Latvia & nearby
Ancient Bonfire Night to light up Liepāja beach with bonfires and "Latvian Voices" concert
On August 29, Liepāja's beach near Roņu Street will host Ancient Bonfire Night celebrations with bonfires and a concert by vocal group "Latvian Voices". The tradition unites coastal communities across eight Baltic Sea countries.
irLiepāja · 19 Aug, 05:03
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Latvia's Supreme Court reviews attempt to collect tax debt from ex-board member's personal assets
Latvia's Supreme Court Senate has reviewed a case in which the State Revenue Service tried to recover a liquidated company's tax debt from a former board member's personal property, after the Regional Court rejected the claim and the tax authority appealed.
Apollo.lv · 19 Aug, 05:01
Coalition rift over expanding "golden visa" program
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has proposed expanding Latvia's so-called "golden visa" program, prompting questions about how this fits with the government's pledge to limit long-term visas for foreigners. National Security Committee chair Ainars Latkovskis says the proposal does not align with that commitment at all.
Delfi · 19 Aug, 04:04
Liepāja's Rožu Square to host summer harvest market for craftspeople and small producers
Liepāja's Rožu Square will host the annual "Summer Harvest Market" on August 21–22, featuring local farm produce and handmade crafts. The event is organized by the association "ETNO Liepāja".
irLiepāja · 19 Aug, 04:03
Vintage car parade of over 300 vehicles marks Tapa's centenary
More than 300 vintage cars and motorcycles from across the Baltic states gathered in the Estonian town of Tapa to celebrate its centenary, retracing a historic route first driven 50 years ago.
ERR (rus) · 19 Aug, 03:06
Law professor Čepāne: legislation bans wind turbines in Baltic Sea coastal buffer zone
Law professor Ilma Čepāne has publicly challenged legal opinions by two former colleagues arguing that Latvia's Protection Zones Law allows wind turbine construction in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal buffer zone. She argues the law's purpose has always been to limit construction there to protect the environment.
Delfi · 19 Aug, 03:05
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Online quiz tests knowledge of trees growing in Latvia
A website is offering a quiz that challenges readers to identify 15 different trees found in Latvia based on their leaves, bark and other characteristic features. The quiz is aimed at anyone wanting to test their knowledge of nature.
Apollo.lv · 19 Aug, 02:04
Cybersecurity expert: even informed people can fall victim to scammers
Cybersecurity blogger Elviss Strazdiņš explained on TV24's “Uz līnijas” why anyone can fall victim to scammers, citing a case where a person who had seen his video about fake invoices still lost 5,000 euros trying to buy a quad bike.
Latvijas Avīze · 19 Aug, 02:03
Cameroonian migrant who died near Latvia's border identified with Interpol's help
A woman from Cameroon who died in a forest near the Latvia-Belarus border last May and was buried as an unidentified person has now been identified by her family through Interpol. The case was uncovered by a Polish volunteer who had been in contact with her before her death.
Delfi · 19 Aug, 02:02
SKDS poll: nearly 58% of Latvians oppose legalizing same-sex marriage
A SKDS survey commissioned by Delfi found that 57.8% of Latvia's residents oppose legalizing same-sex marriage, while 33.3% support it. The poll was conducted ahead of the 15th Saeima elections on October 3.
Delfi · 19 Aug, 01:01
Bike thief in Riga tumbles moments after fleeing with stolen bicycle
Security cameras in a Riga apartment building caught a man stealing tools and a child's bicycle from a stairwell, only for him to fall off the bike shortly after making his getaway.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 23:00
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Cyclist injured in car collision on Dzelzavas Street in Riga
A car and a bicycle collided on Dzelzavas Street in Riga, injuring the cyclist. The injured person was taken to hospital.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 22:02
Strawberry leaves after harvest: cut or leave them?
Gardening experts explain that whether to cut strawberry leaves after harvest depends on plant health. Healthy plantings are best left untouched, while those affected by disease or pests should have their leaves removed.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 21:59
New episode of LSM.lv's Russian-language show «Обсудим вечером» released on August 18
LSM.lv published a new episode of its Russian-language program «Обсудим вечером» ("Let's Discuss This Evening") on August 18, 2026. The episode is available for online viewing on the platform.
LSM (rus) · 18 Aug, 21:58
After the CSDD data breach: how to protect yourself from fraudsters
Following a cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) that exposed data of over a million people and 200,000 companies, cybersecurity body Cert.lv is urging caution and outlining concrete protective steps. The main danger is a rise in highly personalized scam attempts.
