Latvia & nearby
Latvia's emergency medical service warns against relying on AI for health advice
Latvia's Emergency Medical Service says artificial intelligence tools cannot replace a proper medical examination and urges people to contact their family doctor instead.
Bauskas Dzīve · 10 Aug, 03:22
/nginx/o/2025/10/24/17237257t1h847f.jpg)
Latvian woman Alise Vaivare recalls childhood in Vissarion's sect in Siberia
Alise Vaivare recounts how her mother Daiga took her from Latvia to Siberia at age three, where the family spent the next ten years in the community of self-proclaimed "reincarnation of Christ" Vissarion.
TVNET · 10 Aug, 03:18
Estonian parties split over potential conflict of interest in Madise's presidential bid
Members of Estonia's Riigikogu disagree on whether a presidential run by Chancellor of Justice Ulle Madise would create legal problems. EKRE warns of possible court challenges to election results, while other parties see no legal obstacles.
ERR (rus) · 10 Aug, 00:22
/nginx/o/2026/01/26/17405978t1ha4bd.jpg)
Tax police: Criminal networks in Latvia and neighboring states still cooperate on illegal cigarettes
Latvia's Tax and Customs Police told the LETA news agency that cross-border organized crime cooperation involving illegal cigarette production continues actively in Latvia and its neighboring countries.
Apollo.lv · 10 Aug, 00:20
Poll: nearly half of Latvians oppose withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
An SKDS survey commissioned by Delfi and LSM shows 46.9% of Latvians oppose the country leaving the Istanbul Convention, while 35.6% support withdrawal. Opinions diverge sharply along party preference, gender and education lines.
Delfi · 10 Aug, 00:15
Donor-funded summer camps bring joy to children of Ukrainian war soldiers in Latvia
This summer, five donor-funded camps have already been held in Latvia for 22 children whose fathers serve in Ukraine's largest artillery brigade in the Donetsk region. The children enjoy nature, the sea, and days free of air raid sirens.
LSM · 9 Aug, 23:18
Boat trips to see seals grow popular in Tallinn Bay
In northern Estonia, boat excursions to islands where seals can be watched in their natural habitat are gaining popularity this summer season. The trips run from April to October.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 23:18
Bauska to host free Family Day with over 40 activities
Bauska will host a free family-oriented event featuring more than 40 institutions and organizations offering activities and concerts.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 23:14
Estonia to see rain showers Monday evening as temperatures climb to +26 degrees
Estonia will start Monday with clear, dry weather, but rain clouds moving in from the west are expected to reach the country's eastern regions by evening, with daytime temperatures rising to between 21 and 26 degrees.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 22:17
PM's plan to curb remote work for civil servants sparks online debate
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' plan to review and limit remote work in Latvia's public administration has triggered heated discussions on social media, with opinions split on whether working from home is a privilege or a right.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 21:17
Kalev Stoicescu leaves the Eesti 200 party
Estonian Riigikogu member Kalev Stoicescu announced on Sunday that he has left the Eesti 200 party, a move also confirmed in the Commercial Register. He says he intends to keep contributing to defense, security and foreign policy.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 20:18
Care centre residents compete at sports festival in Jelgava municipality
A sports festival is taking place in Jelgava municipality for residents of state social care centres who live with severe mental health disorders. The event gives them a rare chance to take part in activities beyond their everyday care centre routine.
LSM · 9 Aug, 19:15
Weekly forecast: rainier and cooler weather to arrive in Latvia from Tuesday
After a stretch of hot days, Latvia will see a shift toward cooler conditions, with rainier and more changeable weather expected from Tuesday onward, meteorologists say.
LSM (rus) · 9 Aug, 18:20
In Daugavpils, adults actively take up the state language
In Daugavpils, which has Latvia's lowest share of ethnic Latvians, adults can learn the state language through various options, including free courses. Both local residents and Ukrainian refugees are making use of the opportunity.
LSM (rus) · 9 Aug, 17:14
/nginx/o/2026/07/09/17772899t1h3509.jpg)
Cooler weather to replace heat wave in Latvia
After recent hot days, cooler air masses will move into Latvia, with daytime temperatures dropping to +18...+21 degrees, meteorologists forecast.
Apollo.lv · 9 Aug, 16:22
No significant rainfall expected in Latvia overnight into Monday
Meteorologists forecast dry, mostly clear weather across Latvia overnight into Monday, with temperatures dropping to +11...+16 degrees, and +14...+16 in Riga.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 15:17
/nginx/o/2026/08/09/17837542t1h52c5.jpg)
Mostly clear skies expected on Sunday night, no precipitation forecast
Meteorologists forecast that the night before Monday will bring mostly clear skies with little cloud cover and no precipitation.
Apollo.lv · 9 Aug, 15:16
Mostly clear skies expected in Latvia overnight into Monday
Meteorologists forecast little cloud cover and no precipitation in Latvia during the night heading into Monday.
