Latvia & nearby (179)

Storm to hit Latvia on Saturday, some areas could see a month's worth of rain

Meteorologists warn that an active cyclone will reach Latvia from the south on August 22, bringing heavy rain, strong wind and possible thunderstorms. In some areas, rainfall could equal a full month's norm.

Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 10:02

Reconstruction of Kuldīga culture centre to resume in September

Construction work on Kuldīga's culture centre on Raiņa Street is set to resume in September after a contract was signed with local business association INB. The €8.8 million project will be financed in stages through a state loan.

Kurzemnieks · 20 Aug, 10:02

Tori Stud Farm Marks 170th Anniversary With Exhibition on Founding Stallions

Estonia's Tori stud farm opened a new exhibition on August 20 in its historic stable, tracing the origins of the Tori horse breed through its most influential stallions. The show coincides with the farm's 170th anniversary.

ERR (rus) · 20 Aug, 10:01

Lithuanian conservative MP seeks security probe into Muslim organisation

An opposition lawmaker in Lithuania has asked parliament's security committee to assess whether a Muslim religious organisation threatens national security. If confirmed, she intends to push for its deregistration.

LRT English · 20 Aug, 10:01

Legal experts: who can be held personally liable for the CSDD cyberattack?

Following a cyberattack on Latvia's road safety agency CSDD that exposed data of some 1.2 million people, legal experts explain that not only the institution but also specific employees and executives could face personal, including criminal, liability. The case is now with the Data State Inspectorate and State Police.

Delfi · 20 Aug, 10:00

Estonian Language Board head: shift to Estonian-language schools took far too long

Ilmar Tomusk, who has led Estonia's Language Board for almost 31 years, reflects on why the transition to Estonian-language education in Russian-speaking schools took decades to complete. He also discusses his career and the agency's evolution across 16 governments.

ERR News · 20 Aug, 09:59

Active cyclone to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Latvia on Saturday

Meteorologists warn that an active cyclone will reach Latvia on Saturday, August 22, bringing heavy rain, strong wind and a possible thunderstorm. Parts of Zemgale and Vidzeme could see roughly a month's worth of rain in a single day.

Bauskas Dzīve · 20 Aug, 09:59

From next year, Latvian language exams for adults to be run by the Latvian Language Agency

Starting next year, the state language proficiency exams for adults will no longer be administered by the State Education Development Agency, but by the Latvian Language Agency instead. The change concerns the responsible institution rather than the exam content itself.

LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 09:58

Forensic tests confirm missing teenager died in Branti barn fire

Latvian police have confirmed that forensic test results show a 14-year-old boy reported missing died in a May fire at a hay barn in the Branti parish of Smiltene municipality. His family can now bury his remains.

Ziemeļlatvija · 20 Aug, 09:04

Remote work debate: it's not where you work, but how the job gets done

After Latvia's Prime Minister asked the Finance Ministry to review civil servants' remote work practices, a commentator argues the real issue is work efficiency and management, not location.

Kurzemnieks · 20 Aug, 09:04

Iveta Graudiņa on how small businesses and the Latgalian language can find a place on social media

Former Rēzekne Academy lecturer Iveta Graudiņa explains in an interview how video content and so-called "talking heads" can help small and solo entrepreneurs build relationships with clients, while gradually introducing the Latgalian language to wider audiences. She also calls for more cooperation among entrepreneurs in Latgale rather than competition.

LaKuga · 20 Aug, 09:03

All Souls' commemorations remain a meaningful Latvian tradition

The Latvian tradition of cemetery festivals, known as kapusvētki, dates back centuries and remains an important part of national culture, even as it fades in some regions. Literary scholar Janīna Kursīte and priest Staņislavs Prikulis discuss its history and significance.

OgreNet · 20 Aug, 09:02

Baltic Way relay run to cross Bauska region on Saturday, open to everyone

On August 22, participants of the international "Baltic Way" relay run will pass through the Bauska region, with locals invited to join symbolic stretches near both Bauska and Iecava.

Bauskas Dzīve · 20 Aug, 09:01

Major works completed to reduce flood risk around Lake Babīte

The reconstruction of three pumping stations and renovation of four protective dams has been completed in the Lake Babīte polder to reduce flood risks for surrounding areas and residents.

Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 08:58

Valka market showcases autumn harvest abundance

Every Saturday, Valka's market draws both Latvian and Estonian shoppers seeking fresh vegetables, flowers and forest goods. Traders report strong demand for potatoes, cucumbers and chanterelle mushrooms.

Ziemeļlatvija · 20 Aug, 08:04

Painter Kristīne Rubene's solo exhibition opens in Kuldīga

The Kuldīga Artists' Residence gallery is hosting painter Kristīne Rubene's solo exhibition "Searching for Lost Time" through September 27, featuring nature depicted in both grand and delicate forms.

