Latvia & nearby (154)

Train collides with car in Saldus, one victim in critical condition

A passenger train collided with a car at a railway crossing in Saldus Municipality early Monday, injuring two women. No train passengers were hurt.

Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 15:24

Five Latvian State Police officers detained over bribery from foreign truck drivers

Latvia's Internal Security Bureau has detained five State Police officers suspected of accepting bribes from foreign truck drivers in exchange for not recording administrative violations. Two of the suspects have been remanded in custody.

Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 14:27

Opposition party demands resignation of Transport Minister Kozlovskis

The opposition party "Latvia First" has submitted a no-confidence motion against Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis, citing management failures at CSDD and airBaltic.

TVNET · 31 Aug, 14:25

Train collides with car in Saldus municipality, two women injured

A passenger train collided with a car in Saldus municipality on Monday morning, injuring two women, State Police confirmed.

Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 14:25

Vecāķi property once owned by wife of suspended VARAM state secretary now belongs to their daughter

Active construction is underway on a property in Vecāķi that recently belonged to Andreta Balševica, wife of suspended VARAM state secretary Edvīns Balševics. This spring she gifted the property to her daughter, Monta Skrastiņa.

Jauns.lv · 31 Aug, 13:29

Dombrava proposes restricting foreigners' work on platforms like Bolt and Wolt

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava is advancing an immigration restriction plan that includes limiting foreigners' ability to work through platforms such as Bolt and Wolt. The plan is due for discussion at Monday's coalition meeting.

Delfi · 31 Aug, 13:25

Lithuania to require Lithuanian-language instruction in vocational training for foreigners

Starting in September, vocational training programmes for foreigners in Lithuania can no longer be taught solely in a foreign language, and must instead be conducted in Lithuanian or bilingually. The change is part of wider efforts to strengthen Lithuanian-language use and support the integration of foreign workers.

LRT English · 31 Aug, 12:28

Man posing as healer to face trial for sexually abusing a child and producing child pornography

A man who provided unlicensed 'healing' services is being tried for sexually abusing a 12-year-old and producing child pornography, along with possessing prohibited pornographic material. The indictment covers 28 criminal offences in total.

Delfi · 31 Aug, 11:31

Estonia's leading media outlets divided over opposition's snap election demands

Estonia's two biggest private media outlets, Postimees and Delfi, have taken opposite positions on opposition calls for early Riigikogu elections after the ruling coalition lost its parliamentary majority three weeks ago.

ERR News · 31 Aug, 11:28

Self-proclaimed 'healer' charged with 28 crimes, including abuse of a child

Prosecutors have sent to court a case against a 70-year-old man who, posing as a healer, is charged with 28 sexual offences, including sexual abuse of a child.

Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 11:28

Estonian MP Kalle Grünthal appears in court over alleged embezzlement of nearly 3,000 euros

Estonian Riigikogu member Kalle Grünthal appeared in court on Monday, accused by state prosecutors of misusing parliament-issued fuel cards for personal purposes. Prosecutors say he let family members use the cards, causing losses of just over 3,000 euros.

ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 11:28

Scientists aim to connect Latvian and Lithuanian populations of the hermit beetle

Latvian and Lithuanian scientists plan to build a cross-border ecological network to preserve habitats of the protected hermit beetle and bring the two countries' populations closer together.

LSM · 31 Aug, 10:28

National Armed Forces to hold exercises in Valmiera and surrounding area

On September 4, Latvia's National Armed Forces will conduct the comprehensive national defense exercise "Namejs 2026" in Valmiera and its surrounding area, testing the municipality's crisis response capabilities.

Jauns.lv · 31 Aug, 10:26

Estonia's leading media split over calls for early elections

Estonian newspapers Postimees and Delfi have taken opposing views on a proposal by EKRE, Isamaa and the Centre Party to hold early elections. Postimees calls it a needed political refresh, while Delfi dismisses the talk as populist posturing.

ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 10:26

Smiltene continues extending Limbažu Street, holds resident briefing on project progress

Smiltene municipality held an information meeting for residents on the construction of the Limbažu Street extension to Daugavas Street, which will also include 59 plots for private housing. Work is scheduled to finish by August 2027.

Ziemeļlatvija · 31 Aug, 09:29

Latvian State Roads urges drivers to prepare for heavier traffic as new school year begins

State enterprise Latvian State Roads (LVC) is urging drivers to expect heavier traffic and more children on the streets as the new school year starts. Special caution is advised near schools and in Ikšķile and Ulbroka, where road repairs are underway.

Bauskas Dzīve · 31 Aug, 09:29

Analyst: Estonia's presidential election likely to be decided in first round

ERR analyst Tatjana Gasova predicts that Estonia's Riigikogu will elect Ülle Madise as president already in the first round of voting on September 2, given the level of parliamentary support behind her nomination.

ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 09:27

Estonia's economy grew 1.8% in second quarter

Estonia's GDP rose 1.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Statistics Estonia, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of growth.

