Latvia & nearby
Applications open for the "Studētgods" social scholarship
Starting September 1, students under 25 can apply for the "Studētgods" social scholarship worth 180 euros a month via the "Latvija.lv" portal. The application window for the first semester runs until September 20.
Delfi · 6 Sept, 06:13
Kulbergs' social media post on dog attack on children sparks public anger
After a severe dog attack on kindergarten children in Carnikava, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' explanatory post on social media drew criticism rather than reassurance. The public is demanding concrete action rather than a recap of events.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Sept, 06:10
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Court weighs surname dispute in young girl's complicated family case
A Riga court is reviewing a dispute over a young girl's surname after the child's mother sought to give her the new family's shared surname, a request the local orphan's court rejected. The girl calls her mother's new partner 'dad' while rarely seeing her biological father.
TVNET · 6 Sept, 06:09
Parliament speaker calls for clear rules after dog attack on kindergarten children in Carnikava
Following a dog attack on kindergarten children in Carnikava, Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa is calling for unified response criteria for institutions and stricter requirements for dog owners. On Friday, two unsupervised dogs bit six children during a walk, two of whom were hospitalized.
Delfi · 6 Sept, 04:13
Latvia and Lithuania consider blocking Russian grain transit through their ports
Latvia and Lithuania are weighing restrictions on Russian grain shipments passing through their ports after Moscow rerouted exports away from the Black Sea due to Ukrainian attacks. The move aims to close off an alternative route Russia has been using.
Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 6 Sept, 03:14
Narva parents raise concerns over student dormitory at Paju School
The condition of the student dormitory at Narva's Paju School has worried some parents about children's safety, though officials say inspections found no serious violations.
ERR (rus) · 6 Sept, 03:13
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Homegrown watermelons from Latgale sell out within an hour in Preiļi
A farmer from Latvia's Latgale region, Māra Ziemele, grows watermelons and drives them by pickup truck to sell in Preiļi, where they sell out within an hour. The local watermelon-growing venture has become a notable autumn phenomenon in the region.
TVNET · 6 Sept, 03:11
Kulberga's government marks 100 days ahead of Saeima elections
The government led by Andris Kulbergs of the 'Apvienotais saraksts' (United List) has marked its first 100 days in office, but unlike usual milestones, this comes just weeks before Saeima elections. Voters will soon decide whether to extend their trust to this prime minister and cabinet.
LSM · 6 Sept, 02:11
Court to decide on girl's surname after guardianship board rejects mother's request
Riga's orphan's court has rejected a mother's request to give her young daughter the surname of her new family, sending the dispute to court. The case highlights a complex family situation where the girl calls her stepfather 'dad' while rarely seeing her biological father.
Apollo.lv · 6 Sept, 02:09
Semjonovs: CSDD data leak accountability should not wait, board and council responsible
Following the massive CSDD data leak, journalist Sandijs Semjonovs argues that those responsible should be held accountable now rather than waiting for the investigation to conclude. He notes the first compensation claim, for 10,000 euros, has already been filed.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Sept, 02:09
Vet warns dogs involved in Carnikava kindergarten attack still pose repeat risk
After two dogs attacked kindergarten children in Carnikava, veterinarian Lita Konopore warns the animals remain near the facility and could repeat the aggressive behavior. A criminal case has been opened and the dogs' owner identified.
BNN · 5 Sept, 23:09
Sunday to bring scattered short showers, air temperature up to +17 degrees
Scattered short-term rain showers are expected in parts of Estonia on Sunday, with conditions improving later in the day. Daytime air temperature will reach +13 to +17 degrees.
ERR (rus) · 5 Sept, 22:07
Jundze alarmed: hundreds of ninth-graders failing to earn basic education certificate
Writer and cultural commentator Arno Jundze has raised concerns that over a thousand ninth-graders in Latvia have failed centralized exams in the past two years. Meanwhile, the Education Ministry plans to change the exam rules.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Sept, 21:09
Charity grill brunch to feature sweet auction supporting young patients
On September 12, a charity grill brunch will include an auction of desserts made by Latvian pastry chefs, with all proceeds going to help young patients at the POGA rehabilitation centre.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Sept, 20:11
Narva after the power change: will residents see the new leadership's results in time
After a summer-long power struggle in Narva, Jaan Toots has taken over as mayor, but former mayor Katri Raik doubts whether residents will get to see the new team's own projects come to fruition.
ERR (rus) · 5 Sept, 20:07
After heavy rains flood homes, residents advised to install backflow valves
Heavy downpours repeatedly hit Riga and other parts of Latvia this summer, overwhelming the urban drainage system and flooding residents' properties. Latvian Television's program "4. Studija" looked into solutions for the problem.
LSM (rus) · 5 Sept, 19:12
Defense exercise "Namejs 2026" underway in Cesvaine and across Latvia
A large-scale national defense exercise called "Namejs 2026" has begun in Latvia, including in Cesvaine, involving soldiers and National Guard members from all branches of the National Armed Forces. Allied troops are also taking part.
LSM · 5 Sept, 19:12
Court rules dismissal of Daugavpils planning department head was unlawful
The Riga City Court has ruled on Friday that a Daugavpils municipality order dismissing Santa Pupiņa, head of its now-liquidated Urban Planning and Construction Department, was invalid. The department itself has since been abolished.
