Latvia & nearby

Woman hit by reversing car in Narva
A 77-year-old woman was struck by a car reversing in Narva on September 19. She was taken to hospital for a check-up.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 08:44

Gardeners advise: correct apple tree pruning ensures years of good harvests
Experts say proper pruning is one of the most important aspects of apple tree care, directly affecting the tree's health and fruit yield in future years. It is best done in late winter or autumn after harvest.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 08:43

Quince bushes find no shortage of fans in Latvia
Autumn brings a rich quince harvest to Latvian gardens, and the fruit's popularity keeps growing. A grower from Palsmane parish says demand for quinces and their juice remains strong.
Ziemeļlatvija · 20 Sept, 07:48

Latvia names safest cities and municipalities for road traffic; Bauska region ranks 24th
Latvia's Transport Ministry has released the results of its 2025 road safety competition, with Liepāja and Jēkabpils municipality topping the rankings while Bauska municipality placed 24th out of 35.
Bauskas Dzīve · 20 Sept, 07:48

Soldiers returning from training step in to help after serious crash in Ogre region
After a serious road accident in the Ogre region, in which a truck crashed into cars waiting at a temporary traffic light, nine nearby National Guard soldiers provided first aid to the injured. Eyewitnesses online have praised their quick response.
OgreNet · 20 Sept, 07:44

Kuldīga bakery launches new seed breads with raisins and garlic
A bakery in Kuldīga has spent about a year developing two new seed bread varieties, made with raisins and garlic, now on sale at a limited number of local outlets.
Kurzemnieks · 20 Sept, 07:43

Farmer Agnese Gulbe from Rundāle wins "Sējējs" Public Recognition Award
Agnese Gulbe, owner of the "Jaunapšenieki" farm in Bauska municipality's Rundāle parish, won the Public Recognition Award of the "Sējējs 2026" competition after receiving 9,807 of 40,343 total public votes.
Bauskas Dzīve · 20 Sept, 06:44

Latvia moves to tighten quality rules for distance learning as fewer families opt in
Latvia's Education Ministry is preparing new quality requirements for distance and home education, even as schools report that fewer families are choosing this path.
Staburags · 20 Sept, 06:43
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Soldiers assist victims after severe crash on Tīnūži-Koknese road
Nine National Armed Forces soldiers provided first aid to victims of a severe traffic accident in Ogre municipality on Friday and secured the scene until emergency services arrived.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 05:47

New violations found at Koknese guesthouse where illegal bridge collapse injured 30 people last year
New violations have been discovered at a guesthouse in the Koknese parish where an illegally built bridge collapsed last year, throwing 30 wedding guests into the water.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 05:43

Latvian soldiers assist victims after serious road accident near Tīnūži–Koknese highway
National Guard soldiers driving back from training witnessed a serious traffic accident in which a truck crashed into cars stopped at traffic lights, and immediately provided first aid to the injured.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 04:47

Bear reportedly seen in Mangaļsala — police find no confirmation
After a resident reported a possible bear sighting in Mangaļsala, Riga municipal police searched the area but found no trace of the animal. Residents are still urged to remain cautious.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 04:47

"Lielvārde/Unihoc" claims first win of the season, defeating Valmiera
Floorball club "Lielvārde/Unihoc" beat "FBK Valmiera" 2:1 away, earning their first points of the season. Valmiera remain pointless in the standings.
OgreNet · 20 Sept, 03:50

Latvian agency invites unpaid caregivers of disabled relatives to free training
The State Social Integration Agency (SIVA) is inviting people who unpaid care for a family member, friend or other relative with a disability or functional impairment to sign up for free training starting September 28.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 03:48

Estonian youth club leaders help students practise Estonian outside class
Since schools switched to Estonian-language instruction, activity leaders have become more important for practising the language after class, but heavy workloads and lack of recognition drive many out of the job.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 03:48

Heavily intoxicated driver from village called Dzērumi caught in Ķekava
Municipal police in Ķekava detained a driver with 1.87 per mille of alcohol in his blood who had already previously lost his driving licence for a similar offence; ironically, he lives in and had set off from a village literally named "Dzērumi" (Hangovers).
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 03:47

Sweden's manufacturer disputes Latvian ministry's reasoning for rejecting Archer howitzers
Latvia's government this week chose Czech-made Morana self-propelled howitzers over Sweden's Archer system, but the Swedish manufacturer disputes the ministry's explanation.
LSM · 20 Sept, 02:50

Grape growing continues to expand in Latvia
Latvia's wine sector keeps growing, with around 130 licensed small wine producers now operating and vineyard areas for wine grape varieties expanding. Growers describe this year's harvest as good despite challenging summer weather.
LSM (rus) · 20 Sept, 01:49

