Latvia & nearby
Tuesday to bring possible brief showers in Estonia, +19 to +24
Estonia will see partly cloudy skies on Tuesday with possible brief showers in places. The night will be dry, though fog may form locally.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 22:53
Kozlovskis promises firmer Rail Baltica cost estimates; updated forecasts due in September
Latvia's Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis says updated Rail Baltica cost estimates will be published in September, offering much greater clarity on the sums involved, though not absolute precision.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 22:52
Well-known athlete and coach drowns in Baltic Sea after festival in Nida
A 30-year-old extreme sports coach and former professional athlete Motiejus Lisauskas drowned in the Baltic Sea in Nida on Sunday after attending the Anna Festival, Lithuanian media report.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 21:54
Estonia Eases Conditions for State Support to Large Industrial Projects
Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications has relaxed the requirements for granting state financial support to large industrial projects, widening the range of potential subsidy recipients.
LSM · 3 Aug, 21:54
Jelgava Market opens in new location near railway station
Since 1 August, the Jelgava Market has been operating at its new premises; the previous site has lost its market status.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 21:53
LSM.lv releases episode of 'Discuss in the Evening'
On 3 August 2026, an episode of the programme 'Discuss in the Evening' was published on LSM.lv. The announcement does not reveal its content.
LSM (rus) · 3 Aug, 21:51
Konovalov breaks silence over shooting of his dogs; first court hearing set for Thursday
Influencer Modris Konovalovs has broken his silence over the fatal shooting of his three dogs, announcing the first court hearing will take place on Thursday. Four people, including a hunter and a former municipal police chief, face charges in the case.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 20:51
First pilgrims set off for Aglona
The first groups of pilgrims have begun their journey to Aglona Basilica to take part in the main annual Catholic holiday — the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, the largest group of 86 people departed from Salaspils.
LSM (rus) · 3 Aug, 20:50
Five injured in Riga tram-truck collision; passenger shares photos from scene
A tram and a truck collided at an intersection in Riga's Imanta district on Monday, injuring five people. A passenger who was on the tram with her daughter posted photos on social media showing the damage.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 20:50
Latvian troops and National Guard join large-scale US military exercise
From 1 to 15 August, Latvian soldiers and National Guard members are taking part in exercise Northern Strike 2026-2 in Michigan, training with more than 9,000 participants from the US and five allied nations. The exercise focuses on readiness for large-scale combat operations across multiple domains.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 19:52
Estonian opposition criticises state migration policy
Estonian opposition politicians, reacting to the migration crisis in Spain, argue that national security must come before freedom of movement. The prime minister supports controlled migration but rejects new internal borders in Schengen.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 19:50
Estonian rescuers head to Italy to help fight wildfires
A 20-member Estonian rescue team has been deployed to Sardinia to assist in tackling natural wildfires. The unit is based near Monte Pisanu and expected to return on August 16.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 18:51
Fourth Day of Uncertainty at Closed Paternieki Border Crossing
Around 20 trucks have been idling at the closed Paternieki border crossing between Latvia and Belarus for four days, with drivers losing hope. The Interior Ministry is expected to propose a full suspension of operations, while on Monday drivers were allowed to re-register for other border points.
LSM (rus) · 3 Aug, 18:50
/nginx/o/2024/10/09/16407597t1h8a15.jpg)
Janitor Dies at Ogres Kalna Primary School under Unclear Circumstances
A janitor at Ogres Kalna Primary School died on Monday morning under unclear circumstances, according to a Facebook post by the Ogre local government.
Apollo.lv · 3 Aug, 17:54
PM urges state administration employees to return to office work
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has tasked the Finance Ministry with reviewing remote work practices in the state administration, urging most public employees to resume working on-site. He argues that remote work has remained too widespread and hinders residents' access to services.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 17:51
Estonian ambassador: Israel far more complex than outsiders realize
Estonian Ambassador to Israel Atko Vosman shared his first-year impressions on Estonian radio, highlighting the region's complexity, Israel's warning systems and the two-state solution.
ERR News · 3 Aug, 17:51
Latvia moves to close Belarus border to passenger cars and trucks
Latvia’s Interior Ministry has asked the government to suspend road border crossings with Belarus for both people and freight vehicles, which would effectively shut the only official vehicle checkpoint, Pāternieki. The draft decision is now in coordination and will be submitted to the Cabinet on an urgent basis.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 15:56
/nginx/o/2026/08/03/17826322t1h3341.jpg)
Three injured in truck and tram collision in Riga
Three people have been injured in a collision between a truck and a tram in Riga, at the intersection of Slokas and Dammes streets.
