Latvia & nearby
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Motorcycle and car collide during rush-hour traffic jam in Riga
A motorcycle and a car collided during a traffic jam in Riga, injuring the motorcyclist, according to TV3's programme "Degpunktā".
TVNET · 13 Aug, 22:58
Border operation "Vilkatis" launched on eastern frontier — locals feel at the centre of it
Since Tuesday, August 11, a special operation called "Vilkatis" (Werewolf) has been in force on Latvia's eastern border, with authorities promising extra personnel and equipment to strengthen border security. Its success is to be judged by statistics.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 22:58
Tram hits two deaf pedestrians at crossing in Riga's Krasta district
On Thursday evening a tram struck two pedestrians at a crossing near a stop in Riga's Krasta housing area; a witness said both victims were deaf and did not notice the driver's warning signal.
Jauns.lv · 13 Aug, 22:00
Petition to scrap Latvian MPs' transport and housing rent compensation gathers over 10,000 signatures
An initiative on the "Mana balss" platform calling for the abolition of Saeima MPs' transport and housing rent expense compensations has collected more than 10,000 signatures.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 22:00
Brief power outage hits part of Balvi
On Thursday evening, around 2,200 customers of grid operator "Sadales tīkls" in Balvi lost power for about an hour due to a network fault. Supply has since been restored.
Jauns.lv · 13 Aug, 21:00
Estonia to host Baltics' largest AI data center as security service flags Nebius's Russian ties
Dutch company Nebius will launch the Baltic states' largest artificial intelligence data center in Estonia by the end of this year, while the security police says it will monitor risks linked to the firm's past connections to Russia.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 20:59
Tram hits two people at pedestrian crossing in Riga
On Thursday evening in Riga, near the Krasta district stop, a tram struck a woman and a man at a pedestrian crossing. Several medical teams, including a resuscitation unit, were dispatched to the scene.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 20:59
Estonian pork producers selling at a loss amid cheap imports
A year after a major African swine fever outbreak, Estonia's pork sector faces renewed strain as cheap imported meat forces local farms to sell below cost. The state has already allocated 14 million euros to help rebuild production.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 19:59
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Kozlovskis appoints new legal adviser — Ilze Skrodele takes the post
Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis has appointed Ilze Skrodele, who previously advised several former Latvian prime ministers, as his legal adviser.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 19:00
Vatican voices concern over Lithuanian priests accused of child sex offenses
The Apostolic Nunciature in Lithuania says it is closely following a case involving two Catholic priests accused of sexual offenses against children, with the Holy See reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on abuse.
LRT English · 13 Aug, 18:03
Estonian PM: Land joining race against Madise 'should make election interesting'
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal expects TalTech rector Tiit Land to formally enter the presidential race, even as Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise already holds the backing of more than 60 MPs.
ERR News · 13 Aug, 18:02
First-ever "Red Bull Showrun" with F-1 car to hit Riga streets during city festival
During this weekend's Riga city festival, the capital will host Latvia's first-ever "Red Bull Showrun" event, featuring an F-1 car racing through the city center. Ahead of the event, TVNET+ journalist ĒriXxX pLATAIS got to ride along with rally star Mārtiņš Sesks at the Bikernieki track.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 18:00
Strazdins warns: CSDD data leak consequences may surface only later
Following a cyberattack on Latvia's road traffic authority CSDD, anti-fraud activist Elviss Strazdins warns residents to stay vigilant even if they receive no suspicious messages right away, as leaked data could fuel scams later.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 18:00
Crisis Management Centre head: Latvia's crisis readiness rated four out of ten
The head of Latvia's Crisis Management Centre, Colonel Arvis Zīle, says the country's readiness for various threats and crises currently stands at four out of ten. He notes that while response plans exist and readiness is improving, much work remains.
LSM · 13 Aug, 17:58
Riga Airport seizes over two tonnes of meat and dairy from luggage this year
Riga Airport has confiscated more than 2,000 kg of meat and dairy products and nearly 1,500 kg of fruit and vegetables from the luggage of passengers arriving from outside the EU over the past seven months. The figures were shared at an event on prohibited imports.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 17:58
Lithuania again sends border guards to help Latvia on Belarus border
As Latvia continues to face pressure from irregular migration via Belarus, Lithuania has sent its fourth group of border guards this year to assist. Both countries point to close security cooperation and a rising problem of so-called secondary migration.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 17:03
Lithuania sends new border guard unit to Latvia to help fight illegal migration
Lithuania's State Border Guard Service dispatched a new unit to Latvia on Wednesday to assist in curbing illegal migration along Latvia's border with Belarus.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 17:00
Estonia's growing bear population raises risk of encounters, expert warns
An Estonian Environment Agency expert warns that tighter hunting restrictions could accelerate bear population growth, raising the chance of conflicts with people. Estonia had about 1,100 brown bears as of fall 2025.
