The Latvian Botanist Society has chosen the globeflower (Trollius europaeus) as the flower of the year; according to popular belief, the flower has magical qualities, including the ability to ward off evil spirits

The 77th long-awaited annual publication 'Latvian Statistical Yearbook, 2024' is now available free of charge in digital format in Latvian and English, published by the Central Statistical Office

The winner of Latvia's 'Car of the Year 2025' competition is the new Škoda Kodiaq, chosen by a jury among seven finalists; a total of 32 car models participated in this year's competition

Banks and their branches in Latvia will have to pay a solidarity contribution - 60% of excess profits - over the next three years after a new law on bank super-profits will be introduced next year

The Latvian Ministry of Defence published what it called a 'White Paper' of its spending plans for 2025, calling next year's defence budget 'the largest in Latvia's history', reaching 3,45% of gross domestic product