Latvia & nearby

ZZS Submits Election Program and Candidate List for 15th Saeima
The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) has submitted its election platform and candidate list, with Viktors Valainis as its Prime Minister candidate.
Delfi · 6 Jul, 12:36

German Bruno Andersons: From Aviation to Farming in Latvia
18 years ago, German Bruno Andersons came to Latvia to work in aviation, but now he is an organic farmer raising cattle, chickens, and sheep.
LSM · 6 Jul, 12:36

Women's defense camp improves crisis skills for 300 participants
Nearly 300 women from Estonia, Finland, and Sweden participated in a camp organized by the Women's Voluntary Defense Organization to learn basic crisis response skills, including first aid and communications.
ERR News · 6 Jul, 11:37

Record declarations among 15th Saeima candidates: 27 properties, 25 vehicles, and over a million in debt
Analysis of Central Election Commission data by LETA reveals that several candidates for the 15th Saeima stand out with unusually large numbers of properties, vehicles, or debts.
BNN · 6 Jul, 11:37

NATO fighter jets to conduct training flights over Estonia again
From July 6 to 12, NATO air policing aircraft will conduct daily training flights in Estonian airspace, including at low altitudes.
ERR (rus) · 6 Jul, 11:37

IDB Proposes Charges Against Three More Police Officers for Unlawful Use of Stun Gun
The Internal Security Bureau (IDB) has sent a criminal case for prosecution against three State Police officers for exceeding their authority by unjustifiably using a stun gun on a detainee.
Jauns.lv · 6 Jul, 11:36

Irish court sentences two to long prison terms for labor exploitation of Latvians; earned 750 thousand
An Irish court has sentenced two individuals to 11 and 13 years in prison for human trafficking and labor exploitation of seven Latvians, while an investigation continues in Latvia into the recruitment scheme.
LSM (rus) · 6 Jul, 11:36
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Break-in at 'Origo' shopping center in Riga
During the night to Monday, July 6, a break-in occurred at the 'Origo' shopping center in Riga, resulting in property damage. Police are investigating the incident.
Apollo.lv · 6 Jul, 10:37

Baltic Sea Remains One of the Most Polluted in the World, but Fish Is Safe to Eat
Researcher Ivan Kuprijanov says the Baltic Sea's slow water renewal traps pollutants for years, but fish consumption in moderate amounts is safe.
ERR (rus) · 6 Jul, 10:36
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Fewer, older, and more educated candidates registered for Latvia's 15th Saeima elections
Compared to 2022, the number of candidates for the 2026 parliamentary election has dropped by 21.6%, while the average age and share of those with higher education have increased, and gender balance has worsened.
Apollo.lv · 6 Jul, 09:37

Preferred route for 4th Estonia-Latvia electricity cable announced
After two years of discussions, the preferred route for a fourth electricity interconnection between Estonia and Latvia has been unveiled. The cable will run from Paide to Saaremaa island and then towards Latvia, aiming to boost energy security and renewable energy use.
ERR News · 6 Jul, 09:37

Riga Monuments Agency Tidies Up Rumbula and Bikernieki Memorials
The Riga Monuments Agency has completed extensive cleaning work at the Rumbula and Bikernieki Holocaust memorials to maintain their dignified appearance and honor the victims.
Jauns.lv · 6 Jul, 09:37

Ombudsman: Protecting Latvian citizens is priority in migration policy
Ombudsman Karina Palkova emphasizes that migration issues must be viewed through a security lens in current circumstances, and her office does not see widespread discrimination.
BNN · 6 Jul, 09:36

Riga to introduce single queue for admission to 10th grades, technical, music and art schools
Riga municipality plans to create a unified admission system for secondary schools, technical schools, music and art schools next year, as announced by Vice-Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis.
LSM (rus) · 6 Jul, 09:36
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Kučinskis: new municipal financial equalization model is acceptable and will be forwarded
Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis stated that the new municipal financial equalization model developed by the Ministry of Finance is good and will be moved toward approval, though discussions may still occur.
TVNET · 6 Jul, 08:38
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CVK data reveals wealth and social diversity among Saeima election candidates
An analysis by LETA of Central Election Commission data on candidates for the 15th Saeima elections shows significant differences – from the largest vehicle fleets and property portfolios to enormous debts and unusual financial instruments.
Apollo.lv · 6 Jul, 08:38

Ogre's 'Bitīte' Kindergarten to Become the Most Modern in the Municipality
Construction of a new 'Bitīte' kindergarten in Ogre has begun; the two-story building with A+ energy efficiency, 12 groups for 248 children is set to open in summer 2027. Total cost €6.36 million, with €5 million EU co-funding.
OgreNet · 6 Jul, 08:37

Invisible Defect: Insurer Denies Compensation for Ski Helmet Damaged During Trip
A Latvian resident was denied compensation by his insurer after his ski helmet fell from a car onto asphalt in Italy, with the insurer claiming the damage was minor, while the owner argues the helmet may no longer be safe.
Delfi · 6 Jul, 08:37