ERR News · 13 Aug, 16:59
Customs at Riga Airport see rise in attempts to smuggle in banned goods
Customs officers at Riga Airport have noted a growing number of attempts to bring in prohibited items such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and even sleeping pills, with over two tonnes of illegally imported food already seized from passenger luggage this year.
LSM · 13 Aug, 16:58
Lithuanian border guards sent to help Latvian colleagues
A new group of Lithuanian border guards has been sent to Latvia to help combat illegal migration at the border with Belarus. Twenty Lithuanian border guards departed for Latvia on Wednesday, August 12.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 16:58
Journalists: politicians' social media style directly affects party ratings
Discussing SKDS's July party ratings poll on the show "Spried ar Delfi," journalists concluded that politicians' communication style on social media noticeably affects party popularity. They highlighted the contrasting approach of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs compared to his predecessor, Evika Siliņa.
Delfi · 13 Aug, 16:05
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Ukrainian arms maker DEMZ to invest in new ammunition plant in Lithuania
Ukrainian defense industry company DEMZ will invest in building a new ammunition production facility in Lithuania, the country's Ministry of Economy and Innovation has announced.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 16:03
Estonia's central bank to release €2 coin dedicated to Hiiumaa in 2027
Eesti Pank will issue a special €2 coin in 2027 honoring Hiiumaa island and its Kõpu Lighthouse, launching a new series dedicated to Estonia's counties.
ERR News · 13 Aug, 16:00
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Latvia's data authority to assess personal data impact of CSDD cyberattack
Latvia's Data State Inspectorate has begun assessing the circumstances of a cyberattack on the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), including the extent to which residents' personal data may have been affected.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 16:00
Riga City Council: disciplinary punishment possible over late notice on embankment closure
Preparations for Riga's 825th anniversary celebrations have been overshadowed by a scandal after the 11 November Embankment was closed several days before the festivities without timely public notice. The city council admits disciplinary action may follow over the communication failure.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 15:58
Alberta Street and part of Antonijas Street to become pedestrian zones on six weekends
From August 14 to September 20, Alberta Street and a section of Antonijas Street between Dzirnavu and Elizabetes streets will be closed to traffic on six weekends, turning into pedestrian-only zones, Riga's municipality has announced.
LSM · 13 Aug, 14:58
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CSDD reports weekend cyberattack, customer data stolen
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) has reported that it suffered a sophisticated cyberattack over the weekend, during which attackers gained partial access to its IT system and obtained historical payment data, including some personal information.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 14:02
ETV+ show 'Summer Horizon' to cover Estonia's car market and upcoming events
On Thursday, August 13, ETV+ will air a new episode of 'Summer Horizon,' featuring a look at Estonia's car market, a charity event for animals, and an expanding reading festival. The show is hosted by Elena Solomina.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 14:01
139 candidates have switched election lists since the last Saeima elections
Since the previous Saeima elections, 139 people who are or have been running for a parliamentary seat have switched the political party whose list they represent.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 14:00
Man detained in Jēkabpils over alleged domestic violence
Police in Jēkabpils have detained a man suspected of attacking his partner and abusing their children. Neighbours say the family had faced ongoing problems, drawing comparisons to the tragic Rusiņš case.
Jauns.lv · 13 Aug, 13:58
Police dismantle armed criminal gang linked to kidnappings and a murder
Latvia's State Police, investigating a criminal case on banditry, have shut down an organized armed criminal group whose members are suspected of kidnapping, hostage-taking, extortion and murder. The investigation also led to the shutdown of a drug production laboratory tied to the group.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 13:58
CSDD hit by cyberattack, user names and passwords not affected
Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) suffered a cyberattack over the weekend, with attackers gaining partial access to its IT system and obtaining historical payment receipt data. Customer usernames and passwords were not compromised.
LSM · 13 Aug, 13:58
Man arrested in Jēkabpils over abuse of wife and young children now remanded in custody
A court has approved police request to remand in custody a man detained earlier this week in Jēkabpils for attacking his wife and their two young children. The man had prior convictions and an active restraining order against him.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 13:03
Court keeps Balode, accused of spying for Russia, in custody
Riga City Court on Thursday rejected a request to ease the pre-trial security measure for Iveta Balode, who is accused of collecting intelligence for Russian security services. She will remain in custody.
LSM · 13 Aug, 12:58
Latvia's Competition Council head: timber firms tried to influence agency's ruling on state forestry company
Competition Council chief Ieva Šmite revealed that during its probe into long-term timber harvesting contracts by state forestry company Latvijas Valsts meži, several attempts were made to influence the agency's work, which she called unprecedented. The Council nonetheless proceeded with a fine of nearly 8 million euros against the company.
Delfi · 13 Aug, 12:04
Estonia to keep limited border crossing hours with Russia indefinitely
Estonia's government has approved an Interior Ministry proposal to make the temporary 12-hour operating schedule at road and rail border crossings with Russia permanent, with no end date set. The measure keeps crossings open only from 7:00 to 19:00.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 12:03