Latvia & nearby
Latvia short on funding to dispose of asbestos roof slate
Many homes across Latvia still have asbestos-containing slate roofs nearing the end of their lifespan, but state support for safely disposing of them only reaches a few hundred households per year.
LSM (rus) · 7 Aug, 10:15
Police complete probe into illegal programming and sale of TV consoles
Police in Riga region have completed an investigation into a man suspected of engaging in banned business by programming and selling TV consoles. The devices reportedly provided access to channels banned in Latvia and removed by NEPLP as threats to national security.
Apollo.lv · 7 Aug, 09:56
Police seeks prosecution over banned TV channel access via modified consoles
Latvian police have completed an investigation into a man suspected of programming and selling modified TV consoles that provided access to channels banned in Latvia. The case has been handed to prosecutors.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 09:53
Tallinn Collects Reports to Fight Urban Rodents; Waste Mismanagement Called Key Factor
Tallinn's Põhja-Tallinn district is gathering residents' reports of rat and mouse sightings until mid-August to focus pest control measures. Officials say careless waste handling remains one of the main reasons rodents spread in the city.
ERR (rus) · 7 Aug, 09:52
Bar “Ezītis miglā” brings election-style drink menu, sparking laughter online
A Latvian bar has replaced its usual drink list with a mock-election menu, asking customers to choose from 14 humorous names for €2.22. Social media users have been amused by the idea and shared their favourite picks.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 09:51
Financial literacy should become compulsory course at Latvian universities, initiative says
A public initiative on the ManaBalss.lv platform calls for financial literacy to be made a mandatory study course at all Latvian higher education institutions. According to Bank of Latvia data, the average financial literacy index of Latvian residents is only 61% of the maximum possible score, with even lower results among young people.
Staburags · 7 Aug, 09:50
State Chancellery reopens competition for director with lower requirements
The State Chancellery has announced a fresh competition for the post of director, significantly lowering the criteria for candidates. The advertised salary is EUR 7,255 per month.
Apollo.lv · 7 Aug, 08:55
CVK corrects names of 15 candidates on Saeima election lists
The Central Election Commission has corrected the names and surnames of 15 candidates on the Saeima election lists, fixing typos, diacritical marks and compound surname spelling.
Jauns.lv · 7 Aug, 08:54
Language is not an enemy, but politics makes it one
An opinion piece published in a Latvian regional newspaper argues that language itself is not the enemy, but politics and propaganda can turn it into one, while also pointing to the growing influence of English in Latvia.
Ziemeļlatvija · 7 Aug, 08:53
Police warn Ogre region about fraudsters and grave robbers
Several fraud cases, a damaged Tet cable, and stolen granite grave borders have been reported in Ogre region over the past week.
OgreNet · 7 Aug, 08:50
No shortage of shoppers at Jelgava’s new market, but flea market disappears
Jelgava’s new market opened over the weekend with a steady flow of customers, while traders at the old square also reported sales. The flea market has not resumed because the fees at the new venue are seen as too high.
Zemgales Ziņas · 7 Aug, 07:56
Valka teen returns from month-long US camp with bridge-building skills and a life lesson
Amanda Kušķe, 16, from Valka has returned from a month-long camp in the United States, where she learned to build a bridge and write letters by hand. Her main takeaway: nothing happens unless you dare to try.
Ziemeļlatvija · 7 Aug, 07:56
Cooler weather to replace heat as Latvia braces for rain and thunderstorms
After hot days, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts temperatures will drop to +18...+23°C, with a cyclonic pattern bringing rain and gusty winds. Sunday is expected to be drier under higher pressure.
BNN · 7 Aug, 07:56
Latvia's Supreme Court asks EU Court to clarify exclusion of cartel members from public procurement
The Senate of Latvia's Supreme Court has referred questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union about excluding cartel members from procurement. The case tests whether Latvia's self-cleaning process complies with EU law.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 07:53
Kulbergs will not join any of the United List's member parties
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has no plans to join any of the United List’s member parties, saying the alliance’s political forces work together as a team. He will therefore remain non-partisan.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 07:51
Latvian police officer dismissed for misconduct toward crime victim
After a repeated internal investigation, one Jelgava police officer has been dismissed from service for inappropriate behavior while trying to extract information from a man who is a victim in a criminal case; two other officers received disciplinary penalties.
Bauskas Dzīve · 7 Aug, 07:51
Phone scammers increasingly turn to number spoofing; experts urge caution
The number of blocked fraudulent calls in Latvia has fallen, but experts warn the threat has not receded — scammers have shifted to number spoofing. Banks and state institutions never ask for personal details by phone, so people should stay alert.
Jauns.lv · 7 Aug, 07:50
What counts toward insurance record for old-age pension in 2026
An expert from the State Social Insurance Agency explains which work and non-work periods form the insurance record required for an old-age pension. From 2025, pension eligibility requires age 65 and at least 20 years of record, while in 2026 the state social security benefit for old age will be 187 euros per month.