ERR News · 31 Aug, 09:26

Former Sputnik editor: 'Baltic Antifascists' is a Russian intelligence project

Former Sputnik Lithuania editor Marat Kasem claims the Telegram channel 'Baltic Antifascists' was set up by Russian security services. Latvia's security police has recorded activities on the channel that threaten national security.

BNN · 31 Aug, 09:25

The archivist who smuggled the KGB's darkest secrets through Lithuania

British author Gordon Corera's new book reveals how former KGB archivist Vasily Mitrokhin tried to hand over the agency's most secret files to the West in 1992, with Lithuania playing a pivotal role after the US initially turned him away. He eventually defected via the UK embassy in Vilnius.

LRT English · 31 Aug, 08:32

Weather forecast for Knowledge Day turns harsher, with heavy downpours and thunder expected

Latvia will see changeable weather at the start of the week with brief rain and thunderstorms, while heavy downpours are forecast for parts of the country on Knowledge Day afternoon. The weekend will bring cooler, rainier conditions nationwide.

BNN · 31 Aug, 08:31

Suntaži Primary School to open new academic year in renovated premises

Suntaži Primary School has undergone its largest interior renovation since opening in 1984, and 163 students will start the new school year in the modernized building. The school now features new technology, a library, and a redesigned layout.

OgreNet · 31 Aug, 08:29

Estonia to quarantine emails from Russian servers sent to state institutions starting September

From the end of August, emails sent to many Estonian state institutions from addresses ending in .ru will be automatically routed through additional security checks instead of being delivered immediately. The move, aimed at preventing cyberattacks, will particularly affect Estonia's Russian-speaking residents.

ERR News · 31 Aug, 08:25

Ethnographic Ensemble of Salnava Marks 70 Years

The Salnava ethnographic ensemble, founded in 1956, celebrated its 70th anniversary during the Ludza municipality's traditional folklore festival "Gorūza." Throughout its history the group has preserved the traditional singing and liturgical traditions of northern Latgale.

LaKuga · 31 Aug, 08:25

Tērvete nature park to honor first-graders on September 5

The LVM nature park in Tērvete is holding a celebration day for first-graders on September 5, offering free entry and surprises from partner attractions. The event continues the park's long-standing tradition of welcoming new schoolchildren.

Bauskas Dzīve · 31 Aug, 08:24

Violinist Dace Bukša and cellist Elīza Petrenko to open the “Born for Bauska” concert series

On September 3, the Bauska Music and Art School will launch its concert series “Born for Bauska,” opening with a performance by violinist Dace Bukša and cellist Elīza Petrenko. The series connects professional musicians with roots in Bauska to the local community.

Bauskas Dzīve · 31 Aug, 07:28

Drivers warned of heavier traffic as new school year begins

With the start of the new school year, traffic near Latvian towns and cities, especially around Riga, will become busier as more children return to the roads and school buses resume routes. Road authority LVC is urging drivers to allow extra time and respect speed limits near schools.

Delfi · 31 Aug, 07:28

Monday to bring mostly dry, partly sunny weather across Latvia

On the last day of August, Latvia will see mild, mostly dry weather with brief rain only in the east, as temperatures climb up to +25 degrees.

Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 07:27

Last day of August to bring little rain to Latvia

Forecasters say Monday, August 31, will be mostly dry across Latvia, with only brief rain expected in some eastern areas.

Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 07:27

Šuvajevs: Sprūds resigned as minister after dispute over political use of drone incident

Progressives' prime ministerial candidate Andris Šuvajevs claims former Defense Minister Andris Sprūds resigned because then-Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Jaunā Vienotība tried to exploit a drone incident politically. The remarks were made on LETA's podcast "Politiķi! Kas tas vispār bija?!".

TVNET · 31 Aug, 07:26

Jelgava steps up road safety measures as school year begins

As the new school year starts, Jelgava municipal and State police will patrol near schools for two weeks, while a temporary speed limit is in place near the "Junda" youth centre until 14 September. Police are urging parents to review traffic rules with their children.

Zemgales Ziņas · 31 Aug, 07:26

Estonia catches eight drunk drivers in one day

Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board reported that eight intoxicated drivers were stopped across different regions of the country within the past 24 hours. Authorities reiterated the penalties for driving under the influence.

ERR (rus) · 31 Aug, 07:24

CIA Director's Unannounced Riga Stop Before Moscow Trip Draws Expert Attention

CIA Director John Ratcliffe made an unannounced stop in Riga before traveling to Moscow, and intelligence experts say the timing of the trip itself was a deliberate signal to both Russia and the Baltic states.

Apollo.lv · 31 Aug, 06:31

Hidden salary in job ad sparks debate after woman's blunt exchange with employer

A Latvian job seeker shared her frustration after a potential employer refused to disclose salary and working hours before receiving her CV. The story sparked wide discussion about transparency in job postings.

Latvijas Avīze · 31 Aug, 06:27