Delfi · 18 Aug, 21:03
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NA politician: CSDD head should not stay in office after cyberattack
Following a major cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) that exposed data of roughly 1.2 million individuals and 200,000 companies, National Alliance representative Artūrs Butāns says he sees no way the agency's director could remain in the post.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 21:02
Latvia's official €619 monthly spending figure sparks online skepticism
New Central Statistical Bureau data shows Latvian households spent an average of €619 per person monthly last year, but many on social media doubt the figure reflects real life.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 21:00
Online debate erupts over why many in Latvia still skip seatbelts
Latvia's road safety agency CSDD reports that 20 people died last year in serious crashes because they weren't wearing seatbelts, reigniting a social media debate about why the habit still isn't universal.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 19:06
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Rinkēvičs: CSDD leadership should not remain in office after data leak
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs says the leadership of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) should not continue in their positions following a massive data leak. He considers this a necessary response to the breach.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 19:04
Expert: Data stolen from Latvia's road authority CSDD could be exploited for years
Cybersecurity expert Elviss Strazdiņš warns that data stolen in the recent cyberattack on Latvia's road traffic safety directorate (CSDD) could end up with Russian scammers and remain usable for fraud for years to come. He stresses that where the data ends up matters more than who carried out the attack.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 19:00
Rinkēvičs: CSDD leadership should not stay on after cyberattack
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said the Road Traffic Safety Directorate's (CSDD) leadership should not continue in office after a recent cyberattack, citing damaged reputation and public trust. The CSDD head said he does not intend to resign.
LSM (rus) · 18 Aug, 18:58
South Kurzeme municipality merges three preschools into primary schools
Starting the new school year, South Kurzeme municipality will merge three preschool institutions into primary schools as part of an effort to cut administrative costs.
LSM · 18 Aug, 18:58
Driver detained in Krāslava region for transporting five illegal border crossers
National Armed Forces soldiers stopped a car in Robežnieki parish carrying five people without valid documents who had earlier crossed the Latvia–Belarus border illegally. A criminal case has been launched against the driver.
Delfi · 18 Aug, 18:04
Another migrant-smuggling driver detained in Krāslava district
On Tuesday, National Armed Forces soldiers detained a Volvo in Krāslava district carrying five people without valid travel documents who had earlier crossed the Belarus-Latvia border illegally.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 18:01
Estonian Parties Name Their Presidential Candidates
Estonia's Centre Party is backing Tallinn University of Technology rector Tiit Land for president, while Isamaa has joined the ruling parties in supporting incumbent Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 17:58
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CSDD chairman does not plan to resign after cyberattack exposed personal data
Aivars Aksenoks, chairman of the board of Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), says he does not intend to step down over a cyberattack that exposed people's personal data held by the agency. He plans to remain in his post.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 17:03
Helicopter that crashed into sea near Jūrmala was registered in Lithuania
Investigators have determined that the helicopter which crashed into the sea near Jūrmala last Saturday was registered in Lithuania. Latvia's Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau has opened a safety investigation.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 17:00
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Around 300,000 attended Riga's 825th anniversary celebrations
Riga City Council estimates that about 300,000 residents and visitors took part in events marking the city's 825th anniversary.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 16:59
Riga to repair damaged pathways in Esplanāde park for €483,000
Riga municipality plans to start repairing the most damaged pedestrian pathway in Esplanāde park this year, between the Orthodox cathedral and Kalpaka Boulevard. The works have been allocated €483,000.
LSM · 18 Aug, 16:58
Government to announce open competition for head of Latvia's anti-corruption bureau
Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers decided on August 18 to launch an open competition for the post of head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). The position became vacant after former chief Jekabs Straume retired.
LSM (rus) · 18 Aug, 16:58
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"Trying to cover their tracks": Kulbergs sharply criticizes CSDD over major data breach
A cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) exposed the personal data of roughly 1.2 million individuals and about 200,000 legal entities, according to national cybersecurity body Cert.lv. The agency is now facing sharp criticism over its response.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 16:05
Latvian schools face shortage of hundreds of teachers
With two weeks left before the new school year, more than 300 teaching positions remain unfilled across Latvia, with the situation especially critical in rural schools for science subjects.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 16:02
Coniferous forest area shrinking in Estonia
Estonia's Environment Agency's 2025 forest inventory shows logging volumes holding steady at 11-12 million cubic metres, while the area dominated by coniferous species is declining. Total forest land continues to grow gradually.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 16:01
Study: One in five platform taxi drivers and couriers in Estonia stuck in career dead end
A new report finds that a fifth of full-time platform ride-hailing drivers and couriers in Estonia consider themselves overqualified for their work, with researchers noting platform work rarely serves as a deliberate career path.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 16:01
CSDD Cyberattack Far Worse Than First Reported: Data of 1.2 Million People Compromised
Cert.lv has revealed that the August cyberattack on Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) exposed data belonging to roughly 1.2 million people, including 18 years of payment records. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has not ruled out foreign state involvement.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 15:05
One person killed in road accident in Ida-Viru County, Estonia
One person died and another was injured in a road accident in Estonia's Ida-Viru County on Tuesday. The circumstances of the crash are still being clarified.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 15:00