Latvia & nearby (196)

Riga begins partial demolition of ED dam to host more cruise ships closer to city centre

Partial demolition of the ED dam in the southern part of Riga's Export Port began this week, aiming to let the city accommodate more cruise ships closer to its centre. The Freeport of Riga authority says the works could spur improvements to the Andrejsala waterfront and its public space.

LSM (rus) · 12 Aug, 12:58

Attack on Doctor at Jēkabpils Hospital: Colleague Recounts the Ordeal

On the evening of August 6, a doctor at the Emergency Medical Aid and Admission Department of Jēkabpils Regional Hospital was beaten; a colleague's account of the incident has been described as a cry from the soul.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 12:04

18th-century statue of Themis to return to Riga Town Hall

On August 13, ahead of Riga's 825th anniversary, the historic 18th-century statue of the goddess of justice Themis will return to the Riga Town Hall, city council representatives announced.

LSM (rus) · 12 Aug, 11:58

Poll: Two-thirds of Poles back deportation of unemployed Ukrainian men

A new IBRiS survey for Rzeczpospolita shows most Poles support the opposition PiS party's proposal to deport Ukrainian men of conscription age who lack legal employment, a plan the Interior Ministry has called populist.

Ukrainska Pravda (EN) · 12 Aug, 11:04

Estonia to make upper secondary school admission easier for children who studied abroad

Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research plans to revise upper secondary school admission rules so students who studied abroad aren't disadvantaged by lacking final exam results. The change aims to ease these students' integration into the Estonian school system.

ERR News · 12 Aug, 11:04

Jūrmala grants extra €67,954 for memorial to round-the-world traveler Kārlis Bardelis

The Jūrmala municipality has allocated additional participatory-budget funding to build a memorial site for round-the-world traveler Kārlis Bardelis. Two projects with the most public votes will now be carried out.

BNN · 12 Aug, 11:00

Latvia bought anti-drone systems but 'forgot' the ammunition, PM says

Prime Minister Rihards Kulbergs said some anti-drone systems purchased by Latvia lack the necessary ammunition. He did not specify which procurement or institution was involved.

Delfi · 12 Aug, 10:05

Estonian politician: country cannot grow prosperity through taxes or debt

Estonian politician Lauri Laats argues that Estonia can only achieve prosperity through sustainable economic growth, not by raising taxes or increasing borrowing, while warning about the rapidly rising national debt.

ERR News · 12 Aug, 10:05

Blueberry Growers Explain Why Prices Are Higher This Year

Latvian blueberry growers say this year's higher prices stem from winter frost damage to bushes, which in some farms cut yields by as much as 80%, while other farms saw no significant drop.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 10:03

Repatriation of three Latvian climbers who died on Denali completed

Latvia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the repatriation of three Latvian climbers who died on Alaska's Denali mountain in May has been completed. The process was organized by Latvian insurers together with partner companies in the US.

BNN · 12 Aug, 10:02

Seimas speaker: Vilnius must find compromise on language services for Ukrainians, Belarusians

Lithuania's Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas says Vilnius municipality should find a compromise allowing Ukrainians and Belarusians to communicate with city authorities in their own languages, after the capital stopped accepting written requests in Russian.

LRT English · 12 Aug, 10:00

Kante: Tallinn is implementing Estonian-language education reform methodically, not making excuses

Tallinn politician Andrei Kante has rejected Reform Party claims that the city is slowing the transition to Estonian-language education, pointing to record education funding this year. He urges judging the reform by actual results rather than pre-election rhetoric.

ERR (rus) · 12 Aug, 10:00

Warmer weather expected in Latvia this weekend

Meteorologists forecast that air temperatures in Latvia will rise this weekend, before dropping again the following week.

TVNET · 12 Aug, 10:00

Car ends up in ditch in Variņi parish, rescuers pull driver out

On the night of 12 August, a car went off the road and landed on its side in a ditch in Smiltene municipality's Variņi parish; firefighters freed the person inside and handed them to paramedics.

Ziemeļlatvija · 12 Aug, 09:59

Growing Saeima budget raises question of State Audit Office oversight

The Latvian parliament's planned spending this year exceeds 40 million euros, having grown significantly over the past decade. Although the Saeima is financially independent and the only state institution not audited by the State Audit Office, there is growing acknowledgment that some expenses and functions should be reviewed.

LSM (rus) · 12 Aug, 09:58

Estonia is home to more than 4,000 Latvians

Data from Statistics Estonia shows that more than 4,000 Latvians were living in the country at the start of this year, while Estonia's total population exceeded 1.36 million.

LSM · 12 Aug, 09:58

Kulbergs: Ammunition for Latvia's anti-drone systems was never purchased

Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs revealed that previously acquired anti-drone systems in Latvia lacked the necessary ammunition. He made the statement in an interview for LETA's podcast segment.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 09:21

Smiltene municipality to host visit to berry juice maker “Very Berry”

On August 19, entrepreneurs and institution representatives are invited to meet with SIA “Very Berry” at its production facility in Gaujiena parish, as part of Smiltene municipality's business dialogue series. Attendance is free but requires prior registration.

