Wildlife Management Debate: Nine EU countries, including Latvia, are asking Brussels to loosen cormorant culling rules after the species rebounded from near-extinction to “overabundance,” arguing current controls are no longer “ecologically and economically acceptable.” Aviation & Climate-Linked Air Travel Risk: Latvia is negotiating with a strategic investor to keep struggling airBaltic afloat and avoid a default, with a key condition tied to maintaining the Riga hub. Local Weather & Disruption: Latvia faces a weekend shift as a cyclone strengthens, bringing a rain band with heavy downpours and thunderstorms in parts of the country, plus gusty southerly winds. Port of Riga Low-Emission Push: The Port of Riga’s pilot-boat services unit LVR Flote joined a Baltic project to cut CO₂ from pilot vessels through low-emission technologies and operational testing. Riga Cycling Upgrade: Riga plans new and extended cycle lanes on Lāčplēša, Marijas and Šarlotes streets to improve safer, continuous connections. EU Funding Fraud Case: Latvia’s EPPO has indicted a farmer over suspected EU subsidy fraud for robotic milking equipment that was allegedly not properly installed or operational, including a claim supported by a fabricated video. Agriculture Finance for Young Farmers: New EIF-backed results show nearly half of loans under a Latvia/Lithuania guarantee programme went to farmers under 40, aligning with efforts to support the next generation. Recycling & Waste Pressure (EU): The EU is moving toward stricter packaging rules, while separate coverage flags growing textile waste as a rising sustainability problem in Latvia.