Latvia’s investment climate: LIAA, LCCI, LDDK and FICIL say Latvia must learn from the K2 Ventum wind farm case after the Cabinet of Ministers declined approval for a €560m project, arguing investors need a clearer, more predictable and legally robust decision path. Defense tech in the field: Latvia tested layered counter-drone protection on its locally assembled Hunter infantry fighting vehicle at Ādaži, combining RF/optical sensing with electronic and kinetic defeat plus unmanned ground systems; Latvia has ordered 84 Hunters with at least 30% domestic industrial participation. Energy storage scales up: European Energy brought 167 MW / 545 MWh of battery storage online in the first eight months of 2026, including systems in Latvia’s Saldus, with further deployments planned across Europe and beyond. Space and science spotlight: Latvian Radio’s “Known Unknown” looks at how little is known about Latvia’s deep bedrock, noting only 207 boreholes exist nationwide and iron ore has been found in just two areas. Public safety and health: A study finds over half of firefighters in Estonia and Latvia are overweight, with widespread sleep deprivation and back pain affecting recovery. Global disruption: Nepal–China floods keep worsening, with hundreds dead and more than 1,000 missing as authorities warn of additional flash-flood risk from a growing lake formed by landslides. Politics and polling: BNN reports shifting support in Latvia’s election race, with the United List rising while New Unity declines. Tech and media workflow: Encompass Digital Media and Grass Valley expanded their managed playout partnership with Altitude Playout Plus, aimed at broadcasters handling late-changing live programming. Defense exports: XTEND delivered hundreds of lightweight M6F tactical ISR systems to an Asia-Pacific customer, designed for soldier-carried indoor/outdoor reconnaissance.