Latvia & nearby
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
Estonian prison chief: Ending Sweden's prisoner rental deal 'just requires political will'
The head of Estonia's Prison Service says the Tartu Prison rental agreement with Sweden could be terminated relatively easily, as the first Swedish inmates are set to arrive within days.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 14:59
Cyberattack on Latvia's road safety agency CSDD exposes data of 1.2 million people
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) suffered a cyberattack in which attackers obtained personal data belonging to 1.2 million people, according to Cert.lv.
LSM (rus) · 18 Aug, 14:58
Võrklaev decides to back Madise's presidential bid after meeting her
Reform Party MP Mart Võrklaev has confirmed to ERR that after meeting with Ülle Madise he will support her presidential candidacy and vote for her on September 2 in the Riigikogu, bringing her total to 63 signatures.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 14:03
Tyre marks left on Riga's Krastmala after Red Bull Showrun spark public debate
After the Red Bull Showrun motorsport event in Riga, visible tyre marks remain on the road along Krastmala, prompting discussion on social media. The Riga municipality says the marks are not road surface damage and will fade over time.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 14:02
Estonian presidential hopeful Madise gains 63rd signature
Estonian Justice Chancellor Ülle Madise now has the backing of 63 Riigikogu MPs for her presidential bid after another Reform Party member declared his support. The Riigikogu vote is scheduled for September 2-3.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 14:01
IKEA Latvia recalls several products over safety concerns
IKEA Latvia is asking customers to return a garlic press and several outdoor LED light strings due to identified safety issues. Products can be exchanged or refunded at any IKEA store without a receipt.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 13:59
Tallinn's ambulance service to become a joint-stock company from December
From 1 December, Tallinn's ambulance service will operate as a joint-stock company under the Tallinn Hospital group, while remaining free of charge for patients and unchanged in scope.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 13:04
Riga to restrict traffic on 11 Novembra Embankment for six weeks over bike lane works
From August 20 to September 30, Riga will restrict both vehicle and pedestrian movement on a section of 11 Novembra Embankment between Stone Bridge and Railway Bridge due to bike lane construction. The announcement was made by Riga City Council.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 13:03
Freiberga: Youths ignoring Latvia's defence service summons face growing fines
A State Defence Service official says most young people join voluntarily, but those who ignore mandatory summons can accumulate administrative fines reaching thousands of euros.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 13:03
Rosļikovs held in custody as he pledges to return to Latvia on October 4
A Riga court has upheld the arrest of former Riga council member Aleksejs Rosļikovs, who is currently in Belarus but says he will return to Latvia on October 4, after this autumn's parliamentary election.
BNN · 18 Aug, 12:06
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Police seek charges against lawyer Inese Šulte over alleged suspect intimidation
The State Police have completed an investigation into sworn advocate Inese Šulte and another individual, requesting that both be charged with unlawfully influencing a criminal suspect.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 12:05
Court upholds detention of former Riga councillor Rosļikovs
A Riga court has kept in force the pre-trial detention order against former Riga city councillor Aleksejs Rosļikovs, who is currently in Belarus. He is wanted in a criminal case over incitement of ethnic hatred.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 12:03
Police refer case against lawyer accused of intimidating witness in mafia case to prosecutors
Latvia's State Police have completed an investigation into a sworn advocate and an accomplice suspected of intimidating and bribing a client to prevent testimony against an organized crime group. The case has been handed to prosecutors to begin criminal proceedings.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 11:04
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After divorce, former skeleton athlete Tomass Dukurs appears in public with new girlfriend
Former skeleton athlete Tomass Dukurs has revealed he divorced his wife Karīna Makare, and over the weekend was seen in public for the first time with his new girlfriend, former volleyball player Gita Griezne.
TVNET · 18 Aug, 11:01
Over 8,000 violations found at Estonia's eastern border since full customs checks began
Since introducing total customs control at Estonia's eastern border two years ago, officials have carried out more than a million checks and uncovered over 8,000 violations, mostly involving attempts to smuggle euro banknotes and consumer goods.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 10:59
Fatal crash on Ventspils highway: truck driver likely missed car turning left
A fatal traffic accident occurred on the A10 Ventspils highway on Sunday, killing the driver of a car who, according to initial findings, was likely not at fault.
LSM (rus) · 18 Aug, 10:58
Roof structure burns in single-storey brick building in Valka
A fire broke out on Wednesday in a single-storey brick building in Valka, damaging around 10 square metres of roof structure. Firefighters extinguished the blaze within roughly an hour.
