Latvia & nearby

Plastic-wrapped cucumbers to disappear from Estonia's stores
Starting in 2030, Estonian stores will no longer be allowed to sell individually plastic-wrapped cucumbers and other small packages of fruits and vegetables, as new EU rules come into force.
ERR News · 14 Jul, 11:37

Centralized Exam Results for Basic School Graduates Remain Largely Unchanged
Preliminary results show that the knowledge level of basic school graduates compared to the 2024/2025 academic year has practically not changed.
LSM (rus) · 14 Jul, 11:36

Lithuania Questions Automatic Appeal to US Over CIA Prison Ruling
Lithuania's presidential aide has questioned the need to automatically appeal to Washington following a European Court of Human Rights ruling on a secret CIA prison, while confirming compensation will be paid.
LRT English · 14 Jul, 10:37

Just 1 in 3 Conscripts Accepted as Estonian Armed Forces Take 'Gap Year'
Estonian Defence Forces began conscription this week with only about 700 recruits instead of the usual 4,000, implementing a one-year 'gap year' to streamline training and integrate new weapons systems.
ERR News · 14 Jul, 10:37

VisLatvijas Secondary School Experience Presented at International Education Forum in Davos
Participants of the education forum in Davos learned about the hybrid education model of VisLatvijas Secondary School and the vision of its director A. Pekuless on cultivating future leaders.
OgreNet · 14 Jul, 10:36

Severe Storm Causes Damage to Forests in Rēzekne Municipality
A locally severe storm hit Rēzekne municipality on Sunday, causing damage to forests, including LVM areas. Damage amounts to approximately 1,500 cubic meters; assessment is ongoing.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 10:36

Kulberg Government's Action Plan Financially Unfeasible – Decision Postponed
The Cabinet of Ministers will not approve Andris Kulberg's government action plan on Tuesday because some measures cannot be funded within the current budget. The plan will be refined within a week.
BNN · 14 Jul, 10:36

24th Valka Parish Sports Games Held
Eight teams competed in 10 non-traditional disciplines at the 24th Valka Parish Sports Games. Team "Neraudi, susuriņ!" emerged as winners.
Ziemeļlatvija · 14 Jul, 10:36

Rosļikovs promises to return to Latvia day after Saeima elections
Aleksejs Rosļikovs, the former Riga City Council member who fled to Belarus, plans to return to Latvia on October 4, the day after the Saeima elections, to continue political work with the party "Stabilitātei".
Delfi · 14 Jul, 10:36

Early July in Latvia Cooler and Much Wetter Than Usual
The first ten days of July in Latvia were one degree colder than normal, with precipitation reaching 289% of the average for the 1991–2020 period.
LSM (rus) · 14 Jul, 10:36

Elron raises ticket prices for services within Tallinn from August
Passenger train company Elron will increase single ticket prices for journeys within Tallinn and on suburban routes by five to ten cents from August 1.
ERR News · 14 Jul, 09:38

Ogre municipal employee Aija Romanovska receives high industry recognition for construction work
Aija Romanovska, head of Ogre Municipality's Development and Planning Department, has received significant industry recognition for her long-term contribution to construction projects, including the restoration of Taurupe Manor barn, which won the Grand Prix at the Latvia Construction Annual Award 2025.
OgreNet · 14 Jul, 08:37

Narva begins storm aftermath cleanup
Narva city authorities have announced the start of cleanup operations following last weekend's storm. Damage assessment will take place this week.
ERR (rus) · 14 Jul, 08:37

Tractor plunges into pond in Augšdaugava municipality, driver dies
On Monday, a tractor driver drove into a backyard pond in Augšdaugava municipality and died. Police have launched a criminal investigation.
Delfi · 14 Jul, 08:37
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Latvia may drop advanced level exams in high school
Education Minister Ilze Indriksone has announced discussions about possibly eliminating advanced level exams in high schools, as few students take them and universities prioritize overall exam results.
TVNET · 14 Jul, 08:37

Another Family Doctor Closes Practice in Valka, Leaving Seniors in Distress
Starting August 13, family doctor Māris Nātra will close his practice in Valka, adding to the region's doctor shortage. Elderly patients worry about finding new care.
Ziemeļlatvija · 14 Jul, 08:37

CleanR starts negotiations to remove 507 containers in Jelgava region
Waste management company CleanR has begun discussing with clients the removal of 507 containers after the new operator declined their rental offer.
Zemgales Ziņas · 14 Jul, 08:36

Tragedy in Imanta: 22-Year-Old Man Dies Under Train Wheels
On Saturday in Riga's Imanta district, a 22-year-old man died after being hit by a passenger train. The incident is believed to have been intentional.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 08:36

Indriksone: High school may drop advanced-level exams
Education Minister Ilze Indriksone said discussions are underway about possibly dropping advanced-level exams in high school, as few students take them and universities mainly consider overall centralized exam results. No final decision has been made.
Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Jul, 08:36

