Latvia & nearby
Health Minister Rules Out Cameras in Doctor's Offices; Highlights Hospital Management Responsibility
Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (JV) stated that cameras will not be installed in doctors' offices to combat informal payments, as it would compromise patient confidentiality. Instead, hospital management and the Corruption Prevention Bureau will oversee the issue, distinguishing corruption from symbolic gifts.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Jul, 01:50
Friday: possible rain, thunderstorms, +23...+29
Estonia will experience variable cloudiness on Friday, with rain arriving around noon, followed by thunderstorms and hail. Temperatures range from 23 to 29 degrees Celsius.
ERR (rus) · 30 Jul, 22:50
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Wooden house destroyed in fire in Talsi region
On Wednesday, a fire broke out in a residential building in Vandzene parish, Talsi municipality, quickly destroying the wooden structure.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 22:49
Worker Assaults Former Municipal Manager at Kalēti Parish Meeting; Police Launch Criminal Investigation
During a Kalēti parish residents' council meeting, a municipal utility worker attacked the former head of the parish union, causing a rib fracture. Police have initiated criminal proceedings.
Delfi · 30 Jul, 20:50
Palts: To Reduce Black Market, E-Cigarette Bans Should Be Partially Lifted
Experts warn that Estonia's planned tobacco law amendments may further expand the already massive illegal market for e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, and suggest lifting some restrictions as a solution.
ERR (rus) · 30 Jul, 20:49
Trial Begins for Financier Accused of Spying for Russia
On Thursday, a court in Riga started hearing the case of financier Jevgenijs Okss, charged with espionage on behalf of Russia, including collecting information on two Latvian residents and meeting with a Russian intelligence officer in Moscow.
LSM · 30 Jul, 20:49
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Former Parish Elder Assaulted at Kalētu Parish Residents' Council Meeting
During a meeting of the Kalētu parish residents' council, a municipal communal administration worker assaulted the head of the Rucava and Dunika union administration, who previously served as the head of the Bārta and Kalētu parish union administration.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 18:50
Board member of party "Together for Latvia" Podkolzin sentenced to five years in prison for espionage
Ilya Podkolzin, a former board member of the party "Together for Latvia", has been sentenced to five years in prison for espionage.
LSM (rus) · 30 Jul, 18:49
Two Months After Attic Fire, Repairs Still Not Started in Rēzekne
A fire in the attic of a five-story apartment building in Rēzekne two months ago left residents evacuated but unharmed. However, restoration work has yet to begin, and the building manager says this is an unprecedented situation.
LSM · 30 Jul, 18:49
Riga Central Market's Vegetable Pavilion to Be Adapted for Meat Trade
The next phase of the Riga Central Market development project will transform the former Vegetable Pavilion into a meat market by spring 2027, also allowing temporary fish trading.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 17:50
Ruks on drunk police incidents: 'No tolerance, but police are also only human'
State Police chief Armands Ruks commented on two high-profile cases where off-duty officers under the influence of alcohol were involved – one killed a teacher in Priekule, another caused a hit-and-run accident in Aizkraukle. Ruks stressed zero tolerance and said criminal proceedings have been initiated in both cases.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Jul, 17:49
Estonia hosts its first professional golf tournament
This week, Estonia is hosting the Infortar Estonian Challenge, the first professional-level golf tournament in the country, taking place in Jõelähtme. The event features 156 golfers, including eight Estonian professionals.
ERR News · 30 Jul, 17:49
Jelgava Municipality Considers Offering Tours in Closed Prison
The Jelgava municipality is exploring the possibility of providing guided tours in the former prison, which was handed over by the state, and has already set a rental fee for filming.
Jauns.lv · 30 Jul, 16:50
Regional Court Upholds Prison Sentences for Occupation Museum Arsonists
The Riga Regional Court has upheld the first-instance verdict, sentencing three defendants to several years in prison for setting fire to the Occupation Museum.
TVNET · 30 Jul, 16:49
Michal: Reform backs Ülle Madise for president, calls for unity
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal says the Reform Party firmly supports Justice Chancellor Ülle Madise as presidential candidate and urges other parties to also back her.
ERR News · 30 Jul, 16:49
Estonia sees surge in illegal migrants crossing Belarus-Latvia border
Estonia has detained 63 of the 102 illegal migrants caught this year in the past week alone, most of whom entered via the Latvia-Belarus border en route to Nordic countries. Latvia has agreed to take back all detainees, and Estonia is sending additional police units to assist Latvia.
Delfi · 30 Jul, 15:50
Major police operation in Nõmme to detain migrants
A large police operation took place in the Tallinn district of Nõmme on Thursday, detaining several migrants. Last week, Estonia detained 63 illegal migrants, bringing the total this year to 102.
ERR (rus) · 30 Jul, 15:50
Rostovskis warns of excessive state involvement in Latvia's economy
President of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aigars Rostovskis states that the large public sector share in Latvia hinders private enterprise and reduces competitiveness compared to Lithuania and Estonia.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Jul, 15:50
Lithuania's child protection service denies ordering removal of baby who had already died
Lithuania's State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service has denied claims that it decided to remove a two-month-old baby from a family after the infant had already died. The agency said the decision concerned all children due to suspected neglect and that parents received it after the baby's death because the service was informed several days later.
