-speakers-into-the-river-gauja.a638090/?utm_source=mastodon

To ensure transportation to and from Riga Airport during nighttime hours, night service on Bus Route 22 will be introduced on the "City Centre–Airport" route starting April 18th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/08.04.2026-nighttime-airport-bus-will-run-starting-next-week-in-latvia.a642023/?utm_source=mastodon

The Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB), one of Latvia's three security intelligence services, has published a new report titled "Western sanctions cause significant losses for Russia's economy", which – as the title itself states – concludes that sanctions against the aggressor state are effective. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defence/13.04.2026-latvian-security-service-insists-sanctions-on-russia-are-working.a642609/?utm_source=mastodon

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'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/18.04.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-17th-april-2026.a643512/?utm_source=mastodon

From 21 to 25 April, Liepāja will host the 'Skaņas dienas' ('Sound days') festival for the thirteenth time — an annual international festival dedicated to sound art and experimental music, which since 2013 has brought together artists, musicians and sound art enthusiasts from around the world. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/music/18.04.2026-experimental-skanas-dienas-sound-festival-returns-to-liepaja.a643368/?utm_source=mastodon

April 17th in Tallinn saw Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė meeting for discussions on regional cooperation, including the Rail Baltica project. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/17.04.2026-baltic-prime-ministers-meet-in-tallinn-to-talk-rail-baltica.a643466/?utm_source=mastodon

The instability of global markets, increasing competition and the slowdown in the pace of European industrial development are forcing exporting companies to reconsider their development directions. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/business/17.04.2026-valmiera-fibreglass-factory-seeks-new-markets-in-tough-economic-times.a643453/?utm_source=mastodon

According to provisional Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data, published April 16, average hourly earnings of women and men still differ, although a downward trend may be observed over a longer period. In 2025, the unadjusted gender pay gap stood at 16.8 %, widening by 2.9 percentage points compared with 2024. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/17.04.2026-gender-pay-gap-at-168-in-latvia.a642599/?utm_source=mastodon

Germany's national airline Lufthansa has announced that it has decided to implement its new business strategy at a much faster pace than previously planned in response to rising fuel prices and strikes at the airline – however, such moves should not affect airBaltic, in which the German airline holds a 10% stake, reports Latvian Television. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/17.04.2026-no-signs-lufthansa-changes-will-impact-airbaltic-says-senior-official.a643449/?utm_source=mastodon

Spring still seems to be slow this year, but slow and steady wins the race, or, at least, we hope so. Anyway, here is a selection of events for this weekend. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/culture/17.04.2026-three-for-the-weekend-opera-hike-crafts.a643433/?utm_source=mastodon

The Ministry of Culture (KM) has announced an open competition for the position of board member of the state-owned "Jaunais Rīgas teatris" (New Riga Theatre/JRT). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/theatre/17.04.2026-ministry-of-culture-rejects-notion-that-theatre-director-job-competition-is-politically-motivated.a643435/?utm_source=mastodon

According to provisional Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data, published April 16, average hourly earnings of women and men still differ, although a downward trend may be observed over a longer period. In 2025, the unadjusted gender pay gap stood at 16.8 %, widening by 2.9 percentage points compared with 2024. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/16.04.2026-gender-pay-gap-at-168-in-latvia.a642599/?utm_source=mastodon

Costs affecting hospitals are rising. Both energy resources, particularly heating, and medications have become more expensive. Hospitals note that if current trends continue, prices for paid services could also rise in the future, Latvian Television reported on 16th April. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/health/17.04.2026-hospital-services-will-likely-become-costlier-in-latvia.a643380/?utm_source=mastodon

On his 80th birthday on April 16th, 2026, composer Pēteris Vasks was visiting his native Aizpute to celebrate with a special concert at Aizpute St. John's Church together with several of his closest musical collaborators — the Latvian Radio Choir, the chamber orchestra "Sinfonietta Rīga" and conductor Sigvards Kļava. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/video/17.04.2026-watch-listen-peteris-vasks-80th-birthday-concert-in-aizpute.a643370/?utm_source=mastodon

At the end of March, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) concluded a hackathon for its Digital Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Management program, organized in collaboration with the Consumer Rights Protection Center (PTAC), reports Labs of Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/education/17.04.2026-students-hack-ai-solutions-to-latvias-public-administration-challenges.a643361/?utm_source=mastodon

According to the latest population projections from Eurostat, the EU population is expected to decline by 11.7% between 2025 and 2100. This translates to a predicted decrease of 53.0 million people in the EU by the start of the next century. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/17.04.2026-latvia-predicted-to-have-eus-largest-population-decline-this-century.a642602/?utm_source=mastodon

Forecasts indicate that Saturday will be the warmest and sunniest day of the weekend. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/weather/weather/17.04.2026-saturday-will-be-warmest-day-of-weekend-in-latvia.a643365/?utm_source=mastodon

In connection with the falsification of the annual report of the "Jēkabpils" basketball club, the prosecutor is asking the court to impose a fine of 23,400 euros on Leonīds Salcevičs, the former chairman of the Jēkabpils City Council and current city council member. The politician is also facing charges in another criminal case involving the alleged embezzlement of 90,000 euros, Latvian Television https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/17.04.2026-former-jekabpils-mayor-fined-for-fraud.a643352/?utm_source=mastodon

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'). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/news-in-simple-latvian/17.04.2026-news-in-simple-latvian-16th-april-2026.a643342/?utm_source=mastodon

This spring, the effects of frost along with a lack of moisture in some areas, are being felt in orchards. More sensitive crops, such as peaches, apricots, and other stone fruits, may have suffered significant damage, Latvian Radio reports on 17th April. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/food-drink/17.04.2026-fruit-orchards-have-felt-the-cold-this-season-in-latvia.a643344/?utm_source=mastodon

In a second of three required readings, the Saeima agreed on April 16th to amendments to the project implementation law governing the Rail Baltica infrastructure project. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/16.04.2026-rail-baltica-back-in-focus-and-back-in-the-firing-line.a643167/?utm_source=mastodon

At its session on Thursday, April 16, following intense debate, the Saeima agreed to grant a 30-million-euro short-term loan from the state budget to the national airline "airBaltic". The government had previously supported the measure, and today it was also approved by the Saeima's Budget Committee. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/16.04.2026-saeima-backs-eur-30-million-loan-to-airbaltic.a643241/?utm_source=mastodon

Rinkēvičs did not comment on Siliņa's case directly, indicating that the prime minister should do it herself, but did attempt to provide justifications to those parts of the airport famous for comfy seats, unlimited snacks and complimentary drinks – for a premium price. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/president/16.04.2026-use-of-vip-lounges-at-airports-just-the-way-it-is-says-latvian-president.a643283/?utm_source=mastodon