Tuesday to Be Sunny with Occasional Showers in Latvia
Tuesday will bring decreasing clouds and sunshine in Latvia, with isolated brief rain and even thunderstorms possible. Temperatures will reach up to +27°C.
Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Jul, 07:37

How to react to a suspicious drone? Latvian Armed Forces explain safety measures
Since Russia's war in Ukraine, seven drones have crashed in Latvia, and one was neutralized by NATO. The National Armed Forces urge citizens to stay calm, report sightings to 112, and follow the two-wall rule for shelter.
Kurzemnieks · 14 Jul, 07:37

Russia Conducts Live-Fire Exercise on Lake Peipus Without Informing Estonia
On July 9, Russia held a live-fire exercise on Lake Peipus without notifying Estonia. Estonian officials said the situation is being monitored and considered it not a provocation but rather disarray within Russian power structures.
ERR News · 14 Jul, 07:36

Tallinn's Old Town Loses Residents and Businesses: Up to 20% of Commercial Spaces Vacant
Despite strong tourism, Tallinn's Old Town is seeing a decline in residents and businesses, with 15–20% of commercial spaces empty – the highest rate ever recorded. Key causes include poor transport access and strict heritage protection rules.
ERR (rus) · 14 Jul, 07:36

CBD vending machine in Riga shopping center sparks legality debate
A vending machine selling CBD products briefly appeared at the 'Dole' shopping center in Ķengarags, igniting public discussion about the legality of such sales in Latvia.
TVNET · 14 Jul, 06:38
Public Consultation on New Teacher Salary and Workload Regulations
Latvia's Ministry of Education has drafted new rules for teacher pay and workload, including a uniform 40-hour workweek from 2027 and a minimum salary increase to €1,566. The public can submit opinions until July 17.
LV portāls · 14 Jul, 06:37

Jelgava Municipality Starts Accepting Participatory Budgeting Ideas
The Jelgava Municipality calls on residents to submit project ideas for the participatory budget by September 6, with a total of €69,170 allocated this year.
Zemgales Ziņas · 14 Jul, 06:36

Cross-Border Water Tourism Project ‘WaterTour’ Nears Completion Between Latvia and Lithuania
The ‘WaterTour’ project has created modern and safe water tourism infrastructure at 12 sites in Latvia and Lithuania, boosting local economies and regional tourism.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 06:36
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Woman from Bauska area seeks compensation from Interior Ministry after charges dropped; 966 calls intercepted
A woman from the Bauska region, accused of serious crimes, is now seeking compensation from the Latvian Interior Ministry after the charges were dropped, citing 966 intercepted phone calls and 15 years of stress.
TVNET · 14 Jul, 05:37

EU Drops Patriarch Kirill from 21st Sanctions Package; Bulgaria and Italy Object
The European Union has removed Moscow Patriarch Kirill from its 21st sanctions package against Russia, following objections from Bulgaria and Italy. Kirill is the spiritual leader of tens of thousands of Latvian citizens through the Latvian Orthodox Church.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 05:36

Traffic Restricted on Sporta Street in Jelgava Until October 2
Until October 2, traffic on Sporta Street in Jelgava is restricted from Zemgales Prospekts to building 2A, and pedestrian access along Zemgales Prospekts 11 is closed, according to the municipal authority “Pilsētsaimniecība”.
Zemgales Ziņas · 14 Jul, 05:36

New survey on oligarch Aven and Braže's stance raises questions about its sponsor
A public opinion poll about EU-sanctioned Russian oligarch Pyotr Aven and Foreign Minister Baiba Braže's position has sparked debates about the motives of whoever commissioned it.
Delfi · 14 Jul, 04:38

Six Lives Lost in Weekend Road Accidents; Expert Points to Dangerous Mistakes
Over the weekend, six people died in road accidents across Latvia. Traffic expert Oskars Irbītis analyzed the crashes, highlighting risks such as poor tire condition and excessive speed.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 04:37

From a Failed Horse Slaughter to Successful Breeding: A Conversation with Māris Parfianovičs
Māris Parfianovičs, a farmer from Sigulda, has been breeding thoroughbred horses for 12 years, while also managing 86 hectares of organic meadows and leading tourist excursions.
Delfi · 14 Jul, 03:37

Cohesion Fund financing railway upgrades in Latvia: platforms rebuilt at 30 stations so far
A €52.9 million EU Cohesion Fund project is modernizing railway passenger platforms in Latvia to improve accessibility and promote eco-friendly travel. Work has been completed at 30 out of 48 planned stations, with full completion expected by 2029.
Apollo.lv · 14 Jul, 03:37

Long-time Riga Teika Secondary School teacher Daina Stone passes away
Daina Stone, a mathematics teacher who dedicated over 40 years to Riga Teika Secondary School, died on July 12 at the age of 71.
Jauns.lv · 14 Jul, 02:37
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There Are 18 Cities in Kurzeme: Apollo.lv Invites You to Test Your Knowledge
Apollo.lv has published a quiz where readers can check if they know at least 10 of the 18 cities in Kurzeme.
Apollo.lv · 14 Jul, 01:37