Latvia & nearby
Riga police rescue four from drowning, reunite 11 lost children with parents this swimming season
Since May 15, Riga Municipal Police have pulled four people from drowning and returned 11 lost children to their parents during this year's swimming season.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 20:46
Latvian TV's "Party in Focus" series turns spotlight on National Alliance
Latvian Television continues its pre-election program series "Party in Focus," designed to help voters learn about party platforms ahead of the 15th Saeima elections; this episode centers on the National Alliance.
LSM · 15 Sept, 20:43
Government approves new rules for keeping dangerous dogs
Latvia's government approved regulations from the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday setting stricter requirements for dogs that have attacked a person or animal, including leash rules, muzzling and mandatory training. The rules follow a widely covered incident in Carnikava where dogs attacked kindergarten children.
Delfi · 15 Sept, 19:48
School transport in Saldus municipality unaffected by transport strike
A September 16 protest by transport carriers will not disrupt school transport in Saldus municipality, though regional bus routes operated by AS "Liepājas autobusu parks" may be affected.
Jauns.lv · 15 Sept, 19:48
Latvia to tighten rules for owners of aggressive dogs
The government on Tuesday approved new draft regulations on keeping, registering and training dogs that have shown aggression. The move follows an incident in Carnikava where unsupervised dogs attacked a group of kindergarten children.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 19:47
Boardwalk partially flooded at Selisoo bog in Alutaguse National Park
After a project to restore the natural water regime at Estonia's Selisoo bog in Alutaguse National Park, water levels rose higher than expected, submerging part of the trail's boardwalk. A new trail section has been built so visitors can pass without getting wet.
ERR (rus) · 15 Sept, 19:45
In Jēkabpils municipality, closed schools become libraries, guesthouses and even a hunters' lodge
In Jēkabpils municipality, most schools closed over recent decades have found new uses — from community gathering spots to a hunters' lodge. The former Mežzemes school, unused for teaching for over 30 years, stands out as a prime example.
LSM · 15 Sept, 18:45
Saldus: Exit from Lielcieceres Street to Highway A9 Closed During Repairs
Road repair work in the Saldus municipality has closed the direct exit from Lielcieceres Street onto highway A9, with new road signs installed to guide drivers along an alternative route. Residents are urged to plan extra travel time.
Jauns.lv · 15 Sept, 18:43
Bundeswehr Inspector General visits Estonia
German Bundeswehr Inspector General Carsten Breuer visited Estonia on Tuesday and met with Estonian Defence Forces Commander Lieutenant General Andrus Merilo. The two discussed bilateral defense cooperation and strengthening NATO's eastern flank.
ERR (rus) · 15 Sept, 17:51
Man may have to pay €31,000 for illegally shooting a bear in Ogre region
A man in the Ogre region may be ordered to pay €31,000 in damages after illegally shooting a bear last October. The case has been handed to prosecutors.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 17:51
Explosive device found in drone shot down over Lithuania
A drone shot down over Lithuania overnight into Tuesday was carrying an explosive device, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas announced. The incident points to a possible deliberate provocation against Lithuania's border security.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 17:46
What are drosophila, or fruit flies, and what do they have in common with humans
During the autumn harvest season, households see a surge in drosophila, or fruit flies, sometimes locally called "sourness flies." These tiny insects turn out to share a striking genetic similarity with humans.
LSM · 15 Sept, 17:45
Finance Ministry finds no conflicts of interest in state IT procurement
An audit by Latvia's Finance Ministry found no conflicts of interest in procurement of nationally significant IT systems. The findings were presented in a report approved by the government on Tuesday.
LSM · 15 Sept, 16:45
Estonia: Over 1,300 students still without school place, most from Russian-language schools
Estonia's education minister says over 60 percent of students left without a school place after the start of the year come from Russian-language schools and have almost no Estonian language skills. The ministry is reviewing language support funding and exam policies as a result.
ERR News · 15 Sept, 16:43
Two longtime tenants set to leave Tartu's Genialistide Klubi
Theater Must Kast and bar Möku are both moving out of Tartu's subcultural venue Genialistide Klubi, citing uncertainty over its future and their own growth plans. The club says it will seek new partners.
ERR News · 15 Sept, 15:49
Tartu plans kindergarten and primary school in Ihaste
The city of Tartu has approved a detailed plan for a plot in the Ihaste district where a kindergarten and primary school are envisioned for the future. Construction timing and the facility's size will be clarified after a demographic forecast is prepared.
ERR (rus) · 15 Sept, 15:49
LSM to introduce new content-space model on social media
Latvia's public media outlet LSM is gradually restructuring its social media accounts around topic-based content spaces, with the first one, LSM Izklaide, launching this week.
