Latvia & nearby
Bear hunting in Estonia now requires special permit
Estonia has introduced new hunting rules requiring a special permit from the Environmental Board to cull bears, a change that hunters say effectively cancels this year's annual bear hunt. Only three such permits have been issued so far, despite scientists recommending a cull of up to 150 bears.
ERR News · 3 Aug, 08:53
New director starts work at Madliena Secondary School
Anita Avišāne, former lecturer at Riga Technical University, has started as the new director of Madliena Secondary School in Ogres novads.
OgreNet · 3 Aug, 08:53
Refunds for canceled Pitbull concert to begin next week
Organizers have said that ticket refunds for the canceled Pitbull concert will be processed automatically from next week. A few thousand fans can still exchange tickets for Calvin Harris' upcoming show.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 08:51
Kopli freight station to remain key logistics hub despite Tallinn's redevelopment plans
Tallinn city authorities have long wanted to move the Kopli freight station and create public space in its place, but empty-rock transport for Rail Baltic and stalled ring-rail planning mean the station will stay important for years.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 08:50
PM's statements on NGO funding raise questions about meeting costs
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has sparked a debate on social media about funding for non-governmental organizations, questioning whether a single meeting really costs €18,000. Concerns have been raised that the claims were based on misconceptions and half-truths.
LSM · 3 Aug, 08:49
Mushroom season begins: rescuers have already received 28 calls about people lost in forest
With the start of mushroom and berry picking season in Latvia, the State Fire and Rescue Service has already handled 28 calls this year about people getting lost in the woods. Most often, help is needed by those who entered the forest alone and without telling anyone.
LSM (rus) · 3 Aug, 08:49
Valka Family Doctor to Close Practice: Patients Worry About Future
Family doctor Māris Nātra in Valka will stop seeing patients from August 13 because he could not find support staff. Residents are collecting signatures to urge institutions to find a solution.
Ziemeļlatvija · 3 Aug, 07:54
Latvia's week to start dry and warm, but cooler air expected by weekend
The first working days of the week will be dry and mostly sunny in Latvia, while a cyclone from the west will bring rain and possible thunderstorms by midweek. Temperatures are expected to drop to +17…+22 degrees over the weekend.
BNN · 3 Aug, 07:54
Kennel in Brunava back in spotlight over puppy sales after more than 100 dogs were seized
The animal breeding facility “Lieldeviņzare” in Brunava Parish, where over 100 dogs were removed last year, has again drawn attention after residents reported renewed breeding and online puppy sales. The PVD explains that an administrative fine for welfare violations does not legally ban the owner from keeping or breeding dogs.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Aug, 07:51
Heat energy tariff in Ķekava to rise significantly from September
SIA "Ķekavas nami" plans to raise the final heat energy tariff by 23.3% from September 1, increasing it from €84.50 to €104.16 per megawatt-hour.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 07:50
Rezekne Municipality Police Continue Anti-Poaching Raids: Over 35 Illegal Fishing Tools Removed
For about a year, Rezekne Municipality police have regularly inspected public waters for compliance with fishing regulations. More than 35 illegal fishing tools have been removed this year.
LSM · 3 Aug, 07:49
Olga and Astrīda Lead This Week's Name Day List in Latvia
Olga is the most common name among those marking name days in Latvia this week, followed by Astrīda. Official statistics also reveal several extremely rare names on the calendar, such as Dzelde and Brencis.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 07:49
Missing Girl in Talsi: Police Appeal for Information on Ramīna Putrašēvica
A girl born in 2014, Ramīna Putrašēvica, has been missing from Talsi since July 31. Latvian police are asking the public to report any sightings by calling 112.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 06:58
A Year Under Stricter Alcohol Rules: Retailers See Shifts in Consumer Habits
One year has passed since Latvia introduced tighter alcohol sales restrictions. Retailers report falling alcohol consumption and rising demand for non-alcoholic alternatives.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 06:52
Forest property “Gaiļi” in Iecava parish advances to second round of “Sakoptākais mežs” contest
The forest property “Gaiļi” in Iecava parish, Bauska municipality, will be assessed on Tuesday in the second round of the “Sakoptākais mežs 2026” contest. Twelve forest properties were submitted this year.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Aug, 06:52
Nereta seniors’ event to be followed by visit to Suvainiškiai
A seniors’ gathering called “Senior Dating in Leišmale” took place at Nereta Cultural Centre, bringing together older residents from several Latvian parishes and Lithuania. Organisers have already received an invitation to visit the Lithuanian parish of Suvainiškiai.
Staburags · 3 Aug, 05:57
Private hobby education providers in Bauska to gain access to state funding
Bauska Municipality has put a draft regulation up for public consultation that would allow private interest education providers to receive state earmarked funding. The aim is to distribute the money transparently and cut parental co-payments.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Aug, 05:56
Inese Mičule: Latgalian roots shape Jelgava educator's temperament
Inese Mičule, deputy director of Ozolnieki Secondary School and leader of the folk group 'Knipati', talks about her Latgalian roots, which influenced her temperament, and her path from mathematics to musicology.