Apollo.lv · 3 Aug, 15:55
School maintenance worker dies suddenly at Ogre Kalna primary school
A maintenance worker was found unresponsive on the grounds of Ogre Kalna primary school on Monday morning; despite resuscitation efforts, he could not be saved. Local authorities say he died during a rest break and the death is not linked to his duties.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 15:55
Ivar Värk: Before buying new helicopters, we should consider what we need them for
Former Police and Border Guard Board air unit chief Ivar Värk says Estonia should analyze its entire aviation system before investing roughly a quarter-billion euros in new helicopters, arguing maintenance bottlenecks may be procedural rather than technical. He calls for a broader review covering rescue, healthcare, and defense needs.
ERR News · 3 Aug, 15:52
/nginx/o/2026/08/03/17826435t1h961d.jpg)
CSP data: Highest proportion of children in Pierīga, lowest in Latgale
According to the Central Statistical Bureau, at the beginning of this year the highest share of children was found in municipalities near Riga, while the lowest was in Latgale.
TVNET · 3 Aug, 15:51
/nginx/o/2026/03/05/17492177t1hf165.jpg)
Victim in Lato Lapsa defamation case cannot recall case details in court
At a court hearing on Monday in the criminal case against Lato Lapsa over defamation linked to the murder case of insolvency administrator Mārtiņš Bunkus, one of the victims said he could not remember several circumstances related to the case.
Apollo.lv · 3 Aug, 13:54
Mārupe woman handed to prosecutors over poisoning of husband and son
The State Police have completed an investigation into a woman born in 1981 who allegedly poisoned her husband and son with medication last December and then tried to take her own life. The case file has been handed to the Pierīga prosecutor’s office, and the woman remains in custody.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 13:53
Investigation completed into attempted murder of two people in Mārupe; woman remanded in custody
Latvian police have completed an investigation into the poisoning of two people with medication in Mārupe last December. A woman born in 1981 has been remanded in custody, and the case has been sent to the Pierīga prosecutor's office.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 13:52
Pāternieki border checkpoint remains closed; carriers report losses
The Pāternieki checkpoint on the Latvia-Belarus border is still closed due to a technical failure in information systems, leaving drivers unable to cross, and the transport association says carriers are incurring losses.
LSM (rus) · 3 Aug, 13:51
Woman in Mārupe faces attempted murder charges over poisoning of son and partner
Latvian State Police has called for charges against a woman born in 1981, alleging she poisoned her son and civil partner with medication on 8 December last year. The woman has been detained.
LSM · 3 Aug, 13:51
Old Zhiguli car damaged in garage fire in Lasnamäe
A garage box with an old Zhiguli car caught fire in Lasnamäe on Sunday morning; firefighters contained the blaze quickly and no serious injuries were reported.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 13:50
Survey: Estonians prefer compromise in case of US-EU disagreements
A survey commissioned by Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that 53% of residents believe Estonia should take a situational, compromise-seeking position if the US and EU disagree.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 12:53
Passenger says online tickets sold for 30 seats, but bus only had 18
A passenger said on social media that 30 seats were sold online for a Kuldīga–Ventspils bus trip, while the bus had only 18 seats; another woman said her reserved seat was already taken.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 12:51
DHL official tells court delayed flight averted air tragedy
Philipp Bauer, a senior DHL director, testified in a Vilnius court on Monday that a delayed flight prevented a possible mid-air tragedy caused by fire-hazard parcels sent from Vilnius to Europe in 2024.
LSM · 3 Aug, 12:50
Lithuania eases mortgage down payment rules for select first-time buyers
Lithuania’s central bank has cut the minimum down payment on home loans for certain first-time buyers to 10%, while simplifying income assessment rules. The changes took effect on Saturday and leave final decisions to individual lenders.
LRT English · 3 Aug, 11:57
Kulbergs: Attendance fees for council members scrapped; wider spending review promised
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said he was shocked to discover that members of the Memorandum Council were paid for attending meetings; the practice has been abolished, saving about €200,000. He promised a broader review of state spending.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 10:50
LTA: Closure of Mere stores exposes government's double standards and hypocrisy
The Latvian Traders Association says the closure of the Russian chain MERE exposed the government's double standards, as national sanctions were avoided and the stores were shut only after an EU decision.
BNN · 3 Aug, 09:57
Temperatures to approach +30°C in Latvia midweek, cooler weekend ahead
Forecasters say Wednesday and Thursday will be the warmest days of the week, with temperatures nearing +30°C in places, before turning cooler from Friday.
OgreNet · 3 Aug, 09:51
Estonia sends more border guards to Latvia-Belarus border; official says no reason to panic
Estonia is deploying another border guard unit to the Latvia-Belarus border for two months, where illegal migration pressure is currently the highest. An Estonian official says there is no reason for panic, though threats to Estonia's own eastern border remain real.
ERR News · 3 Aug, 09:50
/nginx/o/2025/10/16/17213588t1h8554.jpg)
Latvia announces €180,000 tender for bear monitoring
The Nature Conservation Agency has launched an open tender worth €180,000 for bear monitoring in 2026–2028. The notice is published in the electronic procurement system.
Apollo.lv · 3 Aug, 08:57