Latvia & nearby (197)

Wooden apartment building fire in Jūrmala injures owner and firefighter

A fire broke out early Tuesday in a wooden apartment building in Priedaine, Jūrmala, destroying the roof and third floor and injuring the building's owner and a firefighter. Twenty-seven residents were evacuated.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 05:20

Estonia's Chancellor of Justice Madise: ready to run for president if impartiality is preserved

Estonian Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise explained in an interview under what conditions she would agree to run for president, stressing she has not proposed her own candidacy and that preserving her impartial image is her only condition.

ERR (rus) · 12 Aug, 04:22

Liepāja opens public consultation on sports project support rules

Liepāja municipality has opened public consultation on amendments to its rules on supporting sports projects, with feedback accepted until August 25.

irLiepāja · 12 Aug, 04:19

Skrunda to host “Rock for Freedom” festival on August 22 with Latvian rock stars

The “Rock for Freedom” festival returns to Skrunda's Pilskalns stage for its third year next week, featuring bands Dzelzs Vilks, Pienvedēja Piedzīvojumi, R.A.P., the newly formed Mr.Rally, and performer Miks Galvanovskis. A new talent competition for emerging artists will also debut.

irLiepāja · 12 Aug, 03:19

Narva paddler Fjodorova aims for strong showing at World Championships

Narva canoe sprinter Jeļizaveta Fjodorova won bronze at the U23 European Championships and will now compete as Estonia's sole representative at the World Championships in Poland.

ERR (rus) · 12 Aug, 02:21

Teachers' union criticizes rushed changes to student assessment rules

Union leader Inga Vanaga accuses the Education Ministry of moving too quickly on changes to exam and grading procedures, while Minister Ilze Indriksone defends the need for immediate action.

Delfi · 12 Aug, 01:21

Court blocks conversion of Soviet army watchtower in Pape into holiday home

A Latvian court has rejected a landowner's attempt to convert a former Soviet military watchtower in Pape Nature Park into a holiday cottage, ruling that the reconstruction had not been approved by the State Environmental Service.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 01:20

Truck and combine harvester catch fire in Kurzeme region

Over a 24-hour period, firefighters in the Kurzeme region battled several fires, including a burning combine harvester and a truck, while also rescuing a person from a partially collapsed house.

irLiepāja · 12 Aug, 00:23

Jēkabpils hospital probes woman's complaint over childbirth marked by fight for baby's life

A birth at Jēkabpils Regional Hospital reportedly turned into a struggle to save the newborn's life. The mother says she experienced unethical treatment and negligence, while the hospital is still reviewing the circumstances.

Apollo.lv · 12 Aug, 00:22

Survey: nearly half of Latvians say boosting birth rate is key to fixing demographic decline

A Delfi-commissioned SKDS survey shows that almost half of Latvia's population sees promoting birth rates as the top priority for improving the country's demographic situation, far ahead of encouraging remigration or labor immigration.

Delfi · 12 Aug, 00:17

Baltic states grapple with sharp birth rate decline, no easy fix in sight

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are all experiencing fertility rates below the EU average, and their governments have yet to find an effective way to reverse the decline.

Delfi · 11 Aug, 23:22

Liepāja calls for entries to fifth stage of “Smilšu Bums” beach volleyball tournament

On August 18, the beach volleyball courts at Liepāja's Tennis Hall will host the fifth stage of the “Smilšu Bums” championship, called “PIZZA SHOP.” Registration closes on the evening of August 17.

irLiepāja · 11 Aug, 23:17

Childbirth at Jēkabpils hospital turns into fight for newborn's life, mother alleges negligence

A birth at Jēkabpils Regional Hospital reportedly turned into a struggle to save the newborn's life, with the mother alleging unethical treatment and medical negligence, according to TV3's programme 'Bez tabu'.

TVNET · 11 Aug, 23:16

How to encourage students to read books in summer without a mandatory reading list?

As September approaches, students rush to finish summer assignments, including recommended reading. Latvian schools have had no mandatory literature list for a decade.

LSM (rus) · 11 Aug, 22:20

Two drivers injured in head-on crash near Platone

On Tuesday evening near Platone, a passenger car driver crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a truck, leaving both drivers hospitalized with serious injuries.

Apollo.lv · 11 Aug, 22:17

Parking operator "Park Expert" faces hundreds of complaints over disproportionate fines

Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre has received over 160 complaints about parking operator "Park Expert" and launched a review of its business practices, as customers report unexplainably high penalties.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Aug, 22:16

Only seven of 61 government priority tasks fully completed, says PM Kulbergs

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said at a Tuesday press briefing that only seven of the government's 61 priority tasks assigned to ministers have been fully completed. The remaining tasks are still in progress.

