Latvia & nearby
After devastating storm, power restored to 80% of customers
By Monday evening, power had been restored to around 220,000 customers following Saturday's storm, but roughly 54,000 remain without electricity. Drones are now being used to speed up damage assessment.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 20:35
Five Kohtla-Järve councillors, led by Lopin, quit Centre Party faction
Five members of the Kohtla-Järve city council's Centre Party faction, including council chairman Sergei Lopin, have resigned from it. Only six members now remain in the faction.
ERR (rus) · 24 Aug, 19:39
Tree fallen in your yard after the storm? Experts suggest 10 ways to reuse it
Following a powerful storm that swept across Latvia, experts are urging private homeowners not to treat fallen trees as waste but to reuse the wood in several practical, environmentally friendly ways.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 19:36
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Jelgava, Jūrmala and Tukums Among Municipalities Accepting Storm-Damaged Tree Branches
Several Latvian municipalities, including Jelgava, Jūrmala and Tukums, have started accepting tree branches broken by a recent storm from residents, according to information gathered by the LETA news agency.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 18:43
Latvia's Civil Aviation Agency warns of increased drone activity nationwide
Latvia's Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) has warned that heightened drone activity is expected across the country until August 27 as operators survey storm damage to the power grid. Other drone pilots are advised to avoid flying near power infrastructure.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 18:42
Latvia's central bank: households should keep a week's worth of cash on hand
After a recent storm disrupted hundreds of ATMs, the Bank of Latvia has renewed its call for residents to keep cash reserves for emergencies. During the storm, 183 of the country's 869 ATMs were affected, including 17 classified as critical.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 18:35
Burovs: Weekend storm exposes gaps in critical infrastructure crisis regulations
After the storm that hit Latvia overnight from August 22 to 23, Saeima committee chair Olegs Burovs is asking municipalities to submit proposals within a week for improving crisis-related regulations. He noted major problems with communications and power supply.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 17:41
Thousands still without power in Bauska municipality after storm
About 9,000 residents in Bauska municipality remain without electricity following the weekend storm, with some also lacking water supply. In Grenctāle, power has been out since Saturday evening with no timeline for restoration.
LSM · 24 Aug, 17:38
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Crisis Management Centre head: residents should equip themselves with generators
Following last weekend's storm, some residents are still without electricity and communications. The head of the Crisis Management Centre, Arvis Zīle, said municipalities must identify and assist those affected.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 17:37
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Rēzekne municipality's Social Service assists residents still without power and communications after storm
Rēzekne municipality has announced that this week its Social Service is providing assistance to residents who remain without electricity and communications following a recent storm.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 16:38
Estonian Museum of Natural History director sues Climate Ministry
Heidi Jõks, director of the Estonian Museum of Natural History, has taken the Climate Ministry to court over the contest for her successor, and a court has temporarily suspended the outcome. The selection process had already drawn criticism over transparency and the makeup of its committee.
ERR (rus) · 24 Aug, 16:38
Latvia's aviation agency warns of increased drone activity during storm damage inspections
Latvia's Civil Aviation Agency has warned that heightened drone activity is expected nationwide through August 27 as operators inspect storm damage to the power grid. Other drone pilots are asked to avoid flying near electricity infrastructure.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 16:38
Estonia moves to restore financial watchdog's suspended powers
Estonia's Riigikogu is preparing a final vote, possibly in October, on a bill that would restore the Financial Intelligence Unit's ability to access bank account data and conduct on-site inspections. The unit's chief says current restrictions are already hampering international cooperation.
ERR News · 24 Aug, 16:37
Two trucks collide on Riga bypass road, traffic partially blocked
Two trucks collided on Monday on the Riga bypass road between Amatnieki and Mucenieki, with no injuries reported. Traffic toward the Ergli highway is partially restricted.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 15:41
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20 people denied entry to Latvia over the weekend on security grounds
Latvia's State Border Guard reported that 20 people were denied entry into the country over the past weekend due to security concerns. No further details were disclosed.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 15:41
Agriculture Ministry and LLKC launch autumn forum series on growth plan
Latvia's Agriculture Ministry and the Rural Advisory and Training Centre (LLKC) are holding the first of four autumn forums on August 28 in Ludza to discuss the 2026-2036 Agriculture Growth Plan. Further events follow in Dobele, Cēsis and Kuldīga.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 15:40
Brick thrown through BMW windshield in Riga's Jugla neighborhood
An unknown person damaged a neighbor's BMW car by throwing a brick at its windshield in Riga's Jugla district near Kvēles Street. The incident was caught on video, and police are searching for the perpetrator.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 15:38
Tallinn Airport outperforms Riga and Vilnius in revenue despite fewer routes
Tallinn Airport CEO Riivo Tuvike says the airport remains the Baltics' most profitable despite offering fewer direct destinations than Riga or Vilnius, thanks to diversified income sources. The airport also set passenger records this summer and is planning a major expansion.
