Latvia & nearby
Fugitive drunk driver caught in Ventspils after police manhunt
Latvian police on Thursday evening detained a man born in 1999 who had earlier escaped from officers in Ventspils and was wanted after a court ordered his arrest in absentia. He now faces a criminal case for fleeing.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 23:00
LSM Talk Show Tackles airBaltic's Future, Rail Baltica Accountability and Labor Shortage
The latest episode of LSM's Russian-language weekly program "Ну и неделя!" discussed the situation around airBaltic, responsibility for the Rail Baltica project, labor shortages, golden visas and the use of Russian in the media.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 21:59
Estonia keeps parental benefit for working parents at current level
Estonia's parliament has passed urgent amendments to the maternity and sickness insurance law in its final reading, preserving the existing parental benefit rate for working parents. The benefit will continue to be paid at 75% of the previously granted amount.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 21:58
Security expert: airBaltic saga still has no end in sight
Security expert Artis Velšs said on TV24's “Preses klubs” that Latvia needs a clear answer on airBaltic's future, stressing that continued state funding affects the whole public.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 21:00
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PM Kulbergs explains how CSDD cyberattack occurred
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) exploited the agency's 'Medical' platform, used by around 200 doctors to enter drivers' medical certificates. He shared the explanation on social media.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 20:59
Crash on Tallinn highway near Pulksteņezers disrupts traffic toward Ādaži
A road accident occurred on Thursday afternoon on the Tallinn highway near Pulksteņezers, involving two cars and a truck with a trailer. Traffic heading toward Ādaži has been significantly slowed.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 20:04
Youth camp in Kuldīga municipality teaches basic military skills
At a summer camp in Dzelda, Kuldīga municipality, 27 young people learned military skills including using drones for reconnaissance and camouflage techniques. The event was reported by LTV Ziņas.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 20:03
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NATO holds large-scale air force exercises in Baltic Sea region near Kaliningrad
NATO is conducting extensive air force exercises this week over Poland and the Baltic states under US leadership, including flights near Russia's Kaliningrad exclave. The maneuvers are taking place on the alliance's northeastern flank.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 20:01
Large-scale NATO air force exercises underway over Poland and the Baltics
NATO is conducting extensive air force exercises this week under US leadership on the alliance's northeastern flank, with flights over Poland and the Baltic states, including areas near Russia's Kaliningrad exclave.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 19:06
Social media users compare stylish ways to store kitchen salt
A discussion on the platform Threads has centered on how to store salt attractively at home, after one user said she was tired of scooping it straight out of the shop packet. Others responded with ideas and photos of their own kitchen salt containers.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 19:03
Scammers continue sending fake emails and texts posing as Latvia's road traffic authority CSDD
CSDD is warning the public about fraudulent emails and text messages sent in its name, urging people to carefully check any links before clicking. The warning follows a major cyberattack on the agency earlier this month.
Delfi · 20 Aug, 18:59
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Call for candidates for NEPLP board member position announced
The Saeima's Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee has announced a call for candidates for a member position on the National Electronic Mass Media Council. The Saeima Press Service reported the decision.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 18:01
Saeima approves state involvement in airBaltic's financial stabilization
Latvia's parliament passed urgent legislation Thursday allowing the state to take part in stabilizing the finances of national airline airBaltic, including buying new bonds and restructuring existing claims.
Delfi · 20 Aug, 18:00
Two Latvian residents sentenced to prison for sabotage on Russia's orders
The Riga City Court has approved a plea agreement with two defendants who admitted carrying out sabotage against an unmanned vehicle developer in Latvia on the instructions of a Russian intelligence service.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 17:58
CSDD clarifies which personal data was not stolen in cyberattack
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) says attackers behind the early-August cyberattack, which affected around 1.2 million individuals and 200,000 legal entities, did not obtain clients' phone numbers, email addresses, bank details or 'e-CSDD' login credentials.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 17:01
Temporary board elected for Latvia's road traffic agency CSDD after cyberattack
Following a cyberattack and the resignation of its previous leadership, Latvia's Ministry of Transport has appointed a temporary board for the road traffic safety agency CSDD to keep the company running. An open competition for permanent leadership positions is planned soon.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 16:59
Temporary CSDD board elected
An extraordinary shareholders' meeting of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) on Thursday elected a temporary board, the Transport Ministry has reported. Ģirts Ozols was chosen to lead it.
LSM · 20 Aug, 16:58
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Justice Committee backs limits on e-ID use for people evading justice
The Saeima's Legal Affairs Committee has approved, for the third reading, amendments that would allow restricting the use of identification documents and electronic identification tools for people evading criminal proceedings or sentence enforcement. The changes still require final approval by the full Saeima.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 16:02
Estonia marks 35th anniversary of restored independence with joint Riigikogu session
Estonia's Riigikogu held a ceremonial joint sitting with the August 20 Club to mark 35 years since the restoration of independence in 1991. President Alar Karis, Speaker Lauri Hussar and club president Ants Veetõusme addressed the gathering.
