Latvia & nearby
Coalition partners split over planned changes to Latvian student assessment
Latvia's Education Ministry has proposed changes to student assessment and centralized exam rules starting next school year, but coalition partners disagree on the approach, with some calling for a delay.
Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Sept, 06:26
Podcast "Info par dezinfo" releases new episode on how algorithms shape online content
Regional outlet Zemgales Ziņas has released the fourth episode of its podcast "Info par dezinfo," focusing on algorithms and their role in spreading misleading content. The episode is hosted by Līva Estere Zondaka.
Zemgales Ziņas · 1 Sept, 06:25
Narva changes city bus schedules from September 1
With the new school year starting, Narva has adjusted the timetables of several city bus routes and launched a new school route No. 8b.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 06:25
President Rinkēvičs congratulates students and teachers on Knowledge Day
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs sent a message on September 1 to students, teachers and parents, stressing the value of learning and encouraging people to seek help when needed.
Staburags · 1 Sept, 06:24
New school year begins across Latvia with about 224,000 students
The 2026/2027 school year has started at Latvia's educational institutions, with around 224,000 students enrolling, including nearly 19,000 first-graders and 2,500 children from Ukraine. About 26,000 teachers will be involved in instruction.
Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Sept, 05:25
Jelgava launches new bus route No. 30
Starting September 1, Jelgava is trialing a new bus route No. 30 for three months, connecting Lapskalna Street with the railway station.
Zemgales Ziņas · 1 Sept, 05:24
Regular Tallinn–Kuressaare flights resume on September 1
Regular flights between Tallinn and Kuressaare resume on September 1 after a three-week suspension for runway repairs at Kuressaare Airport, which cost 2.5 million euros.
ERR (rus) · 1 Sept, 04:31
Riga Zoo's young red kangaroo named Modris after public suggestions
Following a public naming campaign, a red kangaroo at Riga Zoo — godchild of postal company Latvijas Pasts — has been named Modris.
BNN · 1 Sept, 04:29
New school year begins in Latvia with around 19,000 first-graders
Latvian schools opened for the new academic year on September 1, welcoming about 224,000 students including some 19,000 first-graders, alongside several new rules for schools.
Delfi · 1 Sept, 04:26
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Overnight alert warns of possible airspace threat in Alūksne municipality
Residents of Alūksne municipality received a cell broadcast alert overnight warning of a possible airspace threat. Further details on the situation have not yet been disclosed.
Apollo.lv · 1 Sept, 04:24
Mother sues Riga City Council after her child's care assistant is replaced
A woman is challenging in court the Riga Social Service's decision to replace her child's longtime care assistant, while the municipality claims the family may have tried to use the state-funded service as free babysitting.
Apollo.lv · 1 Sept, 02:29
Possible airspace threat declared in Ludza municipality
Latvia's National Armed Forces have declared a possible yellow-level airspace threat in Ludza municipality, sending residents a cell broadcast alert. No further action is currently required from the public.
LSM · 1 Sept, 02:25
Air threat warning issued for Ludza region in Latvia
The National Armed Forces have warned of a possible threat to airspace in the Ludza region, alerting residents via mobile phone notifications. Allied NATO fighter jets have been scrambled.
LSM (rus) · 1 Sept, 02:25
Open letter to KNAB warns of interference in Constitutional Court's secret vote
An open letter to Latvia's anti-corruption bureau KNAB warns that demanding accountability for how someone voted in the Constitutional Court chair election threatens the principle of secret ballots and the separation of powers. The author argues that ballot secrecy and voter unaccountability are protected by law regardless of an institution's size.
LV portāls · 1 Sept, 00:24
Some Latvian Schools Still Short of Teachers Days Before New School Year
Just days before the new school year, several Latvian schools are still looking for teachers and support specialists, meaning some may start classes with an incomplete schedule. School leaders say both subject teachers and special education staff are lacking.
Delfi · 31 Aug, 23:31
Contract signed for southern section of Rail Baltic terminal in Ülemiste
A contract has been signed for building the southern part of the Rail Baltic terminal in Ülemiste, Estonia, meaning contractors are now in place for every section of the future terminal.
ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 23:30
Memorial Garden opens in Zolitūde honoring 54 victims of 2013 tragedy
A new memorial site, the Remembrance Garden, opened on Monday in Riga's Zolitūde district for the 54 people killed in the 2013 supermarket collapse. Around a hundred people, including relatives and city officials, attended the opening.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 22:30
How parties react to ratings: some boast, others question their credibility
Once party ratings are published in Latvia, they become part of politicians' own messaging — some highlight favorable results while others question the polls' reliability. SKDS director Arnis Kaktiņš notes that significant shifts are still possible before the election.
Delfi · 31 Aug, 22:29
Man caught driving with 3.61 per mille alcohol level near Ķekava
Municipal police in Ķekava municipality detained an “Audi” driver with a blood alcohol level of 3.61 per mille after a bystander reported him; he has repeatedly been punished for drunk driving before, including a prison sentence.