Kurzemnieks · 20 Aug, 08:02

Estonia marks flag-raising: freedom must be renewed every day

The Club of August 20 marked the raising of Estonia's blue-black-white flag over Tall Hermann tower, with club president Ants Veetõusme urging the younger generation to safeguard the country's freedom. He spoke at a ceremony in the Governor's Garden.

ERR (rus) · 20 Aug, 07:59

Ukrainian soldier Oleg recovers in Latvia after drone strike injury

Oleg Omelchenko, a Ukrainian soldier from Odesa, has spent four months rehabilitating at Latvia's Jaunķemeri center after being wounded in a drone attack. He hopes to return home in time for his son's birthday.

LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 07:58

New tool lets people block loans from being taken out in their name

Latvia's Credit Register portal kib.lv now offers a "STOP credit" flag that prevents loans from being issued under a person's name without their knowledge. The tool aims to protect against both fraud and impulsive borrowing decisions.

LV portāls · 20 Aug, 07:06

New Immigration Law may exclude investors who brought the biggest fiscal benefit

On August 20 the Saeima votes for a second time on the Immigration Law returned by the President for reconsideration. A lawyer warns the law removes residence permits tied to real estate or business investment, even though this small group has contributed millions to the budget.

Žurnāls Ir · 20 Aug, 07:04

Entrepreneur Broks: police work culture depends on leadership

In the TV24 show 'Preses klubs', fintech company head Armands Broks said police work culture largely depends on institutional leadership, sharing his own negative experience with the State Police.

Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 07:01

Latvia's unemployment rate could fall to 5% by 2040, ministry projects

The Economy Ministry's long-term forecast expects Latvia's unemployment rate to drop from 6.9% this year to 5.6% by 2030 and around 5% by 2040, though an aging population and skills shortages will keep the labor market tight.

Bauskas Dzīve · 20 Aug, 06:59

Thursday, August 20: brief rain showers, air to warm up to +21°

On Thursday, Latvia will see variable cloudiness with brief rain showers in many areas, and thunderstorms possible in places. Air temperatures will reach up to +21 degrees.

LSM (rus) · 20 Aug, 06:58

Thursday to bring changeable weather with brief showers across Latvia

Latvia's weather service forecasts cloudy conditions with brief rain and possible thunderstorms on Thursday, with skies clearing over Riga by afternoon.

Delfi · 20 Aug, 06:06

Bauska Fire and Rescue Service employee ends up in long legal battle with the state after crash injury

An employee of Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service from Bauska was injured in a crash involving a service vehicle, and the resulting dispute with the state escalated into a lengthy court case heard by three court instances.

Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 06:04

Bauska fire service worker's crash of official vehicle led to years-long legal battle with state

A State Fire and Rescue Service employee from Bauska was injured after crashing a service vehicle, and the dispute over the incident turned into a lengthy court battle with the state. It remains unclear whether alcohol played a role in the crash.

TVNET · 20 Aug, 06:04

Kremlin-linked media spread false claim about banning Russian on Latvian gravestones

Kremlin-aligned outlets distorted a single Latvian politician's social media post into a false story about Latvia banning Russian-language inscriptions on gravestones. No such legislation exists, and Latvia has no law restricting the language used on grave monuments.

Jauns.lv · 20 Aug, 05:58

Cēsis family's ordeal exposes gaps in Latvia's emergency child dental care system

A family from the Cēsis region seeking urgent state-funded dental care for their teenage daughter found the service unavailable in practice despite official guarantees. Their experience points to broader problems with access to information about publicly funded healthcare services in Latvia.

Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 05:58

Justice Ministry tests AI pilot that could cut process costs eightfold

Latvia's Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns says an AI-driven pilot project has made a ministry process far more accurate and much cheaper to run. If successful, the approach could be rolled out across other areas of public administration.

Latvijas Avīze · 20 Aug, 04:07

CSDD data breach affects 1.2 million people, leadership resigns

Following a major data breach that compromised information belonging to 1.2 million people, both the board and council of Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) have resigned. The agency is warning residents of possible fraud attempts using the leaked data.

TVNET · 20 Aug, 02:59

Men with business backgrounds dominate 2026 Saeima election candidate lists

A review of party candidate lists for the 2026 Saeima elections shows the most common candidate is a man with higher education and business experience, while parties differ sharply in how many veteran politicians versus newcomers they field.

Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 02:05

Five Minutes of Social Media Fame Versus a Human Life

First aid instructor Alise Jonāte says that after traffic accidents, more people are filming the scene on their phones instead of helping the injured.

Apollo.lv · 20 Aug, 01:05

Squash in a Jar: Pickled with Herbs

As the garden season winds down, squash can be preserved for winter by pickling it in jars with herbs and a good marinade.

TVNET · 20 Aug, 01:04

Head of Tax and Customs Police explains border rules — from a pack of cigarettes to criminal liability over a single pill

Andrejs Grišins, head of Latvia's Tax and Customs Police, explains what violations the agency detects at the border and why even a small amount of a prohibited substance can lead to criminal liability. The agency targets smuggling, sanctions violations and tax evasion.

Delfi · 20 Aug, 00:05