ERR News · 20 Aug, 15:04
CSDD cyberattack exposes data of 1.2 million people, board resigns
A cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) exposed data of roughly 1.2 million residents and 200,000 companies, gathered from payment records dating back to 2008. Both the CSDD board and council have resigned.
Delfi · 20 Aug, 15:01
Daugavpils opens new sign-ups for free qigong classes
The Daugavpils municipality is inviting residents to join free qigong classes, with new groups currently being formed. Sessions will be held at three different times and are open to anyone regardless of age or fitness level.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 14:59
CSDD: Cyberattack Exposed Payment Receipt Data, but Not Bank Details
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) has clarified which customer data was and was not affected by a cyberattack on its IT system in early August. Attackers did not gain access to phone numbers, email addresses or banking data.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 14:58
18 applications received for Latvia's State Chancellery director post
An open competition for the position of director of Latvia's State Chancellery has drawn 18 applications, with the submission deadline closing on Wednesday, August 19.
LSM · 20 Aug, 14:58
Estonia's population down 13 percent since independence was restored
Statistics Estonia reports the country's population has shrunk by 13 percent since 1991, even as life expectancy and wages have risen sharply over the same period.
ERR News · 20 Aug, 14:02
Bolt to launch shared bikes in Riga, starting in the city centre and nearby districts
Bolt is introducing a bike-sharing service in Riga, initially available in the city centre and the neighbourhoods closest to it, the company told the LETA news agency.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 14:01
Latvia and Lithuania consider annual full-cabinet government meetings
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said after meeting Lithuanian PM Mindaugas Sinkevičius that the two countries may hold annual meetings of their full governments. Talks also covered cultural cooperation, migration, Rail Baltica and Russian hybrid threats.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 14:00
Three Latvian citizens remanded in custody over arson at Estonian defence firm
Estonia's Internal Security Service says all three suspects detained over the deliberate arson at defence technology company Milrem Robotics have been placed in custody, and all three are Latvian citizens.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 13:58
Latvian parliament backs possible state role in stabilizing airBaltic's finances
Latvia's Saeima on Thursday gave conceptual approval for possible state involvement in stabilizing the finances of national carrier airBaltic, including buying bridge-financing bonds and converting existing debt into capital. A final decision on exact terms is still to follow.
TVNET · 20 Aug, 13:02
CSDD reveals which personal data was exposed in cyberattack — risk dates back to 2008
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) says an August 10 cyberattack gave a third party unauthorized access to client payment receipt data. Anyone who has paid for CSDD services since 2008 may be affected.
Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 12:59
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Cēsis: Drunk driver flees police on quad bike with child on board
State Police in Cēsis Municipality detained a quad bike driver after a chase, who ignored orders to stop and was found to have a blood alcohol level of 2.69 per mille while a child was riding with him.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 12:59
Saeima gives initial green light to possible state role in rescuing airBaltic
Latvia's Saeima gave preliminary backing on Thursday to a bill allowing the state to take part in stabilizing airBaltic's finances, including buying bonds and converting existing claims into equity. The bill was granted urgent status.
BNN · 20 Aug, 12:59
Estonian PM: As a nation, we are wealthier than ever before
On the 35th anniversary of Estonia's restored independence, Prime Minister Kristen Michal highlighted the country's economic growth and rising living standards, thanking Iceland for being the first to recognize Estonia's independence in 1991.
ERR News · 20 Aug, 12:00
Latvian digital agency warns of fraudulent texts about e-address messages
The State Regional Development Agency (VDAA) has warned about scam text messages falsely claiming a new message has arrived in a person's e-address account. It advises against clicking links in such texts and instead checking directly via the Latvija.gov.lv portal.
Delfi · 20 Aug, 11:59
Culinary expert shares universal marinade recipe for vegetables
Culinary and gastronomy specialist Iveta Galēja shared tips for a universal marinade recipe on Latvian Radio, suitable for cucumbers, tomatoes and patisson squash alike. The recipe stands out for its simplicity and quick preparation.
LSM · 20 Aug, 11:59
Latvia's digital agency warns of scam SMS about fake e-address notifications
Latvia's State Regional Development Agency (VDAA) has warned residents about fraudulent SMS messages falsely claiming they received a new notification in their official e-address account. The agency urges people not to trust such messages.
LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 11:58
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Mysterious man from Latvia unsettles residents of Estonian border village
Residents of the Estonian border village of Ikla were unsettled on Tuesday evening when a Latvian citizen left odd writings on the streets and behaved loudly. Although police sent the man back to Latvia, he was soon seen wandering the village again.
Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 11:00