TVNET · 9 Aug, 15:15
Antsla hosts its traditional Hauka fair
The usually quiet town of Antsla in Võru County turned into an open-air marketplace this weekend as the century-old Hauka fair took place once again.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 15:15
Health Inspectorate warns against counterfeit hearing aid sold on AliExpress
Latvia's Health Inspectorate is urging people not to buy a hearing aid with model number 5216B sold on AliExpress, after it was identified as counterfeit. The alert originated from Belgium's competent authority.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 14:16
Estonian farm near Narva grew into a petting zoo, starting with a single horse
The Rootsikalmu farm near Narva has grown into a petting zoo that began with its founder's love of horses. It is now home to various pets and wild species, including porcupine pups brought from Latvia.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 13:19
Customs police: illegal cigarette production becoming an organized cross-border business
Latvia's Tax and Customs Police say criminal groups in Latvia and neighboring countries are closely cooperating in illegal cigarette production, after Lithuania seized a truck carrying roughly half a million packs likely made in Latvia.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 13:19
Cost of housing a prisoner in Latvia exceeds 62 euros per day
Daily costs of maintaining one inmate in Latvia rose to 62.08 euros in 2025, according to the Prison Administration. Since 2021, costs have climbed nearly a quarter.
Delfi · 9 Aug, 12:19
Tallinn reviews boundaries of protected archaeological zones
Estonia's Heritage Board plans to shrink Tallinn's protected archaeological areas by nearly 140 hectares, while newly identified sites closer to the Old Town will gain protected status for the first time.
ERR (rus) · 9 Aug, 12:19
PM Kulbergs' chief of staff Gruškevičs declares debts over €207,000
Mareks Gruškevičs, chief of staff to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, disclosed debts exceeding €207,000 in his official asset declaration upon taking office, alongside sizable cash savings.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 12:18
Prison sentence in Jelgava home-birth tragedy case takes effect
Latvia's Supreme Court has declined to open cassation proceedings in a criminal case over the death of a mother and child during a home birth in Jelgava, making the prison sentence final, news agency LETA reports.
LSM · 9 Aug, 12:14
EKRE leader: Madise's election as Estonian president could be challenged in court
EKRE chair Martin Helme says his party will not back Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise for the Estonian presidency, warning of a conflict of interest that could see her election contested in court.
ERR News · 9 Aug, 11:21
/nginx/o/2026/07/30/17817734t1hba9b.jpg)
14 heavily intoxicated drivers caught on Latvian roads in one day
Latvia's State Police reported that over the past 24 hours, 14 drivers were caught heavily intoxicated with alcohol and one more under the influence of drugs.
TVNET · 9 Aug, 11:17
Rescuers search Latgale forests overnight for missing person
On Saturday night, rescuers searched a forest in Vaboles parish, Augšdaugava municipality, for a person who had gotten lost, and successfully found them. Authorities remind the public of safety precautions when heading into forests.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 11:16
Rescuers search forests for lost people in Latgale and Kurzeme
The State Fire and Rescue Service helped two people who got lost in forests yesterday, in the Tukums and Augšdaugava municipalities. Both were found safely.
Delfi · 9 Aug, 11:15
Vilnius TV Tower struck by lightning 11 times more often than surrounding area
Lithuania's meteorological service says the country's tallest structure, the Vilnius TV Tower, attracts lightning far more frequently than its surroundings. Its lightning protection system has so far kept staff and visitors safe from any recorded injuries.
LRT English · 9 Aug, 10:20
Fire destroys farmstead in Rēzekne region, calf and piglet killed
An early-morning fire at a farmstead in Rēzekne region's Viļāni parish killed a calf and a piglet, though another piglet was saved. Firefighters remain on site.
Jauns.lv · 9 Aug, 10:16
Estonia's Opinion Festival enters second day with talks on EU and media
The annual Opinion Festival in Paide, Estonia continued into its second day, featuring discussions on topics ranging from AI-era entrepreneurship to youth dropping out of education.
ERR News · 9 Aug, 10:15
Latvian rescuers have pulled 33 drowning victims from water this swimming season
Since the swimming season began on May 15, Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service has recovered 33 drowning victims from water, bringing the year's total to 53. The latest body was found yesterday in Mārupe municipality.
Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Aug, 10:15
/nginx/o/2026/07/23/17800487t1had9e.jpg)
Riga Deputy Mayor Ratnieks earned over 72,000 euros last year, declaration shows
Riga Deputy Mayor Edvards Ratnieks (National Alliance) declared earning 72,000 euros from the Riga municipality last year, according to his official asset and income declaration.
TVNET · 9 Aug, 09:18
Five steps to help children return to school healthy and ready to learn
With just weeks left before the new school year, doctors advise parents to focus on children's sleep routines, health checkups, immunity, ergonomics and safety. Following these steps should help kids start the term rested and prepared.
Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Aug, 09:17