Ziemeļlatvija · 12 Aug, 09:19

Estonian Justice Chancellor Madise: Would accept presidential nomination with broad Riigikogu support

Estonian Justice Chancellor Ülle Madise says she is not actively seeking the presidency but would accept a nomination if enough Riigikogu members across party lines back her. She stresses that preserving her image of impartiality is her only real criterion.

ERR News · 12 Aug, 09:17

Iršu Manor's "Kļavas" welcomes over 300 visitors during Home Café Days

For the fifth year, the "Irši iedvesmo" association took part in the Middle Daugava Home Café Days, hosting 305 visitors at its "Kļavas" home café. Guests enjoyed traditional food, children's activities and an evening music programme.

Staburags · 12 Aug, 09:15

Bauska municipality spent nearly €905,000 on road and street maintenance in first half of year

Bauska municipality spent about €905,000 on road and street maintenance in the first half of 2026, with over half going to winter maintenance. The largest expenses were recorded in the Bauska and Iecava districts.

Bauskas Dzīve · 12 Aug, 08:21

Estonia rolls out new accessibility rules for buildings, new apartment blocks to follow from January

New accessibility requirements for buildings have taken effect in Estonia this month, with rules for new apartment blocks set to apply starting next January.

ERR (rus) · 12 Aug, 08:19

Lithuania races to prepare for EU Council presidency amid rising costs

Lithuania is in the final stages of preparing to take over the rotating EU Council presidency next year, renovating parliament and readying Vilnius for hundreds of events, though costs are already exceeding budget and airBaltic is cutting flights to the capital.

LRT English · 12 Aug, 08:19

Isolated showers expected Wednesday, wind set to calm as sunnier days approach

Wednesday will still bring cloudy weather with isolated brief rain and stronger wind, but clouds will clear and temperatures will gradually rise over the following days.

BNN · 12 Aug, 08:18

Latvia launches Operation "Vilkatis" against illegal migration

On August 11 Latvia launched a month-long operation called "Vilkatis" targeting illegal migration, coinciding with the discovery of a tunnel dug by migrants under the border with Belarus.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Aug, 08:16

Jēkabpils hospital scandal: mother accuses staff of violent birth that endangered newborn's life

Complaints have been filed against Jēkabpils Regional Hospital over alleged negligence and violence during childbirth that left a newborn with serious health damage, now being treated at the Children's Clinical University Hospital. The hospital says it is gathering information and requesting explanations from staff involved.

Jauns.lv · 12 Aug, 08:15

Memorial site for traveler Kārlis Bārdelis to be created in Jūrmala

A memorial site is planned in Jūrmala's Kauguri village to honor traveler and six-time Guinness World Record holder Kārlis Bārdelis, who died last year at the age of 40. The initiative is being driven by his sister and close friends.

LSM (rus) · 12 Aug, 08:14

Winter frost cuts Latvia's blueberry harvest by up to 80% on some farms

A harsh winter with prolonged frost has damaged blueberry bushes on several Latvian farms, cutting planned yields by as much as 80% in places, though other regions like Vidzeme fared better. Growers also cite labor shortages and competition from Poland.

Bauskas Dzīve · 12 Aug, 07:22

Valka council approves financial optimization plan, opposition votes against

The Valka municipal council has approved a financial optimization plan for 2026-2028 agreed with the Finance Ministry along with amendments to this year's budget, though four opposition members voted against it. The council chairman said the municipality is focused on raising revenue rather than sharply cutting spending.

Ziemeļlatvija · 12 Aug, 07:20

Latvia to see short-lived rain in places on Wednesday, cooler weather

Meteorologists forecast brief rain showers in parts of Latvia on Wednesday, mainly in the Vidzeme, Latgale and Sēlija regions, alongside relatively cool temperatures.

TVNET · 12 Aug, 07:17

Kuldīga ultra-cyclist rides 3,257 km in a week to raise funds for SOS Children's Villages

Ultra-marathon cyclist Arvis Sprude was welcomed home in Riga on August 7 after completing a seven-day, 3,257-kilometre bike ride aimed less at a Guinness record than at raising donations for SOS Children's Villages. Although the record attempt fell short, he set a new Latvian 24-hour distance record on the first day.

Kurzemnieks · 12 Aug, 07:17

Mixed weather in Latvia on Wednesday, with rain in places and an evening solar eclipse

Latvia will see changeable weather on Wednesday, with brief rain mainly in the eastern regions, while a partial solar eclipse will be visible in the evening. Daytime temperatures will reach up to +21C.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Aug, 07:16

Latvia's education ministry proposes expanding online learning in blended classes

Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science has presented a detailed proposal for blended learning, allowing high school students to study online for up to 20% of yearly class hours and basic school students up to 15%. The ministry announced the plan itself.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 06:20

Court blocks plan to turn Soviet-era army tower in Pape dunes into a summer house

A court has rejected a landowner's plan to convert a former Soviet army watchtower in Latvia's Pape Nature Park into a summer house, ruling the reconstruction was not approved by the State Environmental Service.

TVNET · 12 Aug, 06:19