Latvia & nearby
Pension indexation set for October 1 – increase to depend on insurance record length
From October 1, pension amounts up to €1,589 will be indexed, with increases ranging from 4.24% to 5.22% depending on years of insurance contributions. The change will affect 97% of pensioners.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 12:01
Lithuanian PM demands Church cooperation after two priests charged in child sex abuse cases
After cases against two Lithuanian priests accused of sexual offenses involving children were referred to court, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius demanded transparency and cooperation from the Catholic Church with law enforcement.
LRT English · 13 Aug, 12:00
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Boat freed from sandbank in the Daugava near Skrīveri
On Wednesday, a boat that had run aground on a sandbank in the Daugava River in Skrīveri parish, Aizkraukle municipality, was freed. The incident was reported by the State Fire and Rescue Service.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 11:58
Two detained in Ukraine over money laundering scheme targeting Latvian residents
Latvia's State Police, working with partners, uncovered an organized group in Ukraine that laundered money defrauded from Latvian residents. Two people were detained, with total damages to victims exceeding 200,000 euros.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 11:58
State Police help expose money-laundering network in Ukraine
Latvia's State Police, working with Ukrainian and Lithuanian authorities, dismantled a scheme that laundered funds scammed from Latvian residents. Two suspects were detained and equipment and crypto wallets seized.
Delfi · 13 Aug, 11:03
Bolt taxi driver calls passenger "racist" after she asked him to turn down loud Russian music
A woman says a Bolt driver called her racist and left her stranded after she asked him to turn off loud Russian pop music during a ride. Bolt refunded her three euros, while the incident sparked online debate about language use in Latvia's service sector.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 11:00
Vivi train tickets can now be validated via mobile app
From August 13, "Vivi" train passengers can validate their e-tickets directly in the "Vivi Latvija" and "Mobilly" mobile apps instead of visiting a conductor. Previous validation methods remain available.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 11:00
Latvians capture partial solar eclipse with cameras and special glasses
On August 12, a partial solar eclipse was visible over Latvia, and thousands of residents photographed the rare event, now sharing their shots on social media.
OgreNet · 13 Aug, 10:04
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Three injured in fires across Latvia on Wednesday, including a firefighter
Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service reports that three people were injured in fires on Wednesday, one of them a firefighter.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 10:02
Kiteboarder rescued at sea as three, including a firefighter, injured in fires
On Wednesday a kiteboarder was rescued off the coast in Lapmežciems after being carried out to sea, while three people, including a firefighter, were injured in separate fires across Latvia.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 10:02
Kulbergs: cutting red tape will require changes to hundreds of laws
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says reducing bureaucracy cannot be achieved within a few months, since it would require amending hundreds of laws and regulations. He named financial sector rules as one of the first areas to tackle.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 09:02
Fireworks to light up Ogre's town festival Saturday, with traffic restrictions expected
A fireworks display will take place at 11 p.m. on August 22 near the Ogre municipality building, prompting temporary street closures in the city center.
OgreNet · 13 Aug, 09:01
Estonia to release coin featuring Kõpu Lighthouse in 2027
The Bank of Estonia will issue a new 2-euro commemorative coin in 2027 dedicated to Hiiumaa island and its symbol, the Kõpu Lighthouse. The coin is part of a series featuring Estonia's counties.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 09:01
Court to decide on detention of man accused of assaulting wife in Jēkabpils
A court will today review a police request to detain a man arrested in Jēkabpils earlier this week over an assault on his wife and violence against their children. The Latvian State Police confirmed the case.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 09:01
Latvian actor and film director Gunārs Cilinskis would have turned 95 this year
In 2026, Latvia marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of actor and film director Gunārs Cilinskis, remembered as one of the most talented and charismatic artists of his time.
Staburags · 13 Aug, 09:00
Petition launched to abolish Saeima members' transport and rent compensation
A signature-collection campaign has begun on Manabalss.lv calling for the abolition of transport and housing rent compensation paid to Latvian parliament members. More than 4,300 of the required 10,000 signatures have been gathered so far.
Delfi · 13 Aug, 08:59
Care centres across Latvia to hold joint open days for volunteers on September 12
Several social care centres in Latvia will open their doors simultaneously for the first time on September 12 to introduce people to volunteering opportunities and the daily life of elderly residents. The initiative stems from the association Ascendum's project "Conversations with Seniors".
Zemgales Ziņas · 13 Aug, 08:03
Opinion: distrust between society and power echoes historical mistakes
A Latvian opinion piece warns that the growing gap between the public and those in power resembles the mood in Germany before World War II, urging change ahead of autumn elections. The author criticizes unequal treatment of minor and major wrongdoing.
