Latvia & nearby
Estonia's 2001 election: coalition's failure to unite let Rüütel win the presidency
In 2001, after Estonia's parliament failed to elect a president in three rounds, the vote moved to the electoral college, where Arnold Rüütel won because the ruling coalition could not agree on a single joint candidate.
ERR (rus) · 27 Aug, 17:16
Kalncempji residents raise everyday concerns with local council
Residents of Kalncempji met with Alūksne municipality officials to voice concerns over border-area security and a lack of proper shelters, alongside practical issues like roads and infrastructure.
Jauns.lv · 27 Aug, 17:15
NBS commander: no direct military threat to Latvia, but Russian hybrid provocations possible
The commander of Latvia's National Armed Forces, Kaspars Pudāns, says there is currently no direct military threat to Latvia, but the armed forces are prepared for possible hybrid provocations from Russia.
Apollo.lv · 27 Aug, 16:22
Belarusian services likely knew about migrant tunnels into Latvia, says border guard chief
State Border Guard chief Guntis Pūjats says both underground tunnels found on the Latvia-Belarus border, used by border violators to enter Latvia illegally, were almost certainly dug with the knowledge of Belarusian services. Removing the tunnel found in late August may require major road repairs.
LSM (rus) · 27 Aug, 16:19
Isamaa faction leader: withholding signature for Madise was a deliberate choice
Isamaa parliamentary faction leader Helir-Valdor Seeder denied claims of technical difficulties behind his refusal to sign in support of Ülle Madise's presidential nomination, calling it a conscious decision. He declined to reveal how he will vote in the Riigikogu presidential election.
ERR (rus) · 27 Aug, 16:16
Latvian Armed Forces commander: no direct military threat, but risk of Russian provocations remains
Latvia currently faces no direct military threat, says National Armed Forces commander Kaspars Pudāns, though hybrid Russian provocations and possible drone incursions cannot be ruled out.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Aug, 16:16
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Friday to bring summer-like warmth and dry weather to Latvia
Meteorologists forecast that Friday afternoon will see temperatures of +20 to +24 degrees across Latvia, with no precipitation expected.
TVNET · 27 Aug, 15:22
Latvia to see warm weather on Friday — up to +24 degrees
Meteorologists forecast warm weather for Friday afternoon in Latvia, with air temperatures ranging from +20 to +24 degrees Celsius.
Apollo.lv · 27 Aug, 15:19
Riga counterfeit motor oil operation supplying Italian shops uncovered by police
Latvian State Police have exposed a large-scale counterfeit motor oil operation in Riga that supplied stores in Italy, causing nearly €282,000 in damages to affected companies. Prosecutors are now expected to consider charges against two suspects.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Aug, 15:16
Estonia's retail turnover grows 4% in July, fuel sales the main driver
Estonia's retail trade turnover reached €982 million in July, up 4% year on year, with automotive fuel retailers providing the biggest boost.
ERR News · 27 Aug, 14:20
Estonian presidential candidate Ülle Madise: unity and trust must be rebuilt
Estonia's Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise, nominated for president with backing from 75 MPs, discussed her vision for the presidency, national identity and security in a new interview. She said she is fully prepared to accept the outcome of the vote either way.
ERR News · 27 Aug, 13:16
August poll: six parties would enter Saeima, "United List" strengthens lead
An SKDS poll for August shows the "United List," led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, continuing to gain support and topping the ranking, while six parties would currently clear the threshold to enter the Saeima.
Delfi · 27 Aug, 13:15
August ratings: support for PM's party keeps rising, 'Stability!' and 'For Latvia's Development' cross 2% mark
An August poll by SKDS shows growing support for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' party 'Apvienotais saraksts,' while other coalition parties see declining popularity. Meanwhile, 'Stability!' and 'For Latvia's Development' have surpassed the 2% support threshold.
LSM · 27 Aug, 12:22
Pabriks: recent storm exposed Latvia's poor crisis readiness
Political scientist Artis Pabriks says the recent storm revealed that Latvia is less prepared for crises than he had assumed, pointing to long-known but unresolved gaps in medicine access, water supply and information flow. He calls it a final lesson before a possible military threat.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Aug, 12:20
August ratings: PM's party support grows, 'Stability!' and 'For the Development of Latvia' clear 2% threshold
An SKDS poll conducted in August shows rising support for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' party 'United List,' while other ruling coalition parties lost popularity. The parties 'Stability!' and 'For the Development of Latvia' have crossed the two percent support threshold.
LSM (rus) · 27 Aug, 12:19
Ogre municipality to set up round-the-clock crisis information centre after storm
Following the damage caused by an August storm, Ogre municipality is beginning to establish a 24/7 operational information centre to ensure continuous information flow during future crises. A temporary solution will be introduced immediately.
Jauns.lv · 27 Aug, 12:19
Narva Deputy Mayor Karpikov names flood problem among his top priorities
Narva Deputy Mayor Oleg Karpikov, responding to a request from city council members, outlined six priorities including tackling flooding and building a new heating main.
ERR (rus) · 27 Aug, 12:15
Two Estonians possibly missing after Nepal mudslides
Estonia's Foreign Ministry says two Estonian citizens may be missing after flooding and mudslides struck the China-Nepal border area, with contact currently lost.
