Latvia & nearby
Leons Līdums becomes leader of “Latvijas attīstībai” in Zemgale
Aizkraukle Municipality Council Chairman Leons Līdums will head the “Latvijas attīstībai” party list in the Zemgale electoral district for the 15th Saeima elections. A total of 17 candidates from Aizkraukle region are running, including six local council members.
Staburags · 9 Jul, 08:37
Rinkēvičs at NATO Summit in Ankara: Photo with Cat and Emphasis on Alliance's Role
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs shared a photo petting a cat at the NATO summit in Ankara while emphasizing NATO's role in security and calling for increased defense spending.
OgreNet · 9 Jul, 08:36
New Leisure and Growth Center to Be Established in Tukums
Tukums Municipality has decided to establish a professional further education center called the “Leisure and Growth Center” (BLICe), combining interest education, lifelong learning, and youth work. The center is set to open this September.
Jauns.lv · 9 Jul, 08:36
State Language Center warns Jurmala cafe: social media posts must primarily be in Latvian
The owner of a cafe on Jurmala beach received a warning from the State Language Center after posting videos in Russian on Facebook. She now must review her content to comply with language requirements.
LSM (rus) · 9 Jul, 08:36
Vacation Accrual: What Are the Rights of Employees and Employers?
As the summer vacation season continues, some employees postpone their time off, accumulating unused days for years. The article explores how long vacation can be accrued and whether compensation is due.
LSM · 9 Jul, 08:36
Smiltene Rogaining Adds Hike and Mini-Rogaining for City Festival
For the second year, Smiltene's city festival on July 18 features a rogaining event, this time including a time-free hike and a one-hour mini-rogaining.
Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Jul, 07:37
XI International Festival “Vivat Curlandia!” Returns to Bauska, Iecava, and Mežotne
From July 11 to 18, the festival featuring Baroque and medieval music will take place in historic venues across three towns, with artists from six countries.
Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Jul, 07:37
PM: airBaltic cannot fly without extra state funding
The Prime Minister stated that the airline must present a realistic business plan, otherwise it will need additional state subsidies.
Delfi · 9 Jul, 07:36
State Allocates €780,000 for Apartment Associations to Buy Generators for Crisis Resilience
Estonia, via the State Support Services Centre and Rescue Department, is providing €780,000 to 105 apartment associations to purchase generators and enhance building resilience during crises.
ERR (rus) · 9 Jul, 07:36
Jelgava Sports Hall Refurbishes Flooring and Logos During Summer
During the quieter summer period, Jelgava Sports Hall is undertaking planned maintenance, including floor lacquering and renewal of logos in the center circles of the sports halls, replacing old symbols with the institution's current visual identity.
Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Jul, 07:36
Does the Middle East war prompt Latvians to buy electric cars and solar panels?
Oil prices have not reached the predicted heights, but fuel prices at gas stations have risen. LSM.lv investigates whether this situation has increased interest in electric cars and solar batteries in Latvia.
LSM (rus) · 9 Jul, 07:36
Six Bauska region businesses among finalists for Latvia's Best Trader award
Today, the winners of Latvia's Best Trader competition will be announced, with six companies from the Bauska region reaching the finals.
Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Jul, 06:37
Cooperation as the Foundation of Latvian Rural Development
Anete Rulle, board member of LPKS “Provinces Produkti”, emphasizes that cooperation between farmers and institutions is vital for rural vitality. She argues that trust and information exchange are more important than fear of penalties.
Žurnāls Ir · 9 Jul, 06:36
Why Cucumbers from Your Garden Sometimes Turn Bitter? Gardeners Explain the Main Reasons
Gardeners explain that bitterness in cucumbers is caused by the natural alkaloid cucurbitacin, whose accumulation is influenced by genetics and stress factors such as uneven watering or heat.
Jauns.lv · 9 Jul, 06:36
20 Home Cafés to Participate in Jelgava Region’s Home Café Days
The Jelgava region will host the Home Café Days for the fifth time on August 8-9, featuring 20 home cafés, seven of which are first-time participants.
Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Jul, 05:36
Cyberattack on Latvian State Forests: Hacker Lurked Unnoticed for 11 Days
A cybercriminal known as ByteToBreach breached the systems of Latvian State Forests, remaining undetected for 11 days. The State Police have launched a criminal investigation, also targeting cybersecurity expert Elvis Strazdiņš, who analyzed the incident.
Žurnāls Ir · 9 Jul, 04:37
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New disaster management infrastructure being built in Latvia with EU support
Latvia is constructing new disaster management centers and fire logistics bases with European Union cohesion fund support to strengthen the country's resilience in emergencies.
Apollo.lv · 9 Jul, 03:37
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TVNET Commentary: Voters in October Elections Will Have to Choose the Lesser Risk, Not the Best Offer
According to an opinion piece published by TVNET, the upcoming Saeima elections on October 3 will force voters to choose between parties with low accountability for reputational damage, placing the responsibility on the electorate.
