Lifestyle
41% of Latvian students fail to reach basic reading literacy — debate returns to past political decisions
New figures show that 41% of Latvia's 15-year-olds do not reach the basic level of reading literacy, reviving debate about the country's education policy. Commentators point back to a 2004 parliamentary vote on the schooling model for minority schools.
TVNET · 10 Sept, 06:12
Patient's story: 139-day wait for radiation therapy exposes gaps in Latvia's cancer care
A breast cancer patient says she waited almost five months for radiation therapy, which was then interrupted by equipment failure — a case that highlights broader delays in Latvia's oncology system.
Latvijas Avīze · 10 Sept, 06:09
Two new theatre premieres open in Riga this week
Riga's National Theatre and Dailes Theatre are staging two new productions — a first-ever adaptation of a popular interwar-era novel and a chaotic backstage comedy about a touring troupe.
Žurnāls Ir · 10 Sept, 05:15
Georgs Rubenis presents new book "The First Language" on the value of silence
In Riga, lecturer and contemplation teacher Georgs Rubenis presented his new book "The First Language: Living with an Open Heart," which explores silence as a natural human state.
Jauns.lv · 10 Sept, 04:12
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Actress Laura Siliņa: Combining family, theatre and civic responsibility
Latvian National Theatre actress Laura Siliņa, nominated for the “Spēlmaņu nakts” Actress of the Year award, speaks about balancing motherhood with her career and stresses the importance of civic participation. She urges people to vote in elections.
TVNET · 10 Sept, 04:10
Director Toms Treinis stages new play exploring men as fathers, sons and husbands
Dirty Deal Teatro has premiered 'The Strong Sex,' a play created by an all-father creative team that portrays men's emotions without embellishment. The premiere coincided with the week before Father's Day.
Žurnāls Ir · 10 Sept, 03:13
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14 great apple cake recipes to bake this autumn
Autumn is the season for apple cakes — a collection of 14 recipes offers options for those who want to go beyond a simple apple traybake.
TVNET · 10 Sept, 02:14
New School Year Becomes a Global Test of AI in Education
As a new school year begins around the world, education systems face the question of whether students can adopt new technology without losing their critical thinking skills.
The New York Times · 10 Sept, 00:07
Savory Muffin Recipe with Tomatoes and Feta — a Way to Enjoy Summer's Tomato Harvest
With greenhouses full of juicy summer tomatoes in August, university lecturer and recipe author Lolita Šelvaha shares a recipe for savory muffins made with tomatoes and feta cheese. The dish shows that tomatoes work well beyond savory mains, even in baked snack-style treats.
Latvijas Avīze · 9 Sept, 23:07
World-renowned South African soprano Pretty Yende to give solo concert in Riga
On September 18, South African soprano Pretty Yende will perform a solo concert at the Latvian National Opera's Great Hall with the LNO orchestra under conductor Pablo Mielgo. The singer launched her career in Riga.
Jauns.lv · 9 Sept, 21:11
LSM.lv releases new episode of discussion program "Обсудим вечером"
A new episode of the Russian-language discussion program "Обсудим вечером" ("Let's Discuss Tonight") was published on the LSM.lv platform on September 9, 2026. No specific topics from the episode were disclosed in the source information.
LSM (rus) · 9 Sept, 21:11
Céline Dion returns to the Paris stage after years away
Céline Dion begins her long-awaited return to live performance this Saturday in Paris, with more than 16 shows planned across September and October. The concerts mark a major milestone for the 58-year-old singer following years off the road due to a rare neurological disorder.
France 24 · 9 Sept, 19:13
Film "Uļa" to hit Latvian cinemas on September 16
Director Viesturs Kairišs' feature film "Uļa" will open in cinemas across Latvia on September 16, with special screenings marking the start of its run. Latvia has submitted the film for the Academy Awards.
LSM (rus) · 9 Sept, 19:07
German researchers identify a receptor that may help fight osteoporosis
Leipzig University scientists have found that the receptor GPR133 could be a new target for osteoporosis treatment, after a compound called AP503 boosted bone strength in mice.
ScienceDaily Veselība · 9 Sept, 17:10
Paris's 2024 Olympic balloon cauldron still lighting up the night sky
Two years after the 2024 Paris Olympics, the floating cauldron held aloft by a giant glowing balloon is still making regular appearances in the Paris night sky. It became a familiar sight throughout the summer.
NPR World · 9 Sept, 17:09
A Stone Figure in Tallinn's Old Town Watches the Street — and Carries a Legend of Revenge
A bespectacled stone head built into an Art Nouveau facade in Tallinn's Old Town stares fixedly across the street, said by local legend to have been carved as payback for a peeping neighbor. A plainer theory says it's just decorative carving.
Atlas Obscura · 9 Sept, 17:08
Live discussion to address responsible use of AI in schools
Latvia's State Education Development Agency is hosting a livestreamed conversation on how students can use artificial intelligence meaningfully and responsibly in their studies. The discussion focuses on safe and effective AI use in everyday school life.
LSM · 9 Sept, 16:12
Latvian Puppet Theatre opens 83rd season with a premiere and lecture series
The Latvian Puppet Theatre began its 83rd season in August and will mark its 82nd anniversary in October with a guest performance and a lecture series on discussing sensitive topics with children.
