Latvia is experiencing demographic shifts, with the median age rising to 44 years and the population decreasing by 14,000, according to recent reports. Simultaneously, efforts continue to make news accessible to a wider audience through simplified language broadcasts.
Every evening at 9:00 PM local time, Latvian Radio 1 broadcasts “Ziņas vieglajā valodā” – “News in Simple Language” – a five-minute summary of the day’s news. The program is designed to aid Latvian language learners in improving their comprehension and pronunciation skills. It also highlights how traditional news reports can often be unnecessarily lengthy and complex.
Listeners can access the simplified news via the Re:Play interface, the Latvijas Radio app, or through a direct link. The following day, examples are posted on LSM’s English pages. The initiative, which began some time ago, continues to be a resource for both language learners and those seeking a concise overview of current events.
Beyond language accessibility, Latvia is grappling with demographic trends. The country’s median age has increased to 44, signaling an aging population. This is coupled with a population decline of 14,000 individuals, raising questions about the long-term social and economic implications for the nation.
Recent news also indicates activity on several other fronts. Latvia is preparing for the Eurovision Supernova final weekend. Latvian officials are also traveling to Munich for the annual security conference. The government is currently reviewing applications for development projects, and a man is facing prosecution for running over a woman in a car park.
Political developments include changes within the “For Stability!” parliamentary faction, and the suspension of the mayor of Rēzekne pending security clearance. There have been calls for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister, though those calls were not ultimately backed by the opposition. The Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, recently expressed its appreciation for the support of the United States and Canada.
In other news, Latvia will participate in the NATO ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission. Higher education student numbers increased in 2025. Security services are seeking prosecution for a Latvian citizen accused of assisting a Russian company, and a report from STRATCOMCOE highlights the urgent need to address the threat of ‘neuro-warfare.’
Authorities are also asking the public to report any wolf sightings to the forest authority. Alūksne has been confirmed as a special area by the Saeima. A recent survey regarding the Rail Baltica project suggests that people feel increasingly uninformed about its progress.