LRT English · 30 Jul, 15:49
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Motorcyclist Dies in Collision with Car in Tukums Municipality
On Thursday afternoon, a motorcyclist died after colliding with a car on the Jelgava–Tukums road in Tukums municipality, according to the State Police.
TVNET · 30 Jul, 15:49
Riga Central Market begins adapting Vegetable Pavilion for meat and fish traders
SIA 'Rīgas nami' starts converting the former Vegetable Pavilion into a meat and fish trading area, the next step in the historic market's gradual renovation ahead of its centenary in 2030.
Jauns.lv · 30 Jul, 15:49
Major Police Operation in Tallinn Targets Migrants
Estonian police detained about ten suspected migrants in the Nõmme district using drones. This week, 63 migrants have been detained, highlighting continued pressure from Belarus.
ERR News · 30 Jul, 15:49
Rescued climber returns to Latvia after surviving 300m fall on Denali
On the evening of July 28, severely injured mountaineer Mārtiņš Bilsens returned to Latvia from Alaska, the sole survivor of a four-person group after a 300-meter fall on Denali.
LSM (rus) · 30 Jul, 15:49
MP's concern over ladders at border: video likely authentic
In mid-July, Latvian MP Ramona Petraviča shared a video on social media showing migrants climbing over the Latvia-Belarus border fence with ladders, calling it a national security disaster. The State Border Guard later assessed the video as likely authentic, while Interior Minister Rihards Dombrava noted that it's easier to put up ladders in Latvia than to dig tunnels like in Lithuania.
Delfi · 30 Jul, 14:50
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Sharp Increase in Illegal Migrants in Estonia Who Crossed Border from Latvia and Belarus
In the past week, Estonia has seen a sharp rise in the number of detected illegal migrants who first crossed the Latvia-Belarus border and now attempt to reach Nordic countries via Estonia.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 14:50
State sets new targets for Tallinn Airport: at least 60 routes by 2030
Estonian Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis has signed new ownership expectations for Tallinn Airport, setting concrete goals to increase regular routes to 60 and passenger flow to 5 million per year by 2030.
ERR (rus) · 30 Jul, 14:49
Riga City Court Postpones Espionage Case of Jevgenijs Okss
The Riga City Court has postponed the hearing of Jevgenijs Okss, charged with gathering intelligence in Latvia and passing it to Russian special services via the pro-Kremlin criminal organization 'Baltic Antifascists'.
TVNET · 30 Jul, 14:49
Ruks Comments on Two High-Profile Incidents: Control Outside Duty Hours Is Limited
State Police Chief Armands Ruks explains that daily individual control of each officer outside work hours is impossible, following two serious incidents involving intoxicated off-duty police officers. The Interior Minister has initiated a service check on Ruks and announced that some officers will undergo daily alcohol tests.
BNN · 30 Jul, 13:49
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Ministry of Culture suspends project of association 'I Want to Help Refugees'
The Ministry of Culture, based on an opinion from the Ministry of the Interior, has suspended a project of the association 'I Want to Help Refugees' under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 12:50
Estonian state budget cuts leave disability and patient groups facing shrinking funds
Estonia's 10% reduction in state support for the Chamber of Disabled People and other patient advocacy NGOs comes despite increasing government demands, forcing groups to scale back activities.
ERR News · 30 Jul, 12:49
Criminal case against Raubiško halts NGO 'Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem' project
The Ministry of Culture has suspended a project by the NGO 'Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem' because its board member Ieva Raubiško is accused of aiding illegal border crossings.
Jauns.lv · 30 Jul, 12:49
Dog Allowed in Store? «Mego» Reminds That Pets Have Been Welcome Since 2023
A social media post about a security guard telling a customer that dogs are allowed in «Mego» sparked discussion. The company confirms the policy has been in place for years, but not all shoppers knew. Dogs must be leashed, large ones muzzled, and not placed in carts.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Jul, 11:50
Police Officer Causes Accident Under Influence, Flees Scene in Aizkraukle
Latvian State Police detained one of its officers on Wednesday evening for causing a traffic accident under the influence of alcohol in Aizkraukle and then fleeing. A criminal investigation has been launched.
Bauskas Dzīve · 30 Jul, 11:50
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Drunk Police Officer Causes Accident in Aizkraukle, Hides, Arrested
A State Police officer in Aizkraukle was arrested on Wednesday evening after causing a traffic accident while under the influence of alcohol and then hiding.
Apollo.lv · 30 Jul, 11:50
Report: Working Life in Estonia Could Extend to 45 Years
According to Eurostat forecasts, life expectancy in Estonia may rise to 85 years within the next 50 years, while the average working life could reach 45 years. A report from the Development Monitoring Centre highlights the need for a lifelong learning system to allow people to acquire new skills or change careers multiple times.
ERR (rus) · 30 Jul, 11:50
Kuldīga’s Old Town Festival: Energy and Peace Hand in Hand
The two-day Old Town Festival in Kuldīga offered a wide range of activities, from pizza competitions and choir singing to a Japanese paper crane installation and a movie location tour.
Kurzemnieks · 30 Jul, 11:49