LSM (rus) · 9 Sept, 15:09
Even better than the Real Thing? Liverpool's forgotten Black music scene of the 1970s
Fifty years after the Real Thing became the first Black British band to top the UK charts, former members of Liverpool's underground funk and R&B scene recall the club nights and barriers behind that breakthrough.
The Guardian Culture · 9 Sept, 14:07
Homo Novus Festival Hosts Conference on Cultural Accessibility
The international new theatre festival Homo Novus is holding an Accessibility Day on September 9, featuring a conference titled 'Who Is Culture For?' that discusses making culture accessible to different groups in society.
LSM Kultūra · 9 Sept, 13:12
US Startup Offers Free Egg Freezing in Exchange for Donated Eggs
US company Cofertility lets young women freeze their eggs for free if they donate half of what's retrieved to people seeking an egg donor. One participant's experience reveals both the procedure's risks and how the company's attitude shifted based on profit.
Wired · 9 Sept, 13:10
Liepāja 2027: Making a European Capital of Culture Accessible to Everyone
In 2027 Liepāja will become a European Capital of Culture with an extensive program of events, but experts stress that a rich schedule alone does not guarantee accessibility for all residents.
LSM (rus) · 9 Sept, 12:12
Osteopath identifies five everyday habits that quietly damage bone health
Osteopath Carla Posnere explains that several seemingly harmless daily habits can weaken bones over time and raise the risk of bone problems. She stresses that skeletal health should be a concern long before old age.
Latvijas Avīze · 9 Sept, 12:11
Why a Small Dutch Town Is Teaching Netflix's "Adolescence" in School
A small town in the Netherlands has added the Netflix series "Adolescence" to its school curriculum, hoping the show will spark conversations among students about gender roles and help address online bullying.
The New York Times · 9 Sept, 12:08
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New quiz tests knowledge of Latvian cinema
An entertainment quiz has been published asking readers to spot the one odd frame among four images from Latvian films. It is aimed at those who consider themselves connoisseurs of Latvian cinema.
TVNET · 9 Sept, 11:13
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Tuna Sandwich Classics Call for New Flavor Adventures
Tuna is a frequent choice on many menus, especially with bread, yet the familiar addition of salad leaves, capers, onions, and pickles can grow tiresome. It is time to embrace fresh taste experiments.
TVNET · 9 Sept, 02:16
Actress Chulpan Khamatova on role in Kairišs’ “Uļa” and life between three languages
Ahead of the premiere in Latvia, actress Chulpan Khamatova talks about her unexpected casting in Viesturs Kairišs’ film “Uļa”, where she plays the mother of the main character, and her daily routine switching between three languages.
Delfi · 9 Sept, 00:23
Quitting smoking often fails because of wrong motivation and overreliance on willpower, says addiction specialist
Addiction specialist Ilze Reire explained that nicotine dependence operates on physical, behavioural and psycho-emotional levels, and the time before the first cigarette in the morning indicates its severity. The most common mistakes people make when trying to quit are relying solely on willpower and being motivated by external factors rather than personal emotional reasons.
Delfi · 8 Sept, 23:19
French police hunt Renoir thieves after lightning museum robbery
Three paintings have been stolen from the Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer. French police are searching for the suspects.
France 24 · 8 Sept, 22:16
Cats age quietly: the subtle signs owners tend to miss
The first signs of ageing in cats usually develop gradually and can be easy to overlook. Once a pet is around 11 years old, it is worth paying closer attention to its daily habits.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 21:18
Glastonbury 2027 tickets break £400 for first time as sale date announced
Tickets for Glastonbury 2027 will cost £408 including booking fee, marking the first time the festival has passed the £400 mark. General sale opens on 4 October, with coach packages available earlier.
The Guardian World · 8 Sept, 21:07
Cabinet approves state exam schedule for 2026/2027 school year
At its meeting on Tuesday, 8 September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the timetable for state examinations for the 2026/2027 school year, the Ministry of Education and Science has reported.
LSM · 8 Sept, 20:14
Putting a Bay Leaf Under Your Phone Case: The New Viral Ritual for Attracting Luck
A ritual spreading on social media suggests placing a bay leaf under a phone case in the hope of attracting luck, success and prosperity. There is no scientific proof that it works, but the leaf may serve as a personal talisman and a reminder of one's goals.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 20:13
Theft at Renoir museum in France reignites debate over artist's legacy
Two paintings were stolen from the Renoir museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer this week, an incident that has revived long-running debate about the impressionist's contested reputation. The theft coincides with a major upcoming Renoir exhibition at London's National Gallery.
The Guardian Culture · 8 Sept, 19:14
Brendan Fraser on His 'Brenaissance', Winning an Oscar and Returning to 'The Mummy'
Actor Brendan Fraser spoke at the Deauville American Film Festival about his career resurgence, his Oscar win, and upcoming roles. He reflected on portraying a historical figure and reprising a career-defining part.
France 24 · 8 Sept, 19:11
Film festival season begins: critics discuss Baltic Sea Docs forum and Venice Film Festival
In a Latvian Radio programme, film critics review the 30th Baltic Sea Docs documentary forum and the main competition at the Venice Film Festival. The start of autumn also marks the opening of the new film festival season.
LSM Kultūra · 8 Sept, 18:13