BMX Latvian Champions Crowned in Mārupe; Laake Wins Elite/U23, Černovs and Kārkliņa Triumph in Juniors
On Saturday, the 2026 Latvian National BMX Championship took place in Tīraine, with local rider Noa Rafaels Laake winning the Elite/U23 category and Roberts Černovs and Adelīna Kārkliņa taking gold in the junior classes.
Ziemeļlatvija · 6 Jul, 08:37

Soviet Monuments Remain in Estonia Due to Legal Standoff
A number of Soviet-era monuments in Estonia remain in place due to legal disputes and opposition from the Ministry of Culture, according to Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta. A new bill is expected this fall to address the issue.
ERR News · 6 Jul, 08:37

Tsahkna Refuses to Predict Trump's Statements at NATO Summit in Ankara
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said he cannot predict what messages US President Donald Trump will bring to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, but he does not expect dramatic events.
ERR (rus) · 6 Jul, 08:36

18 Years of Work and 450 Peony Varieties – Dagņija Voika's Pride in Pelči
Dagņija Voika has spent 18 years creating a peony garden at her homestead Ziedoni in Pelči, Kuldīga region. Now the garden boasts 450 varieties, including over 100 hybrids she bred herself.
LSM (rus) · 6 Jul, 08:36

Thousands of Private Houses in Latvia Not Put into Operation: Reasons and Reality
Thousands of private houses in Latvia have not been officially put into operation, even though some have been lived in for years. The construction process often gets stuck in paperwork and unorganized projects.
LSM · 6 Jul, 08:36

Rauna to Hold Public Discussion on Tourism and Infrastructure After Resident Mobilization
On July 29, Rauna parish will hold a meeting to discuss tourism, public infrastructure, and utility services, following recent resident protests that led to the restoration of public toilet and tower hours.
Ziemeļlatvija · 6 Jul, 07:37

Summer Solstice Traditions Unite Latvia and the Desert
During the summer solstice, a Latvian in California's Mojave Desert found surprising parallels between Latvian Jāņi traditions and the desert experience, both centered on sun, reflection, and inner peace.
Kurzemnieks · 6 Jul, 07:36

13th Trip to Ukraine: Getting Lost, Mistakes, and Polish Support
A journalist on his 13th journey with the Twitter convoy to Ukraine recounts getting lost, accidentally entering the wrong car, and the timely help from Polish locals that allowed him to cross the border with the group.
Zemgales Ziņas · 6 Jul, 07:36

Country Music Festival Moves from Bauska to Saulkrasti, Introduces Steampunk Concept
The Bauska country music festival will take place in Saulkrasti on July 10–11 this year instead of at the Bauska hillfort stage due to reconstruction. The festival will adopt a 'Steampunk Country' concept, blending country music with steampunk aesthetics.
Bauskas Dzīve · 6 Jul, 07:36

Heavy rains flood Stradiņš Hospital's 32nd building; 32 patients transferred
Heavy downpours on the night of July 6 flooded Building 32 of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, damaging infrastructure and forcing the transfer of 32 patients.
LSM (rus) · 6 Jul, 07:36

Saeima Election Candidates: Older, More Educated, Fewer
An analysis of Central Election Commission data by LETA shows that the pool of candidates for the 15th Saeima elections is narrower, older, and has higher formal education compared to previous elections.
LSM · 6 Jul, 07:36
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Apollo.lv invites readers to test geography knowledge with capitals quiz
Apollo.lv has published a quiz asking readers to identify the capitals of 15 countries. Readers are challenged to get a perfect score.
Apollo.lv · 6 Jul, 06:38

Latvijas Attīstībai Nominates Two Bauska District Candidates in Zemgale; Former Minister Plešs Also on List
The party Latvijas attīstībai has announced its candidate list for the 15th Saeima elections in the Zemgale electoral district, featuring two representatives from Bauska district – Dace Dukāte and Mikus Markevičs – and former Environment and Regional Development Minister Artūrs Toms Plešs.
Bauskas Dzīve · 6 Jul, 06:37

Narva City Assembly Clarifies Procedure for 'Technical Breaks' During Sessions
The chancellery of the Narva City Assembly has officially responded to deputy Yelena Pazilina, explaining the legal basis for using the term 'technical break' during meetings.
ERR (rus) · 6 Jul, 05:38

Thunderstorms Expected in Central and Eastern Latvia
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre warns of thunderstorms with heavy rain that will affect central and eastern regions in the coming hours.
LSM (rus) · 6 Jul, 05:38

Expert: Only 21% of State Institutions Have Business Continuity Plans
Ojārs Stūre warns that such low numbers indicate reliance on luck rather than real crisis preparedness.
Delfi · 6 Jul, 05:38
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NATO Plane's Contrails Spark Disinformation Wave on Midsummer's Eve in Latvia
Two Latvian politicians spread conspiracy theories on social media about a NATO reconnaissance plane's contrails on Midsummer's Eve, claiming chemical spraying. The article explains that contrails are harmless ice particles and such disinformation is politically advantageous before elections.
TVNET · 6 Jul, 05:37

Kulbergs: Bureaucracy and Micromanagement Are the Biggest Obstacles to Government Work
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stated in an interview that bureaucracy and micromanagement hinder the government's work. He pledged to reform IT procurement, accelerate civil defence, and change the approach to the Rail Baltica project.
Bauskas Dzīve · 6 Jul, 05:36