LV portāls · 7 Aug, 06:56
Civic alliance representative warns of dehumanising rhetoric in pre-election debate
Elīna Grīnhofa of the Latvian Civic Alliance writes in the magazine Ir that pre-election discourse increasingly seeks to delegitimise opponents instead of debating ideas, which weakens democracy and societal resilience. She calls for stronger respect in public communication and a review of existing institutional safeguards.
Žurnāls Ir · 7 Aug, 06:54
Public transport frustration: Jelgava–Riga commute can eat up two hours a day
A social media post about the slower public transport route from Jelgava to Riga has drawn broad agreement, with residents saying similar delays occur across Latvia.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 06:54
Sea water warmest along Vidzeme coast on Friday – locally up to 21°C
On Friday morning, the warmest sea water in Latvia is along the Vidzeme coast, reaching about 21°C, while in Kolka it is 17°C. Swimming in the open sea is not recommended due to large waves and currents.
Bauskas Dzīve · 7 Aug, 06:53
Crematorium beside Iecava highway continues construction despite residents' protests
Interior finishing works have begun at a crematorium site in Salgale parish, Jelgava region, even as the project faces a legal dispute. The municipality is awaiting a court ruling on December 3.
Zemgales Ziņas · 7 Aug, 06:52
Daugavpils to more than double municipal apartment rents
The Daugavpils municipality has decided to raise rents for its apartments from 30 to 70 cents per square metre per month. As a result, a 50-square-metre apartment will cost 35 euros instead of 15 euros.
LSM · 7 Aug, 06:51
“Digitours” enters insolvency; Latvian consumer watchdog suspends licence
Tour operator “Digitours” filed for insolvency in August 2026, and the Consumer Rights Protection Centre has received reports of cancelled trips and unpaid refunds. The regulator has suspended the company's licence and warns against new bookings.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 06:06
Bars in Tartu's historic center concerned over new residential building
Bars in Tartu's historic center fear the arrival of a new apartment building nearby will lead to conflicts with future residents. The building, slated for completion by 2028, will add more than 50 apartments to the city's main nightlife district.
ERR (rus) · 7 Aug, 06:04
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Latvian consumer watchdog warns against buying “Digitours” trips after insolvency filing
The Consumer Rights Protection Centre has urged travellers not to buy tours from “Digitours” because the operator has filed for insolvency.
Apollo.lv · 7 Aug, 06:01
European Central Bank launches survey on new euro banknote designs
The European Central Bank has launched a public consultation on ten design proposals for new euro banknotes. Europeans can vote until 21 September 2026 on designs based on two themes: “European culture” and “Rivers and birds”.
Staburags · 7 Aug, 04:58
Saka Manor cliff stairs to the sea reopen in Ida-Virumaa
The reconstructed staircase at Saka Manor, leading from the high cliff down to the seaside, has been reopened to visitors after being closed for two years. The restoration was carried out according to the original design.
ERR (rus) · 7 Aug, 04:58
Riga to hold urban barrier construction exercise; traffic restrictions planned
Riga municipality together with the National Guard will hold an exercise to build anti-tank obstacles and other barriers in the urban environment. Residents are told not to worry as the event is planned in advance.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 04:53
Trial begins in Bauska dog shooting case; owner tearfully describes puppies
The court has started hearing the case of three dogs shot in Bauska district last October. Three police officers and a hunter face charges, while the dogs' owner said two of the animals were puppies.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 03:58
Ruks on service review: “I don’t feel I have earned any punishment”
State Police chief Armands Ruks said on the program “Kāpēc” that he is ready to accept a penalty if the review finds shortcomings, but he does not feel he has deserved one. He also said recent criticism of the police is not linked to the upcoming elections.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 03:57
Liepaja beach to host fifth annual Beach Games Liepaja sports festival
The fifth Beach Games Liepaja sports festival will take place on August 8 at Liepaja central beach, featuring competitions in four sports. Participants can join beach wrestling, beach tennis, functional fitness, and 3x3 football.
irLiepāja · 7 Aug, 03:54
Latvia's consumer watchdog urges avoiding new bookings with travel operator Digitours after insolvency filing
Travel operator Digitours has filed for insolvency, and Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre warns people not to buy new tours or make payments to the company due to risks of losing money.
LSM · 7 Aug, 01:56
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Apollo.lv launches plant recognition quiz
A new quiz on Apollo.lv lets readers check how many plants they can identify from photos.
Apollo.lv · 7 Aug, 01:53
Puče: IZM sports funding contest looks like a pre-arranged deal
Journalist Armands Puče has criticised the education ministry’s sports event funding competition, saying the five-day application period and conditions point to a pre-arranged outcome. The ministry denies the allegations.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Aug, 01:52
Poll: Most Latvian residents worried about immigration before Saeima election
A SKDS survey shows that 75.3% of Latvian residents are concerned about immigration, with the highest worry found among National Alliance voters, residents of Kurzeme, and older age groups.
Delfi · 7 Aug, 00:54