LSM · 15 Sept, 15:49
New party founded in Latvia — "Rising Sun for Latvia"
A new political party, "Rising Sun for Latvia" (ASL), has been registered in Latvia, led by Raivis Zeltītis, former long-serving secretary general of the National Alliance. The party was founded on a symbolically chosen date, August 23.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 15:48
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Survey: Most Latvians see ride-sharing as a way to cut drunk driving
A survey by research agency Norstat found that most residents of Latvia's largest cities believe ride-sharing helps reduce drunk driving. A third of respondents said they had personally used such services to avoid driving after drinking.
TVNET · 15 Sept, 15:46
Hunter may have to pay €31,000 for illegally killing a brown bear
A man suspected of illegally shooting a protected brown bear in Taurupe parish last year may have to compensate €31,000 in damages. The case has been sent to prosecutors to begin criminal prosecution.
Delfi · 15 Sept, 14:49
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Detained dance teacher also linked to "Richie Roo" and Latvian National Opera shows
A dance teacher detained last week on suspicion of sexual crimes against children has also been linked to the "Richie Roo" bear character shows and productions of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, news agency LETA has found.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 14:47
Recipe: tomato and apple purée for winter preserves
Latvian outlet Praktiskais Latvietis shares an unusual recipe — tomato purée mixed with tart apples — suited for canning as a winter preserve. The combination is said to pleasantly surprise both cooks and guests.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Sept, 14:46
LHV Bank to Close Branches in Tartu and Pärnu
Estonian bank LHV will close its branches in Tartu and Pärnu from October 31, 2026, citing changing customer habits and declining branch visits. Three customer-service positions will be eliminated as a result.
ERR (rus) · 15 Sept, 14:43
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Investigation completed into illegal shooting of a brown bear in Ogre municipality
State Police have completed a criminal investigation into the illegal shooting of a brown bear in Ogre municipality last October. A man born in 1972 is suspected of the offense.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 13:47
Researcher: Estonia's pension reform has split society onto two paths
Five years after Estonia's second-pillar pension reform, about a third of savers have withdrawn their funds, and a researcher warns the true winners and losers won't be clear for another two to three decades.
ERR News · 15 Sept, 13:46
Waste management fees to rise across most of Riga from October
Waste collection fees will increase slightly in three of Riga's four waste management zones starting October 1. The Riga City Council committee approved the change, citing inflation, labor costs and rising fuel prices.
LSM · 15 Sept, 13:44
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Progressives propose free vehicle inspection for people hit by CSDD data breach
Latvia's Progressives party has submitted amendments granting one free basic technical inspection to people whose data was stolen in a cyberattack on the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD). The proposal still awaits parliamentary review.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 12:48
'Know Before You Vote': Assessing Four Years of Regional Development
Ahead of the upcoming Saeima elections, attention is turning to how regional development in Latvia should be assessed over the past four years, using politicians' promises and the territorial reform carried out before the previous elections as key benchmarks.
LSM · 15 Sept, 12:44
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Active phase of "Namejs 2026" military exercise to begin in Riga
From September 16 to 20, Riga will host the active phase of the "Namejs 2026" military exercise, during which soldiers and military equipment will be visible in several city neighborhoods, the Riga City Council has announced.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 11:47
Service dogs face off in narcotics detection contest in Jõhvi
A competition for service dogs and their handlers in narcotics detection took place at Viru Prison in Jõhvi, drawing 17 teams, with the Tax and Customs Board taking overall victory.
ERR News · 15 Sept, 11:46
Early September in Latvia was significantly rainier and warmer than average
Data compiled by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre show that the first ten days of September brought far more rain than usual, along with above-average temperatures.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 11:44
Aminata and Intars Busulis release first joint duet "Tikai tevis dēļ"
Singers Aminata and Intars Busulis have teamed up for the first time, releasing a duet titled "Tikai tevis dēļ" ("Only for you") dedicated to the parent-child bond. The two will perform it live together at an autumn concert.
OgreNet · 15 Sept, 09:49
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Latvia's anti-corruption bureau opens violation cases against several parties over campaigning breaches
Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has opened administrative violation proceedings against three parties — one for failing to submit a pre-election campaigning declaration and two for public campaign materials lacking a listed payer.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 09:47
Free running clubs surge in popularity across Estonia
Free community running clubs known as Sörk are gaining rapid popularity across Estonia, drawing participants of all ages and backgrounds. The movement has now grown to 69 clubs nationwide.
ERR News · 15 Sept, 09:45
Palanga hosts police skills competition with Latvian, Polish and Ukrainian teams
From September 14 to 16, the Lithuanian resort town of Palanga is hosting a national best-police-officer competition that also includes guest teams from Latvia, Poland and Ukraine. Organizers reassure residents there is no cause for alarm over the increased police presence.
Jauns.lv · 15 Sept, 09:43
Drawn-out theft case exposes gap in Latvian law
A relatively simple theft case from six and a half years ago, in which farmers suffered losses exceeding 100,000 euros, still has not been concluded. The head of the Judicial Council says the case reveals serious problems in legislation.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 09:43