Latvia & nearby
Three people found after illegal border crossing in Jēkabpils region, aided by dog and drone
Police in the Jēkabpils region stopped a car driven by a Polish citizen, after which several people reportedly fled into a forest; a search using a service dog and a drone located three of them, who had previously crossed the Latvia-Belarus border illegally. A criminal case has been opened against the driver for illegally transporting people across the state border.
Delfi · 8 Sept, 14:12
Former dump site near Tallinn transformed into lake with public beach
A former landfill in Männiku, Harju County, has been turned into a new lake with a public swimming beach. The lake's name still awaits formal approval from local authorities.
ERR News · 8 Sept, 14:10
Bauska Street explosion exposes legal gap, prompting push to extend temporary housing aid
A Saeima committee has backed a bill that would let municipalities provide temporary housing for up to five years instead of just one, a change prompted by January's explosion at Bauskas iela 15 in Riga.
Jauns.lv · 8 Sept, 14:09
/nginx/o/2024/05/20/16086114t1h90e0.jpg)
Driver critically injured after crash with truck near Salaspils
A serious collision occurred on Monday on the Riga bypass near Salaspils after a 73-year-old car driver failed to check the road was clear and pulled out in front of a construction waste truck. The driver was taken to hospital in critical condition.
TVNET · 8 Sept, 13:10
Two trucks collide near Salacgrīva, traffic blocked
Two heavy trucks collided on the Tallinn highway near Salacgrīva on Tuesday, injuring two people. Traffic in the area has been blocked in both directions.
Delfi · 8 Sept, 13:09
Two trucks collide on A1 highway near Kuiviži, causing full road closure
Two trucks collided on the A1 highway near Kuiviži, close to Salacgrīva, completely blocking traffic. Witnesses say no lives are in danger.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 13:07
Storm flooding in Pärnu triggers wave of insurance claims
Heavy rainfall that flooded the Estonian city of Pärnu has prompted hundreds of damage claims to insurance companies, which say the final scale of losses is still likely to grow.
ERR (rus) · 8 Sept, 13:07
Estonia among world's top performers in latest PISA results, but reading literacy keeps declining
Estonia ranked third among OECD countries in the newest PISA assessment, behind only Japan and South Korea, though education officials warn that functional reading literacy has been slipping for years.
ERR News · 8 Sept, 12:11
Estonian police open proceedings over Soviet-era propaganda poster displayed near Tallinn
A large Soviet-era propaganda poster hung on a private home near Tallinn has alarmed local residents, prompting police to launch misdemeanor proceedings under incitement-to-hatred provisions. Authorities say the display conflicts with Estonia's legal norms and values.
ERR News · 8 Sept, 11:11
Latvia to ban regular bus service to Russia and Belarus from January 2027
Latvia's Transport Ministry has submitted draft amendments to the government that would ban regular bus routes to Russia and Belarus, including transit connections, news outlet Delfi reported.
Meduza · 8 Sept, 11:07
Estonia's first resident ambassador to Moldova presents credentials, backs EU path
Estonia's first resident ambassador to Moldova, Siiri Kõnigsberg, presented her credentials to President Maia Sandu, with talks focused on bilateral ties and Moldova's EU accession.
ERR (rus) · 8 Sept, 11:06
Lithuanian investigators search homes of five Nemunas Dawn board members
Lithuanian law enforcement searched the homes of five Nemunas Dawn party board members, who are also lawmakers, as part of an ongoing investigation into vehicle rentals to the party. No one has been formally charged yet, and the probe continues.
LRT English · 8 Sept, 10:13
Siliņa in pre-election debate: politics requires athletic stamina
In a TV24 pre-election debate, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa defended the government's record on the economy and healthcare, comparing Latvia's figures with Estonia's. She also remarked that enduring political debates requires athletic strength.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 10:11
Fates of Bauskas Street building residents: some still paying mortgage, others left without housing
Following a gas explosion on January 2 this year at an apartment building on Bauskas Street 15 in Riga, several residents remain unable to return to their homes, while the Riga City Council denies responsibility for what happened in a municipal apartment. The deadline for temporary housing support for those affected is now approaching.
LSM (rus) · 8 Sept, 10:09
One-hour parking limit introduced at four spots in Smiltene town centre
From September 7, four parking spaces in Smiltene's central square near a medical laboratory and pharmacy now have a one-hour time limit to improve access for residents. Violators face a fine of up to 30 euros.
Ziemeļlatvija · 8 Sept, 09:14
Owner of dogs that bit children in Carnikava explains the incident
The owner of two dogs that attacked kindergarten children in Carnikava has described how the animals escaped and said he plans to separate them and find them new homes. Their fate will be decided after medical examinations of the injured children are completed.
BNN · 8 Sept, 09:13
Dobele municipality accepting nominations for “Business of the Year” award until October 21
Dobele municipality has launched its annual “Dobele Municipality Business of the Year” competition, with nominations for 2026 achievements accepted until October 21.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Sept, 09:12
Culture Minister Warns of Severe Pay Crisis in the Sector
Latvia's Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis says the cultural sector faces a severe wage crisis that will be a top priority in next year's budget planning. He warns state cultural enterprises risk losing technical staff to the private sector.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Sept, 09:10
School psychologist: Fear of school now appearing at increasingly younger ages
An Estonian school psychologist warns that school avoidance is no longer limited to teenagers, with signs now appearing as early as preschool. She says close cooperation between schools and families is key, though support availability varies across Estonia.
