Latvia & nearby
Aigars Lazdiņš recommends ten June articles: from church scandal to hockey talent
Columnist Aigars Lazdiņš has compiled ten June publications he recommends reading, covering topics from sexual abuse allegations in the church to a new Lyme disease vaccine, an AI startup, Rail Baltica, and hockey talent Albert Šmits.
Delfi · 3 Jul, 01:38
Experts: «United List» has taken a significant share of «New Unity» support
Party ratings show that the «United List» has gained a significant portion of the support from «New Unity» voters, according to experts.
LSM · 3 Jul, 01:38
30-Meter Protective Zone Established Along State Border: New Restrictions for Landowners
Starting July 3, amendments to the Law on Protective Zones introduce a 30-meter protective zone along the state border, imposing restrictions on construction, logging, and requiring Ministry of Defence approval for property transactions.
LV portāls · 3 Jul, 01:36
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President Rinkēvičs' Summer Style at Roņu sala: Sand-Colored Jacket and Beige Ensemble
President Edgars Rinkēvičs chose a sand-colored double-breasted jacket, white shirt without tie, and light beige trousers for his visit to Roņu sala, creating a summer-ready yet formal look.
TVNET · 3 Jul, 00:37
From a Single Competition to a Systemic Problem: What Ails the Latvian Civil Service?
The debate over amendments to the Civil Service Law reveals deeper issues—closed rotation among senior officials, politicization, and erosion of public trust.
LV portāls · 3 Jul, 00:36
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State Police Search for Missing 12-Year-Old Veronika Markelova
The Latvian State Police are searching for Veronika Markelova, born in 2013, who went missing on July 1 after leaving her home on Latgales Street in Riga and has not returned.
TVNET · 2 Jul, 23:37
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Heavy Accident on Tallinn Highway: Driver Trapped in Vehicle
On Thursday morning, a serious collision between two trucks occurred on the Tallinn Highway. The driver of the rear truck, a man approximately 62 years old, was extracted from the vehicle by firefighters and taken to hospital in moderate condition.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 23:36
Friday Forecast: Showers and Possible Thunderstorms, +17..+22°C
Friday will bring variable cloudiness and short-term rain across Estonia, with a chance of thunderstorms in the evening. Temperatures will reach +17 to +22 degrees Celsius.
ERR (rus) · 2 Jul, 22:37
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Bus driver recounts accident on Kārļa Ulmaņa Street in Riga
A collision between a bus and a car occurred Wednesday evening in Riga; the bus driver shared details with the program "Degpunktā".
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 22:37
United List Attracts Significant Portion of New Unity's Support — Experts
According to sociologists and political scientists, party ratings have not brought major surprises, but the United List, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, has managed to attract a significant portion of New Unity voters.
LSM (rus) · 2 Jul, 22:37
Teenagers in Valmiera brutally assault peer on video, police investigate
A video on Snapchat shows a group of teenagers in Valmiera violently humiliating a peer, spitting and hitting him. The victim and parents have reported the incident to the police, and an administrative process has been initiated.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 21:36
Police Search for Missing Person Peteris Ekis
State Police are asking for help locating Peteris Ekis, born 2003, who last contacted his family from Tbilisi on June 21.
Jauns.lv · 2 Jul, 21:36
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Lucavsala residents complain about nighttime revelry by the Daugava
Residents of Lucavsala in Riga are complaining about noise and disorder caused by partygoers at a recreation area along the Daugava riverbank during warm months.
TVNET · 2 Jul, 20:37
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Lottery for Candidate List Numbers in Saeima Elections to Be Held on Monday
The Central Election Commission will conduct a lottery on Monday to assign numbers to candidate lists for the 15th Saeima elections. The submission of lists ends on July 5, and the elections are scheduled for early October.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 20:37
Party ratings: 'United List' and 'Sovereign Power'/'New Latvians' rise in popularity
A June poll shows the 'United List' and 'Sovereign Power'/'New Latvians' gaining the most support, while 'New Unity' and the Greens/Farmers Union have lost ground.
Delfi · 2 Jul, 20:37
US Ambassador's Residence in Tallinn Hosts Independence Day Reception
On July 2, a reception at the US ambassador's residence in Tallinn marked the 250th US Independence Day, attended by Estonian President Alar Karis.
ERR (rus) · 2 Jul, 19:37
Man Doused with Gasoline and Set on Fire in Līgatne Parish: Fire Also Claims Woman's Life
The State Police have completed an investigation into a tragic fire in Līgatne parish that killed two people. The suspect allegedly poured gasoline on one victim and set him on fire, causing a blaze that also killed another person.
Jauns.lv · 2 Jul, 19:36
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Contract Signed for Completion of Stradiņš Hospital A2 Building
The Latvian State Real Estate (VNĪ) has signed a contract with NSHC Group to complete the A2 building of Paula Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital for €96.8 million, with works to be finished in 36 months.
