Latvia & nearby (187)

A third of last year's convicts were serving their fourth sentence or more

According to the Prison Administration's 2025 annual public report, 33% of people convicted last year in Latvia were serving a prison sentence for at least the fourth time. The figure points to a persistent recidivism problem in the country's penal system.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 22:59

Cyberattack on Latvia's State Forests: firm left vulnerability unfixed for two years after warning

State forestry company LVM failed to fix a system vulnerability for two years despite being warned by Cert.lv, and that flaw was exploited by a hacker who stole and leaked internal data. The case was investigated by the programme 'de facto'.

LSM · 16 Aug, 22:58

Experts split over cost of temporary Kaitseliit shooting range in Tallinn's Hall

Tallinn's city government has offered the empty Gorhoall ice arena to Estonia's Kaitseliit defence league as a temporary shooting range, but experts' cost estimates range from half a million to 4 million euros.

ERR (rus) · 16 Aug, 22:03

Two men detained over garage and construction-site thefts in Liepāja

Latvian police have completed an investigation into a series of thefts from garages and an unfinished building in Liepāja, with total damages reaching several thousand euros. Both suspects are currently in custody.

Delfi · 16 Aug, 22:02

Publishers reject minister's criticism of textbook quality, blame inconsistent education system

Latvia's Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone has repeatedly said textbooks are not of sufficient quality, yet schools may only buy books already certified as quality-approved by the state education development agency. Publishers disagree with her criticism.

LSM (rus) · 16 Aug, 22:00

Experts: Latvia's civil defence preparedness still incomplete

Recent drone incidents in Latvia have renewed scrutiny of the country's readiness for a serious crisis — much has been built, but practical preparedness still lags. Latvian Television's "De facto" reports that four years after a critical state audit, gaps remain.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 22:00

Estonia's ruling coalition shrinks after two MPs quit their parties

Estonia's governing coalition has dropped to 50 seats in parliament after two MPs left their parties within a week. The Reform Party accuses the opposition of avoiding responsibility for difficult decisions.

ERR (rus) · 16 Aug, 21:02

Latvia to see changeable, rain-prone weather in late August

Forecasters say cyclonic activity will bring changeable and often rainy weather to Latvia in the second half of August, though daytime temperatures will still reach around +20 degrees. Heavier, prolonged rain is possible by the weekend.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 20:58

Woman brings axe to Ogre social service office after benefit denial

A woman with mental health issues brought an axe to the Ogre Municipality Social Service and tried to attack a staff member after being told a day earlier that her requested support service was denied. She was hospitalized and no one was injured.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 20:01

Estonian Reform Party faction leader urges those considering leaving not to delay

After the ruling coalition lost its majority in the Riigikogu, Reform Party faction leader Anne Pillak has urged party members weighing an exit not to postpone their decision. She does not rule out further departures following Meelis Kiili's exit.

ERR (rus) · 16 Aug, 20:01

Six injured, one dead in crash on Ventspils highway

A road accident near Straupciems on the Ventspils highway left six people injured, one of whom died at the scene. The crash involved a truck and several cars.

Jauns.lv · 16 Aug, 19:59

Multiple cars involved in serious crash on Ventspils highway near Straupciems

A serious traffic accident with injuries has occurred on the Ventspils highway near Straupciems. Traffic at the scene is blocked.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 19:01

Serious multi-vehicle crash blocks Ventspils highway near Straupciems

A serious accident involving a truck and several cars has occurred on the Ventspils highway near Straupciems, injuring people. Police are urging drivers to take alternative routes.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 18:58

Home Café Days in Bārta parish raise funds to help young Teodors

Over the weekend, Home Café Days held in Bārta parish collected donations to help three-and-a-half-year-old Teodors, who has a rare genetic syndrome, get closer to receiving therapy in the United States.

LSM · 16 Aug, 18:58

Estonia's bear population keeps growing as hunters warn of rising risks

Estonia's bear population continues to rise while court rulings have made traditional bear hunting increasingly difficult, with bears more often appearing in residential yards. Authorities have permitted the culling of two young bears that repeatedly returned to inhabited areas.

Jauns.lv · 16 Aug, 18:01

How Latvia checks whether home-schooled children are ready for school

In Latvia, children can skip kindergarten until age five, and preschool education after that can also be completed at home, with municipalities responsible for oversight that varies from one local government to another.

Delfi · 16 Aug, 16:59

Heavily intoxicated driver stopped in Jelgava on Sunday

Police stopped a driver in Jelgava on Sunday morning who was found to be significantly under the influence of alcohol. The State Police confirmed the case to the LETA news agency.

