Latvia & nearby (189)

Small aircraft crashes into sea near Jūrmala, one person rescued

A small aircraft went down in the Gulf of Riga near Jūrmala on Saturday afternoon, several hundred metres from shore. One person was pulled from the water.

LSM · 15 Aug, 17:58

Feast of the Assumption in Aglona draws thousands of worshippers

A solemn Holy Mass was held in Aglona as part of the celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This year's five-day feast gathered 14,000 worshippers from across Latvia and abroad.

LSM (rus) · 15 Aug, 16:58

54 people caught with fake or stolen documents in Latvia this year

Since the start of the year, 54 people have been detained at Latvia's borders and within the country for using 59 forged or someone else's documents. Border Guard officials say the EU's new Entry/Exit System has not directly detected these cases but could help identify identity fraud going forward.

Delfi · 15 Aug, 16:04

Rinkēvičs in Aglona: security is a shared responsibility for all Latvians

President Edgars Rinkēvičs told worshippers at Aglona Basilica that Latvia's security is everyone's responsibility, warning that new security incidents could recur. He urged citizens to maintain calm and unity amid a more complex global security situation.

Latvijas Avīze · 15 Aug, 16:03

Rinkēvičs: Latvia must be protected both physically and spiritually

President Edgars Rinkēvičs, speaking Saturday at the Aglona Basilica, called for Latvia to be protected both physically and spiritually. His address was delivered during the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Apollo.lv · 15 Aug, 16:02

Tallinn weighs night-time work on Liivalaia Street to ease traffic disruption

Tallinn's mayor says the city is taking steps to prevent roadworks from paralyzing traffic this fall, with several projects set to shift to night hours. Surface repairs on Liivalaia tänav begin next week and will take two months.

ERR News · 15 Aug, 16:00

Main Holy Mass concludes Feast of the Assumption celebrations in Aglona

Aglona hosted the main Holy Mass marking the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with the five-day celebrations drawing around 14,000 believers from Latvia and abroad.

LSM · 15 Aug, 15:58

Latvian President addresses nation in Aglona after drone shot down near border

President Edgars Rinkēvičs used the Aglona religious festival to publicly address the nation for the first time since taking office, urging calm and unity following a drone incident near the Russian border. The speech came after NATO jets shot down a drone that had entered Latvian airspace near Rugāji on Friday morning.

Delfi · 15 Aug, 15:03

Narva to mark Estonia's Independence Restoration Day with a Singing Picnic

On Thursday, 20 August, Narva will host a Community Picnic marking the anniversary of the restoration of Estonia's independence, culminating in a Singing Picnic and a performance by Anne Veski. The free event is organized by the Integration Foundation.

ERR (rus) · 15 Aug, 15:02

President Rinkēvičs addresses worshippers at Aglona feast Mass

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs is taking part today in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary feast Mass at Aglona Basilica and addressing those present. The event is being broadcast live.

Apollo.lv · 15 Aug, 15:02

Strange white, foamy growths appear in Latvian gardens — people puzzled

Garden owners in Latvia have been sharing photos and videos on social media of an unusual white, foamy growth appearing on their lawns, which turns out to be a slime mould. Experts say the organism is harmless to people and garden plants.

Latvijas Avīze · 15 Aug, 15:01

Riga celebrates its 825th anniversary with citywide festivities

Riga is marking its 825th anniversary today, August 15, with concerts, circus performances, a motorsport show and a basketball tournament across multiple city locations. Public transport and municipal parking are free during the celebrations.

Jauns.lv · 15 Aug, 15:00

Vidzeme schools struggle with teacher shortage, poaching staff from each other

As the new school year approaches, school principals in the Vidzeme region are grappling with an acute teacher shortage, with the situation in the Cēsis municipality already described as critical. Schools are increasingly recruiting staff from other institutions to fill vacancies.

LSM (rus) · 15 Aug, 13:58

Criminal proceedings launched over Riga crash involving police vehicle

A criminal case has been opened after a traffic accident in Riga on Friday involving a State Police vehicle left nine people injured. The State Police confirmed the news to the LETA news agency.

Apollo.lv · 15 Aug, 13:03

Criminal case opened over Riga traffic accident involving police vehicle

Latvia's State Police has launched a criminal case into a traffic accident in Riga on Friday that involved a police vehicle and left nine people injured.

TVNET · 15 Aug, 13:02

Legendary "Auto Union Type C" race car parades through Riga's streets

During Riga's 825th anniversary celebrations, the legendary 1930s race car "Auto Union Type C" drove through the city's streets from the Riga Motor Museum to the Freedom Monument, watched by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs among others.

Jauns.lv · 15 Aug, 13:01

Riga to turn Antonijas and Alberta streets into weekend pedestrian zones through September

From August 14 to September 20, Alberta Street and part of Antonijas Street between Dzirnavu and Elizabetes streets will become a pedestrian zone every weekend. The initiative is being carried out together with local restaurants and cafés.

