Latvia & nearby
Red weather alert issued: extreme rain forecast for Riga and central Latvia
Latvia's central region, including Riga, Jelgava and the Vidzeme coast, is under the highest-level red weather warning for exceptionally heavy, prolonged rain. The alert runs from Saturday morning through Sunday night.
Jauns.lv · 21 Aug, 21:02
Red alert issued: extremely heavy rain to hit central Latvia on Saturday
Latvia's environment agency has issued a red weather alert for extremely heavy, prolonged rain across central Latvia on Saturday, warning of possible flooding and infrastructure disruption. Fire and rescue authorities urge residents to prepare and stay cautious.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Aug, 21:00
Police raid on Jelgava rivers uncovers five violations
Latvian police conducted a weekend inspection raid on the Lielupe and Driksa rivers near Jelgava, checking 32 watercraft and finding five rule violations. Two operators were fined for driving without a licence, while three received warnings for lacking registration documents.
Jauns.lv · 21 Aug, 20:01
Saulkrasti municipality wraps up successful 'Home Café Days'
On August 15–16, ten home cafés opened their doors across Saulkrasti municipality, offering homemade food and a chance to meet their owners and hear their stories. The municipality thanked participants for their effort and hospitality.
Jauns.lv · 21 Aug, 19:01
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Turkish F-16 fighter jets land at Lielvārde military base
Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets landed at the Lielvārde military base on Friday as part of the Baltic air policing mission. The visit underscores NATO's presence in the region.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 18:59
35 years ago, as chaos gripped Moscow, Latvia restored its independence de facto
On August 21, 1991, while the outcome of the coup attempt in Moscow was still unknown, Latvia's Supreme Council adopted a constitutional law on the state status of the Republic of Latvia, fully restoring independence de facto. On this 35th anniversary, LSM's Russian-language service spoke with historian Una Bergmane about the events of 1991.
LSM (rus) · 21 Aug, 18:59
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CSDD rolls out two-factor verification across several of its IT systems
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) says two-factor verification is being developed for several of its information systems that previously lacked this authentication method, according to communications head Mārtiņš Mālmeisters.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 18:04
Storm forces cancellation and postponement of several weekend events across Latvia
Ahead of a forecast storm and an orange weather warning, numerous outdoor events across Latvia scheduled for this weekend have been cancelled or postponed. Organizers advise following social media for the latest updates.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Aug, 18:01
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Storm forces Riga Zoo to shorten Saturday hours, close Sunday
Due to an approaching storm, Riga National Zoo will be open for only three hours on Saturday and will be closed entirely on Sunday.
TVNET · 21 Aug, 17:01
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"Row Baltics" festival postponed to Sunday due to weather warning
The Baltic street art and culture festival "Row Baltics", originally set for Saturday, has been rescheduled to Sunday because of a warning about unfavorable weather.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 17:01
Storm warning prompts postponement of several events across Latvia
Several public events in Latvia, including a concert in Mežaparks and a half-marathon in Jelgava, have been postponed ahead of a forecast storm with strong winds and heavy rain on Saturday, August 22. Fire and rescue authorities are urging organizers and residents to assess safety risks themselves.
LSM · 21 Aug, 16:58
Riga Zoo to open for just three hours Saturday, closed Sunday due to storm
Due to forecast heavy rain and a storm, Riga Zoo will be open for only three hours on Saturday and will remain closed on Sunday, its administration announced.
LSM (rus) · 21 Aug, 16:58
Storm warnings prompt postponement of several Saturday events
Forecasters' storm warnings have led organizers to reschedule several events planned for Saturday, including the Mesa and GACHO concert in Mežaparks, the Jelgava night half-marathon, and the "Row Baltics" festival.
Jauns.lv · 21 Aug, 16:04
Driver fleeing police in Cēsis hits 132 km/h, drug-like substance found in car
In Cēsis, a driver suspected of being drunk fled from police, reaching speeds of 132 km/h and breaking multiple traffic rules. Officers found a marijuana-like substance in the car, and a criminal case has been opened.
Delfi · 21 Aug, 16:03
Calm before the storm to hold until Saturday morning in Latvia
Meteorologists say Latvia will still see relatively calm weather into Saturday morning before a powerful summer cyclone crosses the country later that day, bringing heavy rain and destructive winds.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Aug, 16:03
Lithuania to seek full CERN membership, says PM
Lithuania's Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius announced that the country will formally apply for full membership in CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, with the request to be submitted shortly.
LRT English · 21 Aug, 16:03
Driver fleeing police in Cēsis reaches speed of 132 km/h
Police in Cēsis pursued a suspected drunk driver of an Audi who reached 132 km/h in a 50 km/h zone while trying to flee. A marijuana-like substance was found in the car and a criminal case has been opened.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 16:02
Estonia debates how to spend €546 million in extra EU farm funding
Estonia will receive an extra €546 million in the next EU budget period because its farm support has lagged the EU average, and officials are now disputing how much of it should actually go toward boosting production.