TVNET · 16 Aug, 16:01

Rain clouds and thunderstorms expected on Monday

Forecasters predict widespread rain clouds on Monday, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms possible in some areas.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 15:01

Cooler, rainier weather forecast for Latvia next week

Latvia's weather next week will be shaped by low-pressure systems bringing frequent rain, with a chance of intense, prolonged rainfall by the weekend.

Delfi · 16 Aug, 15:01

Unsettled weather with frequent rain expected in Latvia next week

Cyclonic activity will dominate Latvia's weather next week, bringing frequent rain and a slight cooling, though daytime temperatures will still reach or exceed +20°C in most of the country. Heavier rainfall is expected toward the end of the week.

TVNET · 16 Aug, 15:00

Weather set to shift sharply on Monday with heavy rain and thunderstorms

Forecasters expect rain clouds to spread across much of Latvia on Monday, bringing heavy downpours and thunderstorms with strong gusts in some areas. Daytime temperatures will reach up to +22 degrees, while nighttime lows will drop to +11.

Jauns.lv · 16 Aug, 14:59

Rain showers and possible thunderstorms expected on Monday

Meteorologists forecast that rain clouds will form across much of Latvia on Monday, bringing heavy showers and possible thunderstorms in some areas.

LSM · 16 Aug, 14:58

TV debate questions whether an extra billion euros would fix Latvia's healthcare system

On TV24's talk show, lawmaker Ramona Petraviča and Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri debated whether an additional billion euros would meaningfully improve Latvia's healthcare system. The minister pointed to concrete funding increases already made, while the lawmaker questioned whether patients actually noticed a difference.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Aug, 12:59

16 drunk drivers caught on Latvian roads on Saturday, four cars confiscated

Latvia's State Police reported catching 16 drivers under the influence of alcohol on Saturday, with four vehicles confiscated as a result.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 11:01

Riga's swimming spots still warm, water reaches up to 22°C in places

Data from the Riga Municipal Police show water temperatures at the city's official swimming areas remain high, exceeding 20°C in several locations.

Jauns.lv · 16 Aug, 11:01

Next week's most common name-day names: Oļegs and Linda

Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs has released statistics on name-day names celebrated next week, with Oļegs and Linda topping the list as the most common in the country.

Staburags · 16 Aug, 11:00

Meru Manor opens "Melody Patterns" exhibition

An arts and crafts exhibition titled "Melody Patterns" opened on Saturday at the Smiltene municipality museum in Meru Manor, featuring works inspired by the emotions of Latvian pop songs. Visitors could also enjoy concerts and other activities.

Ziemeļlatvija · 16 Aug, 10:05

From St. Petersburg to rural Latvia: how the war in Ukraine changed Irina Petropavlovska's life

St. Petersburg native Irina Petropavlovska left Russia after its invasion of Ukraine and moved to Latvia's Aizkraukle municipality, where she now works and studies Latvian. She shared her story and views at a meeting organized by the association 'Laime Saimē' at the Pļaviņas library.

Staburags · 16 Aug, 10:04

Latvia's U-16 basketball team becomes European champion for the first time

Latvia's U-16 men's basketball team defeated France 74:66 in the final to win its first-ever European championship title. Spain took bronze after beating Lithuania in the third-place game.

OgreNet · 16 Aug, 10:04

Three people evacuate burning house in Jelgava overnight

A fire broke out overnight in a two-storey residential building on Kalnciema Road in Jelgava, with three residents escaping before firefighters arrived. Rescue services also responded to several other incidents across Latvia during the same period.

Bauskas Dzīve · 16 Aug, 10:01

Riga's 825th anniversary celebrations close with laser and fountain show on the Daugava

Riga's 825th birthday celebrations concluded on Saturday with an impressive laser, fountain and video show on the Daugava river. The event was documented in a photo report.

Apollo.lv · 16 Aug, 10:00

Kuldīga woman describes near-collision on pedestrian crossing

A resident of Kuldīga described a dangerous incident in which a driver nearly hit her and two children on bicycles at a pedestrian crossing without stopping or looking back. She used the case to raise concerns about Latvia's traffic culture.

Kurzemnieks · 16 Aug, 09:02

Estonia's education reforms leave thousands without a school place

Education commentator Helin Puksand warns that Estonia's new compulsory-education and school-admission reforms have left thousands of students without confirmed school places, while vocational options shrink in rural areas.

ERR (rus) · 16 Aug, 09:00

Over 10,000 signatures gathered against MPs' housing and travel allowances — Saeima could review it this fall

A public initiative to abolish transport and housing rent compensation for Saeima members has collected more than 10,000 signatures, and the Greens and Farmers Union faction leader says the current parliament may still manage to review it.

Jauns.lv · 16 Aug, 08:59