TVNET · 11 Aug, 22:16

Liepāja to hold public meetings on civil protection in August

Liepāja's municipality will host four public meetings in August where residents can learn about civil protection, shelters and how to act in crisis situations.

irLiepāja · 11 Aug, 22:15

Migrant-dug tunnel discovered at Latvia-Belarus border in Silene

A tunnel apparently dug by migrants was found for the first time overnight Tuesday at the Silene border guard post on the Latvia-Belarus border, Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava confirmed.

Apollo.lv · 11 Aug, 20:17

Estonia's social affairs minister does not rule out charging for ambulance calls, doctors push back

Estonian Social Affairs Minister Carmen Jõller has not ruled out that some ambulance calls could become partly paid in the future, but medical professionals are largely against the idea.

ERR (rus) · 11 Aug, 20:17

Riga closes riverside street for anniversary events without warning drivers

On the morning of Tuesday, August 11, Riga closed the 11 November Embankment ahead of the city's 825th anniversary celebrations this weekend, but failed to warn residents in advance, causing long traffic jams. The Riga City Council admitted the mistake and urged people to watch for traffic changes.

LSM (rus) · 11 Aug, 20:14

Latvia's food prices fell in July after VAT cut, but fuel may rise again in August

Latvia's consumer prices dropped for the first time this year in July, largely due to a lower VAT rate on bread, milk, poultry and eggs, though the Finance Ministry warns fuel prices could climb again in August.

OgreNet · 11 Aug, 19:22

Latvian government to co-finance Liepāja Airport with €100,000

Latvia's Defence Ministry will allocate €100,000 in co-financing to Liepāja Airport operator SIA "Aviasabiedrība 'Liepāja'" for public-interest services related to civil-military cooperation, the government decided on Tuesday.

TVNET · 11 Aug, 19:19

Jūrmala to create memorial site for world traveler Kārlis Bardelis

Over the next few years, the seaside city of Jūrmala plans to establish a memorial site for Kārlis Bardelis, a world-renowned traveler and six-time Guinness World Records holder who died last year at age 40. The initiative is being led by his sister and close friends.

LSM · 11 Aug, 19:14

Doctor attacked at work in Jēkabpils hospital, management seeks safety solutions

A doctor at Jēkabpils Regional Hospital was assaulted during working hours by an aggressive visitor accompanying a patient. Hospital management is now looking for ways to improve staff safety.

LSM · 11 Aug, 18:14

Rural Estonian village library to double as crisis hub

A library-community center in Estonia's Leevaku village, Põlva County, will be adapted into a crisis hub offering warmth, food and phone charging during prolonged emergencies. The project is funded through a regional and national crisis-readiness scheme.

ERR News · 11 Aug, 17:22

Latvia's government backs wider import ban on Russian and Belarusian goods

Latvia's government on Tuesday approved amendments prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture that expand the national import ban on goods originating from Russia and Belarus. The ban could now extend to candy, chocolate and beer.

TVNET · 11 Aug, 17:21

Saldus municipality to pay €50 grant to every first-grader

Saldus municipality is inviting parents of children starting first grade this autumn to apply for a €50 grant toward school supplies, with applications open until 30 September 2026.

Jauns.lv · 11 Aug, 17:18

Fire crew called to Aizkraukle over unattended cooking pot

On Monday evening, Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service was called to an apartment building in Aizkraukle after food left unattended on a stove began to burn. No injuries or further spread were reported.

Staburags · 11 Aug, 17:17

Free creative workshops for children and youth to be held at Valmiermuiža this summer

An intergenerational workshop series called 'RAdiDAri' is taking place at the Valmiermuiža park outdoor classroom, letting children and young people explore local heritage through art. The sessions are free but require advance registration.

Ziemeļlatvija · 11 Aug, 16:18

Government-commissioned legal opinion finds no obstacles to approving "K2 Ventum" wind farm

A legal opinion commissioned by Latvia's Climate and Energy Ministry concludes that law does not prohibit building wind turbines in the Baltic Sea coastal protection zone, yet the Cabinet must decide on the "K2 Ventum" project by August 31 or risk litigation over losses exceeding 120 million euros.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Aug, 16:17

Madise tells Riigikogu speaker she would agree to run for president

Estonia's Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise sent a letter to Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar confirming she would agree to stand as a presidential candidate if a sufficient majority of MPs support it.

ERR (rus) · 11 Aug, 16:16

Three buses destroyed in fire at former bus depot in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia

Overnight on 11 August, a fire broke out at an old bus depot in Kohtla-Järve, Estonia, destroying three buses and partially damaging a truck trailer. Police are investigating possible arson.

ERR News · 11 Aug, 16:16

Partial solar eclipse expected Wednesday – ophthalmologist warns on safe viewing

Ahead of a partial solar eclipse expected on Wednesday, August 12, an ophthalmologist reminds the public that looking directly at the sun without proper protection is unsafe. Doing so without protection, or through binoculars or a telescope, can cause irreversible eye damage.

LSM · 11 Aug, 16:14