ERR News · 21 Aug, 16:01
LTV invites viewers to pre-election debates in Latgale
Latvian Television is inviting people to apply to attend as a live studio audience for pre-election debates among candidates for the 15th Saeima, to be held in Daugavpils and focused on the Latgale region.
LSM (rus) · 21 Aug, 15:58
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Kulbergs recalls family story about Stalin's armored limousine
At a ceremonial Saeima sitting marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of Latvia's de facto independence, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs recounted how his father once prepared Joseph Stalin's armored ZIS limousine. The car was reportedly meant to evacuate top officials if threatened by OMON forces.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 15:04
Wind gusts near Vidzeme coast could reach 30 m/s on Sunday night
Meteorologists forecast calm weather across Latvia on Saturday night and morning, but say an approaching cyclone could bring wind gusts of up to 30 metres per second to the Vidzeme coast on Sunday night.
TVNET · 21 Aug, 15:02
Estonian minister: law bars disclosure of firms trading with Russia
Estonia's economy minister Erkki Keldo said current law does not allow the state to publish a list of companies still doing business with Russia and Belarus, though he did not rule out future legal changes.
ERR (rus) · 21 Aug, 14:59
Large illegal cigarette factory shut down in Riga
Latvia's Tax and Customs Police have dismantled a major illegal cigarette factory in Riga, larger than the one uncovered in Grobiņa in June. Eighteen illegally employed workers were detained during the raid.
LSM (rus) · 21 Aug, 14:58
Bauska municipality schools to start no earlier than 8:30 am from new school year
Starting with the new school year, in-person classes at all municipal general education schools in Bauska municipality will not begin before 8:30 am. The municipality confirmed this to the LETA news agency.
TVNET · 21 Aug, 14:05
Lithuania should not invest in airBaltic until it turns a profit – president
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania should hold off investing in Latvia's national airline airBaltic until it becomes profitable, as Lithuanian politicians remain divided on the issue.
LRT English · 21 Aug, 14:04
PM Kulbergs marks 35 years since Latvia's restored independence
At a solemn Saeima sitting marking 35 years since the restoration of Latvia's de facto independence, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs shared personal memories of 1991 and urged citizens to keep defending the state. He stressed that freedom was won, not given.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Aug, 14:02
Traffic light and turn lane planned for Liepāja highway in Brocēni
Construction work is underway on the Liepāja highway in Brocēni, Saldus municipality, with traffic currently regulated by road signs; once finished, the site will get a traffic light and a separate turning lane, state road operator Latvijas Valsts ceļi reports.
LSM (rus) · 21 Aug, 13:58
Lithuania's leaders hold back on wider Church abuse inquiry
Lithuania's prime minister and parliamentary speaker are resisting calls for an immediate broad independent investigation into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, even as two priests face criminal charges over offences against children.
LRT English · 21 Aug, 13:04
Storm approaching Riga: residents urged to avoid parks, playgrounds and cemeteries
Meteorologists forecast a storm hitting Riga on Saturday that could continue into Sunday, prompting the city council to urge residents to stay indoors and avoid areas with falling trees. Heavy rain and possible flooding are also expected.
Delfi · 21 Aug, 13:02
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Riga warns residents to avoid parks and cemeteries as weekend storm approaches
Meteorologists forecast a storm starting Saturday and continuing into Sunday in Riga, prompting the city council to advise residents to stay away from parks, playgrounds and cemeteries during that time.
Apollo.lv · 21 Aug, 12:03
Poll: Madise is the most popular candidate for Estonia's presidency
An Emor survey for ERR found that Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise is the most favored candidate among currently named contenders for Estonia's presidency, with 35% of respondents naming her.
ERR (rus) · 21 Aug, 12:01
Saeima marks 35th anniversary of Latvia's de facto restoration of independence
Latvia's parliament held a ceremonial session marking 35 years since the 1991 constitutional law that secured the country's de facto independence, with addresses from Speaker Daiga Mieriņa and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
Delfi · 21 Aug, 11:58
CSDD elects interim board led by Juris Teteris
The interim council of Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) has elected an interim board to keep the company running until a permanent board is appointed. Juris Teteris will chair the interim board.
LSM · 21 Aug, 11:58
Debate erupts over Latvia's decision to keep 75% parental benefit for working parents
News that working parents in Latvia will continue to be eligible for 75% of their parental benefit has sparked heated online debate, with some calling it an 'oligarch benefit' favoring wealthy families. Others argue it fairly helps parents who combine work with childcare, including average-income households.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Aug, 11:04
DELFI TV to host live discussion on Latvia's looming medicine shortage crisis
On August 24, DELFI TV will broadcast a live discussion with experts and state institution representatives on how the current drug pricing and reimbursement system threatens access to everyday medicines. The focus will be on generic drugs, which make up most of the medicines used in Latvia.
Delfi · 21 Aug, 11:03
Belarus to close its embassy in Finland
Belarus will shut down its embassy in Finland from September 1, directing people to its embassy in Stockholm or consulate in Daugavpils, Latvia. Finland has never had its own embassy in Minsk.
ERR (rus) · 21 Aug, 11:03