Ziemeļlatvija · 18 Aug, 10:04
Lithuania not considering ICC withdrawal, president confirms
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has dismissed the idea of Lithuania leaving the International Criminal Court, despite reports of US pressure on allied nations. He said the topic is not even being discussed domestically.
LRT English · 18 Aug, 10:03
Historic Pauliine tram to run in Tallinn on Estonia's Independence Restoration Day
On August 20, Tallinn's public transport operator TLT will send the historic 1960s Pauliine tram onto route No. 3 to mark the Day of Restoration of Independence, with free rides for everyone.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 10:01
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Four more Latvian electric trains receive names
State rail passenger carrier AS "Pasažieru vilciens", operating under the "Vivi" brand, has given names to four more electric trains running in Latvia. The trains are now called "Baravika", "Briedis", "Apse" and "Osis".
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 09:59
Power line damage halts Elron's eastbound trains from Tallinn
Overnight damage to newly built overhead power lines between Kohtla-Nõmme and Püssi has suspended Elron's Narva–Tallinn rail service for at least half a day. Passengers are being moved by replacement buses while repairs continue.
ERR News · 18 Aug, 09:59
Five flooring mistakes that can add hundreds of euros to your renovation
Flooring consultants warn that common mistakes in choosing and installing floor coverings can drive up renovation costs by hundreds of euros. Often the problem isn't the material itself, but poor subfloor preparation, planning or budgeting.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Aug, 09:58
New concert show in Rēzekne to tell the story of Latgalian Aloizs Trups
On November 4, the Joriks theatre in Rēzekne will host a new concert performance, “The Blond Martyr,” about Latgalian Aloizs Trups, who served in the Russian tsar's court and was later recognized as an Orthodox saint. The show will feature several musicians and ten new songs.
LaKuga · 18 Aug, 09:04
Number of newborns registered in Latvia keeps declining
In the first half of 2026, 5,547 newborns were registered in Latvia — down 4.5% from the same period a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the Central Statistical Bureau.
Apollo.lv · 18 Aug, 09:04
Truck rear-ends car in Bauska area, pregnant driver injured
A three-vehicle crash occurred on Monday evening in Codes parish, Bauska municipality, injuring a 24-year-old pregnant woman. She was taken to hospital while police investigate the cause.
Jauns.lv · 18 Aug, 09:04
Rudbārži family farm grows from 10 to 400 hectares, hopes for good harvest
A family farm in Rudbārži parish has expanded from 10 to 400 hectares over 37 years and is growing durum wheat for the first time this year, though rising costs threaten profitability.
Kurzemnieks · 18 Aug, 09:03
"Vizii Urban" wins five-year contract to maintain state roads in the Ogre area
Latvian State Roads has awarded new five-year road maintenance contracts, with "Vizii Urban" taking over the Riga and Ogre territories and "LAU Infra grupa" the Bauska, Preiļi and Dagda territories.
OgreNet · 18 Aug, 09:03
Uzulnieks willing to freeze his planned minister's pay rise
Welfare Minister Uldis Uzulnieks said he is ready to give up his planned pay increase for next year after facing criticism over a modest pension indexation boost for seniors. He also said he hopes to introduce a base pension next year.
Delfi · 18 Aug, 09:02
Damaged overhead line disrupts train traffic toward Jõhvi
Overnight into August 18, a catenary system under construction was damaged on the Kohtla-Nõmme–Püssi section, disrupting train traffic in eastern Estonia. Repairs are expected to last until midday on August 18.
ERR (rus) · 18 Aug, 09:00
Home Café Days in Jelgava Municipality draw around 4,000 visitors
Home Café Days held on August 8-9 in Jelgava Municipality, featuring 19 participating households, attracted roughly 4,000 visitors combined. Several hosts said the event inspired them to consider developing tourism or catering services.
Zemgales Ziņas · 18 Aug, 08:03
Elenger says gas supplies for next heating season are fully secured
Energy company Elenger has secured all the natural gas volumes needed for the next heating season, though prices remain sensitive to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
Bauskas Dzīve · 18 Aug, 08:03
Latvia's death toll far outpaces births in first half of 2026
In the first six months of 2026, Latvia recorded 13,384 deaths against 5,547 births, widening the gap between deaths and births to 7,837 compared with the same period last year.
Delfi · 18 Aug, 08:02