Jauns.lv · 31 Aug, 22:29
Latvian Public TV launches "Party in Focus" series ahead of 15th Saeima elections
Latvian Television (LTV) has launched a program series called "Party in Focus" to help voters get acquainted with party platforms ahead of the 15th Saeima elections. The first episode covers the party "Mēs mainām noteikumus" (We Change the Rules).
LSM · 31 Aug, 21:30
Poverty in Latvia: election platforms largely silent on the issue
Latvia remains among the EU countries with the highest poverty levels and social inequality, but ahead of the October 4 Saeima election, party platforms give the issue little attention.
LSM (rus) · 31 Aug, 21:30
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Indriksone: coalition's delay on grading reform risks harming students
Latvia's Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone has criticized coalition partners for stalling on a proposed reform of the school grading system, warning it could cost hundreds of young people the chance to continue their education. She also warned the delay risks increasing the number of students forced to repeat 9th grade.
TVNET · 31 Aug, 21:29
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Boy suffers burns after spilling hot water on himself at sauna near Ogre
A seven-year-old boy was rushed to Ogre hospital after pouring hot water over his own head during a family sauna gathering, suffering burns in the process. What his father encountered at the hospital reportedly came as a surprise, according to Latvian TV3 program 'Bez tabu'.
Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 21:28
Fewer than half of students pass Latvia's basic-education exams on second attempt
This spring, 818 ninth-graders in Latvia failed centralized exams needed to graduate basic school — nearly double last year's figure. The Education Ministry has proposed awarding basic-education certificates based on successful year-end grades rather than exam results alone.
LSM · 31 Aug, 20:30
Reinsalu: Tax break for online casinos to cost Estonian state €31 million
The head of the Riigikogu's state budget oversight committee, Urmas Reinsalu, warns that a cut in the gambling tax rate for online casinos will cost the state around €31 million through 2029. Culture Endowment Fund head Margus Allikmaa says his fund alone will lose four million euros this year and next.
ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 20:26
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Brauna submits explanation to LSM board over storm coverage
Latvian Public Media (LSM) editor-in-chief Anita Brauna has submitted the explanation requested by the LSM board regarding the outlet's coverage of this month's storm. The board had asked for clarification on the editorial response to the situation.
Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 19:27
Cēsis reopens fully renovated Pilsētas Secondary School
Cēsis has celebrated the reopening of its fully renovated Pilsētas Secondary School, where students of all grades will begin classes tomorrow. The 3.5-million-euro project was largely funded through EU support.
Jauns.lv · 31 Aug, 18:27
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"Rīgas siltums" to buy all heating energy via daily auctions
Starting the new heating season, Latvia's "Rīgas siltums" will purchase all the heating energy it needs through daily auctions, always choosing the lowest available market price. This was announced by the company's Strategic Communications head Ivo Valdovskis.
TVNET · 31 Aug, 17:32
Estonian psychologist offers tips for parents of first graders
A psychologist from the Tartu Rajaleidja Center has shared advice for parents supporting children starting first grade in Estonia this autumn, including those attending school in a language different from the one spoken at home, as part of the new "Let's Learn Together" resource.
ERR News · 31 Aug, 17:27
Police urge parents to discuss road safety with children ahead of new school year
With more than 200,000 children starting or returning to school on Knowledge Day, Latvia's State Police is urging road users to be extra cautious and encouraging parents to talk to their children about traffic safety.
LSM · 31 Aug, 17:27
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New retail chain to open in former "Mere" store locations in Lithuania
A new retail chain called "Maryte retail" is set to launch in Lithuania, planning to open 40 stores, some of them in the premises of the now-closed "Mere" chain. The "Mere" network had previously ceased operations in the country.
Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 16:30
August in review: storm damage, CSDD data leak and Ratcliffe's Moscow visit
A Delfi journalist summarized August's key events in Latvia and worldwide, from a destructive storm to a cyberattack on Latvia's road safety agency and a US intelligence chief's visit to Moscow.
Delfi · 31 Aug, 16:30
Anti-terrorism unit 'Omega' receives new vehicles and equipment
The State Police anti-terrorism unit 'Omega' has acquired specialized vehicles and additional equipment.
LSM (rus) · 31 Aug, 16:28
Police urge parents not to post first-day photos revealing their child's school
Latvia's State Police is asking parents who photograph their children on the first day of school to avoid posting images that reveal the name of the educational institution. Such details could make it possible to identify where a child studies.
TVNET · 31 Aug, 16:27
Estonian school year begins with hundreds of students still without a placement
As Estonia's school year starts, 575 basic school graduates still lack a registered place at a next-level institution, with the situation especially tight in Tallinn where high school admissions are already full.
ERR News · 31 Aug, 16:25
Five police officers suspected of taking bribe from truck drivers
Latvia's Internal Security Bureau detained five State Police officials in late August on suspicion of accepting a bribe from a foreign truck's drivers in exchange for not filing a legally required administrative violation report.
LSM (rus) · 31 Aug, 15:28