Delfi · 15 Aug, 13:00

Home car-cleaning service “Washcar” faces criticism over inconsistent quality

Several customers have complained on social media about the quality of Latvia's popular on-demand car cleaning service “Washcar,” prompting the company to apologize and promise fixes.

Latvijas Avīze · 15 Aug, 12:59

Estonia's Defence Forces cut conscript numbers threefold in 2026 to focus on training career soldiers

Estonia's Defence Forces have designated 2026 a 'break year,' calling up only about 1,200 conscripts instead of the usual roughly 4,000 so career soldiers can undergo more in-depth training. Conscription numbers are set to rise to around 4,100 in 2027.

ERR (rus) · 15 Aug, 12:01

Water in all Riga swimming spots, except the sea, has warmed to at least +20°C

Water temperature has reached at least +20 degrees Celsius in all of Riga's swimming spots except the seaside, according to data compiled by the Riga Municipal Police.

Apollo.lv · 15 Aug, 11:01

Ambulance and car collide at Riga intersection

An emergency medical service vehicle and a passenger car collided on Saturday morning at a Riga intersection, causing minor traffic congestion. Police say there is no information about injuries.

Delfi · 15 Aug, 11:01

Indecent photos found at children's playground in Vērmane Garden alarm parents

A Riga resident found several indecent photographs depicting intimate body parts at a children's playground in Vērmane Garden and reported them to police. Police logged the find as risk information after determining no identifiable persons or criminal offence were involved.

Latvijas Avīze · 15 Aug, 11:00

Water in almost all Riga swimming spots warms to 20 degrees

Riga Municipal Police report that water temperature in nearly all the capital's swimming spots, except the sea, has reached at least 20 degrees Celsius.

LSM (rus) · 15 Aug, 10:59

LSM video explores link between Ceuta migration crisis and Sabile festival

LSM has released a video segment comparing the migration crisis in Ceuta on the Europe-Africa border with a controversial moment at the Sabile town festival parade, where some participants dressed up as people of other ethnic origins. The piece invites viewers to consider what connects the two events.

LSM · 15 Aug, 10:59

Four recipes worth trying when the usual menu gets boring

A cooking column offers four simple recipes — from zucchini pancake rolls to a boiled condensed milk dessert — for those tired of their everyday meals.

Staburags · 15 Aug, 10:05

Riga City Council to form coordination group for Vanšu Bridge repair impact

Riga's City Development Committee will decide on Monday whether to create a special commission to prepare for the Vanšu Bridge repair and reduce its impact on traffic, residents and businesses.

Delfi · 15 Aug, 10:05

Iecava graduates help build RTU student race car, team heads to European competitions

A student team from Riga Technical University has built its third Formula Student race car, with two graduates of Iecava Secondary School among its members. The team departs this week for competitions in Croatia, Poland and Italy.

Bauskas Dzīve · 15 Aug, 10:05

200 years on: Juris Neikens, the man who gave Latvians their Song Festival tradition

This year marks 200 years since the birth of pastor, teacher and writer Juris Neikens, who organized the first choir singing festival in Dikļi in 1864. A commemorative celebration will be held in Valmiera and Dikļi on August 29.

OgreNet · 15 Aug, 10:02

Estonia sharply cuts conscript intake in 2026, but promised advanced training hasn't started yet

Estonia's Defense Forces designated 2026 a so-called gap year, taking in far fewer conscripts so active-duty troops could focus on further training, but that intensive training is only now beginning.

ERR News · 15 Aug, 10:01

After nearly 30 years, Sabile's longtime culture events organiser Iveta Sēruma retires

Iveta Sēruma, who has organised cultural life in the town of Sabile since 1982, is retiring after nearly three decades of work for Talsi municipality. She is closely linked to the well-known Sabile Wine Festival.

Jauns.lv · 15 Aug, 09:59

Sadales tīkls to inspect power lines in Bauska municipality using drones and helicopter

Latvia's electricity distribution operator Sadales tīkls will soon carry out scheduled power line inspections using drones and a helicopter in Bauska municipality. Landowners whose property lies along the flight routes will be notified in advance.

Bauskas Dzīve · 15 Aug, 09:06

Employed inmates working for businesses earned average net €282 monthly last year

According to the Latvian Prison Administration's 2025 annual report, convicted persons employed by private businesses earned an average net salary of €282 per month, compared to €102 for those working in prison facility maintenance services.

TVNET · 15 Aug, 09:00

Police search for missing woman Svetlana Skačkova in Ventspils

State Police are searching for Svetlana Skačkova, born in 1954, who went missing from her home in Ventspils on August 13. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call 112.

Jauns.lv · 15 Aug, 08:59

Hot weather expected in Latvia on Saturday

On Saturday, August 15, Latvia will see a sunny and hot day, with air temperatures rising to +23...+29 degrees Celsius.

LSM (rus) · 15 Aug, 08:58