ERR News · 8 Sept, 09:08
Latvia to test transit grain shipments — one inspection could cost up to €900,000
Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service plans laboratory testing to verify the origin of grain transiting through the country, with costs of around €900,000 per shipment to be paid by the sender. The goal is to check whether grain stolen from occupied Ukraine is being moved through Latvia disguised as Russian grain.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 09:07
Rundāle exhibition traces history of Latvian primers since the 18th century
A new exhibition at Rundāle's multifunctional centre, created by the Riga School Museum, showcases the evolution of Latvian and European primers from the 18th century to today. It runs until October 22.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Sept, 08:13
Owner says dogs involved in Carnikava attack will not return home
The owner of two dogs that attacked kindergarten children in Carnikava says the animals will not be returned to the family and will instead be separated and rehomed. It has also emerged that the dogs' rabies revaccination was overdue.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 08:12
Schools still have until September 18 to join a culture and civic participation project
Schools have until September 18 to apply for an ESF+ project that uses cultural events to boost students' civic participation. The Latvian National Centre for Culture will run the project until 2029.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Sept, 08:10
/nginx/o/2026/05/09/17621284t1h12ff.jpg)
Car and truck collide on Riga bypass near Salaspils, one driver hospitalized
On Monday afternoon, a passenger car and a construction debris truck collided on the Riga bypass road near Salaspils. One of the drivers was taken to hospital in serious condition.
Apollo.lv · 8 Sept, 08:09
Estonian businessman shares details of Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Tallinn
Estonian businessman Kiht Sillats has described the recent business visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Tallinn. The American departed the Estonian capital by private jet on Monday morning.
Delfi · 8 Sept, 08:08
2026 Elections: Latvia's Ukrainian community urges citizens not to skip their vote
Latvia will hold 15th Saeima elections on October 3, and LSM spoke with two Latvian citizens of Ukrainian origin about why voting matters to their community. The conversation included SICH society head Oksana Sichko and translator Vladimir Ivanitsky.
LSM (rus) · 8 Sept, 08:07
Estonia's job vacancies drop by nearly 2,000 over the year
Estonian companies and institutions had 8,363 open positions in the second quarter, down 19.2% from a year earlier. Education and public administration had the most vacancies.
ERR (rus) · 8 Sept, 08:07
Lithuania's debt-servicing costs set to top one billion euros for first time
Lithuania's government debt-servicing costs will exceed one billion euros for the first time next year, with economists warning that the pace of debt growth toward a 60% of GDP threshold matters more than the figure itself.
LRT English · 8 Sept, 08:07
Drier start to the week in Latvia gives way to returning rain
Latvia will see relatively dry and warm weather on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday brings prolonged, at times heavy rain across most of the country. Conditions may improve again by the weekend.
BNN · 8 Sept, 08:06
Global sugar prices surge as EU expects poor beet harvest
World sugar prices jumped more than 20% in August, and adverse weather across Europe, Asia and South America threatens to push supplies even tighter. The European Commission forecasts EU sugar production could fall by nearly a fifth next season.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Sept, 07:13
Social media debate over Russian-speaking pupils grouping together in Latvian school class
A mother wrote on Threads that Russian-speaking children in her daughter's Latvian-language class mostly speak Russian among themselves and stick together, sparking a wide-ranging online discussion.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 07:10
Two wards renovated and historic reliefs restored at “Tērvete” rehabilitation centre
The “Tērvete” rehabilitation centre has completed restoration of two historic facade reliefs and renovation of two higher-comfort wards. The work was funded by the State Culture Capital Foundation and carried out by several construction firms.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Sept, 07:09
Valka teens to build teamwork skills through new project
A new project called "Es, mēs – kopā" ("Me, We – Together") has launched at Valka's Jānis Cimze Gymnasium, engaging around 75 eighth-graders in activities to build social and cooperation skills over nearly two years. The initiative is funded through the European Social Fund Plus programme "School in the Community".
Ziemeļlatvija · 8 Sept, 07:07
Two traffic accidents with injuries recorded in Ida-Viru County in one day
On Monday, September 7, two separate road accidents involving pedestrians occurred in Estonia's Ida-Viru County, with both victims taken to hospital.
ERR (rus) · 8 Sept, 07:06
/nginx/o/2026/09/07/17903482t1h38b9.jpg)
Trust concerns linger weeks after CSDD data leak in Latvia
Weeks after a data leak from Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), public alarm has faded but distrust and speculation persist, carrying their own risks. Experts urge continued vigilance without giving in to unfounded fears.
TVNET · 8 Sept, 06:12
Vidzeme Hospital explains what care will remain local after hospital reform, and when patients still go to Riga
Ahead of Latvia's planned hospital network reform, Vidzeme Hospital has outlined which medical services will remain available regionally and which cases will still require transfer to Riga's university hospitals. The hospital also acknowledges a shortage of specialists, particularly internists and emergency doctors.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Sept, 06:08