Public Health & Safety: Latvia’s welfare minister Reinis Uzulnieks was sacked after police stopped him for driving drunk, with reported blood alcohol levels far above the legal limit. Mental Health & Community Support: Riga’s mental health festival “Ogle” is set to become a tradition, creating a stigma-free space for talks, workshops and consultations after a family tragedy linked to suicide. Healthcare Tech: Latvian telecom operator Tet has started working with medical institutions to roll out AI tools aimed at easing administration, improving patient experience and strengthening data protection. Food & Nutrition: A new Latvian consumer survey finds that while most people understand the “high in protein” label, very few know how much protein they actually need daily—fueling a debate over marketing versus healthy habits. Access to Care & Resilience: The Bank of Latvia introduced “offline card payments” for essential goods—food, fuel and medicines—when internet or mobile networks fail, with limits and participating retailers/pharmacies listed. Blood & Prevention: Blood donors are needed in Latvia. Health & War Support: Latvian Public Media’s fundraising campaign for Ukraine continues until Sunday, targeting medical care and psychological support for returning soldiers. Local Health Impact: Wet weather has delayed Latvia’s cranberry harvest by at least two weeks, with pest pressure expected to reduce volumes. Workplace Well-being: NB8 diplomats in Tallinn discussed crisis response and mental health support for consular staff, including early burnout detection.