Latvia & nearby
Most Latvian residents rely on wages as their main income source
Central Statistical Bureau data show that in this year's second quarter, the majority of working-age residents in Latvia earned their main income from wages. A significant share also depend on pensions or support from relatives.
Bauskas Dzīve · 24 Aug, 06:37
Book of condolences opened in Estonia for former PM Siim Kallas
A book of condolences has been opened at Stenbock House in Tallinn for former Estonian prime minister Siim Kallas, who died at age 77. He was the father of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
ERR News · 24 Aug, 05:42
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Talsi municipality: several public institutions without power for nearly a day, childcare solutions sought
Several public institutions in the Talsi municipality have been without electricity for almost 24 hours, prompting local authorities to look for alternative childcare arrangements for Monday. This was reported by Talsi municipal council chairman Ansis Bērziņš.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 05:39
After storm damage, residents praise 'Lidl' chain for using generators
Following Sunday's storm that left many Latvian households and businesses without power, residents on social media praised the 'Lidl' supermarket chain after some of its stores in Jēkabpils and Bauska stayed open using generators. The incident has raised questions about how prepared major retailers and fuel stations are for prolonged power outages.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 04:41
Minister Tavars: Latvia was not prepared for such a devastating storm
Regional development minister Edgars Tavars says the recent storm exposed serious weaknesses in Latvia's power and communications resilience, and is pushing to extend the deadline for municipalities to report storm damage for state compensation.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 04:40
Storm badly damages psychologist and actress Diāna Zande's property
An overnight storm knocked out power lines, felled trees and damaged plants at Diāna Zande's home, with the heaviest loss being one of two large old oak trees, which crushed a cucumber greenhouse as it fell.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 03:38
Storm toll: emergency services received over 3,000 reports of wind damage
Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received 3,028 emergency calls about storm wind damage between Saturday midday and Sunday evening. One person died in the storm and several others, including two rescuers, were injured.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 03:38
Estonian Justice Minister: Impunity for Stalinist crimes led to the war in Ukraine
Estonia marked the day of remembrance for victims of totalitarian regimes, with Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta saying that the Soviet Union's impunity after World War II is one of the causes of today's war in Ukraine.
ERR (rus) · 24 Aug, 02:41
Storm leaves Bauska nearly cut off from outside world on Sunday
A severe storm on Sunday left the town of Bauska almost isolated, with even the local supermarket's parking lot standing completely empty.
LSM · 24 Aug, 02:40
Many kindergartens in Talsu county still without power, childcare solutions being sought
Several kindergartens in Talsu county remain without electricity, prompting the municipality to seek childcare solutions for Monday, while flood damage from the recent storm is also still being addressed.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 02:39
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NVA project helps Latvian residents gain new skills with EU support
The State Employment Agency has launched a project this year, funded through the EU Cohesion Policy, to support adult education and help people stay competitive in the labor market. It includes retraining, digital and language skill development, and mobility support.
Apollo.lv · 24 Aug, 02:38
Yellow warning issued for western and central Latvia over rising river water levels
Following extremely heavy and prolonged rainfall, water levels in rivers across western and central Latvia are rising, prompting meteorologists to issue a yellow warning.
LSM (rus) · 24 Aug, 01:41
Swiss expert: Latvia needs to strengthen its animal protection system
Swiss animal rights expert Antoine F. Goetschel explains why merely changing an animal's legal status is not enough, and assesses Latvia's animal protection system. He stresses that practical changes and institutional capacity matter most.
Delfi · 24 Aug, 01:40
'De facto': Jūrmala mayor and office head play golf during working hours
Latvian Television's 'De facto' programme says it caught Jūrmala mayor Jānis Lediņš and his office head Gatis Truksnis at a golf club three times in the past two weeks, always on a weekday around midday.
LSM · 24 Aug, 01:39
Artuss Kaimiņš thanks rescuers after storm damages car
Actor and politician Artuss Kaimiņš publicly thanked Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service for their help after a storm, posting a photo of a car crushed by a fallen tree without confirming it was his own vehicle.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 01:38
Storm damage closes Kaļķi–Ģipka road section in Talsi municipality
A section of road between Kaļķi and Ģipka in Dundaga parish has been closed after storm-related washouts, with the municipality urging drivers to use alternate routes. Talsi municipality is also receiving reports of possible flooding while assessing the storm's impact.
Jauns.lv · 24 Aug, 01:38
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The catastrophe that shook Ventspils 40 years ago
Forty years ago, on a damp afternoon of March 6, a powerful explosion of a tanker ship in Ventspils port sent shockwaves through the city, with residents fearing a world war had begun; the event remains etched in local memory as a collective trauma.
TVNET · 24 Aug, 01:37
Train service to resume on schedule Monday for most lines after storm damage repairs
From August 24, train services on the Tukums, Jelgava, Aizkraute, Sigulda, Daugavpils, Rēzekne and Liepāja lines are expected to run on their regular schedule, while the Skulte line will still only operate as far as Saulkrasti.