TVNET · 9 Jul, 03:36
Man dies in garden candle explosion; wife with severe burns seeks public support
In September last year, a garden candle explosion in Ventspils region killed a man and severely burned his wife. The woman is now asking for financial help for her ongoing treatment.
Delfi · 9 Jul, 02:38
Drug Dealers' Overconfidence Shattered by Police Agent
A well-organized drug trafficking network in Riga operated for months in parking lots and courtyards, selling hundreds of grams of illicit substances, only to discover their most trusted customer was a police agent.
Apollo.lv · 9 Jul, 02:37
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Blade Breaks Off Turbine at Rapsoil Wind Park Construction Site in Liepāja
A turbine blade broke off at the construction site of the Rapsoil wind park in Liepāja. The turbine is not yet operational, and the cause is being investigated by the company and the State Construction Control Bureau.
TVNET · 9 Jul, 00:36
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Wind Turbine Blade Breaks Off in Liepāja Region; Video Captures Moment
On Wednesday, a wind turbine malfunctioned near Liepāja, and a witness recorded a large blade fragment falling off. The turbine is believed to belong to SIA Rapsoil.
Apollo.lv · 8 Jul, 23:37
Minister: Pellet producers must prioritize local demand as prices rise 38.6% in Latvia
Climate and Energy Minister Jānis Vitenbergs, after meeting with industry representatives, stated that pellet producers must prioritize supplying Latvian residents, as repeated shortages and price hikes occur. Currently, the price at producers has reached €300–310 per ton including VAT, up 38.6% from last summer.
BNN · 8 Jul, 22:38
Concerns over staff exodus at Sigulda municipality; opposition points to leadership style
Several heads and employees of Sigulda municipality institutions have left or announced departure recently. Opposition links it to the council leadership's work style, while the mayor claims turnover is only 10%.
Delfi · 8 Jul, 22:37
Thunderstorms Possible in Estonia on Thursday
Estonia will see rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, with daytime temperatures between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius.
ERR (rus) · 8 Jul, 22:37
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Lithuanian Mushroom Picker Shares Trick: Clean Chanterelles Without a Knife
A Lithuanian woman named Aušra has shared a simple method to quickly clean chanterelles using only water and flour.
Apollo.lv · 8 Jul, 22:37
Riga to double tourism tax from 2027
The Riga City Council has approved an increase in the tourism tax from the current €1 to €2 per person per night, with the change taking effect on January 1, 2027.
TVNET · 8 Jul, 22:36
Riga to Increase Tourism Tax Starting Next Year
The Riga City Council decided on July 8 to raise the tourism tax from the current one euro per night, aligning with higher rates in other Baltic cities.
LSM · 8 Jul, 22:36
LSM.lv publishes episode of 'Obsudim vecherom' on July 8, 2026
On July 8, 2026, the Latvian platform LSM.lv published an episode of the Russian-language program 'Obsudim vecherom'.
LSM (rus) · 8 Jul, 21:36
Estonian municipalities prepare to search for teenagers unwilling to study
Starting from the new school year, compulsory education until age 18 comes into effect in Estonia. Local authorities and schools must find and retain in the education system those teenagers who do not wish to continue studying after basic school.
ERR (rus) · 8 Jul, 21:36
Discussion to Assess 15th Saeima Election Platforms and Candidate Lists
On July 8, a live broadcast will feature experts analyzing the 15th Saeima election platforms and candidate lists.
LSM · 8 Jul, 21:36
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First successful kestrel nesting in artificial nest box in Riga
For the first time in Riga, common kestrels have successfully bred in an artificial nest box, with four chicks hatched in June and ringed in July.
TVNET · 8 Jul, 20:37
New traffic light in Imanta causes major delays: residents report up to an hour longer commutes
A new traffic light on Slokas Street in Imanta, installed as part of a bicycle path project, has led to severe congestion, increasing travel time by 30 minutes to an hour.
LSM (rus) · 8 Jul, 20:36
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Riga City Council Supports Expansion of Unified Public Transport Ticket to All Train Zones
From July 24, the unified ticket will be valid not only in zone A but also in zones B, C, D and E, combining a train ride with Riga public transport.
TVNET · 8 Jul, 19:37
Michal: NATO summit decisions in Ankara strengthen allies and make Estonia safer
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stated that the decisions of the NATO summit in Ankara meet Tallinn's expectations and strengthen the alliance's collective defense.
ERR (rus) · 8 Jul, 19:36
NATO Summit in Ankara: Alliance Confirms Unity, Canada to Increase Military Contingent in Latvia
At the NATO summit in Ankara, alliance leaders reaffirmed commitment to collective defense, and Canada announced an increase in its military contingent in Latvia, despite harsh rhetoric from US President Donald Trump.
LSM (rus) · 8 Jul, 19:36