SKDS: About One in Three Voters May Skip Upcoming Saeima Elections
A survey by research center SKDS suggests roughly a third of eligible voters may not take part in the upcoming Saeima elections, with disillusionment with politics cited as the main reason rather than practical obstacles.
LSM · 20 Sept, 01:48

From drones to choir: Olgina's community house offers something for everyone
A renovated community house has officially opened in the village of Olgina near Narva-Jõesuu, offering activities for all ages, from esports and drone flying for youth to a choir and seniors' club. Built largely with European funding, the venue has already become a draw across Estonia's northeast.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 01:47

Justice Minister: Payments to other politicians from Russia should also be checked
Latvia's Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns says he has asked state agencies to examine gifts worth €419,598 that PM candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko received from her father in Russia, revealing he has also filed similar requests concerning other politicians.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 01:46

Winners of "Sējējs 2026" agriculture competition honored in Riga
On Saturday in Riga, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the winners of its "Sējējs 2026" competition across nine categories, honoring Latvia's leading farmers and food producers.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 00:46

Latvia faces judge shortage, hardest hit in Latgale
A shortage of judges affects courts across Latvia, but the Latgale district court is hit hardest, with roughly a third of its judicial posts currently vacant. The Judicial Council has yet to find a solution to the problem.
LSM · 19 Sept, 23:51

Winners of the Ministry of Agriculture's "Sējējs 2026" competition announced
An award ceremony in Riga honored the winners of the Latvian Ministry of Agriculture's "Sējējs 2026" competition across nine categories. This year marked the contest's 33rd edition.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 23:46

Sunday brings rain across Estonia, temperatures up to +18C
On Sunday, September 20, rain is expected in many parts of Estonia before noon, spreading nationwide overnight, with possible thunderstorms.
ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 22:48
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Riga residents report possible bear sighting in Mangaļsala
Riga City Council has received a resident's report of a possible bear sighting in the Mangaļsala area and is urging people nearby to exercise caution.
Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 22:46
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Bear reportedly spotted in Riga's Mangaļsala district, police find no trace
Riga City Council received a resident's report of a bear sighting in Mangaļsala, but municipal police found no sign of the animal during an inspection. Residents are urged to remain cautious.
TVNET · 19 Sept, 22:45

Zaržeckis names two main reasons people avoid voting
Ahead of Latvia's 15th Saeima elections, plastic surgeon Jānis Zaržeckis identified two key reasons why some citizens choose not to vote, urging people not to waste this opportunity.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 22:43

Estonia open to delaying its "Rail Baltica" section completion until 2034
Estonia's government is considering pushing back completion of its "Rail Baltica" section from 2030 to 2034 to draw on more EU funding and ease pressure on the state budget. The issue is being discussed as part of 2027 state budget negotiations.
Jauns.lv · 19 Sept, 22:43

Latvia's data watchdog clarifies when employees may secretly record workplace conversations
The Data State Inspectorate has explained when employees are allowed to secretly record conversations at work to expose mobbing or other violations. Such recordings are permitted only for a justified purpose and under strict data-protection conditions.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 21:46

National Armed Forces soldiers help victims of serious traffic accident in Ogre region
Nine soldiers of Latvia's National Armed Forces provided first aid to victims of a serious traffic accident in the Ogre region and secured the scene until emergency services arrived.
TVNET · 19 Sept, 21:43

Truck collision in Bauska district reignites debate over drivers' road culture
A collision between two trucks in the Bauska district has drawn fresh attention to risky driving behavior on Latvia's roads, with experienced drivers and safety experts weighing in. September has seen at least ten violations and dangerous incidents involving heavy vehicle drivers.
Jauns.lv · 19 Sept, 20:43

Rinkēvičs: NATO Not Adapting Fast Enough to Lessons from Ukraine's Air War
Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs told the British newspaper The Guardian that NATO is struggling to keep pace with modern warfare developments. He warned that most alliance countries would currently have serious trouble repelling a Russian missile strike.
Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 19:45

Four-car crash blocks traffic on Tīnūži highway
A four-car collision on the Tīnūži–Koknese road on Saturday has completely blocked traffic at the scene. Drivers are urged to use alternative routes.
Delfi · 19 Sept, 18:47

Grape growing and winemaking continue to expand in Latvia
Latvia currently has around 130 licensed small wineries, and the area of vineyards on farms is also growing. This year's harvest is rated as good by growers, despite challenging summer weather.
LSM · 19 Sept, 18:43

Latvia's highest state honors presented in Washington
In Washington, former US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Robinson has received Latvia's highest state honors — the Order of Three Stars and the Order of Viesturs.
LSM · 19 Sept, 17:43