TVNET · 5 Sept, 19:09
Estonian mental health nurse: alcohol is seen as normal part of daily life
Mental health nurse Andra Õismaa says Estonians treat alcohol as an ordinary part of everyday life and often underestimate how much and how often they drink. She stresses that addiction is a serious brain disease, not a matter of willpower.
ERR (rus) · 5 Sept, 19:08
Appeal in former priest Zviedris' money laundering case to continue in November
Riga Regional Court will hear parties' views on contradictions in the first-instance verdict and on prosecutorial amendments to the appeal protest in the case of former priest Zviedris, accused of money laundering.
Delfi · 5 Sept, 17:12
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Vet: Dogs that attacked children in Carnikava should have been removed immediately
After two dogs attacked children at a preschool in Carnikava, a veterinarian says the animals should have been isolated right away, warning that the danger is heightened by the dogs still being kept near the kindergarten.
TVNET · 5 Sept, 17:11
Riga's care homes have no free spots for dementia patients
Riga municipal care centres currently have no available places for people with dementia, and waiting lists move so slowly that many may never reach their turn. Co-financing for care services faces similar difficulties.
LSM · 5 Sept, 17:10
Riga residents question Rīgas satiksme's double standards on delays and ticket rules
Passengers on social media are criticizing public transport operator Rīgas satiksme for strictly enforcing ticket registration rules while taking no responsibility for frequent bus and trolleybus delays. The company says registration is legally required, while delays stem from factors like traffic and road conditions.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Sept, 17:09
Rain and possible thunderstorms forecast for Latvia on Sunday
Latvia's environmental agency LVĢMC forecasts rain and locally heavy downpours with possible thunderstorms across the country on Sunday, with daytime temperatures reaching up to +18 degrees.
Jauns.lv · 5 Sept, 15:10
Rain expected in parts of Latvia again on Sunday
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts rain in places on Sunday, with locally heavy downpours and possible thunderstorms.
LSM · 5 Sept, 15:08
Kulbergs: Latvia must stop living on debt, borrowed money needs to pay off
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs told an LRA congress in Ulbroka that Latvia must change its approach to borrowing, insisting loans should only fund projects with economic returns. He warned of a possible future budget shortfall if the current fiscal course continues.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Sept, 14:11
Estonian opposition party calls for PM Michal's replacement before elections
Estonian party "Parempoolsed" leader Lavly Perling accuses ruling parties of living in illusions about the state budget and urges replacing Prime Minister Kristen Michal with an interim leader ahead of elections. She also dismisses calls for snap elections as populism.
ERR (rus) · 5 Sept, 14:09
Estonia's finance minister: current budget woes are a legacy of past governments
Estonian Finance Minister Mart Võrklaev has rebutted former PM Jüri Ratas, arguing that today's budget deficit stems from reserves spent and unfunded promises made under Ratas-led governments. He says sharply rising defense spending, not current mismanagement, now drives further deficit reduction needs.
ERR News · 5 Sept, 14:07
Person rescued in Riga fire; firefighters report busy 24 hours
Firefighters rescued a person before arriving at a fifth-floor apartment blaze in Riga on Friday evening. In total, VUGD handled 45 calls over the past day, including several fires and false alarms.
Jauns.lv · 5 Sept, 13:12
Estonian police to keep helping fallen elderly outside working hours
Estonia's Interior Ministry has changed its initial decision and will temporarily continue police and other emergency services' assistance to elderly people who fall at home outside working hours, as local governments are not yet ready to take over.
ERR News · 5 Sept, 13:10
How to Prepare for Emergencies: Cash, Supplies and a Half-Full Fuel Tank
Following the destructive storm in late August, experts urge residents to prepare in advance by keeping some cash, food and water at home, and maintaining a car fuel tank at least half full.
LSM (rus) · 5 Sept, 13:06
Over 400 caravans gather in Obinitsa for annual meet
More than 400 caravans and nearly a thousand participants have gathered in Obinitsa for the Estonian Caravan Club's 34th annual meet. The event includes a rich program and, for the first time, services for pets.
ERR News · 5 Sept, 12:16
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Flooding and washout close V164 road in Valmiera County
A section of the Ramata–Mazsalaca–Vilzēni–Dikļi road (V164) in Valmiera County has been flooded and washed out, leading to its closure to traffic.
Apollo.lv · 5 Sept, 12:15
Longer restraining periods reduce repeat domestic violence, Estonian police report
Since mid-April, Estonian police have been able to impose exclusion orders of up to 72 hours, and data show longer orders reduce repeat violence, though shelters report a rise in harder-to-prove psychological abuse.
ERR News · 5 Sept, 11:10
Riga police seek public's help finding missing 13-year-old girl
Latvian police are searching for 13-year-old Jeļizaveta Dudņika, who went missing in Riga on Friday and has not been found since. Anyone with information is asked to call 112.
Latvijas Avīze · 5 Sept, 11:09
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Nine drivers caught under the influence on Latvian roads on Friday
Latvian police detained nine drivers on Friday for operating vehicles under the influence of intoxicating substances — eight for alcohol and one for drugs.
Apollo.lv · 5 Sept, 11:08