ERR News · 27 Aug, 12:15
Two men in Liepāja steal eight bicycles in under a month
Police in Liepāja have identified two men who stole eight bicycles in under a month, causing victims damages of several thousand euros in total, State Police representative Madara Šeršņova told LETA.
TVNET · 27 Aug, 11:22
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Jūrmala council rejects opposition motion on Trukšnis's dual role
Jūrmala city council deputies decided on Thursday not to add an opposition-proposed item about deputy Gatis Trukšnis's working hours and duties as head of the mayor's office to the meeting agenda. The matter was therefore not publicly discussed this time.
Apollo.lv · 27 Aug, 11:21
Draft proposal prepared to declare state of emergency in eastern border region
Latvia's Climate and Energy Ministry has submitted for approval a draft order to declare a state of emergency in the country's eastern border area, citing threats of Russian military escalation and increasing drone sightings near the border. The Cabinet of Ministers still needs to decide on the final proposal.
Delfi · 27 Aug, 11:18
ERR channels to broadly cover Estonia's presidential election
Estonian public broadcaster ERR is preparing extensive coverage of the presidential election across TV, radio and online platforms, including live broadcasts on voting days. ERR's council has already approved the rules for covering the vote.
ERR (rus) · 27 Aug, 11:18
Puce: Public sector should judge results, not hours worked
Economist Juris Puce says Latvia's public administration should shift from counting work hours to evaluating actual results, criticizing the government for inaction on the issue.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Aug, 11:17
Major bus schedule changes from September 1 in Limbaži and Sigulda area
Starting September 1, carrier VTU Valmiera is changing its regional bus network around Limbaži and Sigulda, adding and removing stops and shifting several departure times. Passengers are urged to check updated timetables before traveling.
Jauns.lv · 27 Aug, 10:20
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17 injured in Wednesday's road accidents in Latvia
Latvia's State Police recorded 112 traffic accidents on Wednesday, in which 17 people were injured, the agency told LETA.
TVNET · 27 Aug, 10:19
Education Ministry to take over recruitment of foreign students, phasing out "Study in Latvia"
Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science plans to shut down the national "Study in Latvia" initiative from next year, absorbing most of its functions in attracting and coordinating international students.
LSM (rus) · 27 Aug, 10:16
Estonia records high crane numbers ahead of autumn migration
Estonia's Environment Agency, with help from volunteers, is monitoring gathering common cranes as they prepare for their southward migration. The species' population has grown sharply over recent decades.
ERR News · 27 Aug, 10:15
CIA director's surprise Moscow trip linked to Baltic states and Iran
US media report that CIA Director John Ratcliffe's unannounced trip to Moscow aimed to warn Russia against action targeting the Baltic states and to press for reduced support for Iran. Latvian and Lithuanian officials confirm they knew of the visit but reject comparisons to the situation before the Ukraine war.
ERR News · 27 Aug, 08:39
Bid to dissolve Jelgava Municipality Council fails to gather signatures
A signature drive aimed at triggering a referendum on dissolving the Jelgava Municipality Council has collapsed, with only 58 signatures collected against a required threshold of over 7,000. The referendum will not take place.
Jauns.lv · 27 Aug, 08:37
Zane Daudziņa: Latgalian is its own sovereign value
Actress, speech coach and Latvian Public Media (LSM) language consultant Zane Daudziņa discusses in an interview the beauty of the Latgalian language, its pronunciation differences from standard Latvian, and her work with accents. The occasion for the conversation was her recent award of the Order of the Three Stars.
LaKuga · 27 Aug, 08:36
Cooking workshop in Koknese celebrates the humble zucchini
The Creative House of the “Baltaine” association in Koknese hosted a cooking workshop led by Īrisa Karosa, focused entirely on zucchini. Participants prepared zucchini bread, a savory pan pie and zucchini brownies.
Staburags · 27 Aug, 08:35
Aizkraukle to pilot Latvia's first early support service for people with dementia
The Aizkraukle municipality is partnering on a pilot project offering early, coordinated support to people with cognitive impairments and early-stage dementia — a service not previously available in Latvia. The initiative is run by the foundation 'Atbalsts pacientiem ar hroniskām slimībām Una cum' with the municipality.
Staburags · 27 Aug, 07:42
What to do if a storm blows a neighbor's tree onto your property
If a storm-damaged tree endangers people or property, it may be cut without municipal permission, but the situation should be documented and reported. Ogre municipality explains how to proceed when the fallen tree belongs to someone else.
OgreNet · 27 Aug, 07:41
Latvian first-graders to receive new children's rights and duties booklet this autumn
Starting September 1, 2026, all Latvian first-graders will receive a new booklet on children's rights and responsibilities, created by the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights. The material aims to help families discuss these topics in simple, accessible language.
Bauskas Dzīve · 27 Aug, 07:41
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Warm, windless weather expected in Latvia on Thursday
Meteorologists forecast that on Thursday air temperatures in Latvia will reach +20 to +23 degrees, with calm, windless conditions.
Apollo.lv · 27 Aug, 07:39
Four days after storm, thousands in Latvia still without power
Four days after a powerful summer storm hit Latvia, about 6,800 customers remain without electricity, with the worst-affected areas being the Aizkraukle, Jēkabpils and Bauska municipalities. Grid operator Sadales tīkls says power has been restored to 98.5% of originally affected customers.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Aug, 07:36