Zemgales Ziņas · 3 Aug, 05:51
Riga's official swimming spots: water temperatures range from 18 to 23 degrees
Riga Municipal Police urges residents to use official swimming areas during the heat, where lifeguards are on duty. On Sunday, the warmest water was recorded at Bolderāja quarry, while the coolest was at Bābelītis.
Delfi · 3 Aug, 04:57
Latvian radio host Sanda Dejus' shorts joke sparks mixed reactions online
Radio SWH personality Sanda Dejus caused both laughter and criticism with a humorous social media post about wearing an ex-boyfriend's shorts, leading to a debate about comment moderation and blocking users.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 04:53
Hidden Camera Captures Dramatic Nest Fight Between Two Protected Raptors in Lithuania
A hidden camera set up by Lithuanian ornithologists near a short-toed eagle nest captured the moment a young northern goshawk attacked an eaglet and tried to push it out of the nest. The eaglet managed to hold on and, after a fierce struggle, forced the attacker to retreat.
Jauns.lv · 3 Aug, 04:49
From space to the Middle Ages: a family day in Cēsis
A family spent a name day in Cēsis, visiting the Space Discovery Centre and the medieval castle. The article looks at the exhibitions, the castle's history and the activities available at both sites.
Ziemeļlatvija · 3 Aug, 03:58
The forgotten story of legendary Lithuanian pilot Jonas Mikėnas
Jonas Mikėnas was a pioneer of Lithuanian aviation and an artist who flew across Europe, was received by Mussolini, and later witnessed the Soviet occupation. His memoirs, "A Flight Through Life," were finished a week before his death in 1994.
LRT English · 3 Aug, 03:56
South Korean youths turn to AI before spiritual advisors, researchers say
South Korean theology researchers say young people's tendency to consult artificial intelligence before seeking spiritual guidance raises questions about faith formation and the future of pastoral care. An expert attributes the trend to fear of judgment rather than indifference to human relationships.
OgreNet · 3 Aug, 03:54
Debt consultant: debts often cause families to fall apart
Debt consultant Yulle Palmas says loans and fines are the most common reasons for debt, and financial strain often leads to family breakdown. Consultations are free for Tallinn residents and cost €46 per hour for others.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 03:53
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Fact-check: Social media claims about ban on Raimonds Pauls' songs are false
TVNET's fact-checking project “Faktomāts” reports that social media users' claims about a Saeima law banning songs, including works by Raimonds Pauls, are not true.
TVNET · 3 Aug, 03:49
Latvia's State Chancellery may have violated law with job posting deadline
A job posting by Latvia's State Chancellery appears to set an application deadline shorter than the ten-day minimum required by law. The institution says the competition remains open, but the public dates suggest a possible violation.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Aug, 02:53
Expert: Cross-contamination is one of the main risk factors at home
Thousands of food poisonings are registered in Estonia every year, with more than 90% occurring at home. A food safety expert explains how to avoid infections and make a home kitchen safer.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 02:53
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Forester Iesalnieks: When Choosing Tree Species, Competitiveness Matters More Than Suitability
Reforestation is a long-term decision requiring analysis of soil, future markets and climate risks. Forester Jānis Iesalnieks says the key question is which species will be most competitive in a given location.
Apollo.lv · 3 Aug, 02:52
Latvia to Allow Construction Work Alongside Design Process Under New Law
Amendments to Latvia's Construction Law will introduce staged construction, allowing major projects to begin works before the full technical design is completed. The changes also ease apartment renovations and add cumulative impact assessments for wind farms.
LV portāls · 3 Aug, 02:51
Estonia's presidential election contours emerge
Estonia is set to elect a new president; incumbent Alar Karis has announced he will not seek a second term, and potential successors are already surfacing.
LSM · 3 Aug, 01:54
Estonian hotel and restaurant owners pessimistic despite upbeat tourism forecasts
Tourism statistics in Estonia point to a strong summer, but hotel and restaurant owners remain cautious, citing a lack of major events and rising costs.
ERR (rus) · 3 Aug, 01:54
Unified academic and research career framework takes effect
Amendments to the Higher Education Law and the Scientific Activity Law introduce a four-level career system, tenure, and common recruitment, employment and evaluation rules for universities and research institutions.
LV portāls · 3 Aug, 01:52
Narcologist, psychiatrist and politician Jānis Strazdiņš passes away
Jānis Strazdiņš, a physician, psychiatrist, narcologist and politician who served as a deputy in several Saeima convocations and Riga City Council, died on 2 August 2026.
Delfi · 2 Aug, 23:53
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Latvian rescuers have responded to 28 calls about lost mushroom pickers this year
The State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia has received 28 calls so far this year to search for people lost in forests, as the mushroom and berry picking season begins, according to Latvian Television.
Apollo.lv · 2 Aug, 23:51
Jānis Strazdiņš, prominent narcologist, psychiatrist and politician, dies at 84
Jānis Strazdiņš, a long-serving narcologist, psychiatrist and politician who served in several Saeima and Riga City Council terms, died on Sunday at the age of 84.
Jauns.lv · 2 Aug, 23:50