LSM · 24 Aug, 00:40
Fūrmanis: politicians' chainsaw posturing during storm cleanup is overblown
Physician Roberts Fūrmanis has publicly criticized politicians for excessive self-promotion while helping clear storm damage, as power supply is restored to over 60% of affected households.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Aug, 00:39
New rules on tree felling outside forests take effect in Latvia
Amendments to Latvia's regulations on felling trees outside forests took effect on 21 August, reducing cases requiring municipal permits while keeping protection for valuable trees and protected species habitats.
LV portāls · 24 Aug, 00:35
After storm, Olaine residents given drinking water from tanker by municipal building
Following Saturday's storm, Olaine municipality is distributing drinking water from a tanker truck parked by its administration building on Sunday. The news agency LETA reported the situation.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 23:41
AirBaltic's Faro-Riga flight had an unusual ending on Saturday due to storm
AirBaltic passenger Annika and her family were returning from Faro, Portugal on Saturday while a storm raged in Riga, and their trip ended very differently than expected. Exact details of what happened on board and where the plane ultimately landed remain unclear.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 23:40
Storm damages animal shelter “Ķepu ķepā” in Jelgava municipality
The animal shelter “Ķepu ķepā” in Jelgava municipality has been without electricity, phone service and internet for a full day after a storm, with the dog quarantine building's roof among the damage.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 23:36
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De facto: Jūrmala mayor and office chief repeatedly spotted at golf course during work hours
Latvian TV programme "De facto" reports it caught Jūrmala mayor Jānis Lediņš and his office head Gatis Truksnis at a golf club three times over two weeks, always on workdays around lunchtime. The mayor responded that his working hours are "24/7".
TVNET · 23 Aug, 23:36
Latgale still struggling with aftermath of powerful windstorm
Thousands of households across Latgale remain without electricity days after a powerful windstorm, with some areas also lacking water, internet and mobile connections. Services and municipalities continue repair work.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 22:39
Buses to replace part of Skulte line trains on August 24
Latvia's Passenger Train company says storm damage will force buses to replace trains between Saulkrasti and Skulte on August 24, while the Riga–Saulkrasti stretch keeps its normal schedule. Rail traffic on the affected section is expected to resume by evening.
Jauns.lv · 23 Aug, 22:39
On Monday, trains on the Skulte line will run only as far as Saulkrasti
Following storm damage repairs, trains on the Skulte line will run only between Riga and Saulkrasti on Monday, August 24, with buses covering the remaining stretch to Skulte. Service on most other lines resumes to schedule.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 22:38
Storm recovery moving slowly: over 100,000 households still without power Sunday evening
Following Saturday's severe storm, around 114,000 customers of grid operator Sadales tīkls were still without electricity on Sunday evening. Restoration work continues overnight into Monday.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 22:36
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Train services resume on all lines Monday, but Skulte line trains stop at Saulkrasti
From Monday, August 24, train services will run on all lines according to the regular schedule, though on the Skulte line trains will only go as far as Saulkrasti, announced AS "Pasažieru vilciens," operating under the "Vivi" brand.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 22:36
Train services gradually resume on three routes after storm damage
Passenger rail operator Vivi partially restored electric train services on Sunday evening after a powerful storm damaged railway infrastructure. The Riga-Vecāķi section remains closed while other routes are still being brought back to normal schedules.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 21:39
After destructive storm, some in Latvia may wait days for power to return
A powerful storm that hit Latvia overnight cut electricity to more than a quarter-million households, and while most substations were back online by Sunday evening, some customers may face a wait of several days.
BNN · 23 Aug, 21:39
"De facto": CSDD hacker likely tried to access other state systems too
Following a major data breach at Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), in which data of about 1.2 million individuals and 200,000 legal entities was stolen, the LTV programme "De facto" reports the attacker likely also tried to breach other state systems. The incident exposes serious gaps in state cybersecurity.
Apollo.lv · 23 Aug, 21:37
Storm disrupts rail links between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Difficult weather conditions in Lithuania and Latvia, together with the aftermath of a storm, have caused changes to international passenger rail traffic between the Baltic states. Estonian public broadcaster ERR reported the disruption.
LSM (rus) · 23 Aug, 21:35
Latvia issues new yellow warning as floods threaten after storm
Latvia's weather service has issued a yellow warning for flooding of river floodplains and low-lying areas after heavy rain caused water levels to rise sharply. The warning remains in effect until Tuesday afternoon.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Aug, 20:40
Yellow warning: water levels rising rapidly in rivers across western and central Latvia
Following heavy rainfall, water levels are rising sharply in rivers in western and central Latvia, with several floodplains already underwater. Latvia's environmental agency LVĢMC warns the rise will continue and approach yellow-warning thresholds in the Venta and Bārta basins.
Delfi · 23 Aug, 20:39
Storm damage in Estonia turned out far milder than expected
Saturday's storm caused less damage in Estonia than feared, leaving about 3,400 households without power and prompting roughly 250 rescue calls. Two people died elsewhere in the Baltics as a result of the storm.
ERR (rus) · 23 Aug, 20:38