Latvia & nearby
Universities warn state-funded places may eventually go only to National Guard service graduates
The rector of the University of Latvia says the number of students qualifying for state-funded studies after voluntarily completing National Guard service is growing rapidly, reducing budget-place availability for other students.
Delfi · 2 Sept, 04:33
Experts Warn: Overwatering Is the Most Common Orchid Care Mistake That Prevents Blooming
Horticulture experts say overwatering is the most common mistake in orchid care, causing root rot, yellowing leaves, and lack of blooms. Orchids need infrequent watering and a suitable location.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 04:33
Indian berry pickers in Latvia allege slavery-like conditions; employer denies
Dozens of Indian seasonal workers say they had their passports taken, were forced to work up to 18 hours a day picking blueberries and were left unpaid. The Latvian farm owner denies the accusations, saying everyone has been paid.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 04:33
Saldus driver explains speeding with physics, says it prevented skidding
A motorist in Saldus caught speeding near a kindergarten on a snowy morning claimed the excess speed helped prevent a skid and a possible tragedy. Police and court heard lengthy explanations about physical laws before the violation was confirmed.
TVNET · 2 Sept, 04:31
Liepāja weekend to host canoe slalom championship
On Saturday and Sunday, 5 and 6 September, Liepāja’s canoe slalom championship will take place at Zvejnieku aleja 2/4. Clubs from across Latvia are set to compete, while city residents can take part free of charge.
irLiepāja · 2 Sept, 03:35
Prosecutor's Office Opens Criminal Inquiry Into Defence Ministry Administrative Area
Estonian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the Ministry of Defence's administrative domain after audits by the National Audit Office raised concerns. The Security Police is conducting the probe.
ERR (rus) · 2 Sept, 03:34
Job ad promising €780 for 24-hour shifts sparks online backlash
A job advertisement for a call centre operator, offering €780 gross for 10–12 shifts of 24 hours per month, has gone viral and drawn criticism over potentially unpaid overtime and a very low hourly rate.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 03:33
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Quiz: Can you locate Latvia's smallest towns on a map?
Apollo.lv has published a quiz asking readers to identify the locations of 15 of Latvia's smallest towns. Each question offers three possible map positions to choose from.
Apollo.lv · 2 Sept, 03:31
Latvia's Crisis Management Centre head explains the agency's everyday work
Arvis Zīle, head of Latvia's Crisis Management Centre, said on TV24 that the agency's work goes far beyond responding to major disasters, focusing daily on helping sectors prepare for and withstand crises. This year the centre plans broader exercises involving as many municipalities and institutions as possible.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 02:31
Forest camera captures bear's amusing 'dance' in Seda bog
A forest camera video showing a brown bear rubbing against a tree in Latvia's Seda bog area has gone viral on social media, sparking both laughter and safety concerns.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 02:31
Saldus driver claims speeding near kindergarten was actually the 'safer' choice
A driver in Saldus who failed to slow down in a 30 km/h zone near a kindergarten on a snowy morning argued that speeding was actually necessary to avoid skidding, but police and court ruled it a traffic violation regardless.
Apollo.lv · 2 Sept, 02:30
Ombudsman’s office has not received complaints about hunger strike in Liepāja Prison
Latvia’s Ombudsman has not received any submissions from inmates about a hunger strike at Liepāja Prison; the office plans to visit the prison as part of this year’s programme.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 01:33
LSM board reprimands Braune and Enine over storm duties
The board of Latvian Public Media has imposed disciplinary measures on LSM editor-in-chief Anita Braune and Latvian Radio News Service editor-in-chief Zane Enine. Both received official reprimands over their actions during the storm on August 22-23.
LSM (rus) · 1 Sept, 22:37
Man dies after collapsing outside Mego store in Riga's Jugla
An elderly man collapsed and died outside the Mego store in Riga's Jugla neighbourhood on Tuesday despite resuscitation efforts by a passer-by and medics. Police are investigating, and an expert examination will determine the cause of death.
Jauns.lv · 1 Sept, 22:36
Estonia's new school year: over 235,000 pupils and students begin classes
On September 1, 235,627 pupils and students started the new academic year in Estonia, including nearly 15,000 first-graders. The education ministry highlighted several shifts in enrollment patterns.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 21:26
President Karis: Learning is hard work, but effort doesn't rule out joy
Estonian President Alar Karis marked the start of the school year by urging people to find joy in learning, stressing support over grades. He called on parents and teachers to nurture children's confidence and curiosity.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 20:28
PM Kulbergs apologizes to Interior Minister Dombrava over immigration criticism
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has publicly apologized to Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava for harsh criticism he posted on social media regarding proposals to restrict immigration. The premier attributed his earlier remarks to tensions of the pre-election period.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Sept, 19:26
Enrolment continues for some programmes at Ida-Viru vocational school
The Ida-Viru Vocational Education Centre has started the new school year with over 1,800 students, though enrolment for some study programmes is still ongoing.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 19:26
LSM imposes disciplinary penalties on editor-in-chief and Latvian Radio News head over storm coverage
Latvia's public broadcaster LSM has disciplined editor-in-chief Anita Brauna and Latvian Radio News Service head Zane Eniņa over their professional conduct during August's storm. LSM is also reviewing its crisis management and decision-making procedures.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Sept, 18:32
Constitutional Court to review same-sex couple's right to be listed on child's birth record
Latvia's Constitutional Court has opened a case on whether current rules barring a same-sex partner from being registered as a parent on a child's birth record comply with the Constitution. The complaint was filed by a couple whose family relationship a court had already recognized.