ERR News · 24 Aug, 15:37
Estonian Security Police propose separate law on background checks
Estonia's Security Police (KaPo) wants a dedicated law governing background checks for candidates for critical positions, saying the need for such checks has grown sharply amid worsening security conditions. The agency does not currently see a need to expand the list of positions requiring checks.
ERR (rus) · 24 Aug, 15:36
Power expected to be restored to remote rural households within a day or two
After a severe storm cut power across large parts of Latvia, supply has already been restored to most customers, but remote rural homes may have to wait one to two more days. Around 75,000 households currently remain without electricity.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 14:40
Storm topples over 250 trees in Riga's parks and forests, cleanup expected to take a month
A powerful storm on Saturday damaged Riga's parks and forests, felling or breaking more than 250 trees. Municipal company "Rīgas meži" says full cleanup will take at least a month.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 14:39
Latvian fire service logs record number of call-outs after powerful storm
Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received 3,080 call-outs in 34 hours after the strongest summer storm in decades, the highest figure since such records began. One person died and three were injured in the storm.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 14:36
Latvia to hold Namejs 2026 defence exercise with 12,000 troops from September
From September 2 to October 8, Latvia will host the large-scale national defence exercise Namejs 2026, involving 12,000 soldiers and National Guard members across the country.
LSM (rus) · 24 Aug, 14:35
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Gardening tip: what to do with overgrown cucumbers
Experienced home canner Kristīne Maka shares a tried-and-tested way to use cucumbers that have overgrown to the size of squash in the garden or greenhouse.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 13:41
Large-scale military exercise “Namejs 2026” to begin across Latvia in September
From September 2 to October 8, Latvia will hold its national defense exercise “Namejs 2026,” involving about 12,000 troops and Home Guard members. Residents are asked not to be alarmed by increased military activity nationwide.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 13:41
Lithuania approves €56.6 million for schools for German troops' children
Lithuania's government has approved €56.6 million to build and renovate schools in Vilnius and Kaunas for children of German troops stationed in the country. The move stems from a defence cooperation agreement between the two countries.
LRT English · 24 Aug, 13:40
Insurers explain how to act after storm damage to property
Following a weekend storm that damaged buildings, crops and vehicles across Latvia, the Latvian Insurers Association has outlined steps for filing insurance claims. It has also asked residents to be patient given the likely high volume of claims.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 13:39
Study: Mocking an Americanized Estonian accent helps protect national identity
A University of Tartu researcher found that the stereotype of an 'Americanized Estonian' in popular culture helps society cope with fears of losing its language and identity. The findings were published in the journal Keel ja Kirjandus.
ERR News · 24 Aug, 13:37
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Latvia to hold nationwide defence exercise "Namejs 2026" starting in September
From September 2 to October 8, Latvia's National Armed Forces will conduct the comprehensive national defence exercise "Namejs 2026" across the entire country. The information was provided to the LETA agency by the National Armed Forces.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 13:36
Preiļi region left nearly isolated after storm: no power for third day, mobile signal also down
A large part of the Preiļi region in Latvia has been without electricity for three days following a storm, and overnight mobile communications also collapsed, making contact with rural areas even harder. Residents are relying on charging points set up near the municipal building to power their phones and devices.
LSM · 24 Aug, 13:35
US to supply Lithuania with nearly €11 million in night vision equipment
The US government has signed an $12.78 million contract to supply Lithuania with AN/PVS-14 night vision devices, Lithuania's defence ministry has confirmed. The purchase is fully funded and administered by the United States.
LRT English · 24 Aug, 12:43
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Heritage agency calls on public to report damage to protected cultural monuments
Latvia's National Heritage Board is asking the public to report damage done to state-protected cultural monuments. The call was announced to the LETA news agency by board spokesperson Linda Zonne-Zumberga.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 12:43
Kulbergs criticizes service coordination after storm, urges learning from Ukraine
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, on a visit to Ukraine, criticized poor coordination among Latvian emergency services during last weekend's storm and called for adopting Ukraine's crisis management approach. The storm cut power to roughly 277,000 customers, with about 87,000 still affected on Monday morning.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 12:42
Kulbergs: storm cleanup exposes lack of coordination among Latvia's services
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, on a visit to Ukraine, said the recent storm showed Latvia's emergency services are not properly coordinated and called for adopting Ukraine's crisis-management approach.
BNN · 24 Aug, 12:38
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Government convenes crisis management meeting on aftermath of weekend storm
Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers held a crisis management meeting to address the aftermath of a storm that hit the country over the past weekend. Officials were expected to brief the public afterward on next steps.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 12:37
Government convenes crisis meeting over destructive storm's aftermath
Following a storm on August 22–23, 2026 that caused significant damage in Latvia, the Cabinet of Ministers held a crisis management meeting, after which responsible agencies briefed the public at a press conference.
LSM · 24 Aug, 12:35