Latvia & nearby
US Unblocks Most Arms Deliveries to Estonia Delayed Due to Iran War
The United States has resumed almost all military shipments to Estonia, except for ATACMS missiles still held up due to US operations in Iran. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur confirmed that the ammunition will arrive in the coming months.
Ukrainska Pravda · 16 Jul, 19:36
Riga plans to become greener by 2031 with €55 million investment
The Riga City Council has developed a five-year greening plan featuring micro-forests and pocket parks, with estimated costs of €55 million. Public feedback is welcome until the end of July.
LSM (rus) · 16 Jul, 19:36
Mālpils Strawberry Festival Draws Over 10,000 with Rock Music and Strawberries
The sixth Mālpils Strawberry Festival, themed “Rocky Strawberry,” attracted more than 10,000 visitors with a rich program including sports, a market, a fashion show, and a cake contest.
Jauns.lv · 16 Jul, 18:38
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Latvian State Police Wraps Up Project to Combat Serious Crime
The Latvian State Police has completed a €1.9 million project that included international meetings, training, and equipment upgrades to fight serious, organized, and cross-border crime.
TVNET · 16 Jul, 18:37
Police Do Not Initiate Criminal Proceedings Against Estonia Theatre Employee
The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) confirmed that no criminal investigation was launched against Helen Lepalaan, an employee of the National Opera "Estonia" responsible for role distribution, as no signs of a crime were found in her actions.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 18:36
Police to Step Up Traffic Control During Rally Estonia
Estonian police will significantly increase traffic enforcement in South Estonia during the Rally Estonia weekend to ensure order and safety and manage the flow of vehicles. Officers from Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland will assist.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 17:37
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Significant weather changes expected in Latvia
From Sunday, Latvia will experience cooler temperatures and more frequent rain, with heavy showers and thunderstorms possible over the weekend.
TVNET · 16 Jul, 17:37
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Cooler Weather and Rain Expected in Latvia from Sunday
After warm days without precipitation, Latvia's weather will turn cooler from Sunday, with rain and thunderstorms expected.
Apollo.lv · 16 Jul, 17:37
RAKUS admits another 23 wounded Ukrainian soldiers – 40th batch
Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS) has received another group of wounded Ukrainian soldiers – this time 23, marking the 40th admission of such patients since the war began.
LSM (rus) · 16 Jul, 17:36
Lithuania steps up critical infrastructure security after intel on possible Russian attacks; Latvia also on alert
Lithuanian intelligence has received information about possible Russian plans to attack critical infrastructure, prompting heightened security measures. In Latvia, several attempts to damage infrastructure have been recorded since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making protection a priority.
LSM · 16 Jul, 17:36
Pevkur confirms US weapons deliveries to Estonia resuming soon
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur has confirmed that US weapons deliveries, paused due to the war in Iran, will resume in the coming months, except for ATACMS tactical missiles.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 16:37
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Latvia to audit large public procurements for efficiency
Starting in 2026, Latvian state institutions and fully state-owned companies must evaluate the necessity and cost justification of large procurements to prevent excessive spending.
TVNET · 16 Jul, 16:37
Hidden compartment in truck floor yields nearly 280,000 smuggled cigarettes
Customs officers at the Terehova border checkpoint in Latvia discovered a hidden compartment in a semi-trailer floor containing 279,680 smuggled cigarettes destined for Lithuania.
Delfi · 16 Jul, 16:37
Rinkēvičs receives honorary doctorate from Klaipėda University
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Klaipėda University during his state visit to Lithuania for his contributions to bilateral cooperation and European values.
Jauns.lv · 16 Jul, 16:36
Estonian Government Approves Public IT Sector Reform
Estonia's government has approved a reform consolidating state IT services under the State Infosystem Department (RIA) and a new Digital State Center, aiming to reduce duplication, cut costs, and improve cybersecurity. The reform will reduce the number of IT centers from 10 to 6, saving 11 million euros over three years.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 15:38
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Ogre Mayor Calls State Audit Findings Insignificant, Sees No Political Responsibility
Ogre Municipality Council Chairman Andris Krauja considers the violations found by the State Audit as insignificant and sees no need for political or disciplinary accountability. The audit revealed at least €434,000 inappropriately spent and signs of fraud risks.
Apollo.lv · 16 Jul, 15:37
Police seek driver and pedestrian after hit-and-run in Riga
State Police are asking individuals involved in a July 7 traffic accident in Riga, where a Peugeot struck a pedestrian and fled, to come forward.
Delfi · 16 Jul, 15:36
Ogre Mayor Calls Violations Insignificant; State Audit Points to Systemic Problems
State Audit found at least €434,000 misused in Ogre municipality and fraud risks in procurement, but Mayor Andris Krauja considers them insignificant. The audit reveals systemic issues in financial management, planning, and oversight.