Delfi · 1 Sept, 18:31
Scammers try to extort money from relatives of Latvians missing in Nepal
Latvia's State Police warns that scammers are offering paid information and even psychic services to relatives of people missing after the Nepal disaster. Officials stress that state and municipal assistance is always free.
Jauns.lv · 1 Sept, 18:29
Government approves compensation for households left without power for over three days after August storm
The government on Tuesday approved amendments providing compensation for households and businesses that were left without electricity for more than 72 hours due to the storm of August 22–23. The Ministry of Climate and Energy announced the decision.
LSM (rus) · 1 Sept, 18:29
Police step up road safety checks near schools on first day of term
State Police officers patrolled near schools on September 1, reminding road users of traffic rules and paying special attention to pedestrian crossings. Children were also reminded about staying safe on the road.
LSM · 1 Sept, 18:24
Lidl shoppers complain about dirty shopping carts and baskets
A discussion on social platform Threads about the cleanliness of shopping carts and baskets at Lidl stores has drawn many complaints, with the company saying it centrally washes them four times a year.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Sept, 17:28
Estonian MP: Remote gambling tax cut not to blame for revenue drop
Eesti 200 MP Tanel Tein rejects claims that the remote gambling tax cut is responsible for falling gambling tax revenues, urging the government to give the agreed strategy more time. Estonia's prime minister has promised a debate on the issue in coming weeks.
ERR News · 1 Sept, 16:29
Drone briefly crossed Latvian airspace on the night of September 1
On the night of September 1, a likely drone briefly crossed Latvian airspace before continuing toward Estonia, an incident that coincided with a large-scale Ukrainian drone strike on targets in Russia.
Delfi · 1 Sept, 16:27
Latvian government approves land expropriation near Belarus border
Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers has authorised the Interior Ministry to expropriate around ten small plots of land in the Krāslava and Augšdaugava municipalities to organise the state border with Belarus. The land is needed for border security infrastructure.
BNN · 1 Sept, 16:27
Liepāja Regional Hospital sports games won by team “Bruņurupuči”
At the annual sports games of Liepāja Regional Hospital, where ten staff teams competed, the championship title went to the administration team “Bruņurupuči”. The event also honored winners of individual disciplines and the team with the most striking visual appearance.
Jauns.lv · 1 Sept, 16:24
Conviction final in murder case of seven-year-old Justīne — father gets 23 years, stepmother 20
Latvia's Supreme Court has upheld the Latgale Regional Court's verdict convicting the father and stepmother of seven-year-old Justīne Reinikova of her murder, sentencing them to 23 and 20 years in prison respectively. The ruling is now final.
Delfi · 1 Sept, 15:28
Narva-Jõesuu plans €10 million revival of historic resort hall
The Estonian town of Narva-Jõesuu is buying back its historic resort hall from private owners to redevelop it into a mixed-use cultural and community hub with EU support. Total investment could reach €10 million.
ERR News · 1 Sept, 15:27
Estonian teacher: schools must teach young people how to think
A history and social studies teacher at Viimsi Gymnasium, Reesi Kuslap, says the most important skill schools can give students is the ability to think for themselves. She also shared her experience with burnout risks in teaching.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 15:27
Kalpaks Vocational Secondary School launches inquiry into alleged unethical staff conduct
Pulkvedis Oskars Kalpaks Vocational Secondary School has launched an inquiry after a student's parent complained about possible unethical conduct by a staff member. Details of the outcome are not yet known.
LSM · 1 Sept, 15:25
Prison sentences finalized in murder case of seven-year-old Justīne
Latvia's Supreme Court has upheld the Latgale Regional Court ruling sentencing the father and stepmother of seven-year-old Justīne Reinikova to 23 and 20 years in prison respectively. The verdict is now final.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Sept, 15:25
Estonian air force chief: two drones posed potential threat near border overnight
Estonian Air Force Commander Rasmus Valge said two drones created a potential threat to Estonia overnight, though neither entered Estonian airspace, while Latvia's armed forces separately issued an air-threat alert for Ludza district.
Delfi · 1 Sept, 14:30
Riga introduces public transport lane on Rostokas Street
The Riga municipality has created a dedicated public transport lane on a section of Rostokas Street between Anniņmuižas Street and Zolitūdes Street. The goal is to speed up bus traffic and improve schedule reliability.
TVNET · 1 Sept, 14:29
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Construction of Baltic defense line begins in Balvi region on Latvia's eastern border
Construction work has begun this week in the Balvi region near Latvia's eastern border on the first-priority phase of anti-mobility infrastructure for the Baltic defense line. The work is being carried out by the state real estate company VNĪ under a mandate from the Ministry of Defence.
Apollo.lv · 1 Sept, 14:28