Kurzemnieks · 13 Aug, 08:02
Latvia to see drier, sunnier weather as anticyclone approaches
After a cyclone brought rain and gusty winds earlier this week, an anticyclone approaching Latvia will bring drier, sunnier conditions for the second half of the week, with temperatures rising to as high as 28 degrees over the weekend.
BNN · 13 Aug, 08:02
Latvian State Forests expert shares tip for locating the best chanterelle spots
Kārlis Taukačs, a senior planner at Latvia's State Forests (LVM), has shared advice on social media for using the LVM GEO app to find young forest stands where chanterelles thrive. He explains that the mushrooms grow best in bright, moderately damp forests aged 20 to 40 years.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 07:59
Captain Gvido Laudups appointed new head of Naval Forces
A ceremony in Liepāja marked the change of command of the Naval Forces, with Captain Gvido Laudups taking over from Flotilla Admiral Māris Polencs, who had led the force for four years. Laudups assumed his duties on August 12.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 07:58
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Fact-check: Does Latvia really not restrict its airspace?
Following several incidents in which drones entered Latvian airspace and calls on social media to "close the skies," the TVNET group's fact-checking project "Faktomāts" examined whether claims that the state does nothing to protect its airspace hold up.
Apollo.lv · 13 Aug, 07:06
LLKC: weather conditions mostly favorable for this year's grain harvest
An LLKC specialist says this year's grain harvest is progressing well with better grain quality than last year, though results vary by region, with Kurzeme faring worst.
Bauskas Dzīve · 13 Aug, 07:03
Price mismatch at Latvian stores: what are your rights when the checkout price is higher than the shelf tag?
A reader told LA.LV that a kefir product rang up at a higher price than the discount shown on the shelf label. Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre explains what shoppers can do in such cases.
Latvijas Avīze · 13 Aug, 07:02
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Petition launched to end travel and rent compensation for Latvian MPs
A signature campaign has started on the "Mana balss" platform calling for the abolition of travel and housing rent compensation paid to members of Latvia's Saeima.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 07:00
Thursday, August 13: warm weather with no heavy rainfall
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts variable cloudiness on Thursday with no significant precipitation.
LSM (rus) · 13 Aug, 06:58
Thursday to bring scattered showers, air temperature +17..+21°C
Estonia will see variable cloudiness on Thursday with scattered brief showers and daytime temperatures of 17–21°C, following a mostly clear night with isolated rain in places.
ERR (rus) · 13 Aug, 06:05
Liepāja City Council committees to review education, property and culture issues on August 13
On August 13, Liepāja City Council's standing committees hold four meetings covering property matters, education and co-financing for the European Capital of Culture programme.
irLiepāja · 13 Aug, 06:04
PM Kulbergs explains coalition U-turn on ZZS, delayed reforms ahead of elections
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, who is also the 'Apvienotais saraksts' candidate for premier, addressed contradictions between his election promises and government actions in an interview. He discussed the coalition with ZZS, postponed bureaucracy reforms, and savings plans.
Bauskas Dzīve · 13 Aug, 06:00
Latvia's tax authority explains response when bank turnover doesn't match declared income
Latvia's State Revenue Service (VID) continues explaining its procedure when money flowing through a person's bank accounts doesn't match their declared income. In 2024 it mass-notified residents of such mismatches, urging them to declare undeclared income or provide explanations.
LV portāls · 13 Aug, 05:58
Riga to mark its 825th anniversary with free public events
Riga is celebrating its 825th birthday, with the main festivities on August 15 and events continuing through the rest of the month under the motto "Open Riga! Code: 825!". Most activities are free to attend.
Delfi · 13 Aug, 05:10
Total solar eclipse crosses Siberia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain
A total solar eclipse swept from northern Siberia across Greenland and Iceland to Spain on Wednesday, while a partial eclipse was visible elsewhere in Europe, including Latvia.
Bauskas Dzīve · 13 Aug, 05:10
New creative community club for women launched in Riga
Two Ukrainian-born women based in Riga, Aleksandra Maksimova and Darja Krikunova, have founded Creative Girls Club, a community that has already gathered over 2,000 followers. The founders say the response exceeded their expectations.
Žurnāls Ir · 13 Aug, 05:07
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The role of salt in canning: what to know before filling the jars
An archived TVNET+ article highlights how essential salt is for canning vegetables and mushrooms, raising questions about which type of salt to use and whether its amount can be reduced.
TVNET · 13 Aug, 05:07
LSM live debate brings together seven party leaders on pre-election pledges
Latvian public broadcaster LSM held a live discussion on August 12 featuring representatives of seven political forces ahead of the 15th Saeima elections.
LSM · 13 Aug, 04:06
Fraudsters steal thousands of euros using fake CSDD website
Latvia's State Police warns that scammers using a fake website of the road traffic authority CSDD have defrauded three victims of several thousand euros combined.
irLiepāja · 13 Aug, 04:05