Jauns.lv · 16 Jul, 15:36
Fatal Traffic Accident in Mustamäe: Pedestrian Killed
On Thursday afternoon, a car struck a pedestrian on Tammisaare Street in Tallinn's Mustamäe district, resulting in the victim's death at the scene.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 14:37
Estonian government approves reduction of Männiku training ground area
The Estonian government approved changes to the boundaries of the Männiku Defence Forces training ground, reducing its area by nearly 180 hectares, which will not affect military training capabilities.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 13:37
A first for Estonia: Fully electric aircraft lands at Tartu Airport
On Wednesday, a fully certified electric airplane, the Elektra Trainer, landed at Tartu Airport after a flight from Helsinki, marking a first for Estonia. The aircraft is on a European tour that will take it through the Baltic states and Poland.
ERR News · 16 Jul, 13:37
Jurmala Invites Volunteers to Sunset Cleanup to Curb Invasive Plant on Ragakapa Beach
On July 23 from 6 to 8 PM, a cleanup event at Ragakapa Nature Park will target the invasive Tartarian lettuce, organized by the Nature Conservation Agency and Jurmala municipality.
Jauns.lv · 16 Jul, 13:36
Study: Over Half of Estonian Drivers Ignore Traffic Lights – 58% Skip Yellow, 9% Run Red
A late 2025 study by the Estonian Transport Administration reveals that most drivers fail to obey traffic signals, with one in ten driving through red lights and widespread disregard for yellow lights. Compliance varies greatly by location.
BNN · 16 Jul, 12:37
Elering tests reliability of Estonia's power system with black-start test
Estonian grid operator Elering conducted a technical test on Wednesday to check the system's readiness to operate in partial isolation and restore functionality after disruptions.
ERR News · 16 Jul, 12:37
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Candidate Removed from JKP's Riga List Due to Age Restriction
The Central Election Commission (CVK) has struck off candidate Roze from JKP's Riga list because he will not be at least 21 years old on election day.
Apollo.lv · 16 Jul, 12:36
Estonian cinemas sell 1.26 million tickets in first half of 2026
Estonian cinemas saw a 0.7% increase in attendance and a 6.7% rise in box office revenue to €9.5 million in the first six months of 2026.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 12:36
Food delivery apps to offer reusable packaging option from 2028
From 2028, food delivery apps will be required to provide customers with a reusable packaging option under new EU rules. Some restaurants express concerns over additional costs and workload, while platforms like Bolt Food do not foresee an impact on couriers.
ERR News · 16 Jul, 11:37
Man stabbed in Jõgeva, police investigating
A 43-year-old man was taken to hospital after sustaining a stab wound in Jõgeva. Police are investigating the circumstances.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 11:36
Court battle over Eurovision song could complicate music teaching and live performances
An Estonian court ruled that even minor alterations to a song in performance require the author's permission, potentially affecting music education and concert organizers.
ERR News · 16 Jul, 10:38
Riga TechGirls Introduces AI Tools to SOS Children's Village Youth
The association "Riga TechGirls" conducted a creative workshop where SOS Children's Village youth learned about artificial intelligence tools, design thinking, and digital product development, creating functional prototypes.
TVNET · 16 Jul, 10:37
Dispute Over Song "Everybody" Could Complicate Work of Concert Organizers and Music Schools
An Estonian court ruled that the author's permission is required for any changes to his work, not just creative ones, raising concerns about a possible precedent that could affect concert organizers and music schools.
ERR (rus) · 16 Jul, 10:37
Experts explain how to act when meeting a bear in the forest
As the brown bear population grows in Latvia, zoologist Vilnis Skuja and insurer ERGO offer practical advice on avoiding dangerous situations and reacting properly during an encounter.
BNN · 16 Jul, 10:37
Real cost of Rail Baltica to be revealed in September
Latvian Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis announced that the actual cost of the Rail Baltica project will be known this September, with the ministry relying on consultants' assessment.
LSM (rus) · 16 Jul, 10:36
National Alliance Proposes Merging Three Ministries into One
The National Alliance (NA) has proposed merging the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development, and the Ministry of Economics into a single Ministry of National Economy to enhance decision-making efficiency and eliminate duplication of functions.
BNN · 16 Jul, 09:37
Hans Väre: Public outcry over Estonian roadside ads and farm registration may be misguided
In a commentary, journalist Hans Väre defends two recently criticized Estonian regulations — roadside ad approvals and mandatory notification for growers — arguing that they have logical safety and practical justifications.
ERR News · 16 Jul, 09:36
Unattended Food Causes Fire in Smiltene; VUGD Reports on 24 Hours in Vidzeme
Yesterday in Smiltene, unattended food burned on a stove in an apartment, but the fire was extinguished before firefighters arrived. In total, the VUGD Vidzeme region received eight calls.
Ziemeļlatvija · 16 Jul, 09:36