TVNET · 2 Jul, 18:37
From July 1, Local Police Take Over Pet Welfare Supervision
As of July 1, reports of pet mistreatment must be made to local police instead of the Food and Veterinary Service. Animal advocates hope for faster response, but municipalities worry about police competence.
Jauns.lv · 2 Jul, 18:36
Two-car collision at Ventspils and Lielirbes street intersection in Riga
Today, July 2, around 5:26 PM, a collision involving two cars occurred at the intersection of Ventspils and Lielirbes streets in Riga. The State Police are investigating the circumstances; traffic in the area is restricted.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 18:36
Not enough 10th-grade places in Riga schools – new system raises concerns
In Riga, 5,332 students compete for 4,500 10th-grade spots, and the new unified admission system has started releasing first results today.
LSM (rus) · 2 Jul, 18:36
CeHs.lv: Public transport forced me to buy a car
Kristaps Āls of the think tank "CeHs.lv" explains why, after years of using and supporting public transport, he finally switched to a private car.
Delfi · 2 Jul, 17:37
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Internal Security Bureau Calls for Prosecution of Police Officer for Unjustified Use of Stun Gun
The Internal Security Bureau has sent a criminal case to the prosecutor's office, seeking charges against a State Police officer for exceeding official authority by using an electroshock device without legal justification against detainees in two separate incidents.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 17:37
Latvia's May unemployment rate at 6.5% exceeds EU and eurozone averages – Eurostat
According to Eurostat, Latvia's unemployment rate stood at 6.5% in May 2026, higher than the EU and eurozone averages.
LSM (rus) · 2 Jul, 17:36
New Unity Announces Candidates for Saeima Elections; Čakša Not Running
The New Unity alliance has submitted 125 candidates for the upcoming Saeima elections. The lists are led by current MPs and ministers, but former minister Anda Čakša is not among them.
LSM · 2 Jul, 17:36
Police search for missing person Igor Sadovs
Latvian State Police are seeking help to locate Igor Sadovs (born 1976), last seen in Ogre on June 27.
Apollo.lv · 2 Jul, 16:38
Marine Biologist: Water Quality at Estonian Beaches No Cause for Concern
Despite a European Environment Agency report ranking Estonia's bathing water quality among the poorest in Europe, marine biologist Georg Martin says that does not mean the beaches are unsafe for swimming.
ERR News · 2 Jul, 16:38
Leaders of 'Centra Saskaņa' lists for Saeima elections announced
The political party "Centra Saskaņa" has announced the leaders of its candidate lists for the 15th Saeima elections: Jānis Urbanovičs, Kārlis Krēsliņš, Aivars Smans, Valērijs Agešins, and Irina Dolgova.
LSM (rus) · 2 Jul, 16:36
State Allocates €97,259 for Roof Repair of Bebrene Church Damaged by Storm
The Latvian government has granted €97,259 from the contingency budget to restore the roof of the Bebrene St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, which was severely damaged in the storm on June 11.
Jauns.lv · 2 Jul, 16:36
Latvian Ministry Favors Food Packages over Store Cards for the Needy
The Ministry of Welfare recommends keeping the current system of distributing food and hygiene packages for the next EU funding period (2028-2034), arguing it is more cost-effective and equitable than introducing payment cards for stores.
BNN · 2 Jul, 15:37
Elenger and Alexela to Lower Gas Prices in August
Two Estonian gas suppliers, Elenger and Alexela, will reduce household gas prices in August following a drop in the TTF benchmark.
ERR News · 2 Jul, 15:36
Bundeswehr Chief Inspector Calls for Thinking Beyond State Borders When It Comes to NATO Forces
The Chief Inspector of the Bundeswehr stated in an interview that NATO forces in the Baltic region must be viewed as a unified structure, not divided by national borders, and that Russia could be capable of launching a large-scale war against the alliance by 2029.
ERR (rus) · 2 Jul, 15:36
Police Officer to Be Charged for Unjustified Use of Stun Gun
The Internal Security Bureau has sent a criminal case to the prosecutor's office against a State Police officer for exceeding authority by using an electric shock device.
LSM · 2 Jul, 15:36
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Riga Begins Sending Invitations for 10th Grade Admissions
Riga municipality started sending out invitations for 10th grade enrollment on July 2. A total of 5,332 applicants submitted 41,581 applications, with STEM programs being the most popular.
TVNET · 2 Jul, 14:38
PM: Hacker spent several days undetected in Latvian State Forests system
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs revealed that a hacker entered the system of AS “Latvijas Valsts meži” on June 11 but only began active operations on the night of June 22-23, remaining unnoticed for days, highlighting shortcomings in cybersecurity monitoring.
BNN · 2 Jul, 14:37
Estonian government approves ban on property purchases for some Russian and Belarusian citizens
The Estonian government approved a bill that would ban real estate acquisitions by Russian and Belarusian citizens without long-term or permanent residence status, as well as companies under their control, to mitigate security